The benefits of essential oils for health

Essential oils are commonly used in aromatherapy, an alternative medicine that utilizes plant extracts to support health. However, some health benefits associated with these oils are controversial. This article provides additional information to explain everything about essential oils and their effects on health.

1. What are essential oils?

Essential oils are compounds extracted from plants. The unique aromatic compounds give each essential oil its characteristic essence.

The essential oil is obtained through the process of steam distillation and/or water distillation or by mechanical methods such as cold pressing. Once the aromatic chemicals have been extracted, they are combined with carrier oils to create a product that is easy to use.

The method of producing essential oils is very important, as essential oils obtained through chemical processes are not considered true essential oils.

2. How do essential oils work?

Essential oils are most commonly used in aromatherapy. They are not meant to be swallowed. The chemicals in essential oils can interact with your body in several ways, such as when applied to your skin.

It is believed that certain application methods can improve absorption, such as applying with heat or to different areas of the body or using steam inhalation.

Inhaling the aromas from essential oils can stimulate areas of your limbic system, which affects emotions, behavior, smell, and long-term memory.

The limbic system plays a major role in forming memories, which may partly explain why familiar smells can trigger memories or emotions. The limbic system also plays a role in controlling some unconscious physiological functions, including breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

3. Popular Types of Essential Oils

There are over 90 types of essential oils, each with its unique fragrance and health benefits. Some popular essential oils and their associated health benefits include:

• Peppermint: Used to boost energy and aid digestion
• Lavender: Used to relieve stress
• Sandalwood: Used to calm nerves and improve focus
• Bergamot: Used to reduce stress and improve skin conditions like eczema
• Rose: Used to improve mood and reduce anxiety
• Chamomile: Used to improve mood and promote relaxation
• Ylang-Ylang: Used to treat headaches, nausea, and skin conditions
• Tea Tree: Used to fight infections and boost immunity
• Jasmine: Used to help with depression, childbirth, and libido
• Lemon: Used to aid digestion and enhance mood, and alleviate headaches

4. Health Benefits of Essential Oils

Although they are widely used, few people know about the capabilities of essential oils to treat certain health conditions. There is some evidence for common health issues that essential oils and aromatherapy have been used to treat.

4.1. Stress and Anxiety

It is estimated that 43% of people suffering from stress and anxiety use some form of alternative therapy to help alleviate their symptoms.

The scent of certain essential oils can work alongside traditional therapy to treat anxiety and reduce stress.

Using essential oils during a massage can help the body relieve stress, although the effects last only during the massage.

4.2. Headaches and Migraines

In the 1990s, several studies on the application of essential oils found that applying a mixture of peppermint oil and ethanol to the forehead and temples made study subjects feel reduced headache intensity.

Furthermore, applying a mixture of chamomile and sesame oil to the temples can treat headaches and migraines. However, more high-quality, in-depth research on this matter is needed.

4.3. Sleep and Insomnia

Lavender essential oil has been shown to improve the sleep quality of women after childbirth, as well as patients with heart disease.

A review of 15 studies on essential oils and sleep found that using essential oils—mainly lavender oil—had a positive impact on sleep habits.

4.4. Inflammation Reduction

Essential oils may help combat inflammatory conditions in the body. A study on mice showed that consuming a combination of thyme and oregano essential oils helped alleviate colitis.

However, there are still very few human studies examining the effects of these oils on inflammatory diseases. Therefore, the effectiveness and safety of these essential oils are still not well known.

4.5. Antibiotics and Antimicrobials

The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has led people to look for other compounds that can fight bacterial infections. For instance, peppermint and tea tree oils have quite positive antibacterial effects.

Although these research results were obtained in test tubes, they can provide a basis for further research on the effects of essential oils on the human body.

5. How to Choose the Right Essential Oil

Some tips for selecting high-quality oils:

• Purity: Look for an oil without additives or synthetic oils. Pure oils often list the botanical name of the plant species (e.g., Lavandula officinalis) rather than terms like lavender essential oil.
• Quality: True essential oils are those that have undergone minimal changes during extraction. Choose oils without components of chemicals extracted through distillation or mechanical cold pressing.
• Brand: Purchase products from reputable brands to ensure high-quality products.

6. Safety and Side Effects of Using Essential Oils

When used in combination with carrier oils for topical application, most essential oils are considered safe. However, their use should be limited for certain groups, including pregnant women, children, and pets.

Essential oils can also cause side effects, including rashes, asthma attacks, headaches, and allergic reactions.

While the most common side effect of essential oils is a rash, they can cause more severe reactions, and there has been a case of death related to their use. For example, oils frequently associated with adverse reactions include lavender, peppermint, and tea tree oil.

Cinnamon oil contains a high amount of phenol, which can irritate the skin and should not be used undiluted. Citrus fruit essential oils can increase the skin’s reaction to sunlight and may cause burns.

Ingesting essential oils is not recommended, as it can be harmful and, in some doses, potentially fatal.

Essential oils are generally considered safe to inhale or apply to the skin when combined with carrier oils. They should not be ingested. However, there is a lack of supporting evidence for many health claims associated with them, and their effectiveness is often overstated. For health issues, using essential oils as a complementary therapy can be harmless. However, if you have a serious health condition or are taking medication, you should discuss their use with your healthcare provider.