Iâve got 99 problems and essential oil solves 87 of them. Compounds extracted from potentially beneficial plants are known as essential oils. Every plant has unique characteristics so just like that, every essential oil derived from different sources has different benefits. Essential oils are obtained through steam, water, or mechanical methods like cold pressing.
Essential oil is an investment in your wellness
The most common usage of essential oil is in aromatherapy, in which they are inhaled through various methods. Essential oils are either applied or inhaled, they are not meant to be swallowed. Essential oils have certain chemicals that interact with the body in several ways. Although, there is no science-backed research that shows the benefits of these oils. Still, many people show positive benefits such as elevated mood, stress relievers after using essential oils.
Popular types of essential oils
There are almost more than 90 types of essential oils. Each type of oil has its unique fragrance and certain health claims. Following are the 10 most commonly known types of essential oils:
Peppermint:Â Boosts energy and aids in digestion
Lavender:Â Relieves stress
Sandalwood:Â Calm nerves and increases focus
Bergamot:Â Reduces stress and improves skin conditions like eczema
Tea Tree:Â Fights infections
Jasmine:Â Helps to fight depression
Rose:Â Improves mood and reduces anxiety
Chamomile:Â Improves mood, sleep and relaxes the body
Ylang-Ylang:Â Treats headaches, nausea, and skin conditions
Lemon:Â Aids in digestion, mood, and headaches
Health benefits of essential oils
Many people are unaware of the health claims and benefits of essential oils. Following are the health problems that essential oils have been used to treat.
Stress and anxiety
Many people believe that essential oils have a subtle effect on the chemical system of the body. This is why aromatherapy is very common throughout the world. People consider it a natural remedy to relieve anxiety and stress. Around 43% of people with stress and anxiety use therapies to treat their symptoms. Many people have shown quite positive responses regarding aromatherapy. The fragrance of some essential oils like lavender works best to alleviate symptoms of stress or depression.
Headaches and migraines
Studies have shown that applying peppermint and lavender oil on the forehead reduces headache. People around the world also apply the mixture of chamomile and sesame oil to treat headaches and migraines. It is one of the traditional Persian headache remedies that is followed in many other parts of the world too.
Sleep and insomnia
Lavender is worldwide famous for increasing sleep quality. Wondering how oil can make you sleep better? Well, lavender calms the central nervous system and promotes slow-wave sleep which enhances the sleep quality allowing you to sleep longer and better. So lavender oil isnât just something that smells nice but it is also a powerful punch when it comes to helping you in sleeping better. Smelling lavender oil also improves the sleep quality of women who face sleepless and restless nights, post-pregnancy.
Hair growth and Hair Health
Many people use essential oil for hair growth and health. Different oils do different wonders like hair growth, strength, and shine. Lavender is an essential oil that speeds up hair growth. It also has the ability to generate cells of hair and reduce stress. You can mix several drops of lavender oil into 3 tbsp of any carrier oil (Olive oil or Coconut oil for example) and apply directly to your scalp. Leave it in 10 minutes and wash rinse it thoroughly. You can do this remedy 2-3 times a week to get beautiful and strong hair.
Antibiotic and antimicrobial
Essential oils are widely used in the pharmaceutical industry because of their antibiotic and antimicrobial properties. Essential oils such as peppermint and tea tree oil are widely known and they have shown many positive results. For example, tea tree oil is used to treat acne globally.
Reducing inflammation
Antioxidants reduce the harmful effects of inflammation in the body. This is why many doctors ask you to eat antioxidant-rich food to keep you healthy. Essential oils can also be used as antioxidants to reduce inflammation. Recent studies have shown that these essential oils have anti-inflammatory properties: thyme, clove, fennel, eucalyptus, rose, etc.
How to use essential oils?
Essential oils are commonly used in 2 following ways:
Diffusion:Â you can buy any good quality diffuser. It will allow essential oil particles to disperse directly into the air. Inhaling scent helps you to relax. If inflammation is stress-related, this way can be very beneficial.
Massage:Â You can apply diluted essential oil directly to your skin while having a massage.
Note: Only diluted essential oils should be applied to the skin. Essential oils are always mixed with carrier oils.
Warnings
If you have sensitive skin and are allergic to certain essential oils, you might have an allergic reaction. You should always consult a doctor before using any essential oil especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Also, avoid doing any experiments if you have asthma or any respiratory condition.
Skin patch test
It is recommended to do a skin patch test before applying any product directly to your all skin. You can massage the product on the inside of your arm to check if you have unknown allergies. If you donât experience any irritation or inflammation within 2 hours, it should be safe to use. If you want to use essential oil to ease inflammation in the body or to treat any other skin condition or want to get rid of stress and anxiety, you should remember that your body is crying out for help and you have to look out for hidden medical complications. It is good to use essential oils but to avoid the problem from happening again, you really need to cut it from the source. So it is best to consult a doctor so they can help you figure out whatâs wrong and guide you better. You cannot mask your problem with essential oil alone without fixing the underlying root cause of your problem.
