Top 10 Benefits of Using Essential Oils
For thousands of years, humans have been utilizing essential oils and reaping the benefits that they bring to the table. They have been, and presently still are, a staple of importance in cultures around the world - recently becoming more popular in Western lifestyles as people look for homeopathic ways to heal themselves. With thousands of uses and multiple ways to use them, essential oils are a part of mainstream culture. But, do they really work? And how can they benefit you?
A Brief History
Aromatherapy, as we know it now, was actually born in ancient Egypt thousands of years ago. The ancient Egyptians would cultivate plants specifically for their ‘essence,’ and would use the oil for religious practices, cosmetics, and even a variety of medicinal purposes. Resins and essences were even used for the embalming process!
Around the same time Egypt, China, and India began utilizing plants for essential oils. The Indian Ayurvedic Medical System still uses essential oils to this day.
Using essential oils medicinally fell away for a while but became reintroduced during the Renaissance era. Since then, they really haven’t gone away. In 1937, a man in France by the name of Rene Maurice Gattefosse coined the term ‘essential oil’. The perfumer and chemist burned his hand in his lab and the only thing he had readily available to treat it was lavender oil.
He treated his burn, and to his surprise, there was no sign of infection and the pain decreased immensely. His findings later went on to treat injured soldiers during World War II.
Natural medicine began booming in the late '70s and '80s and has continued to grow in popularity since then - both used medicinally and for practical beauty uses. Although essential oils are heavily trending right now, they are not new to the world. They have been used around the world for centuries!
How Do Essential Oils Work?
Essential oils are compounds found within plants, and they work in many ways depending on how you choose to use them. Chemicals within the essential oils interact with the body by being applied to the skin (not directly from the essential oil bottles) or inhaled.
They primarily stimulate the limbic system - a part of your brain that plays a role in the sense of smell, behaviors, long-term memory, and emotions. Some essential oils physically affect your body according to claims. To better explain why, this is because the limbic system has the ability to control physiological functions like heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. It’s also very productive when it comes to helping form memories, which is partly why certain smells from essential oils can make you remember familiar people or places.
Though science has not fully backed up these claims, there have been many studies that test positively for the benefits of essential oils and show that they may even have medicinal properties such as boosting the immune system when inhaled or applied to the skin.
The Most Popular Essential Oils
Even if you don’t know much about essential oils, you can probably name a few off the top of your head. There are roughly 100 popular essential oils, but the 10 most frequently spoken about and used are:
Peppermint
Peppermint oil is one of the most popular essential oils on the market. It is derived from the peppermint plant, a hybrid of watermint and spearmint. This oil is known for its refreshing and cooling properties, making it a favorite among aromatherapy enthusiasts.
Lavender
Lavender oil is widely recognized for its calming and soothing effects. It has been used for centuries to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality. Additionally, lavender oil is known for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a versatile essential oil for various skin conditions.
Rose
Rose oil is highly sought after for its exquisite fragrance and numerous benefits. It is often used in perfumes and skincare products due to its moisturizing and rejuvenating properties. Rose oil is also known for its mood-enhancing effects, promoting feelings of happiness and relaxation.
Tea Tree
Tea Tree oil, also known as Melaleuca oil, is renowned for its powerful antimicrobial properties. It is commonly used to treat acne, fungal infections, and dandruff. Tea Tree oil is also a popular ingredient in natural cleaning products due to its ability to kill bacteria and viruses.
Lemon
Lemon oil is a versatile essential oil with a refreshing citrus scent. It is often used to boost mood and energy levels. Lemon oil is also known for its cleansing properties, making it a popular choice for homemade cleaning solutions. Additionally, it can be used to support healthy digestion.
Chamomile
Chamomile oil is well-known for its calming and soothing effects. It is often used to promote relaxation and relieve stress. Chamomile oil is also beneficial for the skin, helping to reduce inflammation and irritation. It is a popular choice for those seeking natural remedies for anxiety and insomnia.
Patchouli
Patchouli oil has a distinct earthy and musky aroma that is either loved or disliked by many. It is commonly used in perfumes and colognes for its long-lasting scent. Patchouli oil is also known for its skincare benefits, such as reducing the appearance of wrinkles and scars.
