Essential oils are becoming increasingly popular as ingredients to create all-natural household cleaners, natural bug spray and in many cases for their health benefits. However, as with any substance it’s important to be educated about how to use them properly and safely.
Most of these plant-based oils are highly concentrated and should be used carefully. It’s also important to know how they can potentially interact with medications and to consult a healthcare professional before using any.
Lavender
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the world’s most widely used essential oil. The calming fragrance of lavender is well known to reduce anxiety and promote restful sleep.
Lavendar can also be used as a natural antihistamine by applying the diluted oil to the soles of the feet or inhaling the aroma. It may also be helpful in reducing the symptoms of hay fever by calming the airways.
Lavender’s calming effect on the mind and body can be used in aromatherapy by placing a few drops of lavender oil on your wrist or temples. It can also be used to calm anxiety by sprinkling it on a pillow before bedtime or adding it to your bath. It has also been shown to alleviate headaches when the oil is inhaled.
Peppermint
When applied topically or inhaled, peppermint oil can soothe digestion and energize the senses. Its menthol content helps to relax the muscles in the stomach, which may ease symptoms of indigestion like nausea and bloating.
It’s important to look for a high-quality essential oil that has been properly harvested and contains no additives. Many products on the market have other ingredients that may be harmful or cause an allergic reaction when used incorrectly, so always read labels carefully and choose dark-colored bottles to protect the oil from light.
A study published in the Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine examined the effects of peppermint oil ingestion on physiological parameters and exercise performance. Thirty healthy male college students were placed into experimental and control groups, and the group that received a single oral dose of peppermint oil showed incremental improvements in maximum isometric grip strength, standing vertical jump, and standing long jump.
Tea Tree
Among the most commonly used essential oils, tea tree oil is steam distilled from the leaves of the Australian Melaleuca alternifolia plant. It’s often added to skin-care products as it has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.
It may also help combat common fungal infections like jock itch, nail fungus and athlete’s foot. Its scent, when inhaled through aromatherapy, stimulates the brain’s olfactory receptors to help relax the mind and body.
Keep in mind that essential oils are not FDA-regulated pharmaceuticals, so they haven’t undergone the rigorous testing of prescription drugs to prove their safety and efficacy. When using them topically, make sure you dilute the pure oils with a carrier oil, and follow the manufacturer’s recommended dosages. And remember, if you are pregnant or have a weakened immune system, you should avoid some essential oils altogether.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a fast-growing evergreen tree native to Australia. Its oil is used as an antiseptic, a perfume, and to help clear colds and congestion. It’s also used in some topical treatments for arthritis and insect repellents. Eucalyptus is a natural for hair care, too: it can be mixed with tea tree oil to kill head lice and eggs.
Eucalyptus oil’s invigorating scent stimulates the brain’s emotional powerhouse to promote well-being and respiratory health. It can be poured into a diffuser to disperse its fragrance throughout a room. It can also be added to a natural homemade spray and sprayed on surfaces that need cleaning, like countertops or windows. Ingesting large amounts of eucalyptus oil can cause side effects such as slowing of the central nervous system (CNS), which can lead to seizures or even death.
Rose
Rose, referred to as the Queen of all flowers, is a universal symbol of love and beauty. The delicate fragrance of this flower encourages feelings of ecstasy and contentment. This oil is renowned for its therapeutic properties in skincare, fine perfumery, and healing treatments.
Our organically crafted rose oil is hydrodistilled at a low temperature from the delicate petals of Rosa damascena flower cultivated and harvested in Bulgaria. It contains a large number of beneficial molecules, such as phenols and terpenoids. It is considered to have antiphlogistic, antiseptic, astringent, bactericidal, cicatrizant, and emmenagogue properties.
To use as a skin moisturizer, dilute rose oil with a carrier oil such as jojoba oil before applying it to your face or body. It is always a good idea to perform a patch test before using any essential oil, especially if you have never used it before.
