What Are Essential Oils, and Do They Really Work?

Essential oils have been getting popular in recent years, but they have been around for thousands. In the past, people used essential oils for a lot of reasons from spiritual purposes to medication. In present times, people are using them for mainly the same reasons. Essential oils have a wide range of uses so here is a bit of information about the essential oils that we have come to know as nature’s pharmacy.

What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are natural oils extracted from plants or other sources and retain the scent of the plant they come from. They are commonly distilled.

Essential oils are used for many purposes such as diffusing them for their fragrance or applying and inhaling them for health benefits.

People have given testimonies of their health problems that have been solved using essential oils. From healing skin problems to reducing seasonal allergies they can also be used to keep insects away. For many ailments, there are one or more oils that can help deal with the issue.

How Do You Use Them?

There are three different ways to use essential oils.

The first way, a person can inhale them aromatically. This can be done by using a diffuser and putting several drops of the essential oil into water. The oils can also be sniffed directly from the bottle.

The second way is to apply them topically. There are a few essential oils that can be applied directly to the skin or applying it “neat.” A general rule if you are unsure is to mix in a few drops of essential oils into a “carrier oil” before applying. This can be anything from olive oil to fractionated coconut oil or any other natural/pure carrier oil you have around the house.

The third way to use oils is by ingesting them but, not all oils can be ingested and you must be careful to take them in a way that is safe. If you are ingesting an oil, or even applying it topically, you must be sure

to find essential oils that are pure and organic whenever possible. They are highly concentrated, a little drop goes a long way and they should be used sparingly.

What Do We Use Them For?

Essential oils are used for different purposes from maintenance of general health and well-being to first aid and adding natural scent to homemade body products. You can use essential oils in the diffuser to help you get to sleep or stay alert. You can also use them to help calm frazzled nerves and/or give your immune system a boost when needed.

The oils are useful when added to everything from DIY cleaning supplies to DIY skin products. They can be carried in your purse to help sanitize surfaces and can help clean minor cuts and scrapes. You can use essential oils as bug repellent or use it to help heal sunburned skin.

There is no end to the ways they can be used. Alone, in combination, and when added to other bases it would be beneficial to add essential oils to your cabinet. They are used for a variety of purposes and sometimes work even better than commercial items. Start with a few essential oils and add more as you become familiar with using them every day.

Here are oil recipe blends to start with.

Essential Oil Blend for Headaches:

2 drops peppermint

2 drops lavender

1 drop eucalyptus

1 drop rosemary

Mix this with a carrier oil.

Essential Oil Diffuser Recipe for Energy

• 3 drops lemon
• 3 drops rosemary
• 2 drop orange