Benefits of Using Essential Oils
Essential oils have become incredibly popular recently due to their natural healing properties and the many ways they can be incorporated into everyday life. But the truth is that essential oils have been used for many centuries because of their potent healing capabilities, which is why their use continues to this day. These potent and highly concentrated oils can be used to treat a variety of physical, emotional, and spiritual ailments. If you’re new to using essential oils or are looking for ways to further incorporate them into your life, this article will explore the many ways that these powerful oils can be used and how they can benefit your health.
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are concentrated extracts from plants. Each oil is made up of a mixture of organic compounds, and due to their extremely concentrated nature, a small amount can go a long way. They are typically created through a process known as steam distillation or expression, as well as sometimes solvent extraction.
Essential oils can be used topically, by inhalation, and even internally in certain cases. This means they can be applied to the skin, diffused into the air with a diffuser or humidifier, or taken orally. The most potent essential oils are those extracted from natural plants, flowers, fruit, or leaves.
Why You Should Use Essential Oils
While there is always the risk when it comes to using any kind of natural supplement, using essential oils is relatively safe and can significantly improve a person’s wellbeing in a variety of ways.
1. Great For Relaxation and Stress Relief
The use of essential oils is widely accepted as a method of relaxation, stress relief, and even sleep improvement. Aromatherapy, the practice of using essential oils, is a popular form of massage therapy where essential oils are used as part of a massage to help relax and reduce stress levels as well as provide relief from pain. Aromatherapy is said to be beneficial in boosting mood, calming the mind and body, and improving overall energy levels.
2. Natural Insect Repellent
Many essential oils such as citronella, lemongrass, eucalyptus and peppermint are known to be effective natural insect repellents. They are a much safer option to commercial insect repellents which use toxic chemicals that can be dangerous to humans.
3. Dental Health Benefits
Essential oils like clove and peppermint oil are known to be effective in treating bad breath, gingivitis and toothaches. Research has shown that clove oil can reduce swelling and redness in the gums while peppermint oil can help reduce bacteria in our mouths.
4. Respiratory Benefits
Essential oils help to open up the airways and reduce congestion in the respiratory system. Eucalyptus, peppermint, and lemon essential oils are known to be helpful in treating respiratory issues such as asthma, bronchitis, and even the common cold.
5. Detoxifying
Essential oils like lemon, lavender, and ginger are known to have detoxifying qualities that help to support the body’s natural ability to expel toxins from the body. They are also powerful antioxidants that protect the cells from damage.
6. Skin Benefits
The use of essential oils for skin care is highly popular due to their anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Tea tree, lavender and frankincense essential oils are known to be effective for treating skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. The antioxidants in essential oils also help to protect the skin from environmental damage and slow down the aging process.
7. Emotional and Mental Benefits
Using certain essential oils can help to boost our mood and reduce stress and anxiety levels. Lavender, vetiver, and bergamot essential oils are known to be particularly effective in treating depression, reducing stress, and improving mental clarity.
Safe Use of Essential Oils
Although essential oils can provide numerous benefits to our health, it is important to be aware of the cautions and risks associated with their use. Essential oils must be used with care as they are highly concentrated and therefore can be unsafe if taken orally or applied to the skin in their pure form. Therefore, it’s important to always use essential oils in dilution with a carrier oil such as coconut oil or jojoba oil. It is also important to do a patch test on the skin before using the essential oils, to make sure that you do not have any adverse reactions.
Essential oils have a gift from nature that can be used to strengthen our physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing in numerous ways. They offer natural healing to a wide range of ailments and provide detoxifying, skin care, emotional and mental benefits. However, it’s important to always use essential oils safely, by diluting them with a carrier oil, and to carry out a patch test before use to check for sensitivity. With these safety measures, there is no doubt that essential oils can revolutionize our health and wellbeing.
