There are several essential oils available, each with numerous benefits. What’s important is to understand is that beyond smelling great, these essential oils improve our health and mood.
Essential oils are basically concentrated plant extracts. An article published by the Cleveland Clinic quotes integrative medicine specialist, Yufang Lin, MD: ’Plants are made of structural materials and phytochemicals. These chemicals have properties that not only benefit the plant but benefit people, too.’
The sheer volume of plants required to make essential oils is why they can be really expensive. Dr Lin says ’Because it takes so much of the plant to make an essential oil, it’s a powerful botanical medicine.’
It is important is to understand how these essential oils help your mind and body:
1. It boosts your mood
2. It reduces stress and increases focus
3. It reduces pain within the body
4. It improves sleep to a large extent
5. It kills different types of bacteria, fungi and viruses
6. It reduces anxiety
7. It decreases inflammation
8. It alleviates nausea
Here are some popular essential oils along with their benefits.
1. Tea Tree Oil - The tea tree oil is mainly used as an antiseptic, antifungal and antimicrobial. Additionally:
• Tea tree oil can help acne subside faster.
• Athlete’s foot and ringworms can be treated with the application of tea tree oil on the affected area.
2. Lavender Oil - This gentle oil and can be used in bath or diffuser as an aromatherapy oil. Additionally, it can be mixed with water and used as a room freshener or body spritzer. It is a great base oil for making body oil. Lavender helps with stress-relief, pain and sleep. Before the discovery of antiseptics, lavender oil was used as a cleaning agent in hospitals.
3. Frankincense Oil - Popularly known as the ‘King of Oils’, frankincense can help with inflammation, sleep and mood. Research studies have shown that the oil can also help with gum disease and asthma. Due to its woody and spicy scent it can be found in skin creams and aromatherapy applications. It is recommended that you dilute the oil before applying it on your skin.
4. Peppermint Oil –
• Reducing antifungal and antimicrobial inflammations
• Combating fatigue and lethargy
• Easing headaches
• Uplifting the mood
• Sharpening memory
• Aiding digestion.
Peppermint tea can also settle the stomach during irritable bowel syndrome.
5. Eucalyptus Oil - This is highly recommended to open blocked nasal passages to make breathing easier. Eucalyptus oil can also help in relieving pain and fighting against the herpes simplex virus, due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
6. Lemon Oil - Extracted from the peels of lemons, lemon oil can be applied on the skin topically with a carrier oil and can also be diffused in the air. Lemon oil is known to -
• Reduce pain
• Reduce anxiety and depression
• Ease nausea
• Kill bacteria
Studies also suggest that the lemon oil can improve the cognitive function of people with Alzheimer’s disease. Just ensure that you avoid direct exposure to the sun after use, as the skin becomes sensitive and it can cause sunburn.
7. Lemongrass Oil - Known for its strong citrus scent, it is useful to relieve stress, anxiety and depression. It has antibacterial properties that make it a natural remedy to fight bacteria and heal wounds. Jock itch, athlete's foot and fungal infections can be treated with this oil.
8. Orange Oil - Orange oil is yet another essential oil made from the rind of the citrus fruit. It can be used as a natural cleaner at home, topically applied on the skin with a carrier oil and also be diffused into the air. Orange oil is known to reduce anxiety, kill bacteria, and reduce pain. It can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so be mindful before stepping outside.
9. Rosemary Oil - Rosemary oil offers benefits such as-
• Improving brain function
• Increasing hair growth
• Reducing pain and stress
• Uplifting the mood
• Reducing joint inflammation
• Aromatherapy usage
10. Bergamot Oil - This oil has a fruity and floral fragrance. It can also be applied with a carrier oil. It has properties to better your mood, lower blood pressure and reduce anxiety.
11. Cedarwood Oil - Cedarwood oil has antioxidant and antibacterial properties. With its woodsy fragrance, this oil is an important ingredient in shampoos and deodorants. It makes a great insect repellent, and is also useful for sleep and anxiety.