Learn what essential oils are and their benefits.
The essential oils are natural active ingredients from medicinal and aromatic plants. They are found in flowers, herbs, fruits and spices, and used in cooking and by industries in the production of food, beverages, cosmetics and herbal medicines, for several purposes, from relief of disease symptoms to beauty products.
Biological and psychological benefits
The essential oils are highly concentrated and powerful, its therapeutic features have proven effective. Among its biological benefits are the strengthening of the body’s natural defenses and the balance of the endocrine system and psychologically, they help to harmonize the cerebral hemispheres, allowing a deep relaxation and easier in the self-regulation process.
Huge variety
There are a lot of plants that produce essential oils , it is believed that about 30 thousand, and each essential oil is named after its original plant. Thus, there are, for example, lavender essential oil, rosemary essential oil and several others.
Essential oil or essence?
It is also important to know that there is a difference between essential oil and essence.
Essential oil : these are 100% natural substances, extracted from plants, flowers, fruits, resins, bark or gum.
Essence: when these substances are produced in the laboratory, which makes them an artificial product. The essences do not have the active principles of oils, they only perfume the environment, offering no other therapeutic benefit.
How to use essential oils?
The essential oils can be used either via olfactory as skin, anywhere on the body except the eyes.
Olfactory pathway
Olfactory can be used in diffusers. When inhaled, they send a message to the limbic system – the part of the nervous system responsible for the emotional one – activating the metabolism, positively transforming feelings and regulating the body’s organic functions.
Cutaneous route
When used dermally, essential oils should never be applied pure to the skin, but always diluted in a vegetable oil, cream, shampoo, etc. Its penetration into the skin allows the passage to the bloodstream through the pores, sweat glands and hair follicles.
Check out an example of essential oil and how it can be used:
Lavender essential oil
It is considered the best anti-stress oil, as lavender calms and soothes. It is excellent for relieving insomnia, tension, tiredness or depression, balancing the body, physically, mentally and emotionally. It is also indicated for skin problems and odors. It is one of the only ones that can be used directly on the skin as a healing and tissue regenerator in case of burns, cuts and acne. Decreases scarring and is great for insect bites.
Usage tips
To relieve nervous tension: 10 drops in the diffuser, or apply a few drops directly on the temples.
For insomnia: 4 drops of lavender essential oil on the pillow. Or put a few drops on the wrist and rub. Breathe deeply.
Sunburn or skin irritation: 10 drops of lavender essential oil in 10 ml of cold water, and sprinkle on the spot. Relief is immediate. Ice water can be replaced with almond oil.
For baby diaper rash: 4 drops of to 10 ml of coconut oil (apply to each diaper change)
Nervous headache: Place 2 drops on each temple and massage.
Menstrual cramps and PMS : Use 10 drops of lavender essential oil in half a liter of hot water, using a compress on the belly for 15 minutes. Or mix 9 drops in 2 teaspoons or 10 ml of sweet almond oil (or grape seed) and massage the pelvis.
Throat irritation: Inhale the lavender vapor (200 ml of boiling water + 5 drops of lavender essential oil). Relieves irritation in the throat and, together with the essential oil of eucalyptus (+5 drops), it is very effective to calm the cough.
Muscle aches: 10 drops of lavender oil for every 10 ml of vegetable oil. If the muscle pain is very severe, drops of other oils such as rosemary, copaiba and tea tree can be added.
For acne: Drop 2 drops on the swab and apply directly to acne and pimples . Repeat the process 2 times a day.
For dry and irritated skin: Put the amount of moisturizer you are going to use on your hands, drop 2 drops of lavender essential oil, mix and apply to the skin.
Hair loss : Separate 5 ml of a vegetable oil of your choice and add 5 drops of lavender essential oil. Mix well and massage into the scalp. Leave on for 30 minutes and wash your hair normally.
Essential oils and their benefits – part 2
Learn more about essential oils and their benefits.
It has already been proven that the benefits provided by essential oils are effective due to their high concentration and their therapeutic characteristics.
These are biological benefits for strengthening the body’s natural defenses and balancing the endocrine system, and psychological benefits for harmonizing brain regions and helping to relax. And its active ingredients are natural and found in flowers, herbs, fruits and spices, from which they are extracted mainly by steam distillation method or by cold pressing.
Check out some essential oils and the benefits they provide:
Cedar essential oil
Original from Morocco, it has benefits for the skin, acting as an astringent and antiseptic in the treatment of acne, oily skin, oily hair or with dandruff, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis and traumatic alopecia. It is also a great insect repellent such as mosquitoes, moths and woodworm larvae.
It is effective in cases of bronchitis, tuberculosis and respiratory and urinary infections. It tones muscles and also helps to cure toothache and strengthens your adherence to the gums. It is also effective in treating diarrhea and flu symptoms, such as red eyes, headaches, cough and phlegm.
Eucalyptus essential oil
It is famous for its decongestant, expectorant and mucolytic properties. Effective in the treatment of respiratory diseases and in strengthening the immune system. It acts as a tonic and stimulant, relaxes the muscles and relieves tension caused by excessive effort or physical exercises.
It is also depurative, diuretic, analgesic, antiseptic and healing, besides acting in cases of lack of attention and concentration.
Grapefruit essential oil
It has a light, fresh and bitter aroma, which brings feelings of relaxation and motivation. It is antidepressant, astringent, antiseptic, detoxifying and refreshing.
It is the main essential oil in the fight against cellulite. Helps the lymphatic system, facilitating the elimination of toxins; in massage, it helps in working with localized fat and is excellent in the post-operative treatment of varicose veins.
Geranium essential oil
Used in body and facial massages, it is ideal for preserving youth and keeping dry and devitalized skin healthy, as it improves its tone, color and natural glow. Regulates the hormonal system and relieves PMS symptoms , menopause anxiety and depression.
Balances the mind, reduces stress and in the baths, causes well-being and lasting tranquility. It is useful on all skin types except very sensitive skin.
Tea tree oil or tea tree
Of Australian origin, it has antiseptic, disinfectant, healing, bacteriostatic, germicidal, antifungal, immunostimulant, expectorant and anti-dandruff actions. As a herbal medicine, it can be used for burns, acne, viral and fungal infections (herpes, boils, athlete’s foot), gynecological infections (candidiasis), insect bites, gingivitis, thrush, pyrexia, psoriasis, impetigo, in skin irritation and rashes diverse. In phytocosmetics it is indicated for the treatment of dandruff and acne.
Cinnamon essential oil
Of oriental origin, it fights infections, cough, cold, flu, rheumatism, arthritis, general weakness and pain. It is antiseptic and bactericidal (capable of killing the typhoid bacillus in 15 minutes).
It is excellent for states of exhaustion and feelings of fragility and depression. Relieves intestinal infections, eases spasms of the digestive system, dyspepsia, colitis, flatulence, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. It stimulates the secretion of gastric juices, the glandular system, it is widely used to relieve menstrual cramps and to regulate scarce menstruation and leukorrhea. Its aphrodisiac properties are considered quite effective in cases of impotence.
