Essential oils are all the rage these days, with everyone from yoga instructors to beauty gurus extolling the benefits of aromatherapy. Essential oils can be a powerful tool for improving physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Whether you’re looking to reduce stress or improve your sleep, essential oils can help.
But what exactly are essential oils? And how do you use them?
Keep reading to find out!
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts that carry a wide array of therapeutic benefits. They’re made by extracting natural compounds from plants and herbs, then diluting them in carrier oils like coconut oil or jojoba oil. Common essential oils include lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, rosemary, and lemon. Each one has its own unique properties and can be used for different purposes.
How to Use Essential Oils
Essential oils have different applications; you can inhale them through diffusers or atomizers, apply them topically with carrier oils, or add drops into your bathwater. Before applying essential oils directly onto your skin, make sure to do a patch test first as some people may experience sensitivities.
When it comes to diffusing essential oils into the air, most diffusers come with instructions that will tell you how much oil is appropriate for each session. As a general rule of thumb, start with two drops per 100ml of water in the diffuser and then adjust from there depending on the strength of aroma you want in the room.
The most common use is through aromatherapy—simply inhaling an essential oil’s aroma can have both physical and emotional effects on the body. You can also apply essential oils topically by diluting them with a carrier oil before rubbing them onto your skin (this is especially useful for treating skin conditions).
Some people even ingest essential oils, although this should only be done under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider.
Examples of Essential Oils
There are many types of essential oils available on the market today; here are just a few examples of popular options and how they can be used:
• Lavender: Lavender has calming properties that help reduce stress and anxiety. It also aids in relaxation so try adding it to your bathwater before bedtime for better sleep.
• Peppermint: Peppermint has stimulating properties which makes it great for when you need an energy boost or want mental clarity. Add peppermint oil to your diffuser first thing in the morning to kick-start your day!
• Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil has antifungal and antibacterial properties which make it great for treating skin conditions like acne or eczema when blended with a carrier oil like coconut oil or jojoba oil.
• Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus helps clear congestion due to its decongestant properties; add a few drops of eucalyptus oil into boiling water and then inhale the steam deeply through your nose while covering your head with a towel—it feels amazing!
Conclusion:
Essential oils are an incredible tool for improving physical and emotional wellbeing that anyone can benefit from using! The key is finding what works best for you based on what type of effect you’re looking for—whether that’s calming down after a stressful day at work or getting a good night’s rest by applying lavender onto your chest before bedtime.
Whether you’re looking to reduce stress levels or get rid of pesky insects around your home, essential oils may just be the answer you’ve been searching for! Before using any type of essential oil, however, it’s important to do your research so that you know how to safely use them—and reap all the benefits they have to offer!
There are plenty of ways to incorporate essential oils into your daily routine; just remember to always perform patch tests before applying any products directly onto your skin!
So go ahead and give it a try—you won’t regret it!
