5 Popular Essential Oils and How to Use Them

Essential oils are natural products made out of the concentrated extract of plants that’s later distilled into oil. Since ancient times essential oils have been used for the treatment of many health problems as well as for day to day relaxation and massage. There are hundreds of essential oils out there, but over the years the following ones have been proven to be the most effective. Here’s how to use them.

Eucalyptus Peppermint Oil for Treating Sinus Problems & Anxiety Relief

 

The leaves of the eucalyptus tree are used for the extraction and creation of the essential oils which have a see-through colour and a very strong woody scent. The leaves of the eucalyptus tree are rich in antioxidants (flavonoids). Eucalyptus is a group of trees with more than 660 different species.

Because of that, you can find a number of eucalyptus oils such as eucalyptus peppermint, eucalyptus lemon gum and eucalyptus blue mallee oil. Each has a different positive effect and is used for a variety of conditions. Out of the bunch,the eucalyptus peppermint essential oil is the most popular on the marketbecause it has been found to help provide relief for a number of problems.

When inhaled, the eucalyptus peppermint essential oil can help reduce sinus problems and nasal congestion as well as lessen the symptoms of asthma. It has great anti-inflammatory properties and can expand the bronchi and bronchioles of the lungs. It can help ease cough and cold-related headaches and allow you to breathe better.

On the other hand, when used on the skin it can resolve dry skin problems, increase the skin’s moisture levels, prevent dandruff and help treat skin conditions like dermatitis and psoriasis.

The eucalyptus peppermint oil is also widely used for aromatherapy and massage because it has calming and relaxing effects on the human body. Actually, aromatherapy with eucalyptus oils is known to relieve stress and anxiety by increasing the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system. For aromatherapy, you can use diffusers or just a bowl of hot water in which you can put a few drops of this type of eucalyptus essential oil. Only 30 minutes of inhaling is enough for you to feel the positive effects.

You’d be surprised to know that you can also use the eucalyptus peppermint essential oil as an insect repellent especially through topical application. And thanks to its antibacterial properties, it can also be a pretty effective natural alternative to mouthwash or toothpaste as it can help lower the risk of gum inflammation, bad breath and tooth decay.

Lavender Oil to Promote Better Sleep

 

Lavender essential oil is made from the flowers of the plant (Lavandula angustifolia) trough distillation. It’s a really popular oil for its essential calming effects that are found to greatly help people who suffer from stress. The inhalation of lavender helps improve mood and greatly lowers stress levels. It also improves and normalises the sleeping pattern and can solve the problems with insomnia.

When applied topically, the lavender essential oil can help you get rid of acne thanks to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, it also helps reduce wrinkles and moisturises the skin. The antifungal properties, on the other hand, can help greatly with conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. You can mix the lavender essential oil with tea tree oil and coconut oil for a better effect.

Lavender oil can also help speed up the wound-healing process whether it’s a burn, a cut or another type of wound. It has properties that help with the healing of the skin.

Cedarwood Essential Oil to Treat Skin Conditions

Cedarwood essential oil is made from the leaves, berries and needles of the cedar tree. It can be derived both by distillation and cold pressing. Cedarwood essential oil has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic and antifungal properties. It has positive effects on the skin and it’s a great ally in the fight against acne and other inflammatory skin conditions. You can use cedarwood essential oil on scars as it can make them less visible over time and prevent excess tissue from forming.

Cedarwood oil helps improve hair growth and prevent excessive hair loss. Despite this, it also has a soothing effect on the scalp and helps with itching scalp, dandruff and scalp eczema. You can apply it with gentle massage-like strikes or put a few drops of it into your shampoo and conditioner.

It’s also been found to help eliminate discomfort and muscle pain and stiffness, joint pain and spasms. As a result, cedarwood is one of those essential oils that are an essential part of massage parlours. It can also improve digestion and proper function of the liver, kidney and brain.

Basil Essential Oil to Reduce the Symptoms of Flu

 

Basil essential oil is made from the leaves of the basil plant (Ocimum basilicum) through distillation. Basil essential oil is widely used in aromatherapy and inhalation. It contains a substance called linalool (also found in lavender) that’s believed to help reduce stress levels and influence the nervous system. Many prefer it for its calming effect.

Trough inhalation, basil essential oil can have a positive effect on the heart rate, blood pressure, proper breathing and immune response.

Many people use basil oil inhalations in order to reduce and eliminate flu symptoms as it has a beneficial antibacterial effect on the respiratory system, helps with cough and bronchitis (infection of the main airways – bronchi) as well as fatigue and weakness.

You can even make tea from the basil leaves because they contain eugenol, camphene, cineole and camphor – compounds known to help with the before mentioned respiratory problems and flu symptoms. On top of that, basil is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, zinc, calcium and manganese.

Rosemary Oil for a Stimulative Effect

Rosemary has a specific aroma and besides being used in aromatherapy it’s also a popular spice for cooking. The plant (Rosmarinus officinalis) has needle-like leaves which are used for the creation of rosemary oil. When dried out, the leaves can be used as a flavouring but also for making herbal tea. However, the essential oil is the most potent way to reap this amazing herb.

Rosemary oil has antimicrobial properties and is known to help with some skin conditions as well as with androgenic alopecia (pattern baldness). The best way to apply it is by massaging it onto the affected area.

Rosemary inhalation has stimulative effects which may benefit the brain in various ways, most notably by helping to improve memory. In some cases, this oil has helped patients that have Alzheimer’s disease.

If you have circulation problems or cold hands and feet, rosemary’s stimulative effects can help with that too. You can massage your hands and feet with rosemary oil every now and then as it is believed that the oil helps expand your blood vessels, increase circulation and warm up your extremities.

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