Essential Oils: A Beginner’s Guide

Essential oils are aromatic, concentrated plant extracts that are popular in both alternative and conventional medicine. They are usually obtained through distillation (via steam or water) of the leaves, bark, flowers, roots, or other parts of a plant. Essential oils can provide many health benefits, including reducing anxiety and stress, improving sleep quality, and boosting energy levels. In this article, we will provide a beginner’s guide to using essential oils.

How to Use Essential Oils
Essential oils can be used in many different ways, including inhaling them (aromatherapy), applying them to the skin (topically), and adding them to baths or diffusers. When used aromatically, essential oils stimulate the olfactory system (the sense of smell), which can affect the limbic system—the part of the brain that controls emotions and memory. This is why essential oils are often used to promote relaxation and well-being.

When used topically, essential oils are absorbed into the bloodstream where they can then interact with various body systems. It is important to note that some essential oils can cause skin irritation, so it is always best to do a patch test on a small area of skin before using them more broadly.

Inhalation and topical application are generally considered to be the most effective ways to use essential oils. However, adding them to baths or diffusers can also be beneficial. For example, adding a few drops of lavender oil to a diffuser may help you relax before bedtime.

Common Essential Oils and Their Uses
Lavender oil: Lavender oil is one of the most versatile essential oils. It has a fresh, floral scent and can be used for relaxation, insomnia, headaches, stress relief, and pain management.

Peppermint oil: Peppermint oil has a minty scent and is frequently used as a home remedy for nausea, colds/flu, sinus congestion/headaches, mental fatigue, muscle aches/pains, digestive issues like IBS/indigestion/heartburn, and toothaches.

Lavender Oil: Lavender oil is one of the most popular essential oils available on the market today. Lavender oil has a variety of uses, including relaxation, stress relief, and healing. Lavender oil is also said to have anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. Lavender oil is made from the Lavandula angustifolia plant, which is native to the Mediterranean region. The plant is also known as English lavender or common lavender. Lavender oil has a sweet, floral scent that many people find relaxing. Lavender oil is used in a variety of products, including soaps, lotions, candles, and diffusers. You can also add lavender oil to your bathwater or use it in a massage. Lavender oil is available in bottled form at most health food stores.  Lavender oil can also be purchased online.

Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil has a strong earthy scent and is known for its antimicrobial properties—it can be used as an acne treatment or natural disinfectant.

Lemon oil: Lemon oil has a citrusy scent and is commonly used as an astringent/toner (due to its high Vitamin C content), natural cleaning agent/air freshener (due to its refreshing scent), or mood booster (due to its uplifting aroma).

Eucalyptus oil: Eucalyptus oil has a camphoraceous scent and contains compounds that have been shown to help improve respiratory function—this makes it a good choice for those with colds/congestion or asthma.

Frankincense oil: Frankincense oil has a woody/resinous scent and was traditionally used in religious ceremonies—it is still used today for its spiritual properties as well as for physical health benefits like pain relief and immunity support.

Conclusion:
Essential oils offer many potential health benefits—including reducing anxiety and stress levels, boosting energy levels, improving sleep quality, and more. They can be used in different ways depending on your desired outcome—inhalation (aromatherapy), topical application, or diffusing into the air. Some common essential oils include lavender oil (relaxation), peppermint oil (nausea), tea tree oil (acne), lemon oil (mood booster), eucalyptus oil (respiratory support), frankincense oil (pain relief). Before using any essential oils—especially if you are new to them—be sure to do a patch test on a small area of skin first in order to check for possible irritation or allergic reaction. Start slowly with one or two drops per application until you get a feel for how your body reacts to them!