The Benefits and Risks of Essential Oils
Patricia Aira Sales in Health
Jun 14, 2020 • 3 min Read
You may have seen advertisements of essential oils everywhere, or maybe you have seen the product in department stores alongside humidifiers as they became quite popular. But, what are essential oils, exactly?
According to health website Healthline, essential oils are often used in aromatherapy. They are a form of alternative medicine from plant extracts to support a person’s health and well-being. A plant’s aromatic chemicals are extracted through distillation like steaming or through mechanical methods such as cold pressing, then extract is combined with a carrier oil to create ready-to-use products.
A person can use essential oil through various ways such as inhaling them using machines like humidifiers. Scientists think inhaling essential oils work by sending signals to your limbic system – the part of the brain that plays a role in your emotions and long term memory. Some people also use essential oils topically or by applying it on their skin, while there are others who combine these oils with their drinks like coffee. Before applying the oil on your skin, it should first be diluted in a carrier oil like a sweet almond oil or olive oil. Be cautious when combining it with your drink because these oils are highly concentrated and might affect sensitive cells inside your body. Direct application of essential oils to the body should be done under the guidance of a health professional because it can interact with the body in different ways.
If you plan on using essential oils, familiarize yourself with its benefits and risks as well. Essential oils reduce nausea, pain and body aches, anxiety, headaches, migraines, insomnia, inflammation, fatigue, and even menstrual problems. According to Medical News Today, different oils provide various purposes and effects to the body as well.
The Johns Hopkins Medicine report that lavender oil is often used to help relieve stress and anxiety. The tea tree oil, is commonly used for acne, athlete’s foot and insect bites. Peppermint oil can help ease digestive problems and can even relieve tension headaches. If you are looking for a mood booster, lemon oil is for you. Basil essential oil is used to improve concentration and alleviate symptoms of depression. Eczema can be treated by chamomile essential oil while citronella oil acts as an insect repellant. The rose oil is said to improve your mood and also reduce anxiety.
However, there are risks. Ingesting essential oils, even though in small dosages, should be done with caution because some oils are inherently poisonous. Oils, like peppermint, affect people in different ways. While it can help with adults’ headaches, it can also agitate children below 30 months old. Irritation or allergic reaction can also be felt by a small number of people, especially those with atopic dermatitis.
While some people might attest to the good experienced from essential oils, still be cautious if you plan to use it. It is still best to seek professional help before using essential oils.
Before you purchase, ensure that what you are buying is of quality. Johns Hopkins Medicine recommend that when shopping for essential oils, you should look at the label. Its label should include the plant’s Latin name, information on the oil’s purity and where the plant was grown. Another tip is to research about the company where the essential oil was manufactured. You should also avoid fragrance oils because these might be combined with chemicals and might be even made entirely from chemicals.
Some people will say essential oils will do you good, while others might discourage you. Research is lacking when it comes to essential oils but if you are keen on using it, seek professional advice and make sure that you use these oils in moderation.
