Essential Oils 101

Essential Oils 101

Essential oils have been around for a long time.  They are the natural aromatic compounds found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of plants. They are 50 to 70 times more potent than herbs and used in many cultures for their therapeutic benefits. They have been around since 3500 BC in Mesopotamia and China. They have 300 botanical and other uses. And they were featured at a famous exhibition in Egypt in 1470 BC.

Essential oils were valued highly in many cultures and mentioned in 36 out of the 39 books of the Bible.  They are used to treat topical illnesses and used for mental, emotional, and psychological clarity.  They can penetrate beyond the barrier of the skin and treat viruses and bacteria.

Here is a list of some of the basic essential oils.  The signal ingredient oils are mentioned but often people combine them topically or in their diffusers for added effects.

Lavender:

It brings calmness, lessens anxiety, reduces stress, relieves pain, and promotes a sense of peace with its light scent.  It also helps with bug bites, reducing fever, and restful sleep. Lavender is just one of the oils used to treat migraines and other headaches.

Tea Tree:

It is a disinfectant, kills bacteria, and helps wounds topically.  It also promotes focus and clarity. This oil is recommended to take during the day and not use in your diffuser at night since it has an energy effect.

Eucalyptus

Helps with opening up the sinuses, hydrates damaged tissues, alleviates sinus headaches, and brings healing and congestion relief.  It is also great to treat stress and hot flashes in menopause. It is also an anti-bacterial.

Peppermint

Methylal helps with pain, aids with gastrointestinal function, and relieves anxiety.  It is also effective with migraines, respiratory issues, and motion sickness.  It is both a relaxing and  energizing herb.

Sandalwood oil helps as a sedative and is used for persons having trouble sleeping, Sore muscles and positive thoughts are used in conjunction with a diffuser, while the home is used as a topical antibacterial.

Lemongrass helps with calmness, muscle, and throat soreness.

Roman Chamomile: Insomnia , calming, anxiety, guilt, and patients suffering from shock.

Rose and Juniper: This helps contain agitation and anger.  It can also be used as an aphrodisiac.

Geranium: This sweet scent helps with depression, calming nerves, and menopause.

Orange: Encourages calm and promotes happiness. It is both an energizing and calming oil.

Lemon and Pink Grapefruit: Removes physical and mental fatigue; calms nerves, dizziness, and nervous tension. Also used as a disinfectant.

Cinnamon: Helps maintain a healthy immune system and alleviates sore muscles and joints.

Frankincense: It helps with clarity, anxiety, depression, and trauma. It also promotes feelings of peace, satisfaction, and wellness.  And it helps topically with wounds and scars.

Jasmine: Evokes feelings of joy, peace, and self-confidence; builds hormonal balance; and helps with feelings of PMS.

Bergamot: Is effective for teachers and used to calm high tension as well as stress levels.

There are various levels of oils but a good one  has been certified as having exceeded organic standards and is free of synthetic compounds.  By using these oils topically, or in conjunction with a diffusor, you can find a new quality of life––whether in the home, office, or classroom.