7 Amazing Uses Of Essential Oils
Essential oils are powerful, ancient ingredients that have a long history of use. While most people will have heard of essential oils, often they’re not sure what they are. Essential oils are natural oils typically obtained by distillation and having the characteristic odour of the plant from which it is extracted. This means they contain concentrated properties from the plant from which they come. Essential oils can be used effectively in so many different ways; if you’re curious as to how they can be used, 7 amazing uses of essential oils!
Aromatherapy
One of the most well-known uses of essential oils is their association with aromatherapy, and rightly so! Essential oils have been used for thousands of years in aromatherapy. They are thought to have been first used in ancient Chinese and ancient Greek aromatherapy practices, and from there, the secret of essentials oils was passed down through time, and they are still used in aromatherapy today!
Spider Repellent
This is a less well-known use of essential oil, but an extremely effective one! If you have an aversion or a fear of spiders (technically known as arachnophobia), then this tip is for you! Spiders seem to pop out of nowhere, especially when you least expect it. This can cause distress for those who fear them. But here is the inside scoop; spiders tend to have an aversion to essential oils! Using essential oils as a spider repellent is so effective that a friend of mine stocks up on 10-12 bottles of various essential oils every time she visits the health food store! The method to this trick is simple: simply mix your chosen essential oil (peppermint oil is best) with a small amount of water, and spray this around the rooms/areas that you wish to say no to spider presence and/or settlement!
Hair Growth
While using base oil such as coconut oil for hair health and growth are picking up popularity, essential oils aren’t as much. Essential oils are extremely concentrated, powerful substances that can supplement your hot oil treatment and take your hair growth game to the next level! To create the perfect hot oil treatment with essential oils, simply add a few drops of your chosen essential oil to your hot base oil and apply to your scalp. Do not use more than a drop of essential oil to 1 tblspn of base oil, as essential oil can be irritating to the skin if too much is used.
Bath Oil
If you’ve had a long, tiring day and can’t wait to run a hot bath and enjoy laying in the hot water with a book in hand, you might want to consider adding essential oil to your bath! Many essentials oils such as chamomile essential oil, have extremely calming and soothing properties. Adding a few drops of your favourite essential oil perfumes the water, and the soothing properties supplement the calming effect of your bath.
Natural Perfume
Essential oils let off a variety of beautiful fragrances, which differ depending on the oil. If you’re not keen on using mainstream artificial fragrances, essential oils are the way to go! With beautiful oils such as Lavender, Frankincense and Jasmine to name a few, you’re spoilt for choice! Simply mix the oil with water and spray onto your body or your clothing, to smell like a dream! The best part of this is it is much healthier and safer to use than traditional, artificial fragrances (unless of course, you’re allergic to essential oil!).
Spot Treatment
If you’re a natural skincare enthusiast and you feel uneasy about applying artificial spot treatments such as salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide to your skin, essential oils are the perfect alternative for you! Some essential oils such as tea tree oil and neem oil are antibacterial and antifungal. This makes them great for applying to problematic areas of the skin, to clear up the skin naturally, without causing damage. Remember that essential oils can be irritating, so always dilute with a base oil such as jojoba oil or water, and only apply locally to spots and blemishes.
