What’s All The Fuss About Essential Oils? Here Are Some Ways to Start Using Them Today!

Essential oils have been used for thousands of years, dating back to as far as the Egyptians in 3500BC. Civilizations have used these oils for various reasons, including flavoring, perfume, masking bad odors, medicine, and religious rituals.

Today, essential oils are starting to see another rise in popularity as the Western world becomes aware of its many benefits. Still, there is a wide range of people that are asking themselves, “What are essential oils?”

So, what are essential oils?

Essential oils are aromatic extracts that come from various plants and herbs -- it’s what gives these plants their amazing odor. They are generally extracted through the process of distillation or the process of cold pressing the plant. 

Extracting the chemical compounds are successfully extracted from the plant, it has to be mixed with a carrier oil so the consumer is able to utilize it properly. As a result, you are able to preserve the smell of the plant.

How do you use essential oils?

Essential oils can either be inhaled or applied to the skin. Applying it to the skin will result in some of the chemicals being absorbed in the body, which is a good thing. As far as inhaling it, the oils can help stimulate the limbic system in the brain.

The limbic system in the brain is responsible for emotion, behavior, and memory. Therefore, essential oils can help regulate your body and brain function. It may also help with a healthy heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing.

Essential Oils for Sleep

One of the many benefits you can receive with essential oils is improved and uninterrupted sleeping. This can do a lot for your body, especially since sleep is essential to the body’s ability to repair and rejuvenate.

Here are some of the most signification essential oils to improve your quality of sleep: 

• Lavender - relaxes muscles, slows heart rate, increases slow-wave sleep
• Chamomile - reduces anxiety and relieves stress before bed
• Sweet Marjoram - helps relieve insomnia and relaxes the mind
• Bergamot - lowers heart rate and blood pressure
• Clary Sage - reduces cortisol levels in the body, the stress hormone

You can enjoy these essential oils for sleep in a variety of ways. You can burn a candle in your room before bed, have a diffuser blowing throughout the night, apply it to your skin before bed, spray it on your pillow, or all of the above!

Essential Oils for Allergies

Another one of the major benefits you receive with essential oils is allergy relief. These can help you manage the symptoms and eventually move past the allergy as a whole. There might not be a cure yet, but essential oils for allergies is one of the most popular ways to manage it.

Here are some of the most effective essential oils for allergies: 

• Frankincense - reduces inflammation in the body and sinus airways
• Peppermint - reduces the contractions of coughing and sneezing, as well as anxiety
• Eucalyptus - reduces hoarseness, cough, and sore throat
• Lemon - helps to inhibit bacteria in the body
• Tea Tree - known to be a powerful antifungal, antibacterial, and antivirus solution

You can enjoy these essential oils the same way you would the sleep ones. Diffusers work the best for captivating the smell throughout any room or house, but candles remain a popular option as well. It all depends on what you prefer!

Now that you know a little more about what are essential oils and which ones are best for sleep or allergies, you can start to test these beautiful smells out for yourself! Try some today and let us know how they helped your sleep or allergies in the comments section!