Do you ever notice the essential oil bottles while shopping, but never truly know what they are, how they work, and the benefits they provide? We’ll talk you through everything you need to know about essential oils including an inside scoop on our favorite scents.
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils, made up of a variety of natural ingredients such as flowers, herbs, and roots, are concentrated plant extracts that retain the natural smell of their source. For example, a lavender essential oil smells just like a lavender flower. How cool is that?
Essential oils are great for treating skin conditions like acne and eczema because they do not contain any harmful chemicals. The oil’s anti-inflammatory properties also help reduce the redness caused by acne and eczema, and have been used for centuries in many cultures to treat physical and emotional ailments. Some essential oils even have a calming effect on the body and mind leading to use before bedtime or when experiencing anxiety or stress.
In fact, essential oils have been used for thousands of years to promote wellness. The practice dates back to ancient Egypt across the world and continues today in cultures all over the globe. In recent years, essential oils have gained popularity in the western world due to their many health benefits and ability to be easily incorporated into one’s daily routine.
Do Essential Oils Actually Work?
Essential oils are widely used for their therapeutic properties and as an alternative to modern science. From depression to insomnia, essential oils are utilized to treat a variety of ailments and illnesses.
Unfortunately, most of the studies on essential oils are poorly designed or not well-conducted, which greatly limits any conclusions that can be drawn from them.
Benefits of Essential Oil
What if I told you an essential oil could relieve your stress and pain? That’s right! Essential oils offer a range of benefits that are both natural and effective including pain relief, stress relief, anti-aging, mental health, digestion, immune system function and much more. Here are a few of our favorite essential oil scents!
- Lavender: Used to relieve stress.
- Tea Tree: Used to fight infections and boost immunity.
- Peppermint: Used to aid digestion and boost energy.
Aromatherapy with Essential Oils
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils and other aromatic plant extracts to enhance well-being. It is a holistic treatment, used to create a sense of balance in the body, that levels your emotions, thoughts, and energies. Now you may be wondering… how do I get these essential oils into my system? The method of aromatherapy provides three ways to practice using essential oils; inhalation, topical use, and ingestion.
- Inhalation: The most common form of using essential oils is by inhaling the fragrance. This can be done with a diffuser or by breathing the oil in deeply from a handkerchief. We recommend starting with eucalyptus or tea tree oil in a diffuser!
- Topical use: Essential oils can be applied to the skin with massage or directly to an affected area as needed. You can even dab essential oils on the bottom of your feet as your feet contain several key absorption points.
- Ingestion: Some people ingest essential oils in order to get relief from their health conditions.
Remember, it only takes a few drops of an essential oil to leave the user with a pleasant smell and many therapeutic benefits. Try adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil to your next bath. Relaxation at its finest!
Essential oils are a new world. However, with proper use, essential oils provide endless physical and emotional benefits. Which essential oil are you going to test out first?
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