Used in a variety of ways for thousands of years, essential oils are compounds extracted from plants. The extracted oils absorb the plant’s scent or it’s “essence” through a distillation process or by mechanical methods like cold pressing. Once extracted, they are then mixed with a carrier oil to make a product that can be used.
Every essential oil has a unique aromatic compound containing its own special characteristic essence. With more than 90 different types of essential oils, you may have wondered which are the most popular and widely used oils. If you’re interested in diving deeper into the scentual world of essential oils, below are the most widely used essential oils and what they’re used for.
Tea tree essential oil
Although not aromatically pleasing like some other essential oils, tea tree oil is one of the most popular essential oils that has hundreds of different uses. It is one of the few essential oils that can be used “neat” or undiluted directly on the skin.
Sometimes referred to as “nature’s first aide tree,” tea tree oil is highly-effective at warding off bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It’s often used to treat acne spots, toothaches, insect bites, athlete’s foot, warts, fungal nails, cuts, and burns. You can also check out sootheyourfeet.com for more tips on how to treat your athlete’s foot.
Lavender essential oil
Recognized as one of the best essential oils for sleep, this calming essential oil has a very soft sweet, aromatic, floral aroma with woody-green forest undertones.
Excellent for treating both emotional and physical health, lavender essential oil has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antidepressant, and antibacterial properties which make it one of the most widely used essential oils. It can be used to treat minor burns, cuts, insect bites, congestion, anxiety, and tension headaches. It addition, it’s another one of the few essential oils that can also be used undiluted or “neat” in small areas.
Peppermint essential oil
Peppermint essential oil has a fresh, clean, highly-penetrating, and grassy-mint scent which is great for treating sinus and lung congestion.
It has deodorizing, analgesic, antispasmodic, and antibacterial properties and is often used to treat bad breath, motion sickness, and mental fogginess. Also, its cooling properties can help to relieve migraines, muscle cramps, hot flashes, and swollen feet and legs. Like tea tree oil and lavender oil, it can be used safely in very small amounts directly on the skin, and is often used in creams and ointments.
Lemon essential oil
If you’re hoping to get a good report from your optometrist at your next annual eye exam, turn to lemon essential oil, which is sometimes used for eye problems. For example, it can be added to a humidifier to help treat pink eye.
In addition, it’s commonly used in formulas made to treat edema, bruises, and cellulite. Also, it has deodorizing, antibacterial, and antiviral properties that can help fight off a cold or the flu, and treat minor cuts, insect bites, warts, and ulcers.
Rose essential oil
Rose essential oil is derived from the Rosa damascena plant and is used for both aromatherapy and in skin care products.
It can be used to treat anxiety, depression, headaches, and menstrual cramps. Also, it can help reduce the signs of aging, minimize the appearance of scars, and help with skin conditions such as rosacea and eczema. It is another one of the few essential oils that can be used “neat” or undiluted in small amounts. Check out Bulgarian rose oil made by Visagenics if you’re in the market for a certified organic, non-GMO rose essential oil.
Essential oils are a great way to enhance health and wellness, and improve your personal environment naturally. Their aromatic and soothing properties have never-ending possibilities that can help facilitate an environment full of healing, pleasant scents, wonder, and delight.
