Applying 11 Different Essential Oils: Understanding Their Advantages and Application Methods
Hey there! Essential oils, those potent plant extracts, have been around for a minute, popular with wellness enthusiasts. Now, they're jumping on the mainstream bandwagon, thanks to their claimed health benefits. Dr. Yufang Lin, an integrative medicine specialist, admits they're fantastic, but it's users' methods of utilizing them that might lead to problems. Let's dive into these oils and how you can benefit from them while avoiding potential pitfalls.
What are essential oils?
These wonders are concentrated plant extracts. Dr. Lin explains that plants are made of structural materials and phytochemicals, which offer properties that not only help the plant but also us humans. Creating essential oils requires a lot of plant matter, making some quite expensive. For example, about 250 pounds of lavender flower creates just 1 pound of lavender oil.
Benefits of essential oils
Essential oils can be used for aromatherapy, a holistic practice that employs smell to boost health, or applied topically to the skin. Studies suggest these oils may help relieve stress, improve sleep, enhance mood, boost job performance, and fight off bacteria, funguses, and viruses.
Essential oil highlights
Let's break it down for some common essential oils and their benefits:
Lavender oil
Dr. Lin's go-to option, lavender oil, is gentle, versatile, and great for stress, pain relief, and sleep. It was even used as a hospital cleaner before antiseptics were discovered. However, studies show its potential to disrupt young boys' hormones [1].
Tea tree oil
Most folks use tea tree oil as an antiseptic, antimicrobial, or antifungal remedy. It can also help with acne and athlete's foot when diluted with a carrier oil like coconut or jojoba oil [1]. However, since it can be neurotoxic, it's not safe to diffuse it if you have small children or animals at home [3].
Frankincense oil
Known as the "king of oils," frankincense can help with inflammation, mood, and sleep. It's also shown potential for asthma prevention and improving gum health [2].
Peppermint oil
Peppermint oil has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties. It can ease headaches, fight fatigue, boost mood, relax gut spasms, support digestion, and even promote memory [2].
Eucalyptus oil
Eucalyptus is useful for cold season relief. Its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties can help clear nasal passages, relieve pain, and fight herpes simplex virus. Be cautious when using eucalyptus oil and dilute it before using topically, as it can have dangerous effects on children and pets [2].
Lemon oil
Extracted from lemon peels, lemon oil canrefresh your mood, reduce anxiety, relieve pain, and kill bacteria [2]. However, it can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, increasing the risk of sunburn [3].
Lemongrass oil
Lemongrass oil has a strong citrus scent and offers stress relief, wound healing capabilities, and bacteria-fighting properties. It can even prevent the growth of fungus found in athlete's foot, ringworm, and jock itch [3].
Orange oil
Made from citrus fruit rinds, orange oil can be diffused into the air, applied topically to the skin, or used as a natural cleaner in your home. Be careful to avoid direct sunlight exposure after using orange oil, as it can increase your risk of sunburn [3].
Rosemary oil
Beyond cooking, rosemary oil boasts benefits like improving brain function, promoting hair growth, reducing pain and stress, lifting your mood, and reducing joint inflammation [2][3].
Bergamot oil
If you enjoy Earl Grey tea, you've tasted bergamot. Its oil can be diffused or applied topically with a carrier oil. It's known to ease anxiety, lift mood, and lower blood pressure [2].
Cedarwood oil
Cedarwood oil is popular in insect repellent, shampoo, and deodorant. But you can also use it to help with sleep and anxiety. Use it as aromatherapy, or dilute it with a carrier oil for topical application [2].
Using essential oils safely
Remember, essential oils are very strong, so be mindful about their use. Only small amounts—typically a few drops—are needed, and they shouldn't be used routinely to maintain their effectiveness [3].
Here are some ways you can use essential oils:
Diffusion
Blend essential oils and water in an essential oil diffuser and turn on the magic. A diffuser disperses tiny oil particles throughout the room so you can breathe them in.
Direct application on skin
Dilute essential oils with a carrier oil, such as coconut or jojoba oil, to avoid irritation before applying them to the skin [1][3]. Some people prefer using a rollerball bottle for handy application.
Ingestion
Think twice before ingesting essential oils. It may lead to internal toxicity, drug interactions, and accidental poisoning. Ingest essential oils only under a professional's guidance [1][3].
- Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that contain properties beneficial to human health, including relief from stress, improved sleep, enhanced mood, and boosted job performance.
- Dr. Lin's go-to option, lavender oil, has benefits such as stress relief, pain management, and sleep improvement, but studies show it may disrupt young boys' hormones.
- Peppermint oil has properties that can ease headaches, boost mood, and support digestion, while eucalyptus oil is useful for cold season relief and fighting herpes simplex virus, but should be used carefully with dilution to avoid dangerous effects on children and pets.
- Frankincense oil, known as the "king of oils," offers benefits like anti-inflammatory and mood-enhancing properties, while lemon oil can refresh your mood, reduce anxiety, and kill bacteria but increases the risk of sunburn if used before sun exposure.
- Essential oils should be used mindfully due to their strong nature, with only small amounts required for their effects and care needed to avoid irritation, accidental poisoning, and internal toxicity.
