Often seen embellishing the windowsills of quaint vitamin shops and apothecaries scattered throughout the City of Angels, essential oils are a therapeutic means of natural healing. Extracted from plant leaves, flowers, stems, and roots, using distillation or expression, these ubiquitous natural oils are an age old remedy in health and wellness.
Nowadays, essential oils are simply popular amongst all people who share the desire to stay healthy, ease muscle pains, and ultimately feel good. With the tumultuous trials and tribulations of the twenty-first century, people are constantly self-medicating when experiencing headaches or any other signs of discomfort. Essential oils are a natural solution for mental, physical, and emotional healing. They can be used in a myriad of ways, from ingestion and skin application to being diffused in the air. Be sure to store your essential oils out of direct sunlight to preserve their potency.
Did you know:
- It takes approximately 5,000 pounds of rose petals to distill a single pound of rose oil, making it one of the most valued and expensive oil on the market.
- Nearly 256 pounds of peppermint leaf makes one pound of peppermint essential oil, and a drop is equivalent to about 28 cups of peppermint herbal tea.
- Around 150 pounds of lavender flowers distill one pound of lavender essential oil.
ESSENTIAL OILS FOR SKINCARE→ DILUTED When applied to the skin, you must dilute most essential oils with a carrier oil- such as coconut oil, olive oil, or almond oil- before applying the oils, due to their high potency and concentration. For every 3-5 drops of essential oil, add 1 teaspoon of a carrier oil. While lavender, sandalwood, rose geranium, and chamomile essential oils may be considered as exceptions, other undiluted oils may induce irritations. Easily absorbed into the bloodstream due to their minuscule molecular size, essential oils can elevate oxygen intake and increase the retention of nutrients.
AROMATICALLY- IN A DIFFUSER Inhaling the rich, fragrant aromas of these natural oils can very well enhance mood and feelings of well-being. Essential oils do more than simply supply fresh aromatic scents; they actively remove metallic particles and toxins from the air, while increasing the amount of negative ions that stop bacteria growth, elevating levels of atmospheric oxygen, and destroying strong odors.
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InnoGear Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser Portable Ultrasonic Diffusers with Color LED Lights | AMAZON [/caption]
Rosemary: Rosemary essential oil promotes memory retention, performance on exams, relaxation, and helps relieve physical exhaustion such as aching muscles and arthritis. Its natural properties are also used to treat oily skin, acne, and dandruff.
Lavender: Known for its soothing properties, lavender essential oil can reduce levels of stress hormones and help induce sleep, as well as provide relief for body aches, tension headaches and migraines.. It can also relieve anxiety during or subsequent to panic attacks or manic episodes.
Clary sage: Clary sage essential oil is often used to treat symptoms of PMS and menstrual discomfort.
Peppermint: Peppermint essential oil stimulates the mind and promotes mental alertness. It can be taken internally- just add a few drops to a glass of water for its full effect.
Calendula: This essential oil does wonders for sensitive skin and it is often used to treat acne scars or other skin conditions including psoriasis and keratosis pilaris.
Eucalyptus: A great way to clear your sinuses for those suffering from allergies or a recent cold, eucalyptus essential oils stimulate the immune system and relieve nasal congestion.
Jasmine: Often used as a natural antidepressant, its uplifting properties can help calm nerves and promote greater feelings of confidence and optimism.
Lemon: Among other citrus oils, lemon essential oil is often used as a mood booster and enhancer of positivity. It is also good for increasing concentration, detoxification, and skin care.
TEST FOR OIL PURITY Rule of thumb. Put one drop of essential oil on a piece of white paper and let it dry. It may not be pure essential oil if an oil ring is left behind. Exceptions include sandalwood, certain chamomile oils, and patchouli oils. Essential oils are often times the catalyst to a looming healthy lifestyle fixed upon relaxation, mental health days, and the occasional kombucha bender. Their antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties have a profound effect on both mind and body healing.
