Essential Oils
Essential Oils are another holistic integrative modality that through the process of distillation extracts the healing essence of a plant by converting it into a concentrated liquefied form of essential oils. Various healing qualities of the oils include calming, antifungal, antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties which help prevent free radicals from damaging cells.
The Essential Oils act as a sleep aid, help reduce stress and anxiety, fungal infections, pain relating to menstrual cramps headaches, and migraines. It is used to calm muscle pain, encourage sleep, prevent disease prevention, relieve nausea, and more.
Ayurvedic medicine has employed essential oils for healing ailments, calming, and balancing the body and mind for centuries. Oils can be inhaled using methods including a steam vaporizer or a diffuser, aroma stick, or dry evaporation. They can be added to a carrier oil for application on the skin or used in household products to clean and sanitize. Some essential oils can be consumed orally. Other suggestions for using essential oils include sniffing directly from the bottle; adding drops to a spray bottle filled with water and spritzing fabrics, pillows, and sheets; adding drops to bathtub water; rubbing it on pulse points; and wearing jewelry that holds the essential oils.
Essential Oils can be found in food flavoring, cologne soaps, lotions, hair products, laundry detergents, insect repellents, and more.
Here is a list of some of the more popular essential oils and their healing properties:
- Chamomile increases feelings of well-being and decreases nervous tension; reduces stress
- Clary sage sharpens mental skills; improves memory; promotes relaxation
- Myrrh has anti-parasitic and anti-fungal properties helpful with skin conditions; helps treat wounds, gum disease, and skin cancer
- Tea Tree has antiviral, antifungal, antibiotic, and expectorant properties; used as an aromatic antiseptic; possesses cancer-fighting properties
- Eucalyptus is used as a respiratory remedy that clears sinuses; a topical muscle relaxant; has antifungal, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties
- Sandalwood has a calming effect; increases a sense of peace, harmony, and clarity; has antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties
- Cinnamon soothes muscle pains; has antispasmodic properties; helps with blood flow and nitric oxide function
- Frankincense is helpful regarding dealing with arthritis, asthma, and psoriasis; slows and deepens breathing; used in meditation.
- Ginger alleviates heartburn, nausea, and gastrointestinal distress
- Lavender has antispasmodic, anti-anxiety, antimicrobial, and antibacterial properties; promotes better sleep; eases muscle tension; used for bruises, cuts, scrapes, and sunburns
- Lemon has anti-anxiety/anti-stress properties; promotes circulation; helps with skin wrinkles and toning; Increases happiness; improves concentration
- Peppermint has powerful antiseptic properties; it is a digestive aid and is also helpful for headaches and fevers; boosts alertness
- Rosemary supports nerve growth; improves circulation; increases focus; anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties; good for hair growth and health
- Rose Oil helps reduce inflammation; strengthens teeth and gums; good for skin and hair; boosts confidence and self-esteem
- Orange helps with anxiety and exhaustion; soothes the symptoms associated with PTSD
- Ylang-ylang promotes confidence, self-esteem, and inner harmony; decreases stress