Natural and healthy, to be or not to be. Some call it a big fat scam. That is, whether essential oils really actually work to improve your life. It certainly depends on who you talk to. Maybe someone who hasn’t tried them. Or maybe someone who has tried them but has used the wrong type of oil, or a cheap brand that doesn’t offer true therapeutic benefits.
Going in, I was one of the biggest skeptics. After all, how could some natural derivative of plants provide any form of health benefit? I had some friends who were seeming to peddle these all organic products as if it was their job (for some, it really is). And to me, they seemed like more of a lifestyle fad or some product category that is being exploited by phony businesses.
But then I started using them. And my thoughts on whether essential oils actually work or not quickly changed.
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First, some of the essential oil basics
We’ll get into the benefits of essential oils shortly. But first, you might be interested in what they are and how they can be used. Put simply, essential oils are natural compounds that are distilled from a diverse range of plants – including seeds, flowers, stems, and more.
Contrary to what you might suspect, essential oils do not equate to a perfume or some other form of fragrance. Sure, many of them offer pleasant aromas – and the fact that using these products is referred to as aromatherapy – but they do a whole lot more than simply provide a nice scent. Here are few quick notes about these powerful, organic health remedies:
- They have been used for centuries by a number of different cultures, with oils like frankincense being used as far back as biblical times.
- They are manufactured naturally (assuming you are using the right brand), without any artificial compounds or fillers.
- Quality oils can provide a range of therapeutic benefits, including physical, emotional, and psychological benefits.
- Depending on the application, they are oftentimes more affordable solutions when compared to traditional health applications.
Now that we have a basic foundation of what essential oils are, let’s get into how they can actually benefit your life. And if you’re skeptic (like I once was), hopefully we’ll be able to instill a little persuasion in you by the end of this article.
So do they really actually work?
Here are just a few things I was wondering about before I dove into the world of essential oils:
- Are they nothing more than a fad?
- Are there many studies out there that prove their worth?
- Are there any safety concerns I should be worried about?
- How can I trust all of the conflicting debates about potency and application?
- And, drum roll … do they actually work?
These are all reasonable questions to ask. After all, these all natural products are not FDA-approved and there are ongoing debates about how to best apply them.
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But as we noted, essential oils have been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. Civilizations like the ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks used aromatherapy for countless health benefits. And they have been particularly popular in Chinese medicine.
But beyond these historical accounts is, well, personal consumption. Forget the studies. Try them for yourself. Just refer to all of the modern-day products that utilize essential oils in their ingredients. Renowned beauty companies like Olay and Herbal Essence use them to improve your skin and hair. Citronella oils is a common ingredient in many insect repellents.
Have you ever tried Vick’s Vapor Rub – the goo that you apply to your chest when you’re struggling with respiratory problems? Well, it comprises ingredients such as eucalyptus, nutmeg, and camphor oils.
So what ailments in particular?
Now on to the good stuff. What these all natural solutions can be used for. First note that we are not allowed to actively make claims that essential oils can cure any specific diseases (the FDA has been a little finicky lately). So there’s our disclaimer. Safe to proceed.
We personally have a collection of dozens and dozens of oils, everything from the popular lavender oil to blends of oils that target specific health issues or benefits. To start off simple, consider these single oils and what they are often used for:
- Lavender: Can help relieve stress, lessen pain and inflammation, and work as a sleep aid.
- Wild orange: Can help increase energy and ease symptoms of depression, while providing a pleasant citrusy scent.
- Peppermint: Can help ease headaches and migraines, curb sinus congestion, and improve focus and concentration.
These are three of the more widely used essential oils. But we’re barely scratching the surface. We don’t have time to go too deep into all of these products, but feel free to peruse our other articles for more specific applications. Now moving on…
In addition to using single oils, you can also try out some essential oil blends. These combine multiple oils with the intent to address a specific health problem or benefit. For instance, take a look at these popular blends:
- Calming Blend: Offers calming properties that help relieve stress, promote restful sleep and instill a general sense of peace and tranquility..
- Grounding Blend: Assists in relieving symptoms of anxiety and depression, while delivering a positive sense of well-being.
- Protective Blend: Improves the immune system, helping to stave off looming sickness.
- Focus Blend: Boosts concentration while supporting healthy mental processes.
- Metabolic Blend: Helps with weight loss by lifting mood and curbing food cravings.
What’s great about essential oils is that they have many effective application methods. And depending on the purpose, some applications may work better than others. The three most popular modes of application include topical, aromatic, and internal.
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Pure therapeutic grade
Last but certainly not least, when entering the world of essential oils, be sure to do your initial research. We cannot emphasize this point enough: Not all oils are created equal. Meaning, the quality of the oil you use will determine the degree of benefits you will gain.
We can assure you, going with that cheap bottle of peppermint that you can find at your local health foods store will only leave you disappointed. Most likely, it will leave you swearing off the products altogether. It’ll be over before it even got started.
We recommend only using a pure therapeutic grade brand. Essential oil companies which are certified pure therapeutic grade offer maximum potency while maintaining the natural integrity of the manufacturing process.
We originally bought our oils from Puritan’s Pride. They were cheap – not just in terms of affordability, but more so the actual results of the product. Now, all we use is one of the top essential oil manufacturers in the world. When it comes to both safety and potency, there’s simply no comparison. Not to mention, we can have peace of mind know that we are applying a safe, intensively-tested product.
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In conclusion
Okay, we threw a lot of information at you. So before we offer our natural health solution, consider these key talking points about essential oils:
- They originate from natural compounds of plants that are intended to provide a wide range of health benefits.
- They are not a scam. They are not a fad that are only used by hippies and hipsters.
- There are dozens and dozens of single oils that can greatly enhance health and general well-being.
- Essential oil blends combine multiple oils to target a specific health issue.
- If you want maximum potency and purity, only use therapeutic grade oils.
