Essential Oil Uses and Benefits

Essential oils have been used for thousands of years by cultures around the world for their medicinal properties and health benefits. Essential oils are extracted from various plant parts, including the leaves, flowers, bark, peel, resin, and roots. They can be used in several applications, including household cleaning products, aromatherapy, alternative medicine, and beauty care; making essential oils a truly valuable and versatile component of every home.

Essential oils are potent antimicrobials, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. More people are starting to use essential oils because they can provide several health benefits, especially in treating and preventing illnesses without the harmful side effects of pharmaceutical drugs. They can be applied topically on almost anywhere on the body, except in orifices such as the nose, ears, and eyes. The fastest way to absorb the benefits of essential oils is by applying them directly on the armpits, the palms of your hand, and the soles of your feet. 

Before using essential oils on the skin, it is necessary to ensure it is properly diluted with a carrier oil. As a general rule of thumb, the ideal ratio for dilution should be 20:80 essential oil to carrier oil. When it comes to household cleaning, a few drops of oil combined with vinegar and baking soda is an excellent, natural, and effective way to clean your home without chemicals. Peppermint, lemon, tea tree, and eucalyptus are particularly popular for their antimicrobial benefits.

Uses of Essential Oils

Integrating essential oils into your lifestyle is easy because of its versatility. There are many ways to enjoy the health benefits of essential oils provided that you have already done the safety precautions involved with using these oils.

1.       Steam Inhalation:  Add 3 up to 7 drops of essential oil into 2 cups of boiling water. Put your nose about 10 inches away from the bowl then gently inhale the steam. Give yourself a few seconds between each inhalation, and if you notice any irritation or discomfort then it is a sign to stop right away. Steam inhalation is ideal for individuals who are suffering from respiratory illnesses, colds, or influenza. It is also useful if you want to use oils that have relaxing properties for a good night’s sleep.

2.       Regular Inhalation: Put 2-3 drops of essential oils on a handkerchief or tissue, where you can inhale directly from it. If it is your first time to try an essential oil, sniff it only once to ensure that you aren’t particularly sensitive to that oil.

3.       Room Freshener: Follow the same procedure for steam inhalation but don’t inhale the aroma. You can also use a lamp scent ring or a diffuser to use essential oils as a room freshener. A few drops of oil can be essential oils can also be added onto the sides of trash cans, vacuum bags, or laundry washes for freshening.

4.       Massage: Essential oil can be mixed into 1 ounce of carrier oil before being used in aromatherapy massage. Be sure that you avoid putting it into genital areas and the eyes.

5.       Insect Repellent:  Several varieties of essential oils are effective natural insect repellents. These include lavender, citronella, and peppermint. Simply put a few drops of essential oils on cotton balls then place them on windows or doorways.

6.       Bath:  Mix up to 7 drops of essential oil with an ounce of carrier oil, then add this mixture to your running bath water. Mix everything well before you get into the tub.

7.       Spiritual Enlightenment: Frankincense, Sandalwood, and Palo Santo oils can be diffused while meditating or praying to increase spiritual awareness.

8.       Better sleep: Lavender oil is useful in treating insomnia and improving your quality of sleep. It can be applied directly with a carrier oil, used in aromatherapy, or poured a few drops on your pillow before sleeping.

9.       Kitchen surface cleaner: Add 3-5 drops of lemon essential oil to moist sponge. This is an effective way of killing germs and bacteria that are lurking on kitchen surfaces.

10.   Improve mood:  Use rose oil in baths, diffusers, or inhalation to improve your mood and combat depression.

Benefits of Essential Oils

Each essential oil is valued for its several health benefits that can be used in many different ways. The general benefits of essential oils are as follows:

1.       All natural: Essential oils contain no chemicals since these are purely derived from various plant components. Provided that they are used correctly and safely, essential oils have no side effects at all. They come from the volatile liquid of flowers and plants, and all help support the body’s different functions.

2.       Convenient and easy to use: Essential oils are versatile; they can be applied and used through several methods. The packaging of essential oils is small, which makes them easy to keep in your pocket, bag, home, or office.

3.       Good for animals: Certain essential oils can also benefit certain animals, such as cats, dogs, and horses.

4.       Effective stress relief: Essential oils can affect your emotional responses when applied directly to the skin or inhaled. They can reach the amygdala, as well as other parts of the brain that are responsible for our emotions and moods. Using essential oils is an effective way of managing stress, anger, and other emotions.

5.       Heterogenic: All kinds of essential oils are heterogenic, which means that they have multiple benefits and several properties all in one. For example, lavender oil is valued for its calming properties but is also widely used as a natural insect repellent.

Safety Precautions

·       Essential oils should be kept out of children’s reach; when administering them to children these should be properly diluted because their bodies are much more sensitive.

·       Essential oils are flammable and may ignite if they are exposed to high temperatures. Diffusers and vaporizers should never be unattended.

·       Don’t consume essential oils internally without consulting a professional.

·       When using a new oil for the first time, always do a patch test on your skin to check for sensitivity.

Certain essential oils are not safe for pregnant women to use; always check before using.