What are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are extracted from seeds, roots, flowers, leafs, bark, or roots of a plant or tree through distillation or cold-pressing. The distillation process creates a highly concentrated substance that is full of powerful healing properties. Through the practice of aromatherapy, essential oils help to enhance our health and well-being. Oils may be inhaled, directly absorbed into the skin, or even ingested.*
Benefits
There are myriad benefits attributed to essential oils, and each variety boasts a lengthy list of healing components. A few of the benefits you might expect from your favourite essential oils include:
- increased relaxation
- stress relief
- enhanced mood
- weight loss
- weight loss
- relief from minor discomforts (muscle aches, headaches, etc.)
- boosted immune system
- help in the balance of the respiratory, lymphatic, and circulatory system
- banish cold and flu symptoms
- help in the healing of skin conditions (acne, eczema, etc.)
- reduced cellulite and wrinkles (!!!)
I’ve highlighted some of my favourite varieties, my top methods of use, as well as links to a few of my favourite natural recipes. Enjoy! 🙂
My Top Five Varieties
Grapefruit
Aroma: citrus, clean, fresh
Top Benefits: full of antioxidants, supports metabolism, anti-inflammatory, energizes, relaxes and elevates mood, acts as a stress-reliever, boosts both the immune and lymphatic system, reduces cellulite, fights free radicals and weight gain, improves blood circulation
Best Uses:
- add to your favourite natural scrub recipe to invigorate your skin and fight cellulite; I like 1:1 ratio of salt or sugar to coconut oil, and about 10 drops of essential oil
- as an uplifting perfume; I add a drop directly to my skin, however for some this may cause irritation and so I would advise mixing with a carrier oil
- in a natural air freshener recipe; The Prairie Homestead has a great recipe
Peppermint
Aroma: invigorating, cool, minty
Top Benefits: improves focus, boosts energy, provides muscle pain relief, supports digestions, eases nausea and tension headaches, suppresses food cravings, increases blood circulation, promotes hair growth, removes dandruff
Best Uses:
- in an energizing facial; to refresh your face and mind, add a few drops to a hot pot and, with a towel draped over your head, place your face over the pot. Peppermint is especially beneficial in a facial as the oil may help to shrink pores
- combine with a carrier oil and massage on to skin for sore muscles
- add to natural beauty products; try Dr.Axe’s lavender mint lip balm
Tea Tree
Aroma: woody, pungent, similar to eucalyptus
Top Benefits: anti-bacterial, stimulates immune system, fights bacterial infections including fungal infections, prevents and heals acne, eases itchy insect bites, helps to eliminate dandruff
Best Uses:
- in a hair and scalp mask to eliminate dandruff; I mix about two tablespoons of melted coconut oil with five drops of tea tree oil and let sit in my hair for thirty minutes or more before washing out with shampoo.
- add to natural clean product recipes to fight bacteria and germs; Try Detoxinista’s recipe for an natural all-purpose cleaner
- dab on to acne spots or insect bites
Lavender
Aroma: herbal, softly floral, musky
Top Benefits: improves sleep, relieves stress and menstrual cramping, encourages relaxation, treats acne, heals burns, eases headaches and tense or aching muscles,
Best Uses:
- add along with epson salts to a hot bath for muscle pain, or to relax
- in a calming face or body spray; one cup water, two tablespoons vegetable glycerin or aloe vera, and as many drops as you see fit!
- add to your laundry, shampoo, or face cream
There are so many wonderful ways to use essential oils in your every day, and this article simply touches on a few. Try mixing up the suggested uses with your own favourite oils, and don’t be afraid to combine scents!
Do you often use essential oils? If so, which do you like the best, and what’s your favourite way to use them?
* Not all essential oils are safe for ingestion. Please look for food grade essential oils, or use with the guidance of a certified aromatherapist.
** If you’re pregnant or under a doctor’s care, please see your physician before trying any essential oil.
Sources:
These sites are excellent sources for in-depth information on essential oils:
livingfullbloom.com 