A - Z of Essential Oils
With so many essential oils it can seem overwhelming and confusing to know what each oil does and how to use them. You can find out more about each oil here, what they can be used for and how to use them
The Benefits Of Essential Oil
If you’re just getting started with essential oils it can be confusing to know where to start simply due to the sheer number of essential oils to choose from. For those who are regular users of essential oils, you may have go to oils but be on the lookout for new oils to try. One of the benefits of essential oils is that they are so versatile, they tend to have more than one use and can be used in lots of different ways. Some you may be drawn to simply because you like the smell, others because of their healing properties. Clove oil is an example of this, some people love the smell because it takes them back to happy childhood Christmases. Whereas I’m not a great fan of the scent yet Clove is one of my staple essential oil due to its analgesic properties, it is excellent to have on hand for relieving the throbbing pain of a toothache.
Another benefit of essential oils is they are so easy to use and take no special equipment to or skill to use them. You can add them to shampoo for scalp issues or to body lotions and creams. They can be added to carrier oils and massaged into the skin, soothing sore aching muscles and relieving skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. Adding a few drops to a warm bath, not only allows the oils to absorb into your skin but the oils are dispersed into the air increasing its aromatherapy effects. Adding to a diffuser can diffuse the oil into the air, helping to clean and purify the air, as well as acting as a natural air freshner. Some oils used this way can also act as an effective natural insecticide.
You can also use oils such a Eucalyptus essential oil as a steam inhalation which can ease congestion more effectively than any over the counter medicine I’ve ever tried. You simply a couple of drops of the oil to a bowl of hot water and cover your head/shoulder with a towel or blanket over the bowl. This allows the you to inhale the steam with small droplets of the oil which can help ease congestion from the head, chest and nose. As you can see essential oils have so many uses and can be used in so many ways that make them an essential and extremely accessible choice for natural healthcare. Essential oils have become very popular in recent times, partly because they are so easy to use and partly because they are affordable.
A word of caution whilst the rise in popularity of these amazing oils is amazing. It does unfortunately open the door to lots of fake or at best low quality essential oils that have little to no medicinal benefit. When choosing essential oils, you want to make sure you buy from a reputable retailers. Good quality oils are worth the money but needn’t cost the earth either. There are of course some oils that are expensive, but these oils are from plants that are either rare or have a low concentration of essential oils so take large quantities of the plant to extract a small amount of essential oil. In our guides you may come across an oil that is expensive but there will always be a less expensive oil that has the same healing properties that can be used instead.
As a certified Aromatherapist I always advise my clients to seek I seek medical advice for any illnesses they have, particularly if these go on for a period of time and don’t improve after a few days of using alternative medicine. I also feel a responsibility to be honest about the healing potential complementary therapies such as aromatherapy. Whilst I love and am passionate about natural remedies, it would be foolish and irresponsible to make false claims about their healing powers. I would not advise any client to abandon conventional treatments, nor disregard the advice of your medical team in favour of alternative healthcare such as aromatherapy. Essential oils can be used alongside these more conventional treatments and can be extremely beneficial.
Hopefully the information you find on these pages can help you to explore these wonderful oils, help you learn more about each oil, what it’s benefits are and how they can be used and you get to love them as much as I do.