Bergamot
Bergamot oil is derived from the peel of the bergamot orange. It has a citrusy and floral aroma that is often used in perfumes and aromatherapy. Bergamot oil is known for its mood-enhancing properties and can help reduce feelings of anxiety and depression.
Rosemary
Rosemary oil is a popular essential oil known for its stimulating and invigorating effects. It is often used to improve focus and concentration. Rosemary oil is also beneficial for the hair and scalp, promoting healthy hair growth and reducing dandruff.
Jasmine
Jasmine oil is highly valued for its sweet and floral fragrance. It is often used in perfumes and skincare products. Jasmine oil is known for its aphrodisiac properties and can help promote feelings of romance and intimacy. It is also used to moisturize and nourish the skin.
Top 10 Benefits Of Essential Oils
Though each type of essential oil carries its own familiar properties, as a whole, they can do some pretty incredible things. Here are just some of the main health benefits of essential oils:
Aid Digestion
Digestion issues can make any day terrible but luckily, there are certain oils geared towards aiding indigestion, bloating gas, and aches/pains. Just like there are fruits and veggies that help with these problems and aid in digestion - ginger, peppermint, and geranium are oils that help with the uncomfortable symptoms as well.
Essential oils do wondrous things for the gastrointestinal tract such as ease an upset stomach, alleviate nausea, work as a laxative, alleviate occasional constipation and gas and soothe muscle spasms. Research has shown that peppermint oil can even relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) based on a group study - 40% of the patients had reduced IBS symptoms after only 4 weeks.
Improve Cognitive Function
Essential oils have become very popular when it comes to stimulating the brain. Recent studies have even shown that multiple types of essential oils can suppress agitation and aggression when it comes to patients receiving memory care.
Not only can it reduce symptoms of memory disorders, but aromatherapy can even improve cognitive performance. Essential oils stimulate olfactory receptors which trigger the emotional center of a person’s brain.
Boost Energy
Say goodbye to energy and the chemicals inside of them, because certain essential oils have been proven with research to increase energy and aid in reducing fatigue.
Oils that have been backed by science to boost energy include peppermint, rosemary, sweet orange, lemon, and spearmint. These oils work by increasing oxygen levels in your brain, which in turn helps you feel awake and refreshed.
Help Enhance the Immune System & Fight Infections
Did you know that your favorite scents can actually help boost your immune system and prevent/heal infections? Essential oils contain chemical substances such as ketones, terpenes, and phenolics which all help to fight pathogens. Oils such as lemon, ginger, eucalyptus, and cinnamon have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Scientists have discovered that tea tree oil and other plant extracts have the potential to prevent millions of infections every single year. This is because plants produce organic molecules and antimicrobial agents that fight harmful microorganisms.
Create Hormonal Balance
Nothing is worse than having constantly fluctuating hormones - it causes irritation, mood swings, restlessness, and so many more uncomfortable symptoms. Essential oils can potentially balance testosterone, thyroid, estrogen, cortisol, and progesterone levels.
Research has shown that oils can balance these levels and improve symptoms associated with PCOS, menopause, and infertility. Rose and geranium essential oils used in one study showed that salivary estrogen concentration was induced by exposure and relieved perimenopausal symptoms. Ten essential oils were used in this study including lavender, geranium, clary sage, ylang ylang, and rose otto. Balanced testosterone can even improve libido in men.
Reduce Stress And Anxiety And Boost Mood
One of the most popular uses for essential oils tends to be for people who suffer from chronic anxiety. The nervous system is an extremely complex system that is easily triggered. Anxiety and mood disorders have many uncomfortable symptoms - nausea, trembling, body aches/pains, agitation, dizziness, heart palpitations, and much more.
The oil that has been studied the most to help sufferers is lavender essential oil - and the results are shocking! Studies on animals have shown the sedative, neuroprotective, anticonvulsive, analgesic, and anxiolytic properties of lavender. Neuronal tissues continue to be studied, and human studies using lavender have shown effectiveness in both psychological and neurological disorders.
The oil was used primarily in aromatherapy, massage, and oral administration, and clinical studies revealed highly positive effects when inhaled. This is due to compounds absorbed through the limbic system, causing a steady and sedating effect on the central nervous system.
