Essential Oils and their Benefits
In this post we’ll discuss essential oils and their benefits. This information is based on the use of pure, therapeutic grade essential oils.
what are essential oils?
Essential oils are distilled from plants. They have been used throughout the ages for their healing and wellbeing properties. They can be taken from any part of the plant, whether it be the leaves, roots, stem, or flowers. For example, lavender essential oil is extracted from the flowering tops of the lavender plant, where as ginger essential oil is extracted from the roots of the ginger.
Essential oils are powerful antioxidants, and we need antioxidants to rid the body of free radicals. Often our bodies are overloaded with free radicals due to factors such as pollution, smoking, radiation and so on. So, it’s important that we neutralize free radicals, and one way that we can do that is by using essential oils, thanks to their powerful antioxidant properties.
Many essential oils also have antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, antimicrobial, antiviral and antiparasitic properties. They have been shown to kill harmful bacteria and viruses, whilst strengthening the immune system.
how to use essential oils
There are so many different ways in which we can use essential oils. Aromatherapy is a practice which uses essential oils by inhalation. However, we can also apply them topically, add them to baths, we can take them internally (always follow the guidelines) and we can use them for cleaning and around the home.
Some essential oils are more powerful than others, so it’s always important to follow the guidelines given for each oil. This is because there are oils that need to be diluted with a carrier oil, before being applied to the skin. But some oils such as lavender and peppermint oil can be applied directly to the skin. However, It’s still vital that you only use a few drops. Never use more than advised.
We can use different blends of essential oils for curing and healing different ailments. Click below for some essential oil blends, such as a calming blend, detoxification blend, headache relief and more.
Let’s take a look at some popular essential oils, and discover their benefits.
Lavender
Analgesic, anticoagulant, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, antifungal, anti-histamine, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antimutagenic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitoxic, antitumor, cardiotonic, regenerative, sedative
Common uses:
- Calming – helps with relaxation, anxiety, depression, postpartum depression, agitation, tension, physical and mental stress.
- Sedative – helps with insomnia, exhaustion, jet lag, sleep aid.
- Menstrual cramps, Menopause, Mood swings, post labor, stretch marks, thrush.
- Allergies, appetite loss, bacterial infections, cancer, club foot, convulsions, cuts and wounds, Dysmenorrhea, fever, gangrene, headaches/migraine, hernia, herpes, muscular paralysis, Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, vertigo.
- Skin conditions – Bites/stings, blisters, boils, burns, chicken pox, dandruff, diabetic sores, diaper rash, itching, dry lips, poison ivy rash, rashes, dry skin, skin ulcers, sunburn, ulcers, wrinkles.
- Mosquito repellant, gnats and midges repellant.
How to use:
- Can be applied neat when used topically.
- Diffuse, or inhale
- Take in capsules, or add 1-2 drops under the tongue, or add to water and drink.
Common uses:
- Asthma, autism, bell’s palsy, brain injury, colon polyps, Crohn’s disease, halitosis, hernia, Huntington’s disease, hypothyroidism, MRSA, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis , paralysis, wounds, tennis elbow, typhoid, varicose veins.
- Digestive issues – Congestion, constipation, diarrhea, gastritis, heartburn, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, nausea.
- Viruses – Bacterial infections, cold virus, fever, influenza, throat infections.
- Alertness, endurance, fainting, memory, headaches/migraine
- Skin conditions – Cold sores, itching, hives.
- Muscle aches, muscle fatigue, jet lag, sense of smell, sciatica, vomiting, shock.
How to use:
- Can be applied neat when used topically. Or for extra sensitive skin and children dilute 1:1 (1 drop oil to 1 drop carrier oil.
- Diffuse or inhale
- Take in capsules, or add 1-2 drops under the tongue, or add to water and drink.
Peppermint
Analgesic, antibacterial, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antioxidant, antispasmodic, antiviral, invigorating
frankincense
Anticatarrhal, anticancer, antidepressant, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antitumor, expectorant, immune stimulant, sedative
Common uses:
- Head conditions – Alzheimer’s disease, aneurysm, balance, brain support, brain injury, coma, concussion, confusion, depression, memory, mental fatigue.
