Essential Oil Uses

Essential oils are widely used for their therapeutic properties, especially in aromatherapy. They are now finding utility in other areas too, apart from aromatherapy. Read on for more information on essential oil uses.

Essential oils have various therapeutic benefits and if included into your lifestyle, can help you lead a healthy and holistic lifestyle. They are obtained from the flowers, needles, roots, gums, stems, bark or resins of various kinds of plants and trees, in a highly concentrated form. Essential oils are rich sources of vitamins, natural hormones, antiseptics and antibiotics. They are also very aromatic and fragrant, which is an added advantage to their therapeutic benefits. There are several types of essential oils and they can be used in the treatment and cure of around 250 different types of ailments. Here’s a list of a few common essential oils and their uses.

Essential Oil Uses

Essential oils, also known as aromatherapy oils, are categorized depending upon their scent characteristics, also known as their ‘notes’. These essential oil notes are of four types - top, middle and base notes. All four categories have different properties, based on which, they are used for different purposes.

Top Note Essential Oils

Top note essential oils include oils like basil essential oil, lemon oil, tea tree oil, lemongrass oil, eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, grapefruit oil, etc. They have anti-viral properties in abundance, are inexpensive and have a light, refreshing and uplifting fragrance. These essential oils evaporate quickly and so do not last for very long, but are still effective at the same time. They also have antivenomous, antispasmodic, antidepressant, carminative, analgesic, sudorific, cephalic, expectorant, stimulant, diaphoretic, insecticide, digestive, emmenagogue, nervine, stomachic and febrifuge properties. Hence, they can be used to relieve fatigue, nervous disorders, skin disorders, insect bites, allergies, digestive disorders, headaches and migraines induced by stress, common cold and flu, menstrual problems, and to restore mental alertness and vitality. They are used in aromatherapy, are blended with bath water, used in the manufacture of tonics, bug repellents and ointments, and also for steam inhalation.

Middle Note Essential Oils

Middle note essential oils include oils like juniper oil, lavender essential oil, rosemary oil, nutmeg oil, yarrow oil, etc. These oils have a calming, relaxing and energizing effect when used. Their fragrance is sweet, soft, warm and soothing, and takes some time to blend in, but once it does, it stays for a long time. These properties of middle note essential oils, make them ideal for use in a massage and in massage therapies, relief from stress, depression and tension, muscle pain relief, treatment and cure of hair loss and dandruff. They can also be used in the manufacture of room fresheners and sprays, perfumes, body tonics, skin moisturizers, shampoos and colognes, due to their fragrant properties.

Base Note Essential Oils

Base note essential oils include oils like clove oil, cedarwood oil, ginger oil, myrrh oil, vanilla oil, sandalwood oil, rosewood oil, rose essential oil, ylang ylang oil, etc. These essential oils have strong, heavy fragrances, that may help reduce the evaporation of other volatile essential oils or the top note essential oils. They have the strongest therapeutic properties of all essential oils, that are a combination of the properties of the top note and middle note essential oils. Base note essential oils are also more expensive compared to the other two essential oil notes. These oils have high levels of digestive, uterine, sedative, astringent, balsamic, fungicidal, pulmonary stimulant and antiseborrhoeic properties. These properties make them useful in the treatment and cure of scars, high blood pressure, intestinal infections, depression, cough, cold, sore throat, dyspepsia, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, flatulence, and anxiety disorders. These essential oils are used in the manufacture of soaps, compressors, vaporizers, mouthwash, creams and lotions.

These essential oils can also be blended with each other to enhance their benefits or for use as a quick remedy. They can be added to bath water to keep you energetic and fresh all day long and to relieve you of tiredness from a long day at work. They will also help you achieve a sound sleep. However, since these oils are highly concentrated, they should be used only externally and in minimal quantities. Overuse can lead to various complications and worsening of medical conditions. So, go ahead and benefit from the various essential oil uses.