Essential Oils for Health and Well-being

Essential oils are naturally occurring substances that have a wide array of uses – from treating ailments to sprucing up recipes and cleaning countertops. They can treat such health issues as asthma, ear infections, ulcers, and skin rashes. Essential oils are also valued for their capacity to enhance general well-being by reducing anxiety, combating mental fatigue, and increasing clarity.

While essential oils often have a pleasant smell, their chemical makeup is complex and their benefits are vast, making them much more than just an olfactory experience. Essential oils are aromatic, volatile fluids that are obtained from various parts of plants. They circulate throughout plants, making them to plants what blood is to humans. The similarities between essential oils and blood allow us to tap into their many health benefits, and their small molecular size allows them to permeate our own cell walls, reaching all bodily tissue. Essential oils also have an affinity to carry oxygen, which helps bring nutrients to and remove waste from the body. These botanical medicines are powerful antioxidants that help us to detoxify in a deep way, while addressing well-being on many levels.

Essential oils can be applied topically, either by direct application or by dilution in jojoba, olive, or almond oil – for example, applying marjoram to a sprained ankle to soothe the muscles. Lavender, a natural sleep aid, can be added to a diffuser before going to bed to create a calming environment for sleep, as it sooths the nervous system. Chamomile combined with Epsom salt or olive oil offers a relaxing foot bath or full-body bath, and provides rejuvenating effects for the skin. Lemon oil can add zest to a simple salad or glass of water. Not only will it enhance the flavor of a meal, but it will also enhance the body’s immune and respiratory systems.

In general, essential oils are safe. As with any product, however, it is important to check for precautions concerning specific oils, especially if one is pregnant, has a heart condition, or is epileptic, as there are specific essential oils that should not be used. Also, it is very important to purchase a high quality, therapeutic grade essential oil. The use of sub-quality oils may have health hazards, including increasing the toxic load in the body and increasing allergic reactions of the skin and respiratory tract. Additionally, sub-quality oils are devoid of the therapeutic properties of their intended use.

For readers interested in experimenting with essential oils, try sprinkling a few drops of lemon essential oil on your veggies, or dabbing tea tree oil on your wrists and neck to boost the immune system the next time you feel the onset of a cold. More tips and information about the uses and benefits of essential oils are available online and in numerous books.