Essential oils have become a popular phenomenon in the United States over the past decade. These oils are organic compounds that have been extracted from plants that feature amazing healing properties. When you use essential oils for holistic treatments, it is called aromatherapy. In this blog, we’ll discuss the basics of essential oils and aromatherapy, as well as the benefits of incorporating essential oils into your life.
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What Are Essential Oils?
Essentials oils are oils that can be extracted directly from the bark, flower, fruit, leaf, or the seed or root of a plant or tree. In order to extract essential oils from plants, it must go through a process known as distillation, also known as the action of purifying a liquid through a process of heating and cooling. Once the distillation is complete, the result is a highly concentrated portion of essential oil, which will have the unique fragrance and properties of the plant from which it was extracted.
The History of Aromatherapy
Since the use of essential oils has been prevalent among several different countries, it’s difficult to pinpoint where this practice originally originated. We do know, however, that in 1928, a French chemist by the name of René-Maurice Gattefossé used lavender oil to heal a burn on his hand. Gattefossé then decided to further analyze the unique properties of lavender oil, and how this unique oil could be used to treat other types of skin infections, burns, and wounds. This is allegedly when aromatherapy was born. As Gattefossé progressed in his research, he decided to use aromatherapy to help injured soldiers during World War I.
Since then, the use of essential oils began to spread with practitioners of alternative medicine and massage therapists. It was until the 1980s that aromatherapy become popular in the United States. Since then, essential oils began to be added to various cosmetic products like lotions, candles, and fragrances.
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The Health Benefits of Common Essential Oils
With the variety of natural essential oils available on the market today, you may have difficulty deciding which essential oils to use. The essential oil you choose will largely depend on your needs. Whether you’re looking to elevate your mood or treat a health condition, there are many oils that provide therapeutic benefits. Let’s look at a few popular essential oils and their unique benefits.
Lavender Oil
As you may have guessed, lavender oil is derived from fresh lavender flowers. Recent studies have shown that lavender oil may slow the activity of the central nervous system, improve sleep quality, promote concentration, and encourage hair regrowth in those suffering from hair loss or alopecia areata. Lavender has also been found to help fight against symptoms of anxiety.
Eucalyptus Oil
Another popular essential oil is eucalyptus oil. Derived from the leaves of the eucalyptus tree, eucalyptus oil is a powerful biocide that can be used to kill insects. It is also antimicrobial, insecticidal, herbicidal, and nematicidal. In addition to these properties, this oil is excellent for respiratory health. If you are suffering from a chest cold, inhaling eucalyptus can help alleviate symptoms of congestion. Another study found that combining eucalyptus oil with peppermint oil can boost cognitive performance, reduce headaches, and promote mental relaxation.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil can be used to help alleviate symptoms of nausea, headache, upset stomach, anxiety, and even indigestion. It can also soothe the discomfort associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) because it calms the smooth muscles of the stomach. Beyond its digestive benefits, peppermint oil can offer relief for HSV-1 (Herpes simplex) outbreaks as well.
As you can see, there are many benefits to incorporating essential oils into your life. If you’re shopping for all natural deodorant, soap, and body oil online, visit Green Tidings website today.