15 Essential Oil Facts and Benefits You Need to Know

Updated on July 13, 2020
essential oils and medical flowers herbs

Do you suffer from anxiety or inability to focus? Do you have a child with a lot of nervous energy?

Believe it or not, medication is not your only option. In fact, some pharmaceutical remedies can actually worsen the problem, causing sleep problems, a decrease in appetite, and even delayed growth.

Natural solutions to hyperactivity include changes in diet, biofeedback, and essential oils.

You may never have considered that the essential oils we often use for ambiance could help with health issues. What are some essential oil facts you should be aware of before you try them out?

Here’s what you need to know.

1. There Are Over 90 Types of Essential Oils

There are over ninety types of essential oils available today. They get extracted from plants in order to capture unique flavors, scents, and health benefits.

Essential oils are usually diluted in a carrier oil. This could be coconut oil, olive oil, or almond oil.

Essential oils can improve your mood with the first whiff. Yet, if you’re trying to treat a health condition, you’ll want to be certain that you’re using the right oil or combination of oils for maximum benefits. It’s important to speak to your doctor before you begin using them.

One of the most popular types of essential oil is lavender. It is known for being calming and helping people relax and sleep. Lavender oil can also help those with anxiety and hyperactivity to stay calm.

Lavender can also serve to relieve headaches and reducing itching from bug bites. It can also treat depression, allergies, and menstrual cramps.  

A combination of lavender and peppermint is a popular remedy for adults and children suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD.) Peppermint helps with mental focus when used in the middle of the day. It can also help to relieve nausea, colds, and headaches. 

Another popular essential oil is frankincense. It’s an anti-inflammatory oil you can use to treat aches and pains. Frankincense can also get used as an antiseptic and astringent. 

2. Essential Oils Are Long Lasting

Most essential oils can last at least two years before beginning to lose their effectiveness, although some can last as long as fifteen years. 

Essential oils with the shortest lifespan include lemon, sweet orange, and frankincense. Those that will last the longest are scents like cedarwood and sandalwood.

3. Essential Oils Can Help With Headaches 

Those with frequent headaches and migraines take great comfort in the relief essential oils can provide, and it keeps them from relying too heavily on over-the-counter pain relievers. in fact, people who take these medications too often could develop indigestion or even stomach ulcers.

Peppermint is a popular oil for relieving headaches because it relaxes muscles and eases pain. It’s important to use the oil topically and not to ingest it. Apply peppermint oil to your temples for maximum headache relief.

Rosemary oil is also popular for headache relief. It’s known for being pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory. Rosemary oil can get applied to your skin or dropped in a bath for pain relief.

Chamomile oil is another great headache soother. It soothes muscles and relaxes the body.

Chamomile works well when added to a diffuser, which breaks essential oils down into smaller molecules and dispenses them into the air. You can learn more here. 

4. Essential Oils Can Help With Depression

Depression is painful by itself, but it can also lead to other undesirable symptoms such as restlessness, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating.

Anti-depressant drugs can help, but these can have side effects like insomnia and constipation.

Wild ginger oil is thought to activate the serotonergic system, which can slow the release of stress hormones. Bergamot can also ease anxiety and apprehension. Other essential oils often used to treat depression include chamomile, frankincense, and sandalwood. 

5. Essential Oils Can Help With Allergies

Essential oils such as lavender can combat allergic inflammation and the enlargement of mucous cells. Eucalyptus is also anti-inflammatory, and it can relieve congestion. 

Other oils, such as lemon, peppermint, and tea tree oil can help allergy sufferers. They can get applied to your skin or released into the air.

6. Essential Oils Can Help With Acne

Essential oils are a mild, natural solution to treating zits and blackheads. Tea tree oil is especially useful in encouraging pimples to vanish.

Other helpful acne treatments include peppermint, frankincense oil, and eucalyptus. They are calming and may also help to prevent infections.

7. Essential Oils Can Help You Sleep

Essential oils can improve the amount and quality of sleep in adults. They can lower blood pressure and relieve anxiety and depression.

Popular oils for improving sleep include vanilla, rose, and lavender. Add a little to your nighttime routine for peaceful zzz’s.

8. Essential Oils Can Help With Sunburn

The summer months may plague you and your family with red, itchy skin after a day at the beach. Lavender and peppermint essential oils are anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial, thus easing your itch and preventing infection.

You can also check out Vitamin E and Vitamin C essential oils. These can stop the problem before it starts by protecting against UVA and UVB rays.

9. Essential Oils Can Help With Constipation

Nothing is more uncomfortable than not being able to go. Ginger oil can help by increasing motility. All you need to do is massage some on your abdomen when you are suffering.

Peppermint oil, lemon, and rosemary are also known to provide natural relief to those suffering from constipation.

10. Essential Oils Can Help You Breathe

Those suffering from inflamed sinuses and shortness of breath can find great comfort in essential oils. They can relax your breathing muscles out of their locked state and help to relieve stress. 

Popular oils for breathing relief include sandalwood, eucalyptus, pine, and fir. These can get applied directly to the chest.

11. Essential Oils Are Great At-Home Cleaners

Lemon oil, in particular, is known for being a fine at-home cleaner that also smells terrific. Mix it with a little baking soda, orange oil, and liquid castile soap for a great all-purpose cleaner.

You can also use tea tree oil to get rid of odors in bathrooms and kitchens. Mix it with some lemon oil, water, and white vinegar for a spray that smells as good as it cleans.

12. Quality Oils Are Worth It

If you and your doctor have decided to invest in essential oils for health, it’s important not to skimp on quality. High-quality oils will be more effective and less likely to drain your wallet in the end.

Quality oil manufacturers will give you information on where and how their plants are grown. They will also tell you how the oils are extracted.

Look for brands that let you know the percentage of purity in their products. You won’t want a lot of additives, as these are not worth paying for. 

13. Look For First Distillation Oils

Most essential oils are distilled, and only citrus oils are pressed. 

Quality essential oil distributors will do only one distillation. This allows them to get the most plant matter they can at once. It improves product quality and helps avoid waste.

Ask about distillation before choosing an essential oil distributor. If they distill more than once, it may be time to move on.

14. Never Buy Essential Oils Sold in Plastic Bottles

Quality oil distributors will sell their products in dark amber or blue glass bottles. Plastic bottles, however, can dissolve in the oils and contaminate the product. 

Plastic bottles are safe for cleaners, blends, or room sprays that contain only a small amount of essential oils. 

15. Essential Oils Improve Your Quality of Life

Many folks do treat specific health conditions with essential oils. Yet it”s also great for improving the lifestyle of those who are just interested in aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy may trigger cell receptors in your nose that send messages to your brain that can improve your mood. Some people simply know that it makes them feel better, and increases the energy they have to complete daily tasks.

Once you find a quality essential oil distributor, you’ll also get your hands on ideas for essential oil combinations to combat any negative emotion. Experiment with your favorites and keep oils pumping through your home for a natural improvement to your lifestyle!

Powerful Essential Oil Facts 

Once you learn about the scientific essential oil facts that make them so effective, you’ll be ready to start using them regularly. You need only to make sure you’re using the right oils to heal your body, cleanse your soul, and make your home a place of positive, peaceful energy.

For more natural health tips, read our blog today.

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