In recent years, people have been turning to the power of plants for medicinal purposes, and essential oil is one of them! It has become a trending topic in the social media world.
These plant extracts are catching the attention of internet viewers for their ability to do everything from improving mood, reducing anxiety, relieving heartburn, etc. Essential oils can play an important role in keeping your body and mind fit. So let’s see what exactly are essential oils.
In this article we will see, what are essential oils & their uses, also the popular types of essential oils.
Table of Contents
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are the essence of the plant. It is obtained from various plants. They are made from different parts of the plant, such as roots, stems, leaves, fruits, etc.
It contains a high amount of active substances of this plant with a stronger smell. You can add it with cream and other oils to increase their effectiveness. Usually, you don’t get this oil in pure form, but in a mixture.
There are methods that have been used to extract essential oil since ages. Such as via stream and water, or through mechanical process, and cold pressing.
The oil that has been obtained from mechanical processes is not considered as pure essential oil. The most effective one is cold pressed and the oil that’s been obtained through streaming.
Summery
(In a nutshell, essential oils are mixtures of volatile organic compounds extracted from raw plant material through distillation, condensed into an oil with a strong aroma, and collected in a vessel as the top layer (rarely the bottom layer) of two phase separated liquids: ‘oil and water’.)
Uses of essential oil?
Do you know that essential oils are the key ingredient for fragrance in all the beauty products and dermatological hair products. Yes, researchers and doctors have been working to prove its real worth in industries, although beauty manufacturers have been using essential oil into their products to give it a nice fragrance.
Because of their wide application and unique chemical composition, they are natural sources of biologically active ingredients.
Several studies have been conducted to assess the efficacy of these bioactive ingredients for use in cosmetics, primarily in the repair of hair scalp and shaft damage.
Thus, the amounts and their associations define the properties of these hair cosmetic compositions, such as antioxidant, inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities.
Because they are complex compounds, their effects on the skin, hair scalp, and shaft are still unknown.
Essential oils and natural volatiles are among the most profitable commodities in the industry, as they are used as flavors in lotions or shampoos as fragrances and for skin and hair rejuvenation as perfumes, in candles, soaps, sterilizing liquids, and in conventional or medical aromatherapy.
It is incorrect to state that aromatic plants contain essential oils because essential oils are the result of distillation.
However, it is correct to say that aromatic plants contain the ingredients and precursors needed to produce essential oils, but they are usually referred to as essential oil components.
Listing down some essential uses of essential oil.
#1. Easy inhalation
Using a tissue, put in 1-2 drops of essential oil.
Inhale while holding the tissue several inches away from your nose (Note – do not let the essential oil come in contact with skin, your eyes, nose or mouth).
When first experimenting with an oil, use only one drop to ensure that you do not have a sensitivity or reaction to the oil.
#2. Steam inhalation
Put some hot hot water into a bowl, add a few drops of essential oil into it. Inhale the steam from a distance of a few inches, take breaks while doing it as you shouldn’t inhale it consistently.
Please note that if you are feeling any kind of discomfort in this process like itching and breathing, or other discomfort then stop it immediately.
Steam inhalation can be effective for your cough, cold or influenza and any smell issues, and can enhance your mood, also it gives the sense of relaxation.
#3. Diffusion
Spread over a large area, not concentrated. Use a diffuser while doing this. Also read the manufacturer’s instructions, and don’t diffuse constantly.
#4. General household freshening
It can generally be used as the freshener in your house. All the room fresheners that you buy have the essence of essential oil in it to give the fragrance that you desire.
So if you have or can afford to buy essential oil then it can be used for several purposes like putting a few drops into your trash can, laundry, in your drawer, vacuum bag filter.
But keep it in mind that you need to avoid using it for furniture or finished products as it can damage those things.
#5. Insect repellent
Maybe or maybe not you know that insects are afraid of scents that are high in fragrance, as it can kill them. Or you must be using ‘Hit’ to prevent cockroaches from your house.
How does that smell feel to you? Isn’t it suffocating to smell it?
So now you can imagine how effective it is for insects if you put some highly aromatic essential oil to the area where you find insects. Citronella, Lavender, and Peppermint keeps insects away as it work as a natural repellent.
But note that you must check the safety instructions before doing the same, as some essential oils are not pet friendly. Also don’t use it on the fragile surface.
#6. Aromatherapy massage
Mix up to 12 drops of skin friendly essential oil with 1 ounce of carrier oil such as coconut oil or almond oil, then use it for massage to relieve pain and to calm your body and mind.
But avoid using it near sensitive areas like eyes or genital areas. Also read the safety instruction to know the do’s and don’t about its useability.
#7. Bath
Never use an essential oil directly into your bath as it can cause discomfort and can be sensitive to your skin, imagine how it feels to clean a greasy pan.
So mixing it with the carrier oil like sunflower oil, coconut oil, almond oil or jojoba oil can be the great choice to use it as exotic bath, also it gives your skin a natural moisture, smooths your skin texture, release stress and it is high in trend these days with in adults.
It quickly absorbs into your skin and gives you a soft moistureised beautiful skin .
#8. Other uses
Essential oil can be used for making soaps, shampoos, toners, face lotions, Showergel, perfumes etc.
Popular types of essential oils
Popular types of essential oils are:
There are more than 90 types of essential oils with unique scents and uses. Practitioners use them in natural and alternative health practices such as aromatherapy and naturopathy.
Here is a list of some popular essential oils –
• Rose Oil
This is one of the most expensive oils for its calming floral scent, which can be helpful for stress and anxiety. It is known to promote hair growth and is useful in treating joint pain and stiffness.
• Lavender Oil
One of the widely used essential oils that specifically relieves insomnia. It has pain-relieving properties and can be used in a variety of ways. Lavender oil is relaxing and rejuvenating.
• Sandalwood Oil
So popular for fragrance, it also helps reduce anxiety and improve sleep.
• Jasmine Oil
The sweet-smelling oil is used as an anti-stress agent with the potential to help treat dry skin, and inflammation and prevent signs of aging.
• Peppermint Oil
Used for headaches and stomach problems such as irritable bowel syndrome. Applying peppermint oil to the temples is known to help migraine sufferers. Peppermint oil also has mood-lifting properties.
• Roman Chamomile Oil
It’s great for relaxing and improving mood. It is often used to treat mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. Chamomile tea contains this essential oil but should be consumed in limited amounts.
• Ylang-Ylang Oil
Used primarily to relieve pain, improve mood, and lower blood pressure
• Basil Oil
It is an essential herb that relieves coughs, improves mood, and soothes sore muscles.
• Lemon oil
Used to support digestion, mood, and the like. The scent of lemon oil helps with nausea and dizziness. It is also known to reduce depression and other associated ailments.
Lemon oil has antibacterial properties and can be applied topically. The most common method of extracting lemon oil is from the peels of citrus fruits such as orange, grapefruit, lime, and lemongrass.
• Tea tree oil
It is very effective in treating fungal infections and boosting immunity. It is an extremely effective acne and blemishes elixir as it reduces the acne-causing bacteria present on the skin and dries up active acne. Tea tree oil is suitable for oily skin.
Thanks to our founder of Young Living, D. Gary Young, we are able to make the essential oils of best quality to ever exist.
Conclusion
Essential oils are used to cure a wide range of physical and mental diseases across the world. For best effects, dilute them and apply them to the skin. Though these oils have not been authorized by the FDA, they have been used successfully in a variety of illnesses under careful supervision.