Essential oils for every home
Essential oils – natural products that have been the cornerstone of treating human ailments in many cultures around the world for centuries. They have also found application in medicine, cosmetics, perfumery and the food industry.
They can support our physical and mental health. Thanks to their antimicrobial properties, many can also be used as natural disinfectants in the home.
Essential oils are a simple and affordable way to connect with the beauty of nature in the place we call home.
What are essential oils and how are they used?
Essential oils, also called essential oils or essences, are fragrant substances extracted from aromatic plants. They are obtained either by distillation (most oils) or by cold pressing (oils from citrus peels).
The use of essential oils for therapeutic purposes is dealt with by aromatherapy - a form of alternative medicine. Essential oils have ability to influence physical, mental and emotional state on a person through two mechanisms:
- when inhaled, the molecules of the essential oil irritate the olfactory receptors, directly affecting our brain. This can impact our mood, emotions and overall sense of well-being.
- at a physical level, the components of essential oils affect the biochemical processes of our body. For example, they can help reduce swelling, relieve pain, cramps, relax stiff muscles or promote wound healing.
How to apply essential oils
Essential oils can be used different ways which depend mainly on the goal of the therapy. However, no matter which method we choose, the oils used should be of the highest quality, ideally organic essential oils.
Inhaling oils
Inhaling (inhalation) of essential oils has various effects on our body. Scents affect our psyche and emotions, so inhaling essential oils can help improve mood, relieve stress, tension, or promote sleep.
Properly chosen essential oils can also help with treating various respiratory system problems, such as colds, sinus infections, sore throats or coughs. There are various methods of inhaling essential oils, for example:
- we drop a few drops on a paper tissue or cotton wool and inhale regularly. A more practical approach is to use a so-called inhaler stick, which we can carry with us and use repeatedly.
- Diffuse the oils in the room using an electrical device - an aroma diffuser or a classic aroma lamp with a tea light.
- Steaming with essential oils over a bowl of hot water is an effective procedure for respiratory problems.
Bath with Essential Oils
An aromatic bath is an ideal way to relax the body and mind - can improve mood and relieve muscle pain. However, to avoid skin irritation, the oils need to be dilutediluted before adding them to the water, for example in a spoonful of vegetable oil.
Applying essential oils to the skin
We can also use essential oils on the skin. However, always remember that essential oils are highly concentrated and may cause skin irritation or even an allergic reaction.
So, if you're planning to use essential oils on your skin, always dilute them in a carrier (base) oil. Usually used are plant-based, cold-pressed plant oils (e.g. almond, jojoba, apricot).
Since vegetable oils have their own therapeutic effects, a suitable selection can supplement or enhance the effects of the essential oil. Properly selected essential oils in combination with vegetable oil help solve various skin problems, such as acne, eczema, dry skin, promote the healing of wounds, burns, treatment of bruises, and the like.
How to dilute essential oils? Essential oils are most often used on the skin in 1-2% concentrations, which corresponds to approximately 6-12 drops of essential oil per 30 ml of carrier oil.
Massage
Massage with essential oils is a special case of applying essential oils to the skin and the same rules apply to it as mentioned above.
Aromatherapy massage has many benefits, for example relieves muscle tension, relieves pain, stimulates blood and lymphatic circulation, it can also improve digestion or relieve stress.
The ultimate essential oil collection
How many essential oils are there? It is estimated that there are at least 500 essential oils on the market, and the number is constantly growing. Moreover, each oil has its own unique properties and therapeutic uses.
It can be challenging to navigate and choose from dozens of oils with countless effects. To make your decision easier, we have prepared a list of several essential oils that can be used for most common problems.
Lavender oil
When we say “lavender oil”, we usually mean essential lavender oil (Lavandula angustifolia) with a typical floral scent.
It is characterised by an extraordinary range of effects and is one of the few oils that can be to use on skin undiluted (e.g. for stings). It excels especially in anti-inflammatory, healing and soothing effects. It is one of the safest oils and is also suitable for children.
Typical uses: Treatment of skin problems (burns, abrasions, scratches), relief of cramps (e.g. digestive, menstrual, dry cough), sedative and calming effect on the nervous system (anti-stress, anxiety relief, sleep support), insect repellent (repellent effect).
Thyme Oil
Oil from thyme vulgaris (Thymus vulgaris) is one of the most effective oils in the fight against microbes and should definitely be in a universal set of essential oils.
It has anti-microbial, warming and mucolytic (thins mucus) effects. An ideal oil for respiratory system ailments (especially by steaming or diffusing) and also to relieve muscle pain and joint pain (application by massage).
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is an essential oil from the leaves of the Australian tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia).
While the scent might not be for everyone, it's an excellent oil for fighting viral infections, bacteria, yeast infections, and fungi. It's useful in treating acne, mouth ulcers, and oral cavity inflammations.
Orange oil
The essential oil of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) is extracted from orange peels. Similar to lavender oil, orange oil is also among the essentialoils suitable for children.
It has an uplifting effect and evokes positive emotions. Inhaling orange oil helps alleviate anxiety, nervousness, and stress. It's also beneficial in skincare, especially if you're dealing with oily skin or acne.
Peppermint oil
There are several types of mint oils, but for a universal set of essential oils, get the oil from peppermint (Mentha piperita).
Thanks to its menthol content, it has a cooling effect and is stimulating to the psyche.Peppermint oil is very effective at relieving pain and cramps. It helps to relieve headaches, muscle and joint pain, as well as abdominal cramps.
For respiratory problems, it reduces swelling of the nasal mucosa and relieves blocked sinuses. It complements thyme and eucalyptus well in these effects.
Tips and advice for everyday use of oils
- only use 100% essential oils (ideally organic / bio essential oils);
- the bottle must state the Latin name of the plant from which the oil was extracted;
- always follow the recommended dosage and do not use undiluted oils on the skin;
- store oils at a stable temperature (ideally not higher than 21-25°C) and do not expose them to sunlight;
- in sensitive individuals, perform a test before application to determine skin tolerability
