Many people all over the world apply oil on their body, hair, and skin. With many different types of oils in the market, it’s important to realize which blend will best cater to your needs. So how do you know which oil is right for you? Let’s take a look through several popular oils, their uses, characteristics, and benefits.
How Are Oils Extracted?
Oils are generally extracted from the methods of mechanical expression and distillation. Mechanical expression is used when extracting oils from the rinds of citrus fruits. During this process, whole fruits are tossed in a mechanical device while being poked by thousands of tiny spikes. These spikes pierce the fruit’s surface, the oil is extracted, and a separator is used to push the essential oil away from any remaining water and fruit juice. Pretty cool right?
Another common method of oil extraction is distillation. This process uses heat and water to separate the essential oil from the plant itself.
Importance of Common Oils
Common oils offer a natural remedy for many health issues and are often used as an alternative to pharmaceuticals. In the old days, only medical professionals had access to such oils, but now they can be obtained inexpensively from any health food store. Common oils have been shown to kill bacteria, reduce swelling, and help cure allergies. They can also be used in a diffuser or in massage therapy.
However, the use of such oils is not without controversy as some oils are simply too expensive for the average person. Some people even say that common oils are merely a placebo effect, while others say that using common oils while pregnant is dangerous because they’re not regulated by the FDA.
Common Oils And Their Uses
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil has a range of health benefits including the curing of stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and heartburn. Peppermint oil also has a variety of household uses such as cleaning, pest control, and cooking. Who would’ve known! The minty scent is believed to improve mental clarity and wellbeing while easing pain in muscles or joints for people with arthritis or other muscle related pain.
Lavender Oil
Ooo… our favorite! Lavender is one of the most popular scents in the world. It can be found in clothes, soap, candles and many other everyday items. Extracted from the flower of lavender, the main chemical compounds are linalool and linalyl acetate which gives it its distinctive aroma. Lavender has been used for thousands of years to treat a variety of illnesses including headaches, nervousness, depression and digestive problems.
Sandalwood Oil
Sandalwood oil, scientifically known as Santalum Album, is extracted from the sandalwood tree. It is obtained from the steam distillation of chips, segments, and billets. Sandalwood oil has been used since ancient times in India and China, and is used primarily for spiritual practices such as yoga, meditation, and prayer.
Rose Oil
Rose oil, also known as Rose Otto, is a fragrant essential oil produced from the petals of various types of roses. Rose oil is used in aromatherapy and perfume manufacturing. It has also been found to have medicinal benefits such as soothing dry skin, reducing muscular pain, and easing headaches. However, the price of rose oil can be quite high depending on its natural source, quality, and location of harvest.
Chamomile
Chamomile oil has many uses as a natural remedy. It can be used to treat cough, bronchitis, colic, and other stomach ailments. There are three main types of chamomile: German chamomile, Roman chamomile, and wild chamomile. The taste of each type differs significantly from one another. The German chamomile is considered to have the strongest flavor and aroma while the wild chamomile has a softer, mild aroma.
Lemon Oil
The use of lemon oil is an ancient remedy that has gained popularity due to its ability to naturally soothe and heal skin. In hospitals, physicians often recommend the topical application of natural oils like lemon oil to reduce irritation or the risk of infection in cases from burns or wounds from surgery. Lemon oil has been used for a variety of purposes including massage, home cleaning products, furniture fragrance, and even as an additive to hair conditioner.
Now that you’ve learned several common oils and their benefits, did you figure out which oil is best for you? Cut right to the fun and create your own scent blend with essential oils like eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, peppermint, and rose geranium in our natural soap making class. Create one-of-a-kind gifts that you and your family will love bathing with!
