11 Essential Oils: Their Uses and Advantages

For years, proponents of alternative medicine have believed in the efficacy of essential oils. However, due to their growing accessibility and purported health advantages, they are becoming more popular.
Here are details on 11 essential oils, along with their advantages and recommended uses.

Essential oils: what are they?

Concentrated plant extracts are called essential oils.

Phytochemicals and structural components make up plants. According to Doctors , these compounds have qualities that are advantageous to both people and plants.

Because so much plant material is required to manufacture essential oils, some of them can be somewhat pricey. As an illustration:

One pound of lavender essential oil is produced from about 250 pounds of lavender flowers.
One pound of rose or lemon balm essential oil is produced from about 5,000 pounds of rose petals or lemon balm.

Experts claim that since a significant amount of the plant is required to produce an essential oil, it is a potent botanical remedy.

Advantages of essential oils :

Essential oils can be applied topically to the skin or utilized in aromatherapy, a type of complementary medicine that uses scent to promote health.

Research suggests that essential oils could be beneficial:

Improve your mood.
Enhance work performance by being more focused and less stressed.
Boost your slumber.
Eliminate viruses, fungi, and bacteria.
Lessen discomfort and worry.
lessen the inflammatory response.
lessen queasiness.
relieve headache pain.

The following list of popular essential oils and their advantages:

cosmetic oil, natural cosmetic, borago officinalis

Lavender oil

Doctors’ favorite oil is lavender. It is very beneficial and gentle. There are numerous applications for it,” she explains.

Consider using it as aromatherapy in a bath or diffuser, diluting it with water to create a body spritzer or room spray, or mixing it with a base oil to create body oil.

Lavender is beneficial for pain, stress, and sleep. Doctors state that lavender was also used as a cleaning agent in hospitals prior to the development of antiseptics.

Studies have also indicated that the use of tea tree and lavender oils may cause hormonal disruptions in young boys.

Tea tree oil

According to experts, tea tree oil is primarily used as an antifungal, antiseptic, and antibacterial. It can also be helpful for:

Acne. “Dip a cotton swab into the essential oil of tea tree. Then, apply it straight to the acne; this is one instance in which dilution is not necessary, advise doctors. “It can aid in clearing up acne quicker.”
Ringworm and athlete’s foot. “Apply the mixture to the afflicted area of skin after diluting it with a carrier oil, which is a base or vegetable oil like coconut or jojoba oil that helps dilute essential oils.”

One word of caution: Doctors advise against diffusing tea tree oil if you have small children or animals at home due to its potential for neurotoxicity.

Frankincense oil

Frankincense, dubbed the “king of oils,” is beneficial for mood, sleep, and inflammation. It may also prevent gum disease and help with asthma, according to studies.

With its woodsy, spicy perfume, frankincense oil is a common ingredient in skin treatments and can be used in aromatherapy. Before using frankincense oil to your skin, make sure you dilute it.

Peppermint oil

It is known that peppermint oil:

Have antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Reduce headache pain.
Combat exhaustion.
Boost your mood.
ease the contractions in your stomach.
aid in the digestive process.
Assist the memory.

According to Doctors, “peppermint tea can also settle your stomach if you have gastric irritation or irritable bowel syndrome.” “It’s very simple to use and gentle.”

Always dilute the oil before using it topically.

Eucalyptus oil

Having eucalyptus essential oil on hand is an excellent idea during the colder months. It helps you breathe easier by widening your nasal passageways, which relieves stuffiness in the nose. (Peppermint oil may also be useful in this regard.)

Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities help it combat the herpes simplex virus and reduce discomfort.

When using eucalyptus oil, exercise caution and dilute it before applying it topically. It can have harmful adverse effects on children and pets and should not be consumed.

Lemon oil

Lemon oil is extracted from the peel of lemons and can be used topically to the skin with a carrier oil or diffused into the atmosphere.

Lemon oil has a reputation for:

Diminish feelings of melancholy and anxiety.
less suffering.
Reduce nausea.
Eliminate bacteria.

According to a study, aromatherapy with essential oils, such as lemon oil, may help Alzheimer’s patients’ cognitive abilities.

It is safe to use lemon oil topically and for aromatherapy. However, other reports claim that using lemon oil can enhance your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight and raise your chance of getting sunburned. After using, keep yourself out of direct sunlight. Lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, lemongrass, and bergamot oils are among them.

Lemongrass oil

With its potent citrus aroma, lemongrass oil is well-known for its ability to reduce tension, anxiety, and sadness.

