Essential oils have become increasingly popular as a natural alternative to traditional medicines and treatments. However, there is a lot of confusion surrounding the efficacy of essential oils and their potential benefits. In this article, we will explore the truth behind essential oils, separating fact from fiction. We’ll discuss the scientific evidence for the use of essential oils, their safety and potential side effects, and tips for getting started with essential oils. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of the real benefits and potential drawbacks of using essential oils.
What are the most popular essential oils used in aromatherapy?
Essential oils are popular in aromatherapy because they provide a natural and safe way to improve physical and mental health. The most popular essential oils used in aromatherapy include lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, rose, and jasmine. Each oil has its own unique benefits and can be used to treat a variety of conditions.
Are essential oils safe to use topically on the skin?
Yes, essential oils are generally safe to use topically on the skin, as long as they are diluted with a carrier oil such as jojoba or coconut oil. It is important to research each individual essential oil before use, as some oils can be irritating to the skin or cause an allergic reaction if used undiluted. It is also important to use only pure, high-quality essential oils, as lower quality oils may contain synthetic compounds that can be harmful.
Are essential oils effective in treating certain medical conditions?
Yes, essential oils have been used for centuries to treat a variety of medical conditions. Research has found that some essential oils have antimicrobial properties that can help to reduce inflammation and improve overall health. Additionally, essential oils are used to promote relaxation and reduce stress, which can also help to improve overall wellbeing.
Are there any side effects associated with using essential oils?
Yes, there are potential side effects associated with using essential oils. These can include allergic reactions, skin irritation, or headaches. It is important to use essential oils correctly by diluting them with a carrier oil and always performing a patch test before applying them to the skin. Additionally, essential oils should not be ingested or used near the face of infants and young children.
What are the potential health benefits associated with using essential oils?
The potential health benefits associated with using essential oils are numerous. These include reducing inflammation, improving digestion, boosting the immune system, relieving pain, improving mental clarity, and reducing stress. Essential oils can also be used to help with skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, as well as to treat headaches, congestion, and even depression. In addition, some essential oils have been shown to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties, making them useful for treating infections.
An essential oil is the oil extracted from the various parts of a plant like its leaves, flowers, or seeds. Essential Oils are usually obtained through the process of steam distillation. Essential oils have been very commonly used in aromatherapy, cosmetic and beauty products, bath and body products, oral care products, etc. But in recent times, the use of essential oils on their own is increasing as more and more people are realizing their benefits. Right from including these oils in your beauty routine to incorporating them in your bath to adding them to cleaning sprays, these oils have a multitude of uses. However, there are a lot of myths that surround these essential oils as well as several essential oil facts that people are completely unaware of. Here, in this article, we will explore both. FACT This is absolutely untrue as essential oils actually have some wonderful benefits. If you wish to dig a little deeper, you can do a quick search on the internet and you will find that there is actually a lot of scientific research to back this claim. There are skeptics who have taken to the internet claiming that essential oils to be hoax and nothing but a placebo effect. However, that is completely untrue and studies after studies have revealed the many positive effects of using essential oils. To ensure that you actually get great results from your essential oil, it actually needs to be pure and of an excellent quality. FACT This is a myth as no matter how good the quality of the essential oil, it cannot last forever. The oil will eventually go bad due to oxidation reactions, no matter how good or pure it may be. The shelf life of essential oils is anywhere from a year to six years, depending upon a lot of factors like its exposure to light, air or warmth. Hence, it is always better to use up your essential oils within a few years before they start going bad. FACT Well, this is certainly not true as it is one of the essential oil facts that there is no certifying body or regulatory that grades or certifies essential oils as such. If, at all, the essential oil is actually of a therapeutic grade or labelled as one, it is actually based on the internal standards set by the company itself and may or may not be checked for quality control by a third party. FACT Absolutely not! In fact, just the opposite is true in this case. It is one of the essential oil facts that if applying it leaves a rash or redness on your skin, it means that the particular oil is not suitable for your skin. Any kind of irritation caused by an essential oil is not good and it definitely does not mean that your skin or body are detoxifying. In fact, irritation means a negative response of the essential oil and thus, in such cases, you must stop using it immediately. In such a case, you can also try diluting the oil even more to check whether the irritation still persists. And you must always do a patch test for the essential oil to prevent this from happening. FACT This is also a very commonly believed myth among essential oil users. However, it is simply not true. Simply put, the order in which you mix the essential oils does not matter as long as you are keeping their quantities the same each and every time that you mix them. So, as long as you keep the compositions same, the results that you get will remain the same too. FACT This is definitely not true as essential oils are very, very concentrated and thus, should not be used without dilution. Especially the pure essential oils are even more concentrated as they have not been adulterated or mixed with any other kind of oil. It is one of the essential oil facts that you must always dilute it with either a carrier oil or similar product before you use it as using it undiluted can prove harmful. Since these essential oils are so concentrated, you actually need a very small quantity of them. The ingestion of the essential oils is a myth as well. If you are going to ingest essential oils, it is very important that you first seek advice from a medical professional if you wish to ingest it for a long term. FACT Again, this is not true. If the temperatures are cold enough, even pure and real essential oils will freeze just like any other liquid. The freezing of the oil is no way of judging its quality or purity as pure essential oils are known to freeze as well. In case your oil freezes, you need to allow it to return back to room temperature naturally before using it. FACT Again, this is one of the most commonly believed myths. Most oils, including essential oils are actually unsafe to be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women. The same applies for infants and small kids as well and essential oils should be kept out of their reach. FACT Believe it or not but this actually is one of the most commonly believed myths. And the essential oil facts tell us just the opposite. In fact, in such a case, you need to avoid using that oil.