Essential oils are becoming more and more popular for all the right reasons. Not only do they smell nice and are incredibly soothing, but they also come with a long list of benefits for the body and mind. Chances are some – if not many – of your female friends are already using essential oils or are seriously thinking of getting some for themselves.
Essential oils aren’t that complicated. There are a wide range of products available on the market, so finding a set or a couple of bottles that suit you isn’t that difficult. Even better, you also have more gadgets such as different kinds of diffusers becoming more affordable. To help you get started, here are some of the basic things you need to know about essential oils and their benefits.
What is an Essential Oil Exactly?
Before you dig deeper into the benefits of essential oil and how you can use them, let us begin with what an essential oil really is. In simple terms, essential oil is the extract of plants that is turned into liquid form. It is often referred to as hydrophobic liquid because it doesn’t have any water in it.
Essential oils come from different plants and forms of them. Some are derived from seeds, while others are collected from processing leaves or roots. It is worth noting that essential oil is a high concentration liquid, so to produce a small amount requires a lot of raw ingredient.
Another important thing to know about essential oils is the fact that they are not very new at all. Essential oils suddenly became popular a few years ago, but the use of essential oils derived from plants has been around for ages.
This further proves that the benefits of essential oils are tried and tested. A lot of studies around the use of essential oils to help with memory, inflammation, headaches, and various other health issues have also confirmed their benefits.
Learn the Issues
In most cases, one of the reasons why you are considering essential oils is because you have a health issue you want to deal with. If this is the case, a good way to get started with essential oils is by understanding the issues you face further.
Figure out the kind of problems you want to solve and take your time to really understand them. If you are dealing with frequent headaches, for instance, you want to better understand the kind of headache you have and the possible causes for them.
Knowing the health problems that you are trying to solve will help you choose the right essential oils to get. This brings us to another important thing to know about essential oils which is that they are not sure-fire solutions. Some essential oils will work better for you, even when they aren’t so effective for others.
Don’t Forget Your Preferences
Aside from the health issues you face, it is also necessary to consider your personal preferences before you begin choosing essential oils to try. Remember that aromatherapy is meant to be relaxing, and the only way that can be achieved is by choosing an aroma that you actually like.
Sure, peppermint oil is great for alleviating headaches and dealing with stomach problems, but you will not get the most benefits if you don’t like the strong aroma of peppermint. Rather than sticking with peppermint oil just because others find it effective, it is better to find essential oils with similar properties.
There are other essential oils with similar benefits; you don’t have to worry about not being able to find one that suits you perfectly, because the options are limitless. You have lavender essential oil helping calm your nerves and muscles, tea tree oil with its antibacterial and antiviral properties, and many more.
Different Ways to Use Essential Oils
Before we go further into the essential oils you can choose from and the benefits they offer, we need to take a step back and discuss how essential oils are best used. There are multiple ways to use essential oils, with adding some into a diffuser and inhaling the vapor being the most popular ways of them all.
Some essential oils work best when applied to the sole of your feet. Others can be used to moisturize the skin or applied directly to certain parts of the body. In some cases, you can also derive a lot of benefits by dropping a small amount of essential oil to the back of your tongue. Lastly, you can also consume encapsulated essential oil for more direct and specific benefits.
The concentrate itself is also not the only way you can benefit from essential oils. You can now find lotions, moisturizers, soaps, and other products that also contain a relatively high concentration of essential oil. Although these products don’t produce as strong of an impact when used, they are still great for tapping into the benefits of the concentrate.
What Are Your Options?
We’ve talked about lavender essential oil being very relaxing and good for fighting anxiety. Lavender oil is also great for those who are having difficulties sleeping. A couple of drops on the soles of your feet is usually enough to get you through the night.
Eucalyptus oil is another popular essential oil to try. It is a good nematicide and has strong antimicrobial properties. You can use eucalyptus oil to improve your breathing, making it perfect for dealing with issues such as snoring and blocked nasal passages.
Peppermint oil is the next on our list of popular essential oils to try. It is a great oil to use when you suffer from frequent headaches, indigestion, nausea, and even anxiety. Peppermint oil is also good for relaxing your muscles and easing stomachache quickly.
Jojoba oil is slightly different than the previous oils we discussed. It is not a particularly strong essential oil, but it still brings a long list of benefits to your skin. Applying jojoba oil on wounds will also help speed up the healing process.
There are still so many other essential oils you can try, and even more benefits just waiting to be discovered. The basic advice we discussed in this article will help you get started with your journey into the wonderful world of essential oils.
