Essential oils are all the buzz today, but how much do you really know about them?
Are they all the same? Are they even legitimate?
The Basics
Essential oils are extracted from flowers, bark, stems, leaves, roots and other parts of plants. The oils can be used for physical or psychological therapy and have been used for hundreds of years. There are two primary ways essential oils are used: oil diffusing and topical use.
At first search, oils seem to be expensive, but the real key to purchasing is to be sure the oils you use are pure. Pure oils are key because the real benefit of using essential oils is the all natural aspect. To ensure this, read the ingredients carefully.
When using topically, you will want to dilute the oils due to the potency. This can be done simply by combining the oil with everyday oils most people already have in their kitchen. Some examples are castor oil or coconut oil. You can add a few drops into your lotion or deoderant as well.
The Diffuser
How it works: Fill the diffuser with clean, room- temperature tap water to the line instructed on the diffuser.
Pour three to ten drops of the oil of your choosing into the water.
Plug in and turn on the diffuser.
Relax and enjoy the scent.
For years, candles have been a common household product to keep your home smelling fresh. If you are anything like me, I always forget to blow out candles but still like to have a pleasant, relaxing smell to help me sleep. Oil diffusers are possibly the most common way to use essential oils. While living on campus, candles are actually banned from all housing; this makes essential oil diffusers an easy solution. There are a variety of diffusers on the market and for a poor college kid such as myself, I recommend a middle-of-the-road diffuser. I simply got one from Amazon but did a little research and read many reviews prior to purchase to ensure its quality.
Your Choices
When choosing the best oil for you, focus on what you need. Here are some oils paired with their uses:
Lavender: Relaxation
Peppermint: Energy/focus
Lemon: Uplifting/energizing
Thieves: Cleanse air
Tea Tree: Good for skin/immune system
Rosemary: Migraine relief
Eucalyptus: Helps congestion
These are just some uses of the most common oils. In addition, there are recipes all over the internet.
Now I don’t swear off medicine or only rely on essential oils for my overall health. I am on the side of the fewer chemicals the better. Essential oils can get a bad reputation for being a sham, but multiple studies have displayed the benefits of these all-natural oils.
Story Written by Brittany Lyden
Artwork by Brittany Lyden