Natural essential oils are the oils which are extracted from the plants,
seeds, and fruits. They contain the essence of the plant from which they are
obtained. These oils are natural products and have a minimum number of unwanted
side effects. They are mostly extracted using steam distillation or the
mechanical expression of plant materials. The essential oils used in
aromatherapy treatments of common diseases fall in the category of natural oils.
These healing natural oils are used for massage purposes and are
often the key ingredients of many medicines.
When used in aromatherapy massage, all natural oils are used in
combination with vegetable-based carrier oils such as olive, almond, hazelnut
and grape seed. This is because essential oils are highly concentrated oils and
massaging them directly on the skin may cause allergic side effects.
Uses of natural oils. All natural skin oils are considered to be
nature’s gift. They are very useful as each of them has a unique role in the
treatment of different diseases. There are numerous healing natural oils which
have therapeutic powers. They are used during the healing processes, i.e. a
massage with these natural oils helps in healing broken muscle tissues.
Some other uses of natural oils are:
·
They are used in the treatment of digestive problems.
·
They are used in the treatment of warts, genital warts and
herpes.
·
They are used to treat Candida (yeast infection, thrush) and
Psoriasis.
·
They are utilized in medicines used for treating constipation.
·
They are used for treating rashes.
·
Natural oils are also used for the treatment of cancer.
·
They are used for the treatment of eczema.
·
They are used to treat many skin diseases including acne, skin
allergy, wrinkles, sun burn, stretch marks, and scars.
·
When natural oils are massaged onto the body and absorbed by the
skin, they help to balance natural skin oils and reduce dry skin problems.
·
Aromatic essential oils are used in perfumes.
·
Some of the natural oils are edible and are used as food
additives.
·
Due their antiseptic properties, some natural oils are used as
home remedies.
· Tea tree oil and
lavender essential oils are used for the treatment of estrogenic and
antiandrogenic problems.
·
Natural oils are also used for the treatment of gynecomastia, a
condition in which the breast tissues grow abnormally large, especially in
prepubescent boys.
·
These natural oils are used in the production of body lotions
and skin care products.
Essential oils have
their place secured in a natural beauty routine: They're natural, chemical-free
alternatives to everything from traditional cosmetics to potentially toxic
fragrances.
But many can
do a lot more than just smell good: While we can't say with authority the 10
oils highlighted here are miracle cures, throughout history they've been
credited with treating problems including digestion issues and acne; increasing
concentration; killing germs and much more.
Peppermint
The bright scent of peppermint does
more than freshen your breath: It is also used to soothe nausea and
other stomach issues, help stop itching, and cool overworked muscles (thanks to
the menthol).
Add drops of peppermint oil to a bowl of hot water and breathe in
the steam to fight congestion, or rub diluted oil into sore muscles. And that's
not all: Peppermint is
a key ingredient in oil mixtures that fight PMS, act as an all-natural
alternative to VapoRub, cool sore throats, and quiet headaches -- and it's
often credited with increasing concentration, so ideal for a mid-afternoon
alternative to coffee pick-me-up.
Lavender
Lavender is
a go-to oil for almost any situation: Not only is it one of the few oils that
is gentle enough to use undiluted, it's a "virtual first aid kit in a
bottle."
The antibacterial properties allow it to fight germs (which is why
it's also such an important ingredient in many all-natural cleaning products for home and body), and, like
peppermint, it's often credited with aiding digestion and helping fight
headaches.
Lavender oil's soft scent is said to help calm the nervous system,
improve sleep quality, combat joint pain, and fight everything from urinary
disorders and respiratory problems to high blood pressure and acne.
Sesame
Sesame oil may
be best known for its moisturizing qualities, which make it a favorite
ingredient for hair and skin treatments.
But the health benefits go beyond beauty: Sesame oil has a slight
SPF factor, contains fatty acids believed to lower stress and blood pressure,
and has been shown to help slow the growth of cancer in cells.
Rose
This rose by any name will smell as sweet: Look for it labeled as
Rose Otto, rose oil, or rose essential oil, and choose oils produced in
Bulgaria and Turkey for the highest quality. These slightly-distilled oils
won't have the strong scents of oils used for perfumes, but they are more popular
with aromatherapists.
