While aromatherapy and the use of essential oils have had a pretty spectacular rocket to fame within the past decade, this holistic approach has been around for about 6,000 years. Essential oils have been used not only in a therapeutic capacity, but also cosmetic, fragrant and spiritual. If you’re looking to dig into this complimentary health approach but aren’t sure how to go about it—or if it’s even worth it—read on to learn more.
Related Reading: HOMEMADE ESSENTIAL OILS BODY SPRAY
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are concentrated extracts that come from the pressing and distillation of the leaves, bark, stalk, roots, fruit or flowers of plants. In fact, to get such potency it can take hundreds of pounds of a plant to make just one pound of essential oil. Each oil’s smell and potential health benefits come from their many distinctive phytochemicals.
What Is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils for a health benefit. The oils can be inhaled or diluted and applied to the skin. Often, multiple essential oils are blended together to create the desired impact on the body.
No matter which way the essential oil is used, the nose plays a big role in how these oils affect the body. Receptors in our nose catch the scent molecules, sending signals to the brain where it is hypothesized they impact the emotion and memory centers, as well as the hypothalamus.1
Whether or not you’ve intentionally purchased essential oils, you’ve likely been introduced to them in products you may already have at home. For example, there are cold and cough rubs and steams that include camphor, eucalyptus oil and menthol—all essential oils!
Do Essential Oils Really Work?
Quality research is fairly limited when it comes to the effectiveness of essential oils for our health, though the results seem to be promising.
Peppermint Oils
While mostly known as a tea, peppermint oil has a small number of studies suggesting its potential impact on tension headaches and digestion.2
Tea Tree Oils
Also called melaleuca oil, tea tree oil has traditionally been used as an antiseptic. Though studies are small and limited, research on tea tree oil indicates it may improve acne and athlete’s foot, and perhaps even nail fungus.3
Lavender Oils
Lavender has quite the history, dating back to medicinal and perfume use in the first century A.D., and being used as an antiseptic on castle floors and in sick rooms.4 Lavender oil has been promoted to ease anxiety and stress, and also to help with sleep.
Eucalyptus Oils
From a native plant of Australia, eucalyptus oil is often touted for use during the cold season to help open nasal passages.5, 6, 7, 8
How To Use Essential Oil For Aromatherapy
There are many ways to enjoy essential oils. The most common is to use a diffuser to introduce the essential oil into the air quickly.
Topical Application
Essential oils can be diluted into a carrier oil such as coconut or jojoba. At this lower concentration level, you are able to roll or massage it onto the skin.
Aromatherapy Accessories
Necklaces, bracelets and even key chains are available to drop a bit of your favorite essential oil onto, taking whiffs throughout the day.
Aroma Stick Or Cotton Ball
Aroma sticks have a wick inside that will soak up the essential oil for you to smell throughout the day. You could also apply a couple drops to a cotton ball as a quick way to disperse a bit of the aroma.
What To Look For When Purchasing Essential Oils
It’s important to pay attention to the quality of the oil you purchase.
Your primary focus should be on 100% pure oil products. This will help ensure there are no other unwanted ingredients. Synthetic oils are not considered essential oils. Often the label will state the Latin name of the plant as well as where it was grown when the product was pure.
Choose products in darker glass containers. This helps protect the essential oil from light that may break the oil down too soon. Plus, the oils are so strong they would break down plastic over time.
Watch out for marketing terms such as “therapeutic grade,” which means nothing at all!
Be Cautious About Essential Oils
It can be counterintuitive to think that something from nature may be harmful, but caution should be used with these concentrated, potent oils. Most oils—when used correctly—are tolerated with little irritation.
Be sure to chat with your health care professional before taking the leap to ensure you are doing what is best for your health.
