Essential oils: Properties and Applications
Essential oils are helpful in treating various ailments – from a headache to rheumatism to digestive problems. Therefore, they have found application in natural medicine. Discover the properties and use of essential oils and learn how to use them.
Essential oils are a blessing of nature that humanity has been using since 3000 BC. Essential oils have been known in ancient Egypt, Macedonia, and India. The first person who distilled the essential oils is considered the famous Avicenna – a medieval doctor. He even developed various massage techniques using essential oils.
The oils have found such a wide application that even a separate child – aromatherapy – has been created that deals with their use for therapeutic and therapeutic purposes.
Properties of essential oils
Essential oils are obtained from plants – currently, we know about 2,000 different plants found all over the world that might work as an essential oil. These plants have oils in each of their parts: flowers, stem, roots, seeds, resin.
Essential oils are obtained in several ways, usually by distillation using steam, cold pressing or alcohol extraction. It is worth noting that for the purposes of aromatherapy, a small percentage of the obtained essential oils is used – about 10% – the rest is used by pharmaceutical and food concerns and the production of perfumes. Essential oils combine with alcohols and fats, they are not water soluble.
In every natural essential oil, there are at least several dozen compounds, among others alcohols, esters, aldehydes, terpenes, ketones. However, it is worth remembering that while there is a lot of essential ingredients in those oils when buying a natural essential oil, it should be noted that it contains … only one ingredient.
Usually, manufacturers don’t distinguish all the compounds contained in a particular essential oil, however, informs us what kind of oil we have specifically bought, for example, oleum citrus nobilis – mandarin oil, citrus oleum Limonum – lemon oil, oleum eucalypti globulus – eucalyptus oil, oleum citrus grandis – grapefruit oil, oleum pinus silvestris – sandal oil, etc.
The properties of essential oils are very diverse – it all depends on which one you choose.
The most popular essential oils
Lavender oil – Lavender oil has a calming effect – it is an ideal remedy for shaky nerves. It is also used in the treatment of various types of pains: muscle, menstrual, rheumatic.
Lemon oil – Used in the production of cosmetics for acne – suppresses the formation of blackheads and regulates the secretion of sebum. Lemon oil also has a bactericidal and toning effect. It inhibits the action of free radicals and slows down the degradation of collagen fibers, so it also has anti-aging properties.
Eucalyptus oil – Eucalyptus oil is used to prepare inhalations for the treatment of cold and flu. It has a disinfecting and cleansing effect.
Pine oil – Like eucalyptus oil, pine oil is used during infection of the body’s respiratory tract, it also increases our immunity. In people with very sensitive skin, however, it can cause allergic reactions.
Cedar oil – Works well for people with cardiovascular and digestive system diseases, because it cleanses the veins and digestive tract.
Tea tree oil – It has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. It cleanses the pores and helps fight acne and mycosis of the skin.
Basil oil – It improves concentration, helps with insomnia, gastric problems, and also in the case of various types of pains: rheumatic, migraine, menstrual.
Jasmine oil – It is known primarily as an aphrodisiac, also used as an ingredient in cosmetic oils.
Peppermint oil – Has analgesic effect – thanks to the menthol content it gives the impression of a cool feeling on the skin. Also used during inhalation and for gastric problems. Often used at home for aromatherapy.
How to choose the essential oil depending on your health problems?
Headaches: basil oil, hyssop, lavender, marjoram, mint and geranium oil.
Hypertension: lavender oil, marjoram, rosemary, rose, sage, Ylang-ylang oil.
Hypotension: bergamot, mint, lavender and lemon oils.
Cold, runny nose, cough: anise, cypress, eucalyptus, tea, lavender, mint and rosemary oils.
Stress: juniper, lavender, melissa, neroli , geranium, rose oil .
Digestion problems: lemon, caraway, coriander, a lavender, mint, geranium, rose, and sandal oil.
Rheumatic pains: ginger, coriander, cypress, eucalyptus oil.
Muscle pain: cypress oil, juniper, lavender, mint, rosemary oil.
Insomnia: rose, geranium, juniper, lavender, marjoram and mandarin.
Apathy: hyssop oil, mint, rosemary and thyme oil.
Fatigue and lack of concentration: basil, geranium, mint, rosemary oil.
Depression: basil oil, lemon, fir, lavender, neroli, patchouli, orange, rose, pine, Ylang-ylang.
Fears: marjoram, mandarin, neroli , Ylang-ylang oil .
Variable mood: cypress oil, geranium, mandarin, orange, sandalwood.
How to use essential oils?
Essential oils can be used in three ways:
Aromatherapy
Inhalation with oils can be done using a diffuser (this is the method most often used for colds and for sinus cleaning). People suffering from insomnia and headaches before bedtime can put one or two drops of the right oil on the pillow.
The fragrance therapy can also be carried out by sprinkling a small amount of the oil into the aromatherapy fireplace, into a container with warm water or a handkerchief that will be applied to the nose.
Locally on the skin
The second effective way to use the oils is rubbing them into the skin. Etheric particles through the pores of the skin instantly get into the bloodstream (after 30 seconds). Most often, oils are rubbed against the hands, soles of the feet, ear pinnets and around the neck, but you can also use them to massage the whole body.
Orally
Oils for internal use can be only used orally if they have been approved for oral use (information on this must be included on the packaging). Depending on the problem, a few drops of the oil can be dropped under the tongue, you can rinse the mouth with water with a little oil or dilute with any liquid and drink.
Descriptions of application methods and recipes on how to use oils are placed on the packaging.