It is estimated that there are more than 300,000 species of plants in the world. What’s more, forty percent of pharmaceutical drugs that are used in the Western World are derived from plants. Besides being employed in prescription medications, plants are also used to make essential oils, which can act as remedies for any number of situations.
What Are Essential Oils and How Do They Work?
Essential oils are concentrated liquids that are basically plant extracts. These extracts can come from different parts of the plant, including roots, stems, leaves, fruits and flowers. They aim to harness the power of nature, bottle it and send it home with you, where it can be used for scores of purposes. The Young Living essential oils, for instance, offer users pure, powerful products that can be extremely impactful in their lives. Just ask Gisele Bunchen, who was just featured in British Vogue celebrating the brand’s Thieves spray.
People usually use essential oils for cosmetic reasons or to treat pain. They are said to have physiological, pharmacological and psychological benefits for users. Many users, for instance, inhale the oils for stress relief. They work by providing the body with the powerful essences that the given oils provide. It generally takes between 20 to 30 minutes for the effects of the oil to kick in.
How Do You Apply Essential Oils?
Essential oils are either absorbed by the skin or inhaled. When they are inhaled, the scent molecules in the oil are sent directly into the brain, where they establish contact with the amygdala, which is the emotional center of the brain. When they are absorbed into the skin, they travel through the body through the bloodstream.
One might apply lemon essential oil to the hands, for instance, if they are sticky. In truth, though, this is strictly a topical effect. This oil also has many other benefits, including helping with depression and exhaustion and clearing up skin.
What Types of Essential Oils Are There and What Do They Do?
There are loads of essential oils. Each boasts its own unique qualities and benefits to users. Peppermint oil is applied to the skin to treat things like joint pain, muscle aches and headaches. You simply apply it to the area of stress. When it is applied through the nose, peppermint oil can reduce stress and pain, improve mental function and even help treat colds.
Clove oil contains eugenol, which is a natural anesthetic. When applied, it can help to reduce the pain of a toothache by numbing the area. It’s also used for easing digestive issues and helping with respiratory conditions.
When inhaled, frankincense clears the nasal passageway and improves congestion. It has a sweet aroma that also acts as a stress reliever and can improve memory and concentration. Frankincense oil also contains natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Rosemary oil is good for reducing stress levels and tension. At the same time, it can make somebody feel more alert and improve concentration. Even beyond that, rosemary is excellent for providing nutrients to skin and hair and has been used to promote hair growth successfully.
Bergamot is most often used as a form of aromatherapy that is known as an anxiety reducer. It contains a-Pinene and Limonene, which make bergamot a stimulating and uplifting oil. It can also alleviate feelings of depression.
Essential oils can reduce stress and cure fungal infections. They can take pitch and other sticky things off your skin and they can even help you sleep. Even though there is still much research that needs to be done to pin down the exact nature of these oils and their effects on people, these are effectively super-charged versions of the same plant-based remedies that people have been using for thousands of years. The next time you have a headache, abdominal pain or any one of various other afflictions, you might try using essential oils and see why so many people swear by them.
