

Essential oils are a form of alternate medication and their extraction occurs from plants. They are a separate source of medication that does not derive from conventional drugs and provides certain health benefits. According to popular belief, there are many benefits of essential oils. There is a lot of scrutiny on the uses of essential oils, as they have not been medically proven. The experience with essential oils has been so far subjective.
What are Essential Oils?
Essential oils extracted from plants that capture the scent or the “essence” of a particular species. They are used for aromatherapy. Different compounds of the scent of a particular plant give characteristics to the essential oil. Distillation (via steam and/or water) or mechanical methods, such as cold pressing are common methods that help obtain . After the process of extraction, the oil is mixed with a carrier oil to form the final product.
There are other methods that involve use of chemicals but this kind of essential oil is not pure. To get a deeper understanding of essential oils, it is important to understand how they work on the human body and mind.
How Do Essential Oils Work?
There are various ways in which essential oils work. The most common method, as already mentioned above, is aromatherapy. This is a therapy that works on the healing mechanism by working on the sense of smell. In this procedure, one inhales the vapors from essential oils to experience relief.
It also works its way through absorption. When applied to the skin, certain essential oils are absorbed, helping cure many diseases and symptoms.
Essential oils also help control unconscious bodily functions – the scent triggers some of them. The working of essential oils is still not proven by science but numerous individuals have experienced relief – one of the best advantages of essential oils.
Various Types of Essential oils
Essential oils are of various types. There are as many as 100 different types of them. All of them have distinct benefits that vary from oil to oil. There are various medical as well as recreational essential oil uses. Some of the common essential oils and their respective benefits are as follows:
- Peppermint: used for boosting energy and aiding digestion
- Lavender: used as a reliever of stress
- Sandalwood: used to ease anxiety and help with focus
- Bergamot: used to treat excess stress and improve certain skin conditions like eczema
- Rose: used to improve mood and reduce anxiety
- Chamomile: used to improve mood and aid in relaxing muscles and mind
- Ylang-Ylang: used to treat migraines, nausea, and various skin conditions
- Tea Tree: used to treat certain infections and boost overall immunity
- Jasmine: used to help with depression. Also helps during childbirth
- Lemon: used to treat indigestion
Health Benefits of Essential Oils
There are many benefits of essential oils, ranging from curing headaches to reducing stress. None of them have been medically proven but that doesn’t stop the subjective views of users who have undergone relief after using them. Some of the common benefits are as follows:
- Helping fight microbial infections
- Curing headaches and migraine
- Reducing stress and anxiety
- Helping reduce inflammation and muscle pain
- Helps in sleeping and curing insomnia
Potential Side Effects of Essential Oils
Despite the many advantages of essential oils, you may still face some side effects. Though these side effects are very rare because of their all-natural composition and most people won’t face it, it is wise to be at least aware of the side effects. The common side effects of essential oils are as follows:
- Rashes
- Asthma attacks
- Headaches
- Allergic reactions
Conclusion
Severe side effects are very rare but since very less is known about essential oils so far, it is wise to be wary. With proper research and selection, essential oils can be life-changing as a form of alternate medication. Be sure to do enough research or consult a professional to experience all the benefits of essential oils.