Aids In Sleep And Relaxation
Lavender oil, again, is one of the most studied essential oils. When you think of sleep and relaxation, it’s probably the first essence you think of. And of course, research has backed up claims of lavender improving sleep. A total of 14 quantitative studies including 11 random controlled trials examined essential oil inhalation and the hypnotic effects it has on the human body.
A large sum of the findings showed the positive effects of lavender and other essential oils in aiding sleep and preventing mild sleep disturbances. Using the oils also had zero adverse reactions reported.
For these reasons, you will see that many products you purchase for sleep will say something like “infused with lavender essential oils to promote restful sleep”. You’ll see this on everything from lotion to vitamins and even food products!
Takes Care Of Hair And Skin
Essential oils have been used for thousands of years in beauty treatments and regimes to help hair grow and make skin smooth, amongst many other positive effects. As previously mentioned, essential oils such as tea tree oil and lavender can prevent infections, so naturally, these oils can calm irritated and inflamed skin, reduce acne, and even prevent and treat signs of aging.
These are not the only oils used, in fact, treating your skin and hair can be used in over 1,500 combinations of roughly 90 different types of essential oils!
Based on studies, menthol (found in peppermint oil), is an outstanding agent and has shown to work as a natural antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and is even loaded with antioxidants. Clinical trials using peppermint oil have shown positive effects in not only treating gastrointestinal issues such as IBS, but it helps promote hair growth and improve skin conditions as well.
Reduces Muscle Tension And Migraines
Essential oils have been used for thousands of years in beauty treatments and regimes to help hair grow and make skin smooth, amongst many other positive effects. As previously mentioned, essential oils such as tea tree oil and lavender can prevent infections, so naturally, these oils can calm irritated and inflamed skin, reduce acne, and even prevent and treat signs of aging.
These are not the only oils used, in fact, treating your skin and hair can be used in over 1,500 combinations of roughly 90 different types of essential oils!
Based on studies, menthol (found in peppermint oil), is an outstanding agent and has shown to work as a natural antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and is even loaded with antioxidants. Clinical trials using peppermint oil have shown positive effects in not only treating gastrointestinal issues such as IBS, but it helps promote hair growth and improve skin conditions as well.
Detox Your Body
As if the last nine benefits weren’t enough to get you to start using essential oils, studies show that they even have the ability to detox your body of heavy metals and other harmful chemicals and pathogens. If you’ve ever wondered why you’re feeling so sluggish and overall ‘blah’, you may be suffering from the constant toxicity you’re surrounded by.
Unfortunately, there are thousands of toxins that your body is trying to fight off on a daily basis - from the air, you’re breathing to the food you ingest and even what’s absorbed through your skin from everything you touch on a daily basis.
Essential oils can help your body flush out these toxins and the most commonly used oils for this process include lemongrass, ginger, grapefruit, orange, peppermint, and parsley. These oils work by aiding in digestion which helps push these toxins out of your body, even ones that have spent some time building up.
If you have ever considered buying an essential oil diffuser, now is the time. Inhaling essential oils through a diffuser or straight from the bottle cannot only clean your body of toxins, but they can also remove harmful toxins from your home as well.
Final Thoughts
Using essential oils in the form of aromatherapy, massage, and various other forms is globally huge, as people reach out for more natural ways of healing themselves. Over the past 2-3 decades, research and studies have gone all out to prove that essential oils need to make headway in the form of treatment for multiple types of ailments.
You can buy essential oils nearly everywhere these days, from online to your favorite grocery stores.
They can be used in carrier oils such as coconut oil or shea butter as a massage oil, inhaled as aromatherapy, diffused in an oil diffuser (also easily found online) and even ingested in vitamin form.
If used appropriately, essential oils do have the potential to treat common issues and symptoms associated with them. Though not the cure for severe issues, they have been shown numerous times and continuously to help people who are suffering from pain, fatigue, anxiety, sleep disorders, and unruly hair and skin.
You should always and only use essential oils as the directions explain, and you should always contact your doctor if you are thinking about beginning a holistic approach to healing your body.