Whether inhaled or added to homemade cleaning products, many of us are curious about using essential oils. But not all oils are created equal.
Essential oils are extracted from the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, or fruit of plants. They’re very concentrated, so never ingest them straight from the bottle or apply them directly to your skin without guidance from a health professional.
Benefits
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts with a variety of uses in aromatherapy, such as relaxation and sleep aid. Some of the most popular essential oils include lavender, peppermint, tea tree and ylang-ylang.
Inhaling these oils or applying them directly to the skin can help relax the body and mind, relieve headache, insomnia and menstrual cramps, ease indigestion, reduce stress and anxiety, and boost mood. But, it’s important to choose quality oils because the market is unregulated and there are lots of products that have been adulterated.
In addition, there’s limited evidence that essential oils can treat specific health problems. For example, some test-tube studies show that certain oil extracts may reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, but other human studies are needed to verify this. Additionally, some essential oils can be abrasive and can irritate the respiratory tract if inhaled directly. So, individuals with chronic respiratory diseases like asthma or COPD should exercise caution and consult a healthcare professional before using them.
Origins
Essential oils are plant extracts that contain the volatile aromatic chemicals that give plants their distinctive smell. They’re often steam-distilled from flower petals, leaves, bark, roots, berries or other parts of the plant. It takes several pounds of raw plant material to produce just a single bottle of essential oil.
These oils perform important functions for the plant, such as defending against parasites and helping it adapt to its environment. Scientists believe that when inhaled by humans, essential oils can travel from the nose through the olfactory system to directly affect brain cells, particularly those in the amygdala, which control emotions.
People have been using essential oils for beauty, aromatic, medicinal and spiritual purposes for a long time. The first records of them come from ancient India, Persia, Egypt, Greece and Rome, where they were used for cosmetic, aromatic, hygienic and medicinal purposes. They also were used for spiritual and religious practices.
Safety
Essential oils are highly concentrated and can be toxic if ingested in large amounts. It is important to follow dilution and application guidelines when using internally. Infants, toddlers and children are especially sensitive to the potency of essential oils and should be diluted under the guidance of a qualified practitioner or as a minor percentage in a professionally formulated oil blend.
When purchasing an essential oil, look for a producer who produces only pure, chemical-free oils with no added ingredients. It is also recommended to store your essential oils in dark-colored glass bottles to avoid sunlight exposure that can degrade the oil over time. If your oil has a strong aroma, be sure to use a carrier oil to dilute it before applying to the skin or nose. If you have a sensitive reaction to the oil, be sure to wash the area promptly to prevent contact sensitization that can occur after repeated exposure.
Uses
Inhaling essential oils can help with a variety of symptoms, including stress and anxiety, sleep problems, pain, nausea, respiratory conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and menstrual issues. They can also be used to boost immune system function, increase concentration and alertness, and reduce inflammatory responses.
However, research is limited and caution should be exercised if using for a specific health concern. People with certain medical conditions should consult a healthcare professional, as some oils may interact with medications and cause allergies.
Some essential oils, such as thyme, have antimicrobial properties and can be used to treat infections of the respiratory tract. Other oils, such as lavender, can be diluted and used to help with insomnia, stress and relaxation, as well as to promote restful sleep. Another use for lavender is to help reduce the appearance of age spots. A 2016 randomized, controlled clinical trial found that massaging a lavender oil on the feet of patients undergoing hemodialysis reduced agitation and anxiety.
