Where the Aromatic Magic Happens: How to Use Essential Oils
Approximately 38 percent of U.S. adults use some form of natural or alternative medicine to promote good health. This includes meditation, dietary changes, and essential oils.
Holistic medicine is growing in popularity due to the dangers of pharmaceutical drugs becoming more well-known and documented. Many people no longer feel comfortable taking lab-made drugs every day to temporarily fix a problem, as many of those drugs cause short-term and long-term health issues.
Instead, people want to get to the root of the problem and treat it holistically, using their own mind and body, along with what the earth provides for us.
Essential oils are a great way to manage both physical and mental health issues and are completely safe to use. Keep reading to learn about some of the benefits of essential oils, and how to use them properly.
Top Benefits of Using Essential Oils
There are dozens of types of essential oils, each providing their unique benefits. Here are some of the most popular benefits you can experience when using essential oils.
Improves Mood
Do you ever get sudden attacks of anxiety? Or are there days where you wake up feeling down and unmotivated?
If so, you could benefit from a few different essential oils that can help relieve anxiety and lift your mood.
Lavender oil is the most popular essential oil, and for good reason. If you deal with anxiety, breathing in some lavender can help relieve that feeling right away. Lavender is also a great option for aiding in sleep if you struggle with insomnia.
Eucalyptus oil is perfect for waking up in the morning, especially if you always feel groggy and unmotivated to get up out of bed. Smelling this oil will make you feel more alert and upbeat so you can start your day off right.
Improves Cognitive Function
Whether you have a big test coming up, or you need an extra boost to focus on work all day, essential oils can help you along the way.
Rosemary oil can be used to not only reduce stress, but it can make you feel more alert and focused, making it a great choice for people studying for a test. Simply add a few drops to a diffuser and enjoy better concentration as you study!
Peppermint oil is another great option for becoming more alert. It also can help reduce or eliminate headaches, so you won’t have to reach for that bottle of Ibuprofen.
Pro tip: dab a small amount of peppermint oil on your wrist while studying for an exam. Smell your wrist periodically while studying new concepts. Then, on test day, dab your wrist with peppermint oil again.
This will promote memorization because memory is closely related to the sense of smell.
Reduces Inflammation
Essential oils are also highly effective for many different types of inflammation, including skin problems, inflammation caused by sickness, and respiratory issues.
Tea tree oil is extremely popular in the skincare world. It is a great tool to help prevent and treat acne due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Eucalyptus oil is a wonderful choice if you’re suffering from a cold and have inflamed sinuses. It can help reduce inflammation and drain the sinus cavities. Put a few drops in some steamy water and inhale the vapors to clear your sinuses. Just be careful not to burn yourself!
Thyme is another oil that has anti-inflammatory properties, and it can actually help reduce inflammation in the respiratory system. Be careful, because you don’t want to ingest thyme oil. You can either dilute it in massage oil and apply it to your skin or you can add a few drops to steamy water and inhale it.
Pain Relief
Many essential oils can help relieve different types of pain. If you have muscle pain after exercising, it’s best to apply the oils topically to the problem area. If you have a headache, rubbing oil into your temples or inhaling a diffused oil are the best options.
Tension headaches and migraines can be reduced by inhaling lavender or rosemary oils. Stomach pains and gas can be relieved using peppermint or chamomile oils.
Ginger, frankincense, myrrh, and helichrysum oils can help reduce muscle, joint, and tendon pain.
How to Use Essential Oils
Now that you have an understanding of some of the benefits of essential oils, it’s time to talk about how to actually use them. These are the most popular ways to utilize essential oils so you can experience their benefits.
Use an Oil Diffuser
Using an oil diffuser is the most common way to benefit from essential oils. All you need is a diffuser, some water, and your essential oils of choice.
The diffuser will release steam that contains your oils. You can easily control the strength of the smell by adjusting the water to oil ratio.
You can put the diffuser next to your bed to promote sleep, or on your desk to promote cognitive function and mood benefits.
Take a Bath with Oils
Did you have a long, stressful day and need to unwind? There’s no better way to practice self-care than to take a warm bath with some of your favorite oils.
All you need to do is put a few drops of oil into the bath and enjoy the wonderful aroma and calming effects.
Apply Topically
If you’re out and about and in need of a quick pick-me-up, you can simply dab a drop of essential oil onto your skin and inhale.
This is a great option for dealing with social anxiety. All you need is a small bottle of oil to bring with you wherever you go, and you can feel relaxed knowing you have a way to calm your anxiety quickly if it rears its ugly head.
Some Oils Work Well When Ingested
Some essential oils have additional benefits when ingested. For example, peppermint oil can work wonders for cramps and stomach pains.
It’s important to only ingest high-quality essential oils, and make sure you check to see if ingesting a particular oil is beneficial and safe before doing so.
Take a Natural Approach to Health and Wellness
Essential oils offer a ton of unique and powerful benefits that can improve your mood and overall physical and mental health.
If you’re interested in taking a natural approach to healthcare, explore our website to learn more about the different holistic services we offer. These services include naturopathic medicine, genetic nutrition counseling, and far infrared sauna therapy.
Contact us today to learn more about our holistic services or to schedule an appointment.
