Essential oils are basically plant extracts. They are hydrophobic liquids that are
extracted from plants.
Beneficial Essential Oils
Lavender oil
Lavender oil has been shown to reduce stress and pain and also improve sleep. I like to
have an oil diffuser going by my bed with lavender oil to help me relax and fall asleep.
Another use of lavender oil is to aid with the healing process for a sunburn. You can
add the lavender oil to the carrier oil and apply it to the burn. Interestingly, lavender oil used
to be used as a cleaning agent in hospitals before antiseptic.
Lemongrass oil
Lemongrass oil has been shown to help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. There
is also a study that suggests that lemongrass oil can reduce blood sugar levels in
individuals with type 2 diabetes. Another use of lemongrass oil is that it is a natural
insect repellent.
Tea tree oil
Tea Tree oil is beneficial for acne. To treat acne with tea tree oil you dip a cotton swab
into the oil and then you are able to apply it directly to the affected area. This oil can
also be used to treat athletes’ feet or ringworm. For these, you will want to dilute the oil
with something like coconut oil before applying it to the affected area. It is not
recommended to diffuse tea tree oil because it can be neurotoxic.
Frankincense oil
Frankincense oil has anti-inflammatory properties and also improves sleep and mood. I
like to use frankincense oil in the winter. I will just add a few drops to the lotion that I am
using to improve dry hands. Some studies have also suggested the use of frankincense
to improve asthma and prevent gum disease.
Peppermint oil
Peppermint oil is really good for easing headaches, improving mood, and reducing fatigue. For all of these
benefits, you can rub some peppermint oil onto your temples. Peppermint oil can also help to settle your
stomach, supporting digestion and reducing gut spasms. For gut health, it is best to do the peppermint
as a tea.
Eucalyptus oil
Eucalyptus oil is great to have around when you have a cold. This oil is like a natural vaporub. When breathing
the vapors of the oil, it will help to clear congested nasal passages. This oil has also been shown to aid in fighting herpes simplex virus.
Lemon oil
Lemon oil is one of the more common oils to be ingested. Some people will use citrus oils like lemon and orange to flavor their water. Using lemon oil on the skin is controversial. Some say that it is a good acid to use to clean the skin, others say it makes the skin sensitive and can cause issues if you go into the sun after using it. Lemon oil is good for reducing anxiety and depression and it can also help to ease nausea. There was a study that suggested the use of aromatic lemon oil may improve the cognitive function of those with Alzheimer’s disease.
Rosemary oil
Rosemary oil is good for promoting hair growth. For this benefit, you can rub diluted rosemary oil onto your scalp. It can also help with reducing joint inflammation and pain. Rosemary oil is not recommended to be used by those with epilepsy or high blood pressure; as well as pregnant women.
How to use essential oils
One of the most common ways to use essential oils is by diffusing them for aromatherapy. But
there are several other ways that these oils can be used to obtain their benefits as well.
You can put them into a spray bottle of water and spray the room, spray your pillow, or even just spray it onto your skin. You can add essential oils to your bath. You can also add essential oil into body oils or lotion to rub onto your skin. They can be added to water or tea to be ingested. It is important to note that not all
essential oils are safe to be ingested and not all essential oils are safe to rub onto your skin. It is important to get pure oils because many of the additives can cause reactions. Therapeutic grade is just a marketing term and does not necessarily mean that it is pure oil. The best way to tell is to look at the ingredients.
The only ingredient should be the oil. DoTerra is a good trustworthy brand for buying essential oils.
For individuals that frequently experience reactions to atopic products. I would recommend avoiding oregano, cinnamon bark, jasmine, lemongrass, ylang-ylang, chamomile, and bergamot essential oils because they are the ones that are most likely to cause reactions in people.
