Essential Oils are extracted from plants in concentrated form. Interestingly, they truly have the ‘essence’ of plants, as its name suggests. What’s more, the compounds extracted from plants dissolve in a carrier oil to make it ready to use. However, they are not actually an “oil”, but for lack of a better word, that is what we call them.
In aromatherapy, essential oils are inhaled which stimulates parts of the limbic system. This may, in turn, have an effect on emotions, behaviors and long-term memory. Additionally, people claim that aromatherapy helps with their stress level and initial studies show positive results.
The Popular Essential Oils that Relieve Stress and Improve Mood
Essential Oils are of different types based on the unique aromatic character extracted that each essential oil possesses. Amazingly, there are more than ninety types of essential oils. For this post, the popular ones that relieve stress and improve mood are listed below. Also below this post are suggestions for shopping for essential oils and other products that enhance your experience with them.
- Lavender
- Sandalwood
- Tea tree
- Jasmine
- Peppermint
- Bergamot
- Lemongrass
- Chamomile
- Rose
- Myrrh
- Frankincense
- Eucalyptus
Medicinal Benefits of Essential Oils
Essential oils not only relieve stress and improve mood They also have medicinal benefits, like improving long-term memory, helping with digestion, and boosting immunity. I invite you to take a closer look into more benefits below.
➳ Stress and anxiety.
Some research shows that aromatherapy can be used with traditional therapy to relieve stress and anxiety.
➳ Headaches and migraines.
Essential oils such as peppermint and lavender oils relieve headaches when applied to the forehead and temples. In addition, essential oils like sesame and chamomile relieve migraines when applied to temples.
➳ Sleep disorders.
After giving birth to the child, it is hard for women to sleep. Aromatherapy relaxes them and helps them to sleep. It also improves sleep after smelling lavender thereby relieving insomnia.
➳ Inflammation and bacteria.
Some lab research show that essential oils have anti-inflammatory characteristics. Additionally, some test-tube results show that they have anti-bacterial qualities.
Skin related benefits of Essential Oils
Essential oils have numerous skin benefits for different types of skin. Here are just a few for your further enlightenment about how versatile essential oils truly are.
➳ Dry skin.
For dry skin, many use essential oils as replacements for creams and moisturizers, as a natural treatment. Some of them like lavender and sandalwood help balance moisture levels in the skin and reduce inflammation. They repair dry skin and reduce the redness caused due to dryness. Chamomile increases moisture, having anti-inflammatory properties but it can be a trigger for ragweed allergies.
➳ Oil or acne prone skin.
For oily or acne-prone skin, Many find success with essential oils to control excess sebum on the skin which makes the skin oily. Some of them like clary sage, rosemary, geranium, neroli, and frankincense balance out sebum on skin without making the skin dry. They also balance skin hydration levels. Clary sage and frankincense treat acne or are beneficial for acne-prone skin.
For sensitive skin, lavender, frankincense, and sandalwood are the essential oils that are safe. They are Highly acidic in nature. Therefore, do not apply them directly on sensitive skin.
➳ Skin rash.
For skin rash, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis are helpful. They even out the moisture on the skin and alleviate skin rash irritation.
Oils such as peppermint, tea tree, wintergreen, eucalyptus, and patchouli have pain-relieving properties of rash on the skin. What’s more, these oils act as soothing agents on skin rash, they alleviate itchiness and may provide moisture to treat skin rash.
➳ Acne scars, wrinkles, and age spots.
For pigmentation, they help remove acne scars, wrinkles, and age spots. They may also smoothen skin tone when used as a serum. Essential oils like pomegranate, carrot seed, and tangerine, inhibit skin pigmentation. They also promote even-toned and smoother skin. Since they smoothen the skin, they remove wrinkles and decrease scarring. Frankincense is beneficial to smoothen age spots. While lemon fights free radical damage of skin and geranium evens out skin tone.
➳ Anti-aging
For anti-aging skin, they provide benefits for mature skin by reducing fine lines, wrinkles and skin sagging. Rose also turns your skin younger-looking when used with vitamins A and C by stimulating skin cell turnover. Myrrh and jojoba also provide younger looking skin benefits by repairing the top skin layer. It also promotes circulation creating brighter, and younger-looking skin.
How to use Essential Oils
➳ Aromatherapy.
Use them every day by inhaling, as in aromatherapy. Use diffusers in rooms so that you may inhale the lovely smelling steam. What a healthy way to start any day!
➳ Skin or hair.
Also consider using essential oils to massage the body or rub on skin for skin and hair benefits. Additionally, use them while bathing by adding them in running bath along with bathing soap.
Some Dos and Don’ts
- Always use them in their pure form.
- You can use them in aromatherapy.
- Use them in massaging the body, as they relieve stress and treat anxiety.
- You can use them in home-based remedies for improving skin and hair loss.
- Some types are an excellent environment-friendly alternative mosquito repellent.
- In cosmetics, they help increase the shelf life of cosmetics and provide fragrance.
- Remember to test and use essential oils on the skin in diluted forms or mixed with a carrier oil.
- Refrain from using citrus oils directly on the skin as it may cause irritation.
- Some, such as ginger vapors help relieve nausea when inhaled.
- Also, some, such as tea tee oil are effective in easing fungal foot infection.
The Skin Patch Test • Infographic
How to Apply Essential Oils Topically • Infographic
Shopping Suggestions
Organic essential oils are derived from plants grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. These oils are cultivated using organic farming practices that prioritize soil health, biodiversity, and sustainability. By opting for organic essential oils, you’re not only safeguarding your well-being but also supporting environmentally conscious practices. Select this link to learn more now!
Conclusion
Use these tips to continue doing your own thorough research into the benefits of essential oils for your and your family! It is my intention that you find this post enlightening and helpful. If you have any questions or suggestions, we love to hear from you in the comments below. Also, kindly accept our invitation to join our group on Facebook to surround yourself with kindred spirits and post your encouraging messages.
