Essential oils are becoming more and more popular these days. People use them for everything from headaches to sore throats. However, those just beginning to look into essential oils may have several questions. Therefore, before going out and purchasing just any essential oil, it is best to gather as much information as possible to ensure the products they buy are going to work best and are of good quality.
Essential Oils and Aromatherapy
Basically, essential oils are plant extracts. They are made by pressing or steaming certain parts of the plant, whether the flower, bark, leaves, or fruit, to catch the compounds that make the oil’s scent. This is how Young Living Essential Oils makes their pure quality oils; it can take them several pounds of the plant to produce one bottle of the oil.
Once these essential oils are extracted from the plant, many people choose to use them for aromatherapy which is the technique of using essential oils for therapeutic service. People have been using aromatherapy for centuries. It works when people breathe in the scent molecules in oils, head to the olfactory nerves, and straight to the brain. The amygdala, the center of emotions in the brain, is impacted by the scent. Essential oils can also be used on the skin. For example, someone who works as a massage therapist may add drops of oils to help relax their client’s tight muscles, or a company that sells skincare products may add oils like lavender into their various products.
What Essential Oils Are Good For
People may claim that essential oils can naturally heal various ailments, but there is not enough research out there to prove many of the claims. Specific lab tests have shown promising results, such as one study that found that certain oils could kill a distinct type of Lyme bacteria better than certain antibiotics, but the results have been mixed.
Other studies show the benefit of essential oils in alleviating mental conditions such as anxiety and depression. Other ailments that are more physical that crucial oils have aided in are nausea, dry mouth, low appetite, and insomnia.
How To Use Essential Oils
When starting the essential oil lifestyle, the person must know how to use them safely. Currently, there is no regulation on essential oils, so unfortunately, many out there do not use pure ingredients or add-ins that dilute the oil. Because oils are not regulated, they may also not have all the ingredients listed on their label. This is why it is never a good idea to ingest essential oils.
Being cautious when diffusing certain essential oils in a home is also a good idea. People within the home may react differently than others. An example of this would be if an adult diffused peppermint oil because it has been known to help with headaches. They may respond well, but if they have a baby less than thirty months old, they may become agitated and have an adverse reaction to the diffused peppermint oil.
The best ways to use essential oils include certain aromatherapy accessories such as necklaces, bracelets, or keychains. They are usually made up of an absorbent material that allows a person to put drops of their favorite oil in, and they can smell it throughout their day.
Another is through body oil, a mixture of carrier oil such as jojoba, olive, or coconut oil, and a few drops of essential oil. People will take these and massage them into their skin. They use carrier oils because essential oils are so concentrated that putting them directly on the skin may cause irritation.
The final is through an aroma stick, which can also be called an essential oil inhaler. These are plastic, portable sticks with an absorbent wick that will soak up the essential oil. They usually come with a cover, so whenever someone needs to breathe in the scent of the oil, they can take the cap off and enjoy the lovely aroma.
What Essential Oils Are Best
There are dozens upon dozens of essential oils out there with various fragrances, but there are a few that people continue to buy. These include lavender, tea tree, peppermint, and lemon oil. For those just starting, these four are a great starting point.
Essential oils are a great tool when it comes to aromatherapy. It is incredible how just one sniff of a fragrance can make someone feel so good.
