Essential oils are used in aromatherapy, an alternative form of medicine that uses plant extracts to support health and well-being. However, some of the health claims associated with these oils are controversial.
In this article, we will tell you what you need to know about essential oils and their health effects. I will try to explain everything necessary.
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are compounds obtained from plants. Oils contain the smell and taste or “essence” of the plant.
Unique Aromatic compounds give each essential oil its characteristic essence. Essential oils are obtained by mechanical methods such as distillation (through steam and/or water) or cold pressing. Once the aromatic chemicals are extracted, they are combined with a carrier oil to create a ready-to-use product.
The way oils are produced is important because essential oils obtained through chemical processes are not considered true essential oils.
How do essential oils work?
Essential oils are best inhaled through various methods. It is used in aromatherapy practice.
Essential oils should not be taken directly orally. The chemicals in essential oils can interact with your body in various ways.
When applied to your skin, some plant chemicals are absorbed. Some application methods may be affected by heat or body changes. It is thought that it can increase absorption by applying it to the affected areas. However, research in this area is lacking.
Inhaling aromas from essential oils may stimulate your limbic system, a part of your brain that plays a role in emotions, behavior, sense of smell, and long-term memory.
An interesting one. Likewise, the limbic system is largely involved in creating memories. This may partially explain why familiar scents can trigger memories or emotions.
The limbic system also plays a role in controlling unconscious physiological functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Popular essential oils
There are more than 90 types of essential oils, each with its own unique scent and potential health benefits.
Here is a short list of 10 popular essential oils and their associated health properties:
Mint: Increases energy and aids digestion
Lavender: Used to reduce stress.
Sandalwood: Used to calm the nerves and help focus
Bergamot: To reduce stress and treat eczema. used to heal skin diseases
Rose: used to improve mood and reduce anxiety
Chamomile: used to improve mood and relaxation
Ylang-Ylang: Head Used to treat pain, nausea, and skin conditions.
Tea Tree: Used to fight infections and boost immunity
Jasmine: Used to help with depression, childbirth, and libido
>Lemon: Used to help with digestion, mood, headaches, and more.
Health benefits of essential oils
Despite their widespread use, essential oils are known to treat certain health conditions. Little is known about its ability.
Stress and anxiety
It is estimated that 43% of people experiencing stress and anxiety use some form of alternative therapy to relieve their symptoms.
On aromatherapy, initial studies have been quite positive. Many have shown that the scent of certain essential oils gives positive results in combination with conventional therapy to treat anxiety and stress.
Interestingly, using essential oils during massage can help relieve stress.
Head. Pain and migraines
Two small studies conducted in the '90s found that applying a mixture of peppermint oil and ethanol to participants' foreheads and noses relieved headache pain.
Recent studies also found that applying peppermint and lavender to the skin. He observed that his headache decreased after applying the oil.
Furthermore, it was suggested that applying a mixture of chamomile and sesame oil to the temples could treat headaches and migraines. This is a traditional Persian headache remedy.,
Sleep and insomnia
Scented lavender oil has been shown to improve sleep quality in women after childbirth as well as patients with heart disease.
One review looked at 15 studies on essential oils and sleep and found Many studies have shown that sniffing oils – mostly lavender oil – has positive effects on sleep habits.
Reducing inflammation
It has been suggested that essential oils may help fight inflammatory diseases. Some studies show that it has anti-inflammatory effects.
A mouse study found that taking a combination of thyme and oregano essential oils helped induce colitis remission. Two rat studies on cumin and rosemary oils found similar results.
However, very few human studies have examined the effects of these oils on inflammatory diseases. Therefore, their effectiveness and safety are unknown.
Antibiotic and antimicrobial
The increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria has increased interest in the search for other compounds that can fight bacterial infections.
Test tube Studies have extensively investigated essential oils such as peppermint and tea tree oil for their antimicrobial effects, observing some positive results.
However, while these test-tube study results are interesting, they are not necessarily representative of the effects of these oils on your body. It does not prove that a particular essential oil can treat human bacterial infections.
Other uses
Essential oils have many uses outside of aromatherapy.
Many people use it to scent their homes or wash their laundry.
They are also used as a natural scent in homemade cosmetics and high-quality natural products.
What's more, essential oils are safe and environmentally friendly compared to man-made mosquito repellents such as DEET. It has been suggested that it may offer an alternative.
However, results regarding their effectiveness are mixed.
Studies have shown that some oils, such as citronella, can repel some types of mosquitoes for approximately 2 hours. The preservation period can be extended up to 3 hours when used with vanillin.
In addition, the properties of essential oils indicate that some of them can be used industrially to extend the shelf life of foods.
Correct use. �how to choose essential oils
Many companies claim that their oils are “pure” or “medical grade.” However, these terms are not universally defined and therefore carry little weight.
Given that they are products of an unregulated industry, the quality and composition of essential oils can vary greatly.
Only for high Consider the following tips for choosing quality oils:
Purity: Find an oil that contains only aromatic plant compounds, without additives or synthetic oils. Pure oils often list the botanical name of the plant (such as Lavandula officinalis) rather than terms like “lavender essential oil.”
quality: True essential oils are oils that have been modified with minimal extraction. Choose a chemical-free essential oil extracted by distillation or mechanical cold pressing.
Reputation: Buy a brand with a reputation for producing high-quality products.
Safety and side effects
Just because something is natural doesn't mean it's safe.
Plants and herbal products contain many bioactive compounds that can harm your health, and essential oils are no different.
However, Most essential oils are considered safe when inhaled or combined with a fixed base oil for use on your skin. Be sure to consider others in the environment who might smell the scent, including pregnant women, children, and pets.
However, they may cause some side effects:
-rash
-asthma attacks
-headache
-allergic reactions
-Although the most common side effect is rash, essential oils can cause more serious reactions. can occur and have even been associated with one case of death.
The oils most commonly associated with adverse reactions are lavender, peppermint, tea tree, and ylang-ylang.
Oils found in phenols, such as cinnamon, can cause skin irritation. and should not be used on the skin without combining it with base oil. Meanwhile, essential oils obtained from citrus fruits increase the skin's reaction to sunlight and burns may occur.
Essential oils Ingestion is not recommended because it is harmful and may be fatal in some doses.
Very few studies have examined the safety of these oils for pregnant or breastfeeding women, who are generally advised to avoid them.
IN SUMMARY
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Essential oils are generally considered safe when combined with a base oil, inhaled or applied to the skin. They should not be taken directly orally.
However, evidence supporting many of the associated health claims is lacking, and their effectiveness is often exaggerated.
For minor health problems, using essential oils as a complementary therapy is probably harmless.
However, if you have a serious health condition or are taking medications, you should discuss their use with your healthcare provider.
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