Essential Oils: Main Benefits and How To Use Them

As someone who likes to take advantage of everything that plants have to offer, you may have already heard of essential oils. Essential oils have become significantly more popular over the past couple of years. However, the rise in popularity of essential oils has also given way to an increase in misinformation and inferior products. We’re here to provide you with a breakdown of everything you need to know about essential oils, the benefits they offer and how to use them.

What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are nothing more than plant extracts. However, they can be up to 75 times more potent than dry herbs. They are completely natural and 100 percent safe, as long as you use them correctly. Since the oils are so powerful, you should never use more than a drop or two at a time.

How To Use Essential Oils

There are two primary ways in which you can use essential oils. The first is by topical application. Your skin will absorb the oils and allow the natural products to “work their magic” on things such as migraines and achy muscles.

The other way to use essential oils is through a nebulizing diffuser. Nebulizing diffusers allow you to put oils into a chamber, then the diffuser will disperse tiny particles of the oil into the air so that you can inhale them without thinking.

Studies have found that inhaling essential oils is one of the best ways to reap their full benefits. Inhaling oils tends to stimulate your limbic system. This is the portion of your brain that is responsible for:

• Long-term memory
• Emotions
• Behaviors
• Sense of smell

The best nebulizing diffusers rely on Bernoulli’s principle. This means that the diffusers don’t require heat or water. You can run these diffusers safely in your home or office without worrying. They are made of glass, not plastic, which means you won’t have to worry about inhaling harmful byproducts.

Although essential oils offer an array of health benefits, they could make you sick if swallowed, primarily because they are so strong. So, while inhaling essential oils are ok, you should be sure never to ingest the oils.

The Benefits Of Essential Oils

Because essential oils are entirely natural, they serve as excellent alternatives to many commercial products. For instance, some essential oils offer antibiotic and antimicrobial benefits.

Specifically, tea tree oil and peppermint are useful for fighting bacteria, a theory that is backed by scientific studies. So, you could apply these essential oils to cuts or scrapes and allow them to serve as a natural antiseptic. You could also create a disinfectant spray with a mixture of water, vinegar, and a couple of drops of these essential oils. You could apply this spray to your countertops or bathroom appliances to clean them thoroughly.

Furthermore, by using a nebulizing diffuser you can potentially kill airborne bacteria, which is critical during the flu and cold season. Diffusers are quite inconspicuous and run very quietly, which means you should have no problem putting one in your office to keep you healthy.

Another benefit of using essential oils is that they smell amazing. Putting a couple of drops of the oil into your diffuser could help freshen a room instantly. Essential oils serve as a worthwhile solution to chemical-filled products like Febreeze.

Additionally, essential oils are useful because of their calming effects. Specifically, lavender essential oil is known to give patients a better night’s sleep. If you’re someone who struggles to fall asleep at night, consider putting a few drops of lavender into a nebulizing diffuser about an hour before bed. You’ll find that it helps you relax and fall asleep easier.

Are you struggling with stress or anxiety? Then applying a couple of drops of lavender to your temples is an excellent way to help you relax.

If your stress leads to headaches or migraines, you may find that essential oils could serve as a useful alternative to over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen. For instance, studies have found that peppermint oil can help relieve the pain associated with headaches.

Essential oils can provide you with an easy pick-me-up to start your day. Many essential oils are known to give a boost of energy. If you’re looking for a natural alternative to caffeine, consider using a nebulizing diffuser in your kitchen in the morning and inhaling citrus oils to start your day.

No matter what natural alternative you’re looking for, there’s a strong chance that you’ll be able to find it when using essential oils.