Nature's Gift calls
rose oil "the ultimate woman's oil," because it has a reputation for
improving hormone balance, treating PMS and menopause, counteracting problems
in the bedroom, and improving the look and health of your skin.
Pine
The sharp tang of pine oil may
call up Christmas trees and rugged aftershaves, but this tree's needles also
offer antiseptic, antibacterial, and analgesic properties that make it a
favorite of holistic health experts.
Pine oil is
said to help treat skin issues -- including psoriasis, eczema, and pimples;
speed up metabolism; act as an antidote to food poisoning; ease joint pain and
arthritis; kill germs; and battle respiratory problems that go along with cough
and cold season.
Clove
Spicy clove oil is
one of the main ingredients in Tiger Balm, an all-natural remedy said to temper
hangover headaches -- but holistic health practitioners find other uses for it,
too.
It's a
popular choice for dental issues, including tooth and gum pain, and some sites
recommend using it for bad breath (although whether you'd rather have your
breath smell like cloves is up to you).
Clove oil is
also antiseptic, so diluted versions can treat bug bites, cuts, and scrapes;
other suggested treatments help clear up earaches, digestion problems, nasal
congestion, stomachaches, and headaches. As an added bonus, it's an aphrodisiac
-- and therefore a popular form of stress relief.
Geranium
Planet Green suggests including geranium oil as
an ingredient in a PMS-fighting solution, but it's also well-known for its
astringent properties -- which allow it to refresh skin -- and its styptic
aspects, which calm inflammations and stop hemorrhaging.
You can also use geranium oil to
treat acne, and oily skin, boost circulation, and decrease bloating. The oil
can reduce the appearance of scars and blemishes, get rid of body odor, and contract blood vessels to diminish the appearance of lines
and wrinkles.
Black
Pepper
It might not be as sweet-smelling as the more floral entries on
this list, but black pepper oil still
has its place in your natural health arsenal.
Pepper had
its day as one of the world's most valuable spices, in part because of its
healing properties, which include aiding digestion, undoing cramps and
convulsions, warming muscles to ease joint pain and arthritis, and curing
bacterial infections.
Lemon
Balm
Lemon balm essential oil, also known as Melissa
essential oil after the plant's Latin name, Melissa officinalis, doesn't look like much,
but it has plenty of benefits.
It's an
antidepressant, it keeps your nervous system working smoothly, it calms anxiety
and inflammation, it counteracts insomnia, it heals ulcers, it fights bacterial
infections, and has been credited with treating herpes, headaches, and high blood
pressure.
Treat Unlikely Ailments With Homemade Essential Oils
I have
often thought that essential oils are the cure all for a host of what ails us.
My favorite scent, lavender has
done wonders to calm me down on many an occasion. I especially love it when I
just can?t seem to calm down before bed. A whiff of it seems to allow my body
to relax in no time at all. And peppermint oil is great when I want to wake up
quickly without sucking down a cup of Joe. But really, there is an oil for tons
of our physical and mental issues.
When you're making your own oil
first choose a carrier oil. That is the oil that will carry the scent that you
are about to infuse. This will depend on what you?re planning on using the oil
for. If want to use it on the skin, jojoba and avocado oil is a great choice
because it nourishes the skin. Vegetable oil is a great choice if you want it
for aromatherapy as it easily allows the herbal scent to take over.
Just because something's all-natural, however, doesn't mean you should abandon
all caution, as Consumer Reports reminds us. These highly concentrated plant
extracts can cause adverse reactions in some instances, for example, and for
that reason, they should never be ingested. Pregnant or nursing women, or
people who suffer from asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, epilepsy, or migraine
headaches, should also be mindful of using essential oils.
Here's how to
make your own essential oil:
1.Mix
2.Add the mixture to your slow
cooker and allow it to cook on very low heat all day (about 8 hours).
3.Remove the mixture from the
crockpot and strain.
4.Place in a jar, storing in a
cool, dark place. The oil should last about 6 months.
Essential Oil
Ailment Guide (Source Remedies for Life)
For PMS
Combine geranium, peppermint,
rose, and ylang-ylang oil. Breathe it in daily.
For happiness
Combine
chamomile, clary sage, valerian, and ylang ylang adding a few drops to a bath.
For headaches
Combine
basil, chamomile, lavender, and peppermint and breathe it in daily.
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