The Benefits of Essential Oils

rj frometa Monday, June 5, 2023 Content Leave a comment

Whether you’ve been using natural health solutions for a while or you’re new to the holistic scene, there’s a lot to know about essential oils. The quality and type of oil make a big difference in its strength and healing properties, however, few people take the time to choose the best quality oils (often due to the price).

In this article, we’ll cover what to look for in a quality essential oil and the potential health benefits of some of the most popular oils.

Finding a Quality Oil

Essential oils are not regulated by the FDA, which means that impure oils can be sold on shelves right alongside pure oils. It can be frustrating as a consumer, but it simply means you need to be your own advocate and understand the process of creating and packaging essential oils.

The overall quality of essential oil depends on multiple factors, such as the plants used, how it’s processed and how it’s packaged. However, you don’t always have access to all the information about creating the oils you’d like. So instead, it’s easier to know how to spot quality.

Some indicators of a quality oil include:

Packaged in a tightly sealed, dark glass bottle
The label lists the common plant name and scientific name
The label states it’s “100% pure essential oil”
The label or supplier website tells you where the ingredients were sourced from

One of the most popular high-quality essential oil manufacturers is Young Living Essential Oils. They not only create some of the highest quality essential oils but they also give back to communities through the Young Living Foundation, which focuses on education and empowerment in underdeveloped areas.

Now that you know how to spot a quality essential oil, let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular options.

Peppermint

Peppermint is an extremely popular essential oil, used for soothing gut irritation and indigestion and treating headaches among a wide array of other things. Peppermint oil is most people’s first interaction with essential oils, especially because it smells so nice.

Lavender

Lavender is another highly versatile essential oil, but most people choose to use it for rest and relaxation. The pleasantly floral scent of lavender can help you relax, fall asleep and even calm anxiety when it flares up. Most people use it topically or you can put a few drops in your bath or on your pillow at night.

Lemon

The zesty scent of lemon and other citrus essential oils is great for helping you to wake up and rejuvenate your senses. Many people use this oil in a diffuser to help them focus but it can also help to stimulate lymph drainage, revitalize dull skin and even act as a bug repellant!

Tea Tree

Tea tree oil is a very powerful essential oil used for many different healing purposes. Its antiseptic properties make it a great choice for healing blemishes on the skin, such as pimples or boils. It also acts as a great bug-repellant when applied to your skin with other carrier oils. Tea tree does, however, have a strong scent that might be overpowering for some people.

Frankincense

Frankincense is one of the more expensive oils but that’s because it has excellent anti-inflammatory properties. It can also help to boost your mood and improve your sleep. Its rich scent is deep and comforting when diffused or used topically. Studies have also shown it could potentially reduce symptoms of asthma.

Pro Tips

It’s very important when using essential oils topically to always use a carrier oil on your skin first. Essential oils are highly concentrated and can irritate your skin if applied directly. Common carrier oils include castor oil, coconut oil and olive oil.

If you intend to ingest essential oils, it’s imperative that you consult your doctor or healthcare practitioner first. Ingesting some essential oils can be potentially hazardous to your health.

Essential oils have lots of health benefits and uses, however, it’s important to ensure you’re buying a high-quality product. Use the tips in this blog to evaluate essential oils and ensure you choose the best option available to you. Try some of the oils mentioned here to see if they help you with your symptoms as the first step in your journey to natural health.