Essential oils have made a comeback in the market owing to the rise in popularity of aromatherapy. The benefits of essential oils for anxiety, headaches and for sleep were one of the facets that made it so widespread in the first place. One of the most popular essential oils is lavender essential oil.
But given the prevalent use of essential oils in the past, there are more uses of essentials oil you must know, before buying them!
Here are 11 essential oil uses you must know, to fully extract the benefit of each oil!
11 Must Know Essential Oils Uses
Relaxation
One of the most popular uses of essential oils is to relax oneself. Researches have proven that several essential oils, in the likes of lavender, cedarwood, chamomile and patchouli have a calming effect on the nervous system. It is believed that oils such as lavender stimulate brain pathways, and the changes in the nervous system are consistent with its relaxing effects. Patchouli is also known as a mood-lifter and helps to curb fatigue.
Reduces anxiety and stress
Essential oils are not only known to relax, but also helps to reduce stress, anxiety and even depression. This use of essential oils made aromatherapy so popular in the first place. While popular oils such as lavender have always been known to reduce stress, mood-lifters such as chamomile, jasmine, rose and tea-tree have also been known to work just as well.
Reduces inflammation
The use of essential oils has been popular since millennia. Chamomile, for example, was always known for its anti-inflammatory properties since time immemorial. It was traditionally used to treat inflammations of the skin and mucous membranes, because of its ability to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin. Chamomile oil is also known to reduce digestive inflammation.
Sandalwood oil is also famous for its anti-inflammatory properties. Sandalwood contains santanol which helps to reduce inflammation markers such as cytokines. This attributes to its healing properties. It can provide relief from minor bug bites and other skin irritations.
Read More: 21 Most Effective Essential Oils for Children
Anti-bacterial and anti-microbial
Before the invention of modern medicine, healers relied on plant oils to treat infections and protect against bacteria. The medicinal properties of essential oils such as sandalwood, chamomile, eucalyptus, rosemary and lavender have been known for a while. Researches have also shown the potential of thyme, tea tree and ocimum oils as well. As resistance to antibiotics and pathogens keeps building, many scholars are seeking to revert back to traditional uses of essential oil, expanding from its aroma-centric therapeutic uses to topical application to heal wounds. These essential oils not only stop the spread of infection but also aid in the regeneration of tissues in the wounded areas, leading to faster healing.
Treats headaches and cures insomnia
Alongside its soothing properties, essential oils have been long known to treat headaches and migraines and even sleeplessness. While different oils have different uses for differing periods of time, the most popular ones are lemongrass, ylang-ylang, peppermint, rosemary, lavender, chamomile and eucalyptus.
Peppermint oil contains menthol, which relaxes muscles and eases the pain. Applying diluted peppermint oil to the temples of the forehead can relieve the pain. Rosemary, on the other hand, has a very strong scent and can be directly applied with a carrier oil to relax muscles, or used in baths and through steam inhalation.
The sedative and hypnotic abilities of lemongrass not only relax muscles but also aids in quality sleep for a longer duration.
Insect repellent
The strong scents of most essential oils have been used to ward off insects from time immemorial. While incense sticks have traditionally been used to repel insects such as mosquitos and flies, the smoke emanating from the same can be harmful. Essential oils are not the only natural, but also cause less pollution and keep your dear ones protected from unwanted insect bites!
Most mosquito repellent creams use extracts from citronella trees to keep away mosquitos. Other effective mosquito repellent oils are eucalyptus, peppermint, lemongrass, clove and geranium.
Fleas can also be kept away by using cedarwood, citronella, tea tree, lemongrass and eucalyptus oil. Ticks have shown resistance to rose geranium and juniper oils.
Read More: 11 Benefits and Uses of Lemon Essential Oil
Maintains hormone balance
While essential oils are not hormones and do not function exactly in the same way, many of them have been known to support the body in a way to control hormones. Essential oils have popularly been used to calm the body especially to curb the effects of pre-menstrual syndrome.
Clary sage is one such popular essential oil and research has demonstrated its capacity to improve the levels of thyroid hormones. Clary Sage can also be used to relieve abdominal cramping during menstruation and soothe muscles.
Ylang Ylang is another essential oil that has been traditionally used in religious and wedding ceremonies, owing to its aphrodisiac abilities. Having a sedative-like effect, it relaxes the body and lowers blood pressure, and has also been used by women regularly to increase libido and maintain hormonal balance.
Researches have shown that thyme has the ability to balance out progesterone levels because of its phytoestrogen content. Progesterone is known to cause mood swings, insomnia and hot flashes commonly associated with hormonal imbalance. While thyme not only maintains the hormonal balance but also keeps the symptoms in check.
Boosts energy
Essential oils have been known to lead to an overall healthy lifestyle because of their abilities to reduce stress and anxiety. However, they can also be used to boost metabolism and improve energy vitality in the body! This use especially in a world of fast-paced living.
Lemon is a popular energy-booster — it not only increases concentration, alertness and efficiency but is also known to curb negativity and refreshes one’s mind.
Peppermint essential oil is known to lift the senses, improves concentration, and boosts physical and mental vitality.
Read More: Essential Oils for Kids: 11 Precautions
Treats respiratory diseases
The medicinal properties of essential oils are ever astounding- they have been used traditionally as natural decongestants to dissolve the build-up of mucous and cure common cold. Most essential oils can be steam-inhaled to extract the best benefits to treat respiratory diseases. The menthol present in peppermint essential oil favoured the use of the same as a health tonic for centuries. Its sedative-like effect helps to clear out congestion, especially because of sinus and pressure. Tea-tree oil is another favourite essential oil that is suggested to cure common cold, congestion and sore throat. Its anti-bacterial and anti-septic properties help to keep those germs at bay. Eucalyptus oil is also a centuries-old preferred alternative to clear blocked airways, reducing the magnitude of congestion and helps to combat the over-production of phlegm and mucous.
Improves skin elasticity
Generations of our grandmothers’ wisdom have talked about the wonderful effects that essential oils have in slowing down aging and improving skin elasticity. While essential oils must not be directly applied to the skin, when combined rightly with carrier oils, it works wonders for your skin.
Geranium essential oil not only helps to regulate oil production, it also reduces acne while tightening the skin pores and improving skin elasticity.
Patchouli essential oil has been known for its anti-aging abilities, and promotes new cell growth and smoothens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Read More: 11 Amazing Benefits of Essential Oils for Kids and Babies
Eases digestion
Using edible essential oils for preparation of meals could help your gut in a long way. While many south Asian cuisines incorporate the use of ginger, turmeric, and cloves, which are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, applying oregano essential oil, peppermint oil and neroli on the abdomen through dilution have also shown effects in curing digestive problems.
It must be noted that essential oil should not be applied directly, as it can easily penetrate the deep layers of the skin and react adversely. You could apply it in combination with other carrier oils such as coconut and jojoba. Apart from indirect application to the skin, there are several ways to use essential oils. You could steam-inhale by adding a few drops to a bowl of hot water, before covering your head around the bowl with a towel. You could also add a few drops to a handkerchief before inhaling throughout the day. Also remember to not consume essential oils directly, as it can have bad effects.
