Essential oils – key information about them

Essential oils are products that are becoming increasingly popular year on year. This growing interest is linked to their wonderful scent, as well as their unique properties. What is worth knowing about them before making a purchase?

Essential oils – what are they and how can they be helpful?

Essential oils can be described as a highly concentrated, liquid fragrant substance. For this reason, they are very rarely applied directly to the skin, although there are exceptions to this rule.

Thanks to their properties, essential oils can significantly contribute to improving well-being and promoting relaxation. As a result, they can prove extremely helpful for people struggling with depression and anxiety disorders. It is mainly for this reason that they are used in aromatherapy. They can also be used to improve the quality of sleep. In this regard, sage,rosemaryandlavenderoilsmay prove to be the most effective. An interesting property of certain essential oils, such as lemongrassandcinnamonoils, is their ability to repel insects, including mosquitoes. It is precisely thanks to their presence in the wood that the tree is protected against various types of pests. You can also make good use of this valuable property at home. This product is also valued for its medicinal properties. Using it can be helpful in the case of ailments such as chronic headaches, problems with the proper functioning of the digestive system, as well as rheumatism. Using these oils can also improve brain function. For this reason, they are used in offices where staff engaged in mental work are based.

Essential oils – properties

Among the numerous characteristics that account for the wide-ranging use of these fragrant substances, the following can be mentioned:

• antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties,
• anti-inflammatory properties,
• calming properties,
• an exceptionally pleasant scent.

It is worth emphasising that whilst many types of essential oils have similar properties, the unique substances contained in one of them mean that it may prove far more effective in a given situation than another. For this reason, it is worth familiarising yourself with the characteristics of many of them and, depending on your own needs, deciding which oil to use. For example, gingeroilcanbe excellent for stomach problems, whilst chamomile oil can be a godsend for those prone to stress.

Essential oils – uses

This product is used in particular in the pharmaceutical industry, as well as in the perfumery sector. These substances are also components of many rituals, as well as herbal remedies such as, for example, suppositories. Owing to their valuable antiseptic properties, they can serve as valuable ingredients in various personal care products such as deodorants, shampoos, oral hygiene products, and cleaning products. They are also used in many cosmetics. Their properties help to alleviate various dermatological problems. Regular use of essential oils can help improve the condition of the skin, nails and hair. Furthermore, they can be used to create a unique atmosphere in a given space.

How should essential oils be used?

There are various ways to use essential oils. As treatments using these products are considered extremely pleasant, they are used in spas and wellness centres. These include, amongst others:

• Baths– these are a highly valued and effective form of treatment, recognised by numerous health resorts. Their effects include relaxing and warming properties. The treatment itself usually lasts a quarter of an hour.
• Massages– this treatment is carried out by a massage therapist, who prepares a blend using a carrier oil and selected essential oils depending on the effects desired by the client, which may include firming, relaxation or slimming.
• Inhalation– this is one of the basic ways of using essential oils. In this case, the aromatic substances enter the body through inhalation into the respiratory tract. This method is particularly popular amongst people struggling with various health issues such as a cough, a runny nose, as well as various respiratory and nervous system disorders.

Aromatherapy – what is it and what equipment is used?

Aromatherapy can be defined as a form of treatment that utilises the numerous health-promoting properties of individual essential oils. Hippocrates himself recommended the use of this unconventional method to combat various health ailments. Several different devices can be used to carry out this type of treatment. These include, in particular:

• Diffusers– they work by using water and ultrasound. As the oil is diluted, the scent may be slightly less intense. This method is very popular. Such devices can also humidify the air.
• Nebulisers– these produce a fine mist. This method yields the most intense fragrance. Using these devices ensures that the essential oil retains all its original properties.
• Incense burners– to use this alternative, you will need the heat provided by a lit candle. However, this is not a recommended method of aromatherapy. It is important to remember that essential oils can lose their beneficial properties at extremely high temperatures.

Essential oils versus fragrance oils – what are the differences between these products?

Both fragrance oils and essential oils can have an extremely appealing scent. The fundamental difference between these two products is that, in the case of the former, the scent stems from the chemical substances used, whilst in the case of the essential oils discussed in this article, it is of natural origin, derived from specific plants. This means that the scents experienced by someone inhaling essential oils occur naturally in the environment, whereas in the case of fragrance oils, they are synthetic.

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