Power of Five Aromatherapy Essential Oils
The first uses of aromatherapy date back to prehistoric times when plants and herbs were used for medicinal, culinary, and cosmetic purposes. In general, aromatherapy, which is often called essential oil therapy, refers to the wide range of traditional or alternative therapies that use natural extracts to promote health and well-being.
Aromatherapy Essential Oils
As a result of its popularity and the many potential benefits it provides customers, the global aromatherapy market is expected to grow by 11.8% from 2020 to 2029.
In reality, many people often wonder what essential oils are and how they benefit them in different ways. Luckily, there are many types that offer unique and therapeutic benefits and can make a great addition to everyone’s skin, hair, and healthcare collection.
So, if you are looking to get into essential oils, but you aren’t sure how each one can benefit you, here is a list of the five most commonly used aromatherapy essential oils which can best meet your needs.
1. Lavender essential oil
Lavender oil is certainly one of the most popular essential oils used in aromatherapy. Because of its soothing scent, lavender oil is mostly used to help people relax and sleep.
For example, if you are fighting off insomnia, you can apply a few drops of lavender oil on your bedding or use a lavender spray in your room to help you fall asleep and get the rest you need after a long, busy workday.
In general, lavender is believed to be a multipurpose oil because it has anti-inflammatory, antidepressive, and antibacterial properties which can help treat many health conditions. Some of them include anxiety, depression, and eczema.
On top of that, lavender oil has been used in cooking in order to soften citrus flavors and savory dishes. Lastly, here is a fun fact about this essential oil – it actually takes about 25 pounds of lavender to produce a 15 ml bottle of lavender oil.
2. Bergamot essential oil
Bergamot oil, the second most popular essential oil, is derived from the coats of citrus fruits which grow on bergamot orange trees. It is most commonly used for boosting mood and alleviating stress.
In addition, it has proven useful in reducing pain and inflammation due to the presence of two compounds, linalool, and carvacrol, which are found in bergamot oil.
However, it is recommended that you test it out first to make sure you don’t have any allergic reactions to it.
A fun fact about bergamot oil is that if you like Earl Grey tea, then you will certainly like the fresh taste of bergamot which is actually used as a flavor in this tea.
3. Peppermint essential oil
Peppermint is an aromatic herb extracted from the leaves of the peppermint plant. Its odor is sharp, cool, and refreshing and it has a wide variety of uses. For example, it can be used to treat medical conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other digestive issues which are accompanied by abdominal pain and even diarrhea.
In addition, this essential oil can be used topically to reduce pain and severe headaches due to the two chemical components, menthol, and menthone, which are present in peppermint oil. According to a study, the use of this herb showed a great reduction in migraine symptoms two hours after application.
One very interesting fact about peppermint oil is that it is believed to be an energy booster. For example, you can apply a few drops of this oil to your palms and deeply inhale it in order to pick you up and make you feel more alert.
4. Chamomile essential oil
Chamomile essential oil comes from the flowers of chamomile plants which happen to be related to daisies. In fact, there are two different varieties of chamomile and these are Roman chamomile and German chamomile.
Despite having a slightly different appearance, the chemical composition of their active ingredients differs as well. The active ingredient that is mostly used in the chamomile essential oil is chamazulene which is higher in German chamomile.
Just like other essential oils, chamomile oil also has many benefits. For example, it is believed that it can help treat anxiety and depression due to the presence of its calming compounds. Also, chamomile has analgesic properties that help reduce pain in muscles and joints.
Lastly, using chamomile oil topically can calm skin inflammation and redness making it a useful natural remedy for acne. For that reason, it is ideal for people with sensitive skin.
5. Ylang-Ylang essential oil
The Ylang-Ylang oil is derived from the plant of the same name which has a fruity, flowery, and rich aromatic scent.
In fact, this essential oil is one of the main ingredients used in the Chanel No.5 perfume. Besides smelling divine, ylang-ylang is well known for its mood-enhancing, sedative, and antidepressant properties.
For example, in order to relieve the symptoms of stress and tension, you can rub a few drops to the back of your neck to relax. You can also add a few drops to your bath or apply them to your wrists to fight fatigue and promote a positive mood.
In addition to all this, the oil has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties which help improve the appearance of the skin by treating many skin conditions like acne.
Lastly, ylang-ylang oil is also known for keeping the cardiovascular system healthy by improving circulation and reducing blood pressure.
Wrap-Up
These five aromatherapy essential oils aren’t the only ones that provide many health benefits to people. The beauty of them is that they can be used in many ways like inhaling them using a diffuser or a humidifier or by applying them directly to your skin.
In any case, essential oils can certainly provide a delightful scent and a relaxing ambiance to your home. Just make sure you do thorough research on each and choose the one which best serves your needs and requirements.
