7 Health Benefits of Using Essential Oils in Your Life

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Why care about the benefits of essential oils? What are essential oils? and how can they help you? Why is it worthwhile to make a habit of using essential oils for your healthy living needs?

If you are thinking about creating a habit of using essential oils, this post gives you all the information you need to make informed decisions about essential oils, aromatherapy and what benefits of essential oils may be right for you.

Pharmaceutical drugs have dangerous side effects. These side effects can cause serious bodily harm. 

More-and-more people are turning to more natural & holistic approaches to health. By using natural remedies to heal ourselves we can be free of the worries of unwanted side effects.

One of the safest and most effective forms of alternative medicines is aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy uses plant-based essential oils to provide the mind and body with numerous health benefits. These oils are typically inexpensive and free of harmful side effects.  Even better, they work very quickly as the oils get absorbed through the skin and lungs.

What Is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the use of aromatic essential oils derived from plants for the purpose of enhancing the well-being of one's physical or psychological health. Aromatherapy has been used for centuries as an alternative medicine that safely and effectively treats numerous ailments.

To create essential oils, the natural oils in certain plants are extracted and distilled, resulting in an extremely concentrated product packed with healing benefits.

Essential oils used in aromatherapy trigger responses in the brain that send healing to the body. These oils can balance out hormone levels, heal digestive disorders, and dramatically reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Scientific studies have shown that aromatherapy is a completely legitimate form of medicine. By inhaling essential oils, nerves in the nose trigger powerful brain responses. Similarly, topical application allows these essential oils to quickly enter the bloodstream by being absorbed through skin tissue.

When selecting essential oils, it is important to look for pure and natural products. Oils that contain synthetic chemicals and dyes will not be nearly as effective.

How Can Essential Oils Be Applied?

Aromatherapy can be applied in many different ways depending on the condition that you want to address.

Topical use of essential oils is very effective in treating skin ailments and mood disorders.

Some essential oils are highly beneficial when ingested. For instance, by swallowing peppermint essential oil, you can relieve gas and stomach cramps. Some essential oils can even be used as flavoring agents that offer nutritional value, such as lemon essential oil, which adds flavor to water while providing the body with vitamin C.

If you are using aromatherapy to address a psychological imbalance such as stress, depression, or anxiety you may wonder how an oil can effect your brain?

Essential oils for anxiety and other brain imbalances are delivered through diffuser or a hot bath. By simply breathing the oil in, you will receive the benefits that this oil can offer on a psychological level.

These scents work in two methods. First, smell is a powerful sense. pleasant smells can remind us of good times and relieve nerves, stress and anxiety. Second the chemicals inhaled actually enter the bloodstream and can help balance hormone levels.

The best (and most popular) method for using these oils is the diffuser. You can find our review of the best essential oil diffusers here.

An oil diffuser doubles as a humidifier, allowing healing essential oils to enter your body while you sleep.

When applying essential oils topically, some oils require a carrier oil. For example, tea tree oil is highly effective in treating fungal infections and inflammation, but may be mildly irritating to more sensitive areas of the skin such as the eye area and the genitals. In this case, a carrier oil may be required.

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What Is a Carrier Oil?

A carrier oil is an oil in which the essential oil can be diluted. By diluting your essential oil in a carrier oil, it may then easily be applied to the skin. Carrier oils will reduce skin sensitivity and also increase absorption through skin tissue. There are several different carrier oils from which you may choose, including:

  • Olive oil
  • Coconut oil
  • Jojoba oil
  • Almond oil
  • Avocado oil

It's important to experiment, as different carrier oils may affect your skin differently. For instance, if you are using an essential oil to treat acne, test out a few different oils on a small section of your face to see how your skin reacts.

7 Benefits of Essential Oils

1. Improve Mood and Set a Positive Atmosphere

Scents are powerful stimuli that directly enter the brain, triggering intense emotional responses.

By inhaling essential oils, your brain will signal certain emotions that can leave you feeling energized, optimistic, and hopeful.

These oils can be added to a hot bath or used in an oil diffuser to create a positive atmosphere inside your home.

 Essential Oils to Improve Mood:

2. Benefits of Essential Oils for Relaxation and Sleep

Studies have shown that aromatherapy is very useful in treating psychological disorders such as stress, depression, and anxiety.

