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Feeling exhausted, irritable, chaotic or worried? Breathing in the soothing smell of essential oils can truly make all the difference. There are over 90 essential oils that are commonly distilled and used for health benefits, with lots of combinations to blend them for your benefit. Here at Ivy Diffusers, we have created a 6 pack with the most beneficial essential oils for our homes and own well-being. Before you take a look at the oils we sell, we wanted to explain what essential oils are, how they work and how they can be used.
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are fragrant oils derived from the bark, roots, stems, flowers or seeds of a plant. The oils from these plants are mostly often obtained through the process of distillation. In summary, Essentials oils are a liquid extracted from plants that capture their scent, or “essence”. Essential oils are obtained through distillation (via steam and/or water) or mechanical methods, such as cold pressing. They are 100% concentrated compounds that come directly from the plants and can bear the healing or therapeutic benefits of that plant.
How do essential oils work?
The essential oils are comprised of very small molecules that you can absorb through the skin or inhaling. Once in your system, they interact with your body in various ways to bring benefits. This makes them commonly used for aromatherapy, this type of therapy can be done with products such as diffusers, bathing salts, body oils/creams, facial steamers/mask, etc. Essential oils can be inhaled or diluted and applied to the skin.
How to use the essential oils?
Essential oils can be used for a number of purposes. See below for them:
1. Diffusion Place around 5 drops (less/more dependent on your preference) into the water tank of the diffuser and simply turn on. 2. Bath Again, add around 5 drops to your bath. This is advised when your body is feeling sore. Add lavender, peppermint, sweet orange with a tablespoon of jojoba oil carrier oil, alongside some Epsom salt. 3. Insect bite soother The combination of lavender (7 drops), peppermint (2 drops), tea tree (3 drops) with some aloe vera gel (2 tablespoons) gently dabbed on the bite will soothe the bite and help recovery.
4. Traditional homeopathy Natural benefits are kept after the 100% essential oils are extracted from the plants. Oils such as tea tree and eucalyptus can be used as an alternative for relieving any soreness and tension in the body. Please note, essential oils are for external use only. They are not recommended for ingestion. Avoid contact with eyes. Keep out of reach from children, and away from pets. For topical use, first dilute the essential oil with a carrier oi. Store in a cool, dry place. If you are pregnant, consult with your health care provider before use.
Popular Types of Essential Oil
As mentioned, there are more than 90 types of essential oils, each with its own unique smell and potential health benefits. Here’s a list of 10 popular essential oils and the health claims associated with them:
Peppermint: used to boost energy, concentration, memory and aid digestion
Lavender: used to relieve stress and help sleep
Sandalwood: used to calm nerves and help with focus
Lemongrass: used to boost calmness, clarity and has anti-bacterial/anti-fungal properties
Bergamot: used to reduce stress and improve skin conditions like eczema
Sweet Orange: used to create a feeling of happiness and warmth.
Chamomile: used to improve mood and relaxation
Tea Tree: used to fight infections and boost immunity
Ylang-Ylang: used to treat headaches, nausea, and skin conditions
Eucalyptus: used for relieving a cough/clearing the mucus in your chest. Also, helps clean the air you breather and prevent mosquitoes in the summer months.