From
beauty products to natural cleaners, essential oils are coming into
the spotlight, and we are here for it.
اضافة اعلان
Whether you choose
to anoint your pulse points with a few drops of chamomile or infuse your bath
water with lavender, essential oils are guaranteed to take your
wellness routine to the next level.
Luckily, if you
are nervous about dipping your toes into the deep end, there are a multitude of
choices to consider, meaning there is something for everyone. All you need to
do is identify your personal needs and, chances are, there are at least three
heavenly-scented options to choose from.
Another inviting
aspect of essential oils is the different ways they can be incorporated into
everyday life. If you are uncomfortable with applying them directly onto your
skin, you can mix them into other products, diffuse them into the air, or use
other methods of dilution.
With the many
product choices, the last thing you want is to feel overwhelmed or, even worse,
impulsively buy the bottles that are not right for you. Here are a few
game-changing essential oils to spice up your personal collection depending on
your needs.
De-stress with lemon
Modern day society is no stranger to lemon-scented products: we come
across them every day in the form of drinks, toiletries, and cleaning goods.
Lemon as a scent and taste has been unofficially yet universally linked to
lightness, freshness, and cleanliness, which is why you should consider
optimizing its benefits.
Instead of
grabbing artificially lemon-scented or flavored products, opt for an organic
essential oil which has strong antibacterial, astringent, and antiseptic
properties. When diluted, lemon oil can do wonders for the skin thanks to the
highly concentrated terpene, d-limonene, which helps decrease the appearance of
wrinkles, promote blood circulation, as well as repair and tone the skin.
All you need to do is identify your personal needs and, chances are, there are at least three heavenly-scented options to choose from.
Skin benefits
aside, the smell of lemon in essential oils has also been linked to positive
mood changes. According to one study, lemon oil vapor was reported to have an
anti-stress effect.
Methods of use:
• Sip on a
calorie-free pick-me-up by infusing a glass of cold water with a few drops of
lemon oil.
• Freshen up your
laundry by sneaking in five drops during the rinse cycle. This is highly
recommended for towels.
• Add a few drops
to your overnight moisturizer for radiant-looking skin.
• Place cotton
balls soaked in lemon oil in your fridge, bathroom cabinets, and bins around
the house for an odor-combatting and energizing scent.
The versatile
‘universal’ lavender
Lavender oil paved the way for all the other essential oils we know and
love today. Dubbed the “universal oil”, it is a great starting product for
skeptics and newbies. Not only is characterized by its calming scent that lulls
you to sleep, it also contains generous amounts of linalool, eucalyptol,
linalyl acetate, and camphor — which are complicated, scientific names for
components that give this oil the following properties: anti-anxiety,
anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anesthetic, immune boosting, antiviral,
antibacterial, and antimicrobial.
It also helps heal
burns and insect bites in addition to being a great remedy for thinning hair,
eczema, and pimples.
Methods of use:
• Combine three
drops of lavender oil with three drops of a carrier oil of your choice (we
recommend olive or almond oil) for the perfect massaging blend.
• Fill up your
bathtub and add five drops of lavender oil for a relaxing soak. Those who have
dry skin are advised to add a tablespoon of olive oil for the best results.
• Add five drops
of lavender oil to a diffuser bowl filled with water for a calming spa-like
experience.
Combat the sniffles
with eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is known and loved for its gentle fragrance, medicinal
properties, and purification abilities. It is recommended to use this essential
oil preceding flu season and, now a modern bathroom staple, in the shower.
Studies have shown
that using eucalyptus in the shower can reduce flu symptoms, asthma, and
sinusitis. Founder and formulator of JBK Wellness Labs, Jenelle Kim, told Homes
and
Gardens that “the steam from the shower naturally releases the eucalyptus
plants’ essential oils,” making for “an amazing remedy when you’re feeling
under the weather”. She explained that the oil “works by loosening the mucus in
the sinus passages, allowing for better airflow. This will help suppress a
cough as well.”
Methods of use:
• Tie a handful of
eucalyptus branches to your shower head to reap the benefits with every use.
• To relieve
congestion, add one to two drops to a bowl of hot water, lean over the bowl
with a towel draped over the back of your head, and breathe in the fragrant
steam.
• Blend a few
drops with a carrier oil (olive or almond) for massaging your chest and back to
ease difficult breathing.
Cleanse and heal with
tea tree
Not only is tea tree oil great for fighting acne, it also works miracles
for your hair and scalp. This oil cleans and repairs hair without the harmful
chemicals found in most store-bought shampoos and conditioners. It is also the
perfect remedy for itchy and flaky scalps as it eliminates the
dead skin and
scales that build up with time.
A rule of thumb regarding aromatherapy diffusers is to not keep them on for over one hour; somewhere between 15 and 60 minutes is best.
Tea tree’s other
benefits include its ability to soothe the redness and itchiness of allergic
reactions; help manage natural face oils that cause breakouts; prevent, soothe,
and repel insect bites; and speed up the healing process of minor cuts and
scrapes. It can even be used as a mouthwash due to its antibacterial
properties.
Methods of use:
• Using a cotton
bud dipped in tea tree oil, dab any pimples before going to bed and let it work
its magic overnight.
• Mix one to two
drops into a glass of warm water and gargle for 30 seconds every time you brush
your teeth.
• Apply a few
drops directly onto the skin or limit your use to specific areas with rashes,
insect bites, or cuts.
• Combine a few
drops of tea tree oil and lavender essential oil in a diffuser for calming air
purification.
Before you stock up
your cart
It is always important to speak with your
dermatologist or physician
before making any purchases. Seek out advice in order to make the best choices
for your skin and body. Be cautious and always do an initial patch test when
trying out a new essential oil — or any skincare product.
A rule of thumb
regarding aromatherapy diffusers is to not keep them on for over one hour;
somewhere between 15 and 60 minutes is best. Also, essential oils should never
be burnt directly as their chemical structure can be damaged when exposed to
heat. Therefore, always dilute a few drops in water before lighting any
candles.
Last but certainly
not least, make sure you are buying reliable products as the market is full of
counterfeits. Quality is key, so invest in organic and pure essential oils to
avoid health complications.
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