Essential oils. Why use them?

Essential oils have been used since ancient times and are used for aromatherapy, which can solve many of our problems without the use of strong drugs. 

Nowadays we use them during our daily care and in moments of relaxation. There are also people who cannot imagine falling asleep in the evening without the help of oils. What else can they support us with and why is it worth introducing them into your daily rituals?

What are essential oils? 

Essential oils are naturally extracted essences of plants, with a variety of uses. Thanks to their properties, we use them not only for their beautiful scents, but also for their healing properties used in natural medicine. 

From a scientific point of view, they are liquid or volatile mixtures that contain many chemical compounds, such as aldehydes, esters or alcohols. They exhibit therapeutic effects. They are usually sprayed into the air using a diffuser, however, we can apply some of them diluted on the skin, or by adding a few drops to a bath. We can also spray them on materials around us, add them to water in a scented fireplace or our favorite body lotion, or create one ourselves. We can also use inhalations. 

Aromatherapy

In aromatherapy, we use essential oils to improve our well-being, both mentally and physically, through their scents. Here are just a few properties of essential oils:

• headache relief,
• reducing muscle tension,
• relieving inflammation, 
• calming and tranquilizing effects, 
• stimulating action,
• antiseptic, warming effect, antidepressant, 
• reducing inflammation of the skin, 
• effect on improving the functioning of the nervous system, 
• improving the function of the digestive system, 
• reducing muscle and joint pain.

Some popular oils:

• lavender oil – calms, soothes, relieves irritation, fights insomnia;
• orange oil – acts as an antiseptic, reduces cellulite, calms, soothes, reduces stress, relieves feelings of fear or irritability; 
• tea tree oil – has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties, effective against acne; 
• eucalyptus oil – helps decongest the airways during a cold, is antibacterial and antiviral, helps with rheumatic pains; 
• rosemary oil – helps with lack of concentration, fights muscle pain, improves mood, and has antifungal properties.

What oils to choose? 

When using essential oils, first of all we must choose those safe for our body. They should be natural preparations, extracted in the right way and properly stored. It is worth paying attention to those obtained from bio crops. Let’s also pay attention to the composition of the oil. It should be as short and concise as possible. Poor quality can lead to unexpected side effects manifested, for example, by skin irritation, or the therapy we use will prove completely ineffective. 

We should also not use oils after the expiration date. As for storage, it is safest to keep them in a dry and dark place. Light has a bad effect on them.  

We should also remember that not everyone can enjoy the benefits of essential oils. They are especially discouraged for young children, pregnant women, asthmatics or people with high blood pressure. That’s why it’s a good idea to consult a doctor before starting aromatherapy.

main photo: pixabay.com/mohamed_hassan