By using essential oils to stimulate positive signals in your brain, you can significantly reduce negative emotional conditions. You may use these oils in an oil diffuser or a hot bath.

You can also apply these oils topically to emotional trigger points throughout the body, such as the neck, the elbows, behind the ears, and the backs of the knees.

 Essential Oils for Relaxation and Sleep:

  • The use of lavender essential oil has been shown to be highly effective as an anxiety reducer. Studies have also linked the use of lavender essential oil to a decrease in depression symptoms. Lavender essential oil can even reduce symptoms of PTSD and postpartum depression. As lavender essential oil encourages relaxation of the mind, it can be a powerful sleep aid.
  • Bergamot essential oil is a natural anxiety remedy. It has been shown to encourage relaxation and lower blood pressure and heart rate. Bergamot essential oil can also slow down breathing patterns that tend to elevate during moments of anxiety.
  • Clary sage oil can reduce anxiety and depression significantly as well. It is a natural mild sedative that has even been shown to reduce seizures. Clary sage oil can balance hormone levels and is incredibly useful as a treatment for PMS symptoms.

3. Inflammation Relief

Certain essential oils have powerful anti-inflammatory properties that, when applied to the skin, can reduce irritation and inflammation. These oils may either be applied directly to skin or used with a carrier oil.

 Essential Oils for Inflammation Relief

  • Tea tree oil is effective in treating acne and skin inflammation. It can reduce redness associated with inflammation as well. When paired with lavender, it can help treat cold sores.
  • For digestive inflammation, peppermint essential oil can be highly effective. Peppermint essential oil can reduce inflammation of the intestines that results from digestive disorders.
  • Rosemary and eucalyptus essential oils can reduce inflammation of the sinuses and throat associated with colds. These two oils can also open up congested airways and clear out clogged sinus passages.
  • If you have dandruff or an itchy scalp, rosemary essential oil can provide itch relief and dramatically reduce irritation.
  • Thyme essential oil is known for its potency as an anti-inflammatory. It's been shown to reduce respiratory inflammation when inhaled.

4. Benefits of Essential Oils for Pain Relief

Aromatherapy can significantly reduce pain, as the oils can be absorbed through the skin. The topical use of essential oils in the treatment of pain is completely safe and works quickly.

 Essential Oils for Pain Relief

  • Ginger, frankincense, and myrrh essential oils can provide fast relief to the muscles, joints, and tendons for arthritis pain.
  • Helichrysum oil can heal damaged muscle tissue and reduce pain associated with illnesses such as fibromyalgia.
  • Chamomile oil can quickly relieve pain related to the digestive system, as well as menstrual cramps. Chamomile oil is also an effective pain relief treatment for lower back and muscle pain.
  • Peppermint essential oil can instantly relieve pain associated with gas when ingested. It can also relieve nausea and indigestion.
  • Both lavender and rosemary essential oils have been shown to greatly reduce tension headaches and migraines. By applying these oils directly to the temples and on either side of the nose, the inhalation sends quick pain relief, as these oils are received by the brain in seconds.

5. Prevent Certain Illnesses and Boost the Immune System

Many essential oils have anti-fungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties that can prevent the development of certain illnesses.

Aromatherapy can also improve the immune system, as essential oils that are breathed in enter the lungs and are then absorbed into the bloodstream.

 Essential Oils to Boost the Immune System

  • Eucalyptus, peppermint, and tea tree essential oils can greatly prevent colds by keeping your passageways clear of congestion and bacteria.
  • Cinnamon, eucalyptus, oregano, sage, and frankincense essential oils have been shown to boost immune system function when inhaled.
  • Tea tree oil is a powerful antibacterial and anti-fungal that can prevent cuts and fungus from developing into severe infections.
  • Clove essential oil has successfully boosted immune system function in patients with Lyme disease.
  • A powerful antibacterial, oregano oil can be ingested to heal infections throughout the body, preventing them from developing into more serious conditions.
  • Garlic essential oil is a powerful healing oil that can be ingested to fight off various fungal, viral, and bacterial infections.

6. Heal Skin Irritations

Certain essential oils have powerful anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. This makes them a highly effective natural method to healing skin irritations of all kinds.

