You often hear others say, “This is good for you.” Well, in that case you should know essential oils especially benefits your body. Essential oils, or aromatic oils as they are also called, have been in use in many cultures around the world for centuries. Their uses vary between cultures from religious incense, perfume, to healing the sick. It is difficult to pinpoint when they were valued by its properties, but they were quick to spread around the globe, being researched and recorded in multiple ancient scripts. Their texture actually do not feel oily at all as they lack fatty acids and rather are highly concentrated plant components. It takes huge amount of a plant, four thousand pounds of Bulgarian roses, to get out even a small amount, one pound of rose oil. This much work extracting essential oils is worth the benefits they contain.

We all know about the everyday power of scent, how a particular perfume reminds you of your mother or the scent of your baby blanket. But did you know some scents can actually improve your health and spirit? Essential oils such as sandalwood and lavender can help you relax, sleep, improve your skin and hair condition, and even help with digestion. They go beyond a pleasant smell. “Essential oils can have a healing effect mentally, physically, and emotionally,” said Brianna Scarpelli, an expert from Young Living on essential oil, “You can apply them directly onto your skin, inhaling, or use through a diffuser.” Once applied, they go into your skin and get absorbed by your bloodstreams within fifteen minutes. There are more than ninety types of essential oil known and they can be used for everything from minor ailments such as a paper cut or burn, to large ailments like cancer. Compared to most commercial care products with chemical detergents, essential oil is a much healthier alternative, and worth your money too. Easily blended in function and odor and used internally and externally, herbalists can prepare a vast repertoire of aromatic essential oil combinations.

Essential oils must be used with caution. First of all, never apply the oil directly to your skin as the high concentration may cause irritation or a reaction. Instead, dilute it with water or a carrier oil like coconut or almond or grapeseed oil. When mixing for combined function, carrier oils should make up the majority of the recipe as they have intensive hydrating properties. Then to top that off, add treatment oil targeting a specific ailment. A final note would be a few drops of essential oil potent in fragrance beauty benefits.

Carrier oils are also called base oils. For those with acne-prone skin, grapeseed oil is the best choice for its astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. Coconut oil is packed with protein, vitamin E, and fatty acids and contains anti-bacterial properties. Almond oil is a natural way to clear dead skin cells and scars, it is a remedy for dark spots and creates a more even skin tone. Some treatment oil includes tea tree and castor oil.  This dark brown castor oil can be used to moisturize hair in course hair types. Tea tree oil has gained popularity in recent years for its infection fighting power from acne to dandruff to insect bites as it naturally kills bacteria. Lavender and jasmine oil are those for beauty benefits. Rubbing lavender into your scalp helps with hair loss and headaches. Jasmine oil improves skin elasticity and brightens skin; it is used to fade stretch marks and acne scars. More information on other types of essential oils can be found on Young Living, a website dedicated to essential oils. I personally used to have thick but rough hair, but after applying tea tree oil to it, I saw results immediately when my hair became silky and soft. Some well-known major essential oil brands are Cameron, Young Living, and Eden’s Garden.