Concentrated plant extracts make up essential oils.

"Phytochemicals and structural components make up plants. According to Dr. Lin, these compounds have qualities that are advantageous to both people and plants.

Making essential oils requires a huge amount of plant material, which can make some of them pricey. For instance:

One pound of lavender essential oil is produced from about 250 pounds of lavender flowers.

Rose or lemon balm essential oils are produced from 5,000 pounds of rose petals or lemon balm, respectively.

Essential oil advantages

Essential oils can be applied topically to the skin or utilized in aromatherapy, a form of complementary medicine that uses fragrance to enhance health.

According to studies, essential oils may:

Boost your mood.

Boost work performance by lowering stress and improving focus.

Boost your sleep.

annihilate viruses, fungi, and bacteria.

lessen your pain and worry.

minimize inflammation

decrease nausea

headache relief.

The advantages of certain popular essential oils are listed below:

Lemongrass oil

Dr. Lin's preferred oil is lavender. It has several advantages and is mild. There are many different ways you can use it, she says.

To use it as aromatherapy, try adding it to a bath or diffuser, mixing it with water to create a body spritzer or room spray, or mixing it with a base oil to create body oil.

Lavender can aid with relaxation, pain relief, and sleep. Dr. Lin notes that hospitals utilized lavender as a cleaning agent prior to the development of antiseptics.

Studies have also suggested that using tea tree oil and lavender oil may cause hormone disruption in young boys.

Oil of tea tree

According to Dr. Lin, tea tree oil is typically used as an antiseptic, antibacterial, or antifungal. It can also be helpful for:

Acne. "Swipe some tea tree essential oil onto a cotton swab. Then, apply it directly to the acne; in this instance, dilution is not necessary, advises Dr. Lin. It might speed up the healing of acne.

The ringworm and athlete's foot. Put the mixture on the affected area after diluting it with a carrier oil (a base or vegetable oil like coconut or jojoba that aids in dilution of essential oils).

One word of caution: According to Dr. Lin, you shouldn't diffuse tea tree oil if you have young children or animals in your house because it can be neurotoxic.

oil of frankincense

The "king of oils," frankincense, is known to reduce inflammation and improve mood and sleep. According to studies, it may also help with asthma and help avoid gum disease.

Frankincense oil is utilized in skin treatments and has an earthy, spicy perfume that is suitable for aromatherapy. Before using frankincense oil on your skin, make sure you dilute it.

oil of peppermint

It's recognized that peppermint oil:

Be a microbial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory.

headache relief

Beat the tiredness.

Improve mood

To lessen bowel spasms.

aid with digestion.

aid in memory.

If you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome or gastric inflammation, peppermint tea can also calm your stomach, says Dr. Lin. It's simple to use and very mild.

Make sure the oil is diluted before using it topically.

Oil of eucalyptus

During the cold and flu season, eucalyptus essential oil is excellent to keep on hand. By widening your nasal airways, it relieves a stuffy nose and makes breathing easier. (Peppermint oil may also be useful for this.)

Due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities, it can also reduce pain and combat the herpes simplex virus.

Eucalyptus oil should be used with caution, and it should be diluted before being applied topically. It should not be consumed, and both children and animals may have harmful side effects.

Citrus oil

Lemon oil, which is made from the fruit's peel, can be dispersed into the air or applied directly to the skin together with a carrier oil.

It is known that lemon oil:

lessen your stress and sadness.

minimize discomfort

reduce nausea

destroy bacteria

According to a study, aromatherapy using essential oils like lemon oil may help persons with Alzheimer's disease function more cognitively.

Both topical and aromatherapy uses of lemon oil are safe. However, there have been some claims that lemon oil can raise your risk of sunburn by causing your skin to become more sensitive to sunshine. After using, stay out of the sun. This includes the essential oils of bergamot, lemongrass, lime, orange, grapefruit, and lemon.

oil of lemongrass

Citrus-scented lemongrass oil is well known for reducing stress, anxiety, and sadness.

Due to its ability to fight bacteria, it is a useful natural therapy for wound healing. It has been demonstrated to stop the growth of the fungus responsible for jock itch, ringworm, and athlete's foot.

According to a study, type 2 diabetics who use lemongrass oil can lower their blood sugar levels.

Before applying to your skin, make sure you use a carrier oil.

citrus oil

Citrus fruit rinds are used to make orange oil. It can be applied directly to the skin (with a carrier oil), diffused into the air, or even used as a natural cleanser in your house.

It is known that orange oil:

destroy bacteria

Become less tense.

minimize discomfort

Use caution if applying orange oil to your skin and then going outside because it may make your skin more susceptible to sunlight.

rosmarinic oil

Most likely, you've used rosemary to flavor some of your meals. However, there are also extra advantages to taking rosemary oil, such as enhancing cognitive function, accelerating hair development, lessening pain and tension, enhancing mood, and lowering joint inflammation.

Rosemary oil can be applied directly to the skin and is safe to use in aromatherapy. It is recommended not to use rosemary oil if you are pregnant, have epilepsy, or have high blood pressure.

oil of bergamot

Describe bergamot. Bergamot is familiar to those who enjoy Earl Grey tea. The fragrant oil, which contains notes of fruit and flowers, can be applied topically or diffused (but it can make your skin sensitive to the sun).

It is known that bergamot oil:

Become less tense.

Improve mood

decrease in blood pressure

oil of cedarwood

With its woodsy aroma, cedarwood oil, which has antioxidant and antibacterial effects, is a preferred component in deodorant, shampoo, and insect repellent. But you can also use cedarwood oil to reduce anxiety and improve sleep.

When combined with a carrier oil, cedarwood oil can be applied topically and used as aromatherapy.