Author: Namratha Gopal
We often are been through essential oils when it comes to hair and skincare rituals. But now, it’s time to understand what essential oils are and how do they benefit us in various aspects. Essential oils are often used in the field of aromatherapy and naturopathy to support health and well-being. This article targets on the importance of essential oils for a healthy lifestyle. Let’s dive into the topic now-
EVERYTHING ABOUT ESSENTIAL OILS FOR A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are the concentrated compounds extracted from the various potentially beneficial plants. The essential oils will have much stronger smell than that of the plants they come from and contain the higher level of active ingredients. The unique aromatic compounds give such essential oils a pleasant flavor or essence that retains the natural essence of their source.
Ways that manufactures extract essential oils
There are the following ways that the manufacturers use to extract essential oils from the leaves, flowers and stem of the plant:
1. Steam or water distillation: this process passes hot water or hot stream through the plants thus pulling the essential compounds away from the plant.
2. A mechanical method – i.e., cold pressing: This process squeezes the plant matter to cause it to release juices or oils.
Once these aromatic chemicals or essential oils are extracted, they are either combined with the carrier oils or the products that are ready for use.
How do essential oils impact your health and mind?
Essential oils have a wide range of medicinal and therapeutic properties. And their anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties make them a useful product in your medicinal cabinet, skincare regimen and for hair care as well. Let’s see the way to use essential oils for achieving the health benefits.
1. Aromatherapy – Relieves stress
Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils for getting therapeutic benefits. So when inhaling the essential oils the scent molecules in essential oils travel from olfactory nerves directly to the brain and especially impact the emotional center of the brain thus helps in relieving stress. They have also found to promote healthy sleep, relieves headache and alleviated pain. In addition, they can improve skin conditions, help treat common cold and encourages healthy digestion cycle.
2. Breathing through essential oils – what is it’s impact on your mind?
As we have already seen the benefit that an essential oil has on aromatherapy, they all directly contribute in having the healthy mind since they are a convenient way to improve the health and quality of life. In addition to that, they are used to relieve pain and cramping, improve respiratory health, heals skin condition, relieves congestion, promote healthy sleep patterns and boosts your mood. All the factors are just enough to have a calm mind.
Most commonly used and popular essential oils for a healthy lifestyle
Here is the list of popular essential oils that are linked to their health claims:
- Peppermint – Aids in digestion and boosts energy
- Lavender – Relives stress
- Sandalwood – Calms nerves
- Bergamot – Reduce stress and improves skin conditions
- Rose – improves mood and reduces anxiety
- Chamomile – improves mood and relaxation
- Ylang-Ylang – Treats headaches, nausea and skin conditions
- Tea tree – fights infection and boosts immunity
- Jasmine – helps in relieving depression
- Lemon – boosts mood, aids digestion and headache
Things consider while using essential oil – Disclaimer
They do have side effects like –
1. Irritation and burning – Which is why, you have to ensure in diluting the essential oils with carrier oils before applying on the skin.
2. Asthma attacks – Most of the people are absolutely safe with inhaling the essential oils, but it doesn’t suit the people are suffering from asthma which in turn reacts to breathing in fumes.
3. Headaches – Inhaling too much and for longer period of time may lead to headaches and especially those people need to be extra cautious those who are likely to get headaches more often.
Note – It is always safe when used in the right way. So always dilute them with carrier oils and never ingest them.
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