What are Essential Oils Used For

How to Use Essential Oils for Maximum Health Benefits!

Essential oils have been used for hundreds of years, and they are becoming more and more popular as natural remedies. They are plant-based and are extracted from flowers, leaves, stems, bark, and other parts of fruits, plants, and trees. Essential oils can be used for many things, like aromatherapy, skin care, stress relief, and even some medical treatments.

People can naturally improve their physical, mental, and emotional health by using essential oils. They are a good, natural, and cheap way to keep the body healthy and in balance. Essential oils can be put on the skin, put into the air, or even taken by mouth in some cases. With so many potential benefits, it’s no wonder people are turning to essential oils as a way to improve their overall health and well-being.

What are essential oils?

Essential oils are concentrated liquids that are extracted from plants. They are a highly potent product, coming in small bottles that can have a big impact. Essential oils are smelly compounds that come from plants. They can be found in the seeds, bark, stems, flowers, leaves, and roots. The oils are extracted through a variety of methods, like steam distillation, cold pressing, CO2 extraction, and more.

Due to their concentrated nature, a small bottle of essential oils can go a long way and will last for several months. Essential oils are used for medicinal and spiritual purposes, as well as for fragrance. Oil molecules are volatile and evaporate into the air, which is how they can be used topically or diffused. Essential oils can be expensive, but they come in many different brands and varieties, allowing you to find one that works for your budget and needs.

Benefits of using essential oils

• Aromatherapy: Using essential oils to create a soothing environment can help. The smell of essential oils can be used to promote a positive mood, stimulate creativity, or help you relax or unwind at the end of a long day. You can get the most out of essential oils by using a diffuser or by putting the oil on your skin.

• Healing – Essential oils can be used to promote healing. Some essential oils can be used to support the body’s healing process. These include peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary, and more. Peppermint has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce swelling, while lavender is commonly used to help people relax.

• Mental health – Certain essential oils can be helpful for mental health issues like anxiety, insomnia, depression, and more. Lemon, orange, bergamot, and other citrus oils have been found to have antidepressant properties.

• Skincare: – Essential oils have many benefits when it comes to skincare. They can be used to improve the look and feel of your skin by helping to clear blemishes and acne, reducing wrinkles, soothing irritation, and more.

• Weight loss: Essential oils can be used to support weight loss by reducing cravings, boosting metabolism, and increasing energy levels. Some essential oils that can help with weight loss include peppermint, grapefruit, ginger, cinnamon, and more.

Common uses for essential oils

• Headache relief – A migraine headache can be debilitating and make you feel like you’re in a fog. To get relief, apply peppermint essential oil to your temples and forehead. Lavender essential oil is also known to provide headache relief.

• Sleep aid – Improve your sleep by diffusing Lavender or Sandalwood essential oils, or apply these oils to your temples, back of the neck or top of your feet before bed.

• Immune support – There are many essential oils that support the immune system including Frankincense (you can apply this directly to your skin or diffuse it), Lemon, Oregano, Eucalyptus, Orange, Cinnamon and more.

• Weight loss – There are a variety of essential oils that can help you with weight loss, including Black Pepper, Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Cardamom and more.

Different ways to use essential oils

• Apply topically – This can be done directly on the skin or in the muscles and joints. Be sure to dilute the essential oil before applying.

• Inhalation – You can apply a drop of essential oil on a piece of fabric or put a few drops in a bowl of water and place the bowl in a room.

• In food – You can add essential oils to food or beverages, but it’s best to do so sparingly.

• In bath water – Put a few drops in a bath for relaxation, to help relieve muscle pain or for a healing boost.

• In a diffuser – This is a great way to get all the benefits of the essential oil.

Different types of essential oils

• Base note: The scent you detect when you first open a bottle of essential oils. Base notes have a rich, deep, and lingering scent.

• Citrus oils – Produced by the rind of the fruits, these oils are fresh and citrusy and are commonly used in cleaning products.

• Floral oils – These oils are sweet, fresh and floral and are commonly used in perfumes.

• Herb oils – Herbs like lavender, rosemary, thyme, peppermint, oregano and more are used for healing properties.

• Woods oils: inspired by the smell of the forest, these oils are fresh, and woodsy and have a long-lasting scent.

Essential oil safety

Keep in mind that essential oils are concentrated oils, which means they can be very potent. Because of this, they should always be diluted with a carrier oil like jojoba, avocado, almond, or walnut and used with care. An essential oil that has been diluted, applied to the skin, or diffused in the air, can still be strong enough to cause harm if used improperly.

Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind when using essential oils.

• Be aware of skin sensitivity. Sensitive skin means that it is more likely to be affected by essential oils. Make sure to read and follow the usage instructions on the label. Always use the smallest amount possible.

• Avoid contact with eyes. Don’t apply essential oils directly to the eyes or eyelids. It’s also important to use eye-safe containers when storing essential oils.

• Avoid contact with mucous membranes. These include the nasal passages, the mouth, and the genital area. They can also be used in the ears to help with ear infections.

• Avoid using essential oils while pregnant or breastfeeding.

• Don’t use them on children under two years old.

• Avoid prolonged use of certain oils.

Different types of essential oil dilution

1. Topical use: This is when you apply essential oils to the outside of your body. It works great for areas like your feet and hands. You can just massage the oil into the skin, and you’re done.

2. Internal use – This is when you ingest the essential oil. This is not advised for everyone. It should only be done under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Internal use of essential oils can be done in two ways.

2.a. Ingestion: This is when you swallow the essential oil. It’s not often recommended due to the highly concentrated nature of essential oils.

2.b. Inhalation: This is when you inhale the essential oil. This is a safer way to take the essential oils internally.

3. In a bath: This is when you put a few drops of essential oils in a bath. This is a great way to relax your body and mind.

How to store essential oils

• Store in a cool, dry place. Keep them away from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture.

• Keep them in dark bottles to minimize light exposure.

• Store them upright to keep them from leaking.

• Only use glass or plastic containers.

• Replace your essential oils every 2-3 years.

Essential oil recipes

Cooking and baking with essential oils is a great way to get more benefits from them. There are a ton of different recipes out there that you can try. Here are a few recipe ideas to get you started.

• Scented candles are a great way to make your home smell amazing. Try combining different essential oils to come up with your unique scent.

• Potpourri: To make your potpourri, you’ll need to find a glass jar, floral stems, and essential oils. Once you have these items, combine everything.

• Soaps – You can add essential oils to homemade soaps for extra fragrance.
• – Air fresheners

16 Straightforward Recipes for Aromatherapy

Learn more about 16 straightforward recipes for aromatherapy here