Why Essential Oils?
Many people wonder and I met a friend the other day she was curious why essential oils over other things available around? Is it just a trend these days to use these essential oils and why not everyone uses them? How come we have only limited number of people using them?
The answer to all these questions is the lack of knowledge and awareness.
Essential oils are extracts from different parts of plants. There are different types of processes by which oil can be extracted from the parts of plants. Some popular methods of extraction include Steam Distillation, Cold Press, Water Distillation, and Solvent extraction.
The essential oil is exactly the scent or flavour of plant which is called Essence. Essential oils are concentrate extract of plants that holds plant’s actual essence. In saying that essential oil is not to be swallowed.
These days essential oils are most commonly used for Aromatherapy. But the use of these concentrates is not restricted to aromatherapy. The cosmetics we use including perfumes, lipsticks, shampoo, etc. all have essential oils in them. You know how you pick a new lip balm and smell it, that fragrance actually comes from essential oil present in that balm.
In the same way nowadays its common for cosmetics and other products to highlight the use of particular flowers, fruit or vegetable in that product, that is because of the presence of real fruit or other plant extracts in them.
Why use Essential Oils?
The essential oils are a pure concentrated form of plants that carry the benefits of that particular plant in them. Besides, the particles present in essential oils can heal our bodies naturally. Some therapists use these oils to rub them on your skin or a muscle to relieve pain.
The essential oils are used to eliminate several physical and mental problems some popular ones are listed below:
- Anxiety
- Sleep & Insomnia
- Depression
- Headaches & Migraines
- Indigestion
Ways to use Essential Oils
It is said and recommended that if you are new to essential oils, or even you have been using them. The good and safe recommendation is to mix with some sort of carrier oil, balm, or lotion.
Some oils are intense & strong enough and may cause irritation, rashes, or an allergy when applied directly on the skin, hence it is recommended to use dilute them in something before application on the skin.
You can also use essential oil for inhaling purposes. For inhalation, a good idea is to use some sort of a vaporizer or an oil burner. Oil burners are very popular these days. You can find a wide variety of oil burners in the market starting from ceramics, brass, glass and soapstones. You basically pour water in the little bowl on top of your oil burner. Then you just put 2-3 drops of oil and mix them together for inhaling and making your living room, bedroom, or office smell great as well.
The reason why oil burners and vaporizers are getting popular these days because they can be a piece of handicraft as will in your room, so you have an extra advantage. A beautiful piece of handicraft useful for your well-being.
Common Essential Oils:
Eucalyptus – For cough, chest congestion, and pain relief.
Sweet Orange – For multiple skin treatments, and lifts mood.
Cinnamon – for skin, eliminate acne, helps digestion.
Lemongrass – Relax muscles, act as a disinfectant.
Patchouli – For scars, stretch marks, treat stress and anxiety.
Lemon – For skin toning, cleansing, removes warts & protects from early aging.
To sum it up essential oils are the gifts provided by nature to the human race. We should use these natural, chemical-free resources to live a happy & healthy lifestyle. There are so many things that we can do with this precious gift provided to us by our mother nature.
In saying that it is also recommended to consult your doctor before you start the use of essential oils. As mentioned above some concentrates are strong and using them might result in allergic reactions.
We have to eliminate the use of chemicals and other hazardous substances from our daily life. As per old Indian traditions, the Vedic medicines and balms were all made out of plants. Back in the days’ people were living a healthy & prosperous life by using material made out of plants and their parts.