When applied topically to the skin, these essential oils quickly get absorbed into the deeper levels of skin tissue and promote healing.

 Essential Oils to Heal Skin Irritations

  • Tea tree essential oil can effectively reduce pimples and blemishes by killing the bacteria on the face that causes acne. It can also reduce eczema and provide quick relief to insect bites and sunburn.
  • To heal cuts quickly, apply lavender essential oil to the skin directly. The antibacterial properties of lavender essential oil will hasten the healing process.
  • Lemongrass essential oil is an effective facial astringent, eradicating acne and significantly reducing the appearance of large pores.
  • Basil essential oil can reduce itching and irritation associated with insect bites and eczema.
  • Rosemary essential oil can reduce skin irritation on the scalp and face by working as a gentle anti-inflammatory.
  • To treat sun damage, apply carrot seed essential oil to the skin. This will reduce sunburns effectively.

7. Safer Alternative to Candles and Incense

Aromatherapy is an effective way to make your home smell wonderful in a completely safe way.

Candles and incense put your home at risk of fire. They are especially dangerous if you have pets or small children.

However, by using an oil diffuser, you can dramatically change the smell of your home without putting your precious belongings at risk.

An oil diffuser is a small device that can be placed on any surface of your home. It acts as a miniature humidifier, filling the room with steam or sonically induced water vapor.

Simply fill the tank with water and add 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oil combination. As the water vapor “diffuses”, the fragrances will take over your home, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy while you go on with your daily routine.

Final Thoughts on Aromatherapy and Essential Oil Benefits

We hope that you found this article on the natural benefits of essential oils to be valuable. We tried to link to the deeper research many of the essential oil benefits are based upon as often as possible.

 By understanding the many essential oils benefits, you can heal your mind and body in a completely safe and natural way. Aromatherapy has been around for centuries and is an effective way to treat an enormous variety of ailments.

If you are new to the concept of aromatherapy, you can get an essential oil starter pack here.

Also, if you would like to enjoy the many benefits of using an oil diffuser in your home, this oil diffuser is a favorite of ours.

Pure Enrichment PureSpa Essential Oil Diffuser

If you enjoyed the article or have any further questions about aromatherapy or the essential oil benefits, please let us know in the comments below.

If you have your own stories about how aromatherapy or essential oils impacted you life, please also share these thoughts  in the comment section below.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts  on the essential oil benefits.

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6 thoughts on “7 Health Benefits of Using Essential Oils in Your Life”

  1. My wife has been thinking about using essential oils more, but we didn’t know how it could benefit us. It’s interesting that they can actually stimulate your brain and trigger emotions! I know that I would want to use this to help us relax at night.

  2. Wow, I had no idea essential oils could be so beneficial! According to what the article says, they not only promote healing and well-being but are also safer than things like candles and incense. My wife and I have been wanting to get into aromatherapy to see if it can help us relax more, so we’ll definitely be sure to look at using essential oils instead of incense.

  3. Thanks for the terrific read. You mentioned that essential oils can be diffused to help with things like stress, depression, or anxiety. I had heard that essential oils were great, and wondered what exactly they did. I’d love to feel that kind of peace and relaxation, so I’ll have to find a good service I could get some oils from.

    • Rachel.

      They work in mainly two ways. First they trigger the sense of smell, which is powerful and way underutilized by many. Just smelling nice things help us remember nice things and puts us in good moods. The second thing is that the particles of the oils will pass through the mucuous membrane where they can have a direct effect on the brain. I am a bit of a skeptic and slightly skeptical on SOME of the claims from this method. But there have been studies showing the efficacy of many of the claims from this method. My ultimate feeling is that the first one is a sure thing, and if it gives come direct connection to the brain too…. so much the better.

  4. I like that you pointed out that essential oils are safer than candles and incense. I love my oil diffuser for that reason. I don’t have to worry about the fire hazard or my grand kids getting to it. Plus, I feel like the scent lasts longer than a typical candle does.

  5. I really appreciated your advice about how a diffuser is safer than a candle, and how you can use it around children! My wife recently had a baby, and she doesn’t want to light any scented candles around the house, just in case our baby were to get too close to them. I will definitely look into finding a diffuser for some essential oils, and hopefully our house can start to smell good again!

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