The use of essential oils dates back thousands of years. Many oils were first recorded in history by ancient Greeks and Egyptians. Throughout their rich history, essential oils helped to heal and balance our overall well-being.
The History and Uses of Essential Oils
Personally, I like to use essential oils to help ease my symptoms of stress and depression. Are you interested in this type of therapy for your purposes? If yes, then I suggest you do research into the oils that are right for you. However, if you want to start with my recommendations, please see the convenient list below.
What Are Essential Oils?
First, we derive essential oils through a distillation process. From that, the oil retains the unique fragrance of the plant or source. So, in fact, when you take time to smell the flowers, you get the same aromatic experience as if you had smelled an essential oil. Nice!
Volatile aromatic compounds naturally occur in flowers, seeds, roots, stems, and even bark. Their natural aromas give plants protection against threats and are part of the pollination process.
As a result of the distillation process, people around the world use the same aromas. These are found in essential oils for food, beauty products, and for mental and physical health benefits.
How Does Aromatherapy Work?
As the aroma of the essential oil passes through our nose, the molecules of the oil blend into the olfactory gland wherein it triggers responses that are sent to the amygdala and limbic system. Simply stated, these are points in our body that have heavy influence over our emotions such as fear, anger, and pleasure.
How Do I Use Essential Oils?
There are a wide variety of ways to use your essential oils. For instance, you might use them as a single oil at one time or as a blend to enhance the effects of the purpose you desire.
Or, you might dilute your essential oil with organic coconut oil or jojoba oil. To help clarify the best way for you to use your essential oils, it is wise to know the three common methods.
• Aromatic Use of Essential Oils
When used in a diffuser, some energize while others calm and soothe us. Also when you diffuse them, you cleanse and purify the air around you. Moreover, diffusers come in a wide variety of styles and colors to fit any decor. So, get online and do your research. You’re sure to find the right one for your purposes and decor.
• Ways to Use Essential Oils Topically
They are easily absorbed by the skin and are safely applied topically. This is, of course, when you use a trusted product. This infographic shows the areas in which we might apply essential oils to our bodies topically.
For topical applications, do a skin test for potential irritations. Additionally, not all essential oils are to be applied in full strength on either humans or animals. Instead, use a carrier oil such as coconut oil to dilute for topical use. But, please take precautionary measures and remember to do a skin test first with any essential oil.
• Internal Use of Essential Oils
Some oils have rich culinary histories and are used as dietary supplements for a holistic wellness strategy. Additionally, some are used as flavorings in drinks and cooked food.
However, please note that not all essential oils are safe for human or animal ingestion. And, always check with your medical professional before you ingest oils. Also, ask your doctor if it is safe to use with your prescribed medications.
How do you use essential oils in your life? There seems to be an explosion in my life over the past two years of trying one essential oil after the other. From my recent experience, I know how beneficial the use of essential oils is for my personal balance. So, there is no turning back for me.
I hope you will join me to enhance you and your entire family’s health and well-being. Below is a list of essential oils that I use and therefore, happily recommend to you.
Susan’s Essential Oil List
Deep Blue® is a wonderful way to relieve minor aches and pains throughout your day. It is designed to provide soothing support to minor discomforts.
Frankincense is one of the most precious essential oils because it has very special health bonuses. With its warm, spicy, clean aroma, it pleases everyone.
The scent of Jasmine has been a favorite of mine since the mid-70s when Ciara was my favorite fragrance. Learn about the myriad of benefits from Jasmine.
Lavender is not just your grandmother’s scent. The lure of Lavender includes a myriad of effective uses that make our lives easier.
Lemon essential oil cleanses, purifies, invigorates. As a result, it is one of the most versatile oils available on the market today.
I successfully use Peppermint essential oils to relieve anxiety on a regular basis. Peppermint adds clarity to thought processes among many other wonderful benefits.
Rosemary is an aromatic herb that is used regularly in our cooking routines with meats and vegetables. Rosemary can be grown at home!
Sage has been used for thousands of years as a medium for spiritual cleansing of an area or place. Burn sage to clear energy and restore balance.
Turmeric has been used according to recorded history for more than 5,000 years as a spice and antidepressant. It also contains other medicinal properties.
