What are essential oils used for?

Top uses for essential oils that you may not know about.

Essential oils are a concentrate oil extracted from plants through a distillation process.  They are called “essential” because they contain the essence of the plant they come from, meaning the aroma and flavor. The process of creating essential oils is important, as essential oils made through synthetic processes are not true essential oils. 

Historically, essential oils have been used in medicine, cosmetics, perfumes and more recently in aromatherapy. They can be used by breathing them in through methods like diffusing or a steam, they can be applied on the skin when diluted by an unscented carrier oil, mixed into a solution for cleaning or a room spray, mixed into a balm or used in a compress.   

A side note on one way not to use oils:  Essential oils are NOT meant to be ingested.  While there are companies that will say their essential oils are safe to digest or “food grade” it’s important to know that if they are referring to a true and pure essential oil, swallowing the oils can be toxic.  Please consult a certified aroma therapist before digesting any oils

Here are some top uses for essential oils:

For Health

1. Detoxification – Grapefruit oil, juniper berry, palmarosa, rosemary, lemon and lime are all good for assisting the body with detox.
2. Boost your immune system – try frankincense, oregano, lemon or rosemary
3. Relax cramped muscles – Helichrysum (Immortelle), peppermint, juniper, Thyme, Ginger are all soothing for muscles.
4. Soothe a hurting head – Chamomile and peppermint oil are known may provide relief.
5. Relief for nausea – Ginger is a fantastic oil for an upset stomach.  Dilute before applying to the tummy area.
6. Clear sinus congestion – If you are prone to allergies or have a cold, essential oils will win you over.  Try peppermint and eucalyptus to open your nasal passages.
7. Soak or rub on sore muscles – Black pepper, arnica oil, Hilichrysum (Immortelle) and peppermint are all good for soreness
8. Curb cravings – Holding cinnamon oil near your nose and inhaling may help reduce food cravings.
9. Disinfecting germs – If you are traveling or have a scrape, use oils like lavender and tea tree or melaleuca to disinfect.
10. Improve sleep quality – Struggling with restlessness? Try oils like lavender, chamomile and cedar wood for a good night’s rest.

Want to purchase some of these oils? I offer certified organic essential oils as a consultant with NYR Organic.  You can find single essential oils here on my NYR Organic consultant website.

Around Your House

1. Deodorizer – Weather you are moving into a new home, your kid spilt something in the car or your bathroom tends to stink essential oils will do the trick to neutralizer unwanted odors and if you like, introduce pleasant ones.
2. Cleaners – It’s easy to make your own DIY household cleaning solutions with oils like orange oil, lemon, lime, melaleuca or tea tree oil, thyme and grapefruit oil.
3. Dissolve stubborn substances – Need to get some chewing gum, glue or melted wax off a surface at home? Lemon oil is so strong it should help dissolve it and do the trick.
4. Repel insects and rodents – Try putting peppermint, lavender, citronella, lemongrass or rosemary around doors and windows.
5. Scenting your bath towels, trash bins, vacuum bag, linen closets or drawers to keep things smelling nice.
6. Remove mites from bedding – a few drops of eucalyptus oil mixed with water can be added to the washing machine load should do the trick.

For Your Mind

1. Changing your mood –  Essential oils can have uplifting, relaxing and calming effects on how you feel.  So, if you need to lighten the mood, pull out some oils.
2. Relaxation – Lavender, chamomile, cedar wood, and bergamot can have a calming effect and melting your stress away.
3. Focus – Have a big exam coming up or perhaps struggling with wondering thoughts when you need to work?  The right oils can help you maintain focus on tasks at hand.  Try peppermint oil.
4. Lift Your Spirits – Citrus oils, rosemary and peppermint and tee tree oil are all good ones to make your feel happy.
5. Stay Alert – Driving late at night? Peppermint, Lemon, Sage, Frankincense, lemongrass and basil oils may help.
6. Energize – Orange, grapefruit, cinnamon and pine oil are all energizing
7. Meditation – Frankincense, Vetiver, and sandalwood are good for promoting a sense of calm and Zen.

Where to find these oils? I’m a consultant with NYR Organic and I love to help you find essential oil remedies.  You can purchase these oils through my NYR Organic consultant website here.

References:

1. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-are-essential-oils#section2
2. https://www.naturallivingideas.com/50-essential-oil-uses/
3. https://naha.org/naha-blog/detoxifying-with-essential-oils
4. https://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/25-unexpected-uses-for-essential-oils/