It is an excellent natural medicine for healing wounds and killing infections because of its antibacterial qualities. It has been demonstrated to stop the growth of fungi that causes jock itch, ringworm, and athlete’s foot.

Lemongrass oil has been shown in a study to help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

Before applying to your skin, make sure you use a carrier oil.

Orange oil

The rinds of citrus fruits are used to make orange oil. It can be used topically to the skin (with a carrier oil), diffused into the air, or even used as a natural cleanser for your house.

It is known that orange oil:

Eliminate bacteria.
Diminish your fear.
less suffering.

Applying orange oil to your skin and then stepping outside should be done with caution as it can cause your skin to become more sensitive to sunlight.

Rosemary oil

It’s likely that you’ve reached for rosemary to give some of your recipes more flavor. However, there are also other advantages of taking rosemary oil, such as enhancing mental clarity, encouraging hair development, lowering tension and pain, elevating your mood, and lowering inflammation in your joints.

When combined with a carrier oil, rosemary oil is safe to apply directly to the skin and use in aromatherapy. It is recommended that you do not use rosemary oil if you have high blood pressure, epilepsy, or are pregnant.

Bergamot oil

What does bergamot mean? You’ve probably had bergamot if you enjoy Earl Gray tea. With a fruity and floral scent, the oil can be applied topically with a carrier oil or diffused (although it may cause photosensitivity).

Oil of bergamot is known to:

Diminish your fear.
Boost your mood.
Reduce your blood pressure.

Cedarwood oil

With its pleasant woodsy aroma, cedarwood oil is a common ingredient in deodorant, shampoo, and insect repellant due to its antioxidant and antibacterial qualities. However, cedarwood oil can also be used to treat anxiety and insomnia.

Cedarwood oil can be applied topically when combined with a carrier oil, or used as aromatherapy.

How to apply essential oils

Given the potency of essential oils, Doctors advises exercising caution when choosing and applying them. Tiny amounts are used, usually no more than a few drops.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to avoid using them frequently as your body may become accustomed to them and lose their potency.

The following are a few applications for essential oils:

Spread them out

Diffusing essential oils is one way to practice aromatherapy.

It’s an excellent method for rapidly altering your mood. According to Doctors, the perfume of the oil instantly activates your central nervous system and causes an emotional reaction as you breathe it in. “It can quickly ease stress and anxiety.”

In an essential oil diffuser, combine essential oils and water, then turn on the magic. A diffuser is a gadget that allows you to breathe in little oil particles by dispersing them around the space. For the ideal oil-to-water ratio, according to the diffuser’s instructions.

There are further aromatherapy techniques. Experts advise avoiding direct contact with essential oils and diluting them beforehand, regardless of the method selected.

Additional techniques for aromatherapy include:

The conventional manner. Once the bottle is open, inhale deeply of the perfume.
Evaporation without moisture. Scent a cotton ball with a few drops of essential oil and inhale the aroma as it wafts.
breathing in steam. A cup of hot water should contain a few drops of essential oil. Place a cloth over your head and place it over the bowl to inhale the steam.

One warning, according to doctors, is that older persons with dementia or behavioral issues may not benefit as much from aromatherapy. That might be the case because aging often results in a loss of smell.

Roll straight onto your skin.

The advantages can also be obtained by putting essential oils on your skin, where your body will absorb them. However, doctors advise against using the majority of essential oils directly on your skin without first diluting them.

“To prevent skin sensitivity, it is advisable to dilute essential oils with a carrier oil like jojoba or coconut oil, with very few exceptions,” he explains.

To make application easier, some people transfer their essential oil blend into a tiny rollerball bottle.

Consume them.

Certain individuals use essential oils orally through drinks, supplements, or even by placing a few drops onto their tongue.

“Unless instructed otherwise by a qualified herbalist, I do not advise utilizing them in this manner. Doctors cautions, “They might be harmful because they’re so strong.” You’re inadvertently consuming a significant amount of plant material even with only a few drops of essential oil. They have the ability to scorch your mouth’s mucosal lining.

Certain recipes call for essential oils, such as orange, but you should always check the dosage and carefully follow the instructions.

When using essential oils to elderly, pregnant, and immune-compromised individuals, exercise caution.

When used excessively, several essential oils can be detrimental to the neurological system and liver. Doctors caution that eucalyptus and tea tree oils have also been reported to induce seizures. “They also pose a danger to animals.”

11 Essential Oils: Their Benefits and How To Use Them (clevelandclinic.org)