- Conditions – Arthritis, asthma, cancer, fibroids, hepatitis, immune system support, improve vision, infected wounds, inflammation, liver cirrhosis, miscarriage support, MRSA, multiple sclerosis, nasal polyp, Parkinson’s disease, postpartum depression, tumor, uterus tissue regeneration.
- Skin conditions – Genital warts, moles, scarring, ulcers, warts, wrinkles.
- Respiratory – Coughs, breathing.
How to use:
- Can be applied neat when used topically.
- Diffuse or inhale.
- Take in capsules, or add 1-2 drops under the tongue.
Common uses:
- Common colds, dry throat, fever, influenza, throat infection, tonsillitis.
- Anxiety, concentration, depression, energising, exhaustion, grief/sorrow, physical energy, postpartum depression, relaxation, stress, uplifting.
- Atherosclerosis, blood pressure balance, brain injury, constipation, digestion, gout, heartburn, intestinal parasites, kidney stones, lymphatic cleansing, MRSA, pancreatitis, varicose veins.
- Skin, Bites/stings, cold sores.
- Also great for – Air pollution, disinfectant, furniture polish, greasy hair, hangovers, overeating, purification, water purification.
How to use:
- Can be applied neat when used topically. Avoid direct sunlight for up to 12 hours after applying to skin.
- Diffuse or inhale.
- Take in capsules, or place 1-2 drops under the tongue, or add to water and drink.
Lemon
Anticancer, antidepressant, antiseptic, antifungal, antioxidant, antiviral astringent, invigorating, refreshing
tea tree
Analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiparasitic, antiseptic, antiviral
Common uses:
- Skin conditions – Acne, athlete’s foot, boils, chicken pox, cold sores, cuts, dermatitis, eczema, hives, mumps, rashes, shingles, sunburn, warts.
- Bacterial infections, bronchitis, common colds, coughs, ear infection, earache, influenza, immune system boost, tonsillitis, viral infections.
- Allergies, aneurysm, candida, cavities, fungal infections, gum disease, hepatitis, herpes simplex, infected wounds, infection, inflammation, lice, MRSA, nail infection, ringworm, rubella, scabies, shock, staph infection, thrush, wounds.
How to use:
- Can be applied neat when used topically.
- Diffuse or inhale.
- Take in capsules
some of the ways i use essential oils
Now that essential oils are in my life, I couldn’t live without them. I have a diffuser in my bedroom, and a diffuser in my kitchen, and they are both on daily. The oils I use depend on my mood and how I’m feeling. For instance, if I’ve had a stressful day, I may use lavender oil as it’s known for its calming and relaxing properties. But If on the other hand I was feeling under the weather, and had cold symptoms, I may create a more healing blend, like tea tree, eucalyptus, cinnamon and ginger.
I also use essential oils in my bath. Again, depending on what I need in that moment depends on which oils I add. See below for some healing bath recipes.
curing illness
These oils are high strength and very powerful, so personally, I would only use them internally if I was ill or had some kind of health issue. And then, I would use them internally just until I was cured from the issue, then I’d go back to just using them externally. Make sure to always follow guidelines when taking essential oils internally.
skincare
I often dabble in making my own homemade natural moisturisers and lip balms. When making moisturiser for my face, I always add essential oils that are particularly good for the skin and have anti-aging properties. These include oils such as frankincense, tea tree, Hawaiian sandalwood, lavender and rose.
headache relief
Lavender and peppermint oil come in handy when a headache arises. You can take a few drops of either oil and gently massage in to the temples either side of the forehead. I always blast some out on the diffuser too.
Out and about all day long? Don’t worry, there are ways you can get the benefits out of the home too. Like with these aromatherapy pendant necklaces. I love mine so much, I am now selling them in my store. You just add your essential oils to the felt pad, which goes inside the pendant. And then you can get the aroma and all the benefits all day long.
you may also like:
essential oil blends
Need a headache cure? Not had enough sleep and need an energy boost? Discover of my favourite healing essential oil blends.
top 5 antibacterial essential oils
Discover my top 5 antibacterial essential oils.