Essential oil benefits, and the evidence of its versatility

Essential oil benefits are spreading through most of the cancer patients that said to help the patient to ease the burden of chemotherapy. Some are claiming that its ability to soothe and calm the cancer patients are proven.

But what is an essential oil and how it works? Where it comes from? 

Essential oils are often used for alternative medicine known as Aromatherapy. It uses plant extracts to support health and well-being. It is obtained through a different process, like cold pressing, distillation, or chemical extraction. Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that maintain the natural flavor and smell of its source.

Essential oil benefits vary within the same plant species. Each source has a unique composition of chemicals, absorption, smell, and effects on the body.

If you want to know more about essential oil benefits and their health effects. Stay and read on.

Essential oil benefits in Aromatherapy, how it works?

Aromatherapy

Essential oils are commonly used as Aromatherapy. Sometimes called Essential oil therapy. It enhances physical and emotional health and improves the health of the body, mind, and spirit.

The most important aspect of aromatherapy is its potential to reach and penetrate in subcutaneous tissues. Their effects are subtle due to chemical properties and complex structures. Essential oils work by having integration into receptor cells in the nose. When inhaled, the signal is transmitted to the hypothalamus and limbic parts of the brain via the olfactory bulb. These signal will tell the brain to release neuro messengers ( they are seven “small molecule”) like serotonin, endorphin, etc. that plays a role in emotions, behaviors, sense of smell and long term memory.

A calming oil, euphoric, and stimulating oil releases these neuro messengers that give an effect on the mind and body.

Essential oils are incredibly potent-that can be a great addition for your hair, skin, and healthcare collection. Aside from using as Aromatherapy, it can be used as part of holistic healing like:

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Topical use

Essential oils can be used topically in a replacement of your lotion. The potency of oils can be a cause of skin irritation. It is advised to dilute it with carrier oils to lessen the potency according to the skin reaction after the patch test.

Massage

Essential oils are useful to massage your body. It gives relaxation to the tired muscle after a whole tiring workday.

Keynote to remember!

*Always do a skin patch test before applying to a larger part of the skin.

*When applying topically, use a carrier oil such as jojoba oil (this is my recommended oil because it does not go rancid), fractionated coconut oil, or sweet almond oil.

*Essential oils shouldn’t be taken by mouth because of its toxicity. 

*Pure essential oils contained health benefits and relaxation effects. It’s different from fragrant oils that are used in soap making and don’t give any health benefits

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Essential oil benefits 

Stress, anxiety, and depression

Essential oils can help relieve stress, anxiety, and depression using aromatherapy. 43% of people proved their effectiveness. On the other hand, one of the promising results from lab studies showing that essential oils could kill a type of Lyme bacteria better than antibiotics. 

However, more studies are needed to support the evidence of this lab results.

Headaches and migraine

It is said that the pain caused by headaches and migraines can be cured by dubbing essential oil such as peppermint and ethanol mixture on foreheads and temples.

Sleeping habits and Insomnia

One of the essential oil benefits is getting good quality sleep. Smelling lavender oil can improve your sleeping habits because of its calming effect.

As a cancer patient, one of the burdens I suffered was the difficulty of getting quality sleep. 

Lavender oil helps to improve my sleeping habits after sniffing and massaging the body before going to bed.

Anti-bacterial, Antimicrobial and anti-fungal 

The effectiveness of Essential oils to fight bacteria, fungi, and microbes differ from one variety to another. As well as against different targets depending on their structure and activity. 

For instance, essential oils of cinnamon, clove, thyme, oregano, and rosemary have a strong possession of antibacterial activity against salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Among all of the tested essential oils, clove oil was found to be the most effective antibacterial oil. 

On the other hand, sandalwood and vetiver oils exhibit higher inhibitory activity against Gram-positive bacteria but fail to inhibit Gram-negative bacteria.

Reducing Inflammation

One of the Essential oil benefits is by dealing with Inflammation. Essential oils have a property of being absorbed easily by the body. Once applied to the skin, it directly targeted the inflamed parts and soothe the muscle.

Tips in choosing the Right Essential oils

Some company claiming that their oils are “pure” and “medical grade”. However, these claims aren’t clearly defined and hold a little weight.

Here are some tips on choosing high-quality oils that need to be considered:

• Purity- Pure oils are potent. And contains only aromatic compounds from the plant. It indicates the specific varieties of a plant using its botanical name which is written in Italic style.
• Extraction Method- Essential oil benefits can be measured through its extraction method. It is considered pure if the oil has been extracted by distillation or mechanical cold-pressing. Some essential oils can be extracted by using chemicals which is not advisable.
• Quality- Essential oil is mostly colorless, less viscous than oil, less dense than water, highly aromatic, and has a distinctive fragrance.

Essential oil benefits using in another way

• Can be used as a home scent and laundry buddy. You can add essential oils in water and diffuser to freshen your home and to add scent to the laundry in replace for laundry freshener.
• A natural anti-insect repellant like mosquitoes and other biting insects in replacement to a man-made Deet.
• Can be used in the industry of beauty products like soap making, make-up, perfume and sometimes it is used to prolong the shelf life of processed food.

Some Safety measures to consider Using Essential oil

Essential oils are natural. But it doesn’t mean it’s safe.

Same as plants and herbal products, essential oils consist of a bioactive compound that may harm your health.

Warning: Essential oils are not meant to be swallowed. It is not recommended and could be harmful, and fatal in some doses.

Few studies show that using essential oils is not yet advised for breastfeeding women, pregnant, and babies.

Here are some side effects of Essential oils:

• Allergic reaction
• Asthma attack
• Headaches
• Rashes
• chemical burns
• respiratory issues

What’s my take?

Using essential oil is generally considered safe to inhale and apply to the skin if you know how to use it properly. Adding some base oil is the safest way to enjoy the essential oil benefits and not to be taken orally.

 However, there are more studies needed to consider to say that it could help to a more serious health condition.

Essential oil is a harmless complementary therapy that can help us  to our daily lives but requires science and chemistry in combining to maximize its benefits

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