An all you need Essential Oil Guide for the Beginner

The world is incredibly fast paced now and in this modern era, something that has gained well deserved respect and popularity is aromatherapy, which is a technique that promotes relaxation and mental well-being through the use of aromatic plants and their extracts, known as essential oils. It is not just placebo but scientifically and medically proven to have calming and stress-relieving qualities. It focuses on a person’s sense of smell and touch and brings about the experience of relief through the use of diffusers, bath salts, candles, clay masks or steamers.

Why Essentials Oils?

Since, essential oils are scientifically proven to have beneficial qualities they are used for aromatherapy. They are also completely natural and condemn the use of synthetic ingredients. Therefore, be aware of fragrance oils since they contain synthetic ingredients and are not the same as essential oils and also do not have the qualities that play an important role in aromatherapy. Essential oils provide mental and emotional assistance with stress, fatigue, anxiety, insomnia or fear and they can offer relief from a variety of common symptoms such as assisting with cuts, wounds, bruises, inflammation, arthritis, muscle stiffness, indigestion, acne, skincare, haircare, hygiene, PMS, menstruation.

Buying Essential Oils

Beware of terms like “made with natural ingredients”, “made with essential oils” since they are misleading and may contain only a small amount of the said ingredients and larger amounts of synthetic chemicals that are terrible for you in the long run. Do not buy essential oils from companies that are shy to disclose their blends or ingredients. Store your essential oils in a cool and dark place in dark coloured containers.

Use of Essential Oils

Always create blends of essential oils by diluting them in carrier oils. Using essential oils as is can be very harmful. Follow the safety instructions that come along with the bottle since some may be harmful for children, elderly, pregnant women and people with serious ailments.

My favorite Essential Oils

Lavender Oil

Lavender essential oil is one of the most versatile of them all. It is anti-bacterial and is a must have for your first-aid kit. Its calming and sedative properties make it a wonderful oil to help relax, fight stress and to promote sleep. And when properly diluted, it's amongst the safest of essential oils. Take a sniff of this essential oil before bed to induce a better amount of sleep and/or relieve anxiety in these trying times. You could also massage a few drops of the essential oil blend into your temples for a more relaxing effect. Lavender pillow sprays have also gained popularity for de stressing. If used in excess, however, Lavender Oil can actually act as a stimulant.

• Anti-bacterial
• Promotes sleep
• Relieves anxiety

Eucalyptus Oil

It is probably most popularly known for its wonderful benefits for respiratory applications including helping to ease congestion and pressure, colds, flu, fever and bronchitis. You can drop a few drops of this oil in your steamer for effective results or make rubs to massage on your chest. It's also a great essential oil to use in massage or other topical blends to ease muscular pain and arthritis and is also known to be helpful with rheumatism and sinusitis.

• Ease colds
• Eases congestion
• Helps with arthritis and muscular pain

Rose Oil

Another popular essential oil whose cousin, rose water is very widely known as a perfume and used a toner in both ancient and modern skin care routines. Rose essential oil has been known to have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal effects along with the general calming and soothing effects. When used in low concentrations, it can be helpful for insomnia. It is also considered an aphrodisiac. A massage done with a blend of this oil can help ease cramps and discomfort caused during menstrual cycles.

• Anti-bacterial and anti-fungal
• Helps with insomnia
• An aphrodisiac
• Ease menstrual cramps

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint Essential Oil contains menthol which induces a cooling sensation, and its use in a body mist or even in the diffuser can help cool you destress and help ease tension, headaches and muscular aches and pains. It is a good choice for inclusion in blends intended to help enhance alertness and stamina. It is considered an aphrodisiac. It is widely used and appreciated to cure headaches and nausea. It is also found in mouthwashes, soaps and handwashes.

• Helps destress
• Reduces headaches and muscular aches
• Increases stamina
• An aphrodisiac
• Helps with nausea

And that’s a wrap on essential oils. Remember to read the labels and buy the right one for you. Smell is a very subjective topic so be extra particular about the essential oil you buy. So sit back, put your phone on do not disturb, light a candle and maybe, play a yoga video on YouTube and relax; don’t let the world outside stop you from enjoying your well deserved peace.