By now, you should have heard about essential oils. New mothers, specifically, are vouching for these oils. Some are joining multi-level marketing companies to get access to these “therapeutic oils.” Some bottles sell as much as $100 per 15 milliliters. Is it worth it? Are we wasting our money investing in these oils, or are they worth their price tags?
While some claim that essential oils are beneficial for your family health in Orem or other cities, it is worth noting that the U.S. government has flagged down companies with those claims. No evidence points or attests to that fact. There is some degree of relief that you will feel when you inhale an essential oil — after it has been diffused with water. Yet, studies need to prove that these oils can cure stress, headaches, insomnia, and many others.
What Are Essential Oils?
These are compounds extracted from plants. The uniqueness of the compound’s composition gives each oil its aromatic characteristics. These oils can be obtained through distillation. They are mixed with a carrier oil if you want to apply them on your skin. You cannot apply pure essential oils on your skin. They have to be diluted in water or a carrier oil — fractionated coconut oil works best.
How to Use Essential Oils?
Essential oils are meant to be diffused and released to the air. When diffused properly, they can remove the toxins from the air. You can also mix an essential oil with a carrier oil and apply it to different parts of the body. Essential oil believers suggest to apply an essential oil on the crown of the head and the soles of the feet.
What Are the Popular Essential Oils?
There are over 90 types of essential oils. The most popular are lavender and rose to relieve stress, peppermint to boost energy, and sandalwood to calm the nerves. Bergamot is used to improve skin conditions, chamomile for relaxation, and ylang-ylang to treat headaches, migraines, and nausea. Tea tree can fight infection, lemon can aid in digestion, and jasmine can help with depression and childbirth.
How Do Essential Oils Work?
Essential oils have been used since ancient times as an alternative form of medicine. They can presumably treat ailments when inhaled or applied directly to the skin. Inhaling essential oils apparently trigger responses in the brain that “heal” the body. The oils can reportedly balance hormone levels, reduce feelings of depression and anxiety, and heal digestive disorders.
If you plan to use essential oils, it’s important to choose those that have been extracted using distillation or mechanical processes. Plant extracts mixed with synthetic materials such as chemicals are not true essential oils. They will not be effective in “treating” ailments.
What Are the Risks of Essential Oils?
Several essential oil companies are claiming that their oils can be mixed with food or water. Medical experts advise to never swallow essential oils because they are so pure that they can trigger an allergic reaction. They can also interfere with medication. Tea tree, camphor, and wintergreen essential oils, for example, can lead to vomiting, throat swelling, and seizures.
If you want to use essential oils for aromatherapy, you should consult a medical practitioner first. Ensuring that you don’t have any medical condition that can be adversely affected by essential oils is an important step to your journey. Do not depend on the “evidence” backed by essential oil enthusiasts. Do your research and plan.
