In the practice of aromatherapy, these oils—once diluted—are applied to the skin, smelled, dabbed on a pillow or in a bath, or heated so that their aroma is dispersed into the air. Some soaps and lotions can also be made with essential oils and used as aromatherapy products. The use of essential oils is cross-cultural and dates back thousands of years.
Many know the story of frankincense being offered as one of the gifts of the Magi. The National Institute of Health provides a thorough summary via the US National Library of Medicine of research conducted into the efficacy of essential oils.
Currently, there is no evidence-backed research showing any illnesses that can be cured through the use of essential oils or the practice of aromatherapy. The results on the other possible benefits of essential oils as, for example, mood elevators or stress relievers, are more mixed. But most are still inconclusive. One of the scientific studies that have revealed positive results from essential oils involves patients with dementia.
There are other proven success stories for essential oils, such as the treatment of acne with tea tree oil and the treatment of alopecia areata or hair loss with oils like thyme, rosemary, lavender and cedarwood.
Some people take essential oils orally in teas, supplements or even via a drop or two on their tongue. They can even burn the mucosal lining in your mouth. But Dr. Lin cautions against directly applying essential oils to your skin without diluting them. Lavender is Dr. Lavender can help with stress , pain and sleep. Lin says. Lin says most people use tea tree oil as an antiseptic, antimicrobial or antifungal.
You can also use it to help:. Although you can experience a reaction to any essential oil, some are more likely to be problematic, including: Oregano oil Cinnamon bark oil Jasmine oil Lemongrass oil Ylang-ylang oil Chamomile oil Bergamot oil Because pure essential oils are potent, diluting them in a carrier oil is the best way to avoid a bad reaction when applying directly to the skin.
Which Essential Oils Are Best? Some of the most popular essential oils include: Lavender oil: Many people find the lavender scent relaxing. It's often used to help relieve stress and anxiety and promote good sleep. Tea tree oil: Also called melaleuca, this essential oil was used by Australia's aboriginal people for wound healing.
Today, it's commonly used for acne , athlete's foot and insect bites. Peppermint oil: There's some evidence peppermint essential oil helps relieve irritable bowel syndrome IBS symptoms when taken in an enteric-coated capsule from a trusted health supplement provider. It may also relieve tension headaches when applied topically. Lemon oil: Many people find the citrusy scent of lemon oil a mood booster.
It's also often used in homemade cleaning products. How to find quality essential oils The most important thing to consider when shopping for essential oils is product quality. Here are some tips to help you shop for pure essential oils: Look at the label: It should include the Latin name of the plant, information on purity or other ingredients added to it, and the country in which the plant was grown.
Evaluate the company: Purchase products from a well-known and reputable aromatherapy company that's been around for several years. Choose dark-colored, glass containers: Pure essential oils are highly concentrated. They can dissolve plastic bottles over time, tainting the oil. Most companies package essential oils in small brown or blue glass bottles to protect the quality. Avoid "fragrance oils": Fragrance or perfume oils are made from essential oils combined with chemicals or entirely from chemicals.
Compare prices: Essential oils range in price, depending on how involved harvesting and production are. Within a line, there should be a wide variety of prices — rose absolute or sandalwood oils will be more expensive, while sweet orange oil will be on the less expensive end.
Test-tube studies have investigated essential oils, such as peppermint and tea tree oil , extensively for their antimicrobial effects, observing some positive results 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , However, while these test-tube study results are interesting, they do not necessarily reflect the effects that these oils have within your body.
Essential oils may have some interesting health applications. However, more research is needed in humans. Studies have shown that some oils, such as citronella , may repel certain types of mosquitoes for around 2 hours. Furthermore, the properties of essential oils indicate that some of them could be used industrially for extending the shelf life of foods 39 , 40 , 41 , They can be used in and around the home, as a natural mosquito repellent, or industrially to make cosmetics.
High-quality oils only use pure plant compounds extracted by distillation or cold pressing. Avoid oils that have been diluted with synthetic fragrances, chemicals, or oils. Plants and herbal products contain many bioactive compounds that may harm your health, and essential oils are no different. However, when inhaled or combined with a base oil for use on your skin, most essential oils are considered safe. Be sure to consider others in your environment who might be inhaling the aroma, including pregnant women, children, and pets.
Nevertheless, they may cause some side effects, including 44 :. While the most common side effect is a rash, essential oils can cause more serious reactions, and they have been associated with one case of death The oils that have most commonly been associated with adverse reactions are lavender, peppermint , tea tree, and ylang-ylang.
Swallowing essential oils is not recommended, as doing so could be harmful and, in some doses, fatal 46 , Very few studies have examined the safety of these oils for pregnant or breastfeeding women, who are usually advised to avoid them 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , Essential oils are generally considered safe.
However, they may cause serious side effects for some people, especially if applied directly to the skin or ingested. They should not be eaten. However, evidence supporting many of their associated health claims is lacking, and their effectiveness is often exaggerated. However, if you have a serious health condition or are taking medication, you should discuss their use with your healthcare practitioner.
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