The benefits of essential oils and aromatherapy are endless and have been around for thousands of years for all sorts of remedies and applications. Essential oils are concentrated, aromatic essences of trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses, resins, and flowers but can also come from specific parts of a plant they derive from, such as pine from needles and twigs. Although an essential oil may contain the same components of an essence or plant, depending on where it’s grown, it will create different components within the same oil. Differences in soil, climate, altitude, and extraction method can produce very different oils with their own distinct properties and scents.
When choosing your essential oils, make sure they are sourced from reputable farms and distributors. You should look for pure, therapeutic-grade, organic essential oils made from high-quality plants and herbs that do not contain GMOs, pesticides or harmful chemicals.
Basic Benefits of Essential Oils
- Clean your home
- Fight cold and flu symptoms
- Relax your body
- Soothe sore muscles
- Improve digestion
- Alleviate pain
- Skin Irritations
- Stress relief
5 Essential Oils for Everyday Use
Tea Tree
Tea tree essential oil is one that can be combined easily with many other oils. It is effective for skin imperfections, blemishes, and as a protective agent for your body. When cleaning your house, tea tree serves as a great alternative to chemical-based and store-bought cleansers, and it can be diffused to purify your home.
Lavender
Lavender essential oil is a universal, calming scent used to unwind at the end of the end of the day, especially at bedtime. You can place a drop on an insect bite or bee sting to stop the itch or reduce swelling. Combine lavender with peppermint to calm a headache or soothe the sting of a sunburn. Lastly, lavender can be combined with the scent of vanilla to signal your brain to relax and settle into a night of restful sleep.
Peppermint
Peppermint essential oil is a cool, invigorating scent that is great for relieving tension, anxiety, or stress. The menthol ingredient, when inhaled, allows for clear, deep breathing to assist in soothing away tension and increasing mental clarity. When used with a carrier oil, like coconut oil, peppermint essential oil is very effective at relieving headaches, as well.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus essential oil is a very popular ingredient in chest balms, muscle creams, and massage oils. The menthol element in chest balms assists in opening you up so you can breathe easier. In muscle creams and massage oils, menthol heats up and then cools down the muscles distracting you from the aches and pains of your muscles.
Lemon
Lemon essential oil is a light, clean scent that is present in most homemade cleaning recipes because of its natural antibacterial and antiviral properties. Lemon is a naturally purifying oil and is commonly used to remove stubborn stains and also freshen the air. People enjoy diffusing lemon and tea tree for its citrusy scent and energizing properties.
Are There Essential Oils to Help Me Sleep?
Absolutely! Many of the calming effects of the above oils can help you achieve a good night’s sleep, too. Whether you are tired, anxious, or sore, reach for essential oils and get started with a healthier life. There are so many interesting and easy ways to incorporate them into your daily routine. Knowing which essential oils help you sleep is a great way to improve your rest each night and get started with a healthier life.
