Essential oils

Essential oils have been known to people for thousands of years and are used as specifics in natural medicine, cosmetics and dermatology, but they are not treated by doctors and pharmacists as typical medications. They are obtained on an industrial scale from fresh or dried plants. They are extracted from the appropriate plant raw material, most often by steam distillation or as an extract. They are used, along with other fragrances, in perfumery (perfumes, colognes), as spices, therapeutic agents (herbal medicine) and in aromatherapy.

Thanks to their disinfecting properties, the oils inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Examples include thyme or thyme, the disinfecting properties of oils obtained from them are highly valued. And who of us does not know the bactericidal properties of the oils found in garlic and onions? Volatile oils are also used to combat mycoses, scabies and other skin parasites. A very important common feature of essential oils is their high antiseptic effectiveness and the lack of confirmed cases of microbial resistance to them.

Some components of the oils, for example eugenol, camphor and menthol, relieve pain locally, and borneol and camphor strengthen the heart muscle and regulate blood circulation.

Volatile oils are used in the production of perfumes, the most valued compositions of perfume ingredients are company secrets. All perfumery compositions fall into one of the seven essential classes distinguished by the technical committee of the French Association of Perfumers. The production of oils is a huge industry and a lot of money, everyone who, for example, during a trip to Provence in France, will be charmed by the beauty of the lavender fields stretching to the horizon, and everyone knows lavender oil too.

Oils are also an important ingredient in many plants used as spices in the household and in the food industry. They improve the taste of food and stimulate digestion. They also play an important role in the production of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages as ingredients in flavors and fragrances. Finally, they are used to flavor sweets and tobacco products. They are also used to make aromatic waters, such as mint and rose.

Natural essential oils can be purchased individually or in sets that allow you to prepare a mixture of about 10 drops, but remember that when preparing your own mixture, do not combine more than 5 types of essential oils. The oils should be stored in dark, glass bottles, in a cool place.

The main uses of essential oils

Oil diffusers / oil burners

Natural essential oils are an alternative to scented candles or incense sticks. In addition to the beautiful smell, they have a beneficial effect on our health and disinfect the air in the room. Fragrance oils used in diffusers / burners can not only change the reception of the interior and its atmosphere. Many of them improve our well-being and health, and also disinfect the air in the room. Pour water into the fireplace bowl and let in a few drops of oil, light the candle on the bottom. Leave it on until the contents of the bowl evaporate. Depending on the size of the room, 10 to 15 drops of essential oil are used.

Refreshing sachets

Oils are also perfect for scented sachets, e.g. herbal ones, which we use in the wardrobe. You can also put a few drops of an oil on handkerchiefs, towels, bedding, or use them to make scented ironing water.

Natural medicine

Essential oils can be used in three ways:

Aromatherapy

Inhalation with oils can be done with a diffuser (this is the method most often used for colds and for cleansing the sinuses). Those of us who suffer from insomnia and headaches can put one or two drops of the appropriate essential oil on the pillow before going to bed. Fragrance therapy can also be performed by putting a few drops in diffusers / burners, into a vessel with warm water or onto a handkerchief that you put on your nose.

Types of aromatherapy essential oils:

Energizing, relieving stress

This group includes light floral fragrances – rose, geranium, jasmine, neroli or bergamot. They will lift the mood and fill the interior with a beautiful floral fragrance. Perfect for a bathroom or a living room.

Warming up and improving the mood

Pine, fir, clove and vanilla oils have a relaxing and calming effect. Perfect for the living room, while resting after a busy working day. Pine and fir oils also have a disinfecting effect and perfectly refresh the air, creating a pleasant atmosphere.

Fresh and invigorating

Lemon, grapefruit, mint, rosemary, eucalyptus and lavender oils create a pleasant aroma experience, giving a feeling of freshness. In addition, the tea tree, eucalyptus and lavender fragrance oils have bactericidal and bacteriostatic properties. By floating in the air, they reduce the speed at which microbes spread. Perfect for use in the kitchen, bathroom or home office.

Intense and moody

Strong, intense, smoky scents, such as oils of myrrh, musk and patchouli bring a mysterious atmosphere to the interior. These fragrances work best when used from time to time in the living room.

Help to remove odors and fight insects

Properly composed oil mixtures will help, for example, to get rid of mosquitoes. Recommended for insects is Vapomix Z-3, containing, among others, patchouli and citronella oil. The unpleasant smell of cigarette smoke from the home will help to remove the connection, among others cinnamon and peppermint oils.

Topically on the skin

Another effective way to use oils is by rubbing them into your skin. Through the pores of the skin, the ethereal particles quickly enter the bloodstream (after just 30 seconds). The most common oils are rubbed on the hands, soles of the feet, auricles and around the nape of the neck, but you can also use them to massage the whole body. Natural substances of the highest quality, without synthetic additives, should be used for treatments and preparations. Synthetic substitutes for essential oils do not play a caring or therapeutic role. So you should look for the names of oils and oils according to the INCI system. Avoid treatments with citrus oils when sunbathing is planned. Never apply essential oils that have not been diluted with vegetable oils or water on the skin.

Orally

Oils for internal use should be approved for oral use (information on this must be stated on the packaging). Depending on the ailments, you can put a few drops of the oil under the tongue, you can rinse your mouth with water with a little oil or dilute it with any liquid and drink it.

An example of the oral use of essential oils are hemp oils with CBD, which are now increasingly used in natural medicine, but I will talk about it in a separate article.

Where to buy essential oils?

Buying essential oils is not a problem: they are available in online stores, drugstores, stores with oriental products, and even home furnishings or flower shops. However, you should always check the ingredients carefully – whether what the seller calls “natural” really is.

Types and application of essential oils

Cinnamon bark oil

She comes from Sri Lanka. Antiseptic, analgesic. It soothes: colds, coughs, viral infections.

Basil oil

It comes from the south of Europe. Stimulating, analgesic. It soothes: neuralgia, migraines, depression, insomnia, apathy, colds, kata, rheumatic, migraine and menstrual pains. It improves concentration, helps with insomnia and gastric problems.

Bergamot oil

It comes from the south of Europe. Anti-inflammatory, anti-stress. It soothes: nervous tension, stress, depression, inflammation of the skin, inflammation of the throat.

Cedar oil

It comes from North America. Antiseptic, analgesic. It soothes: rheumatism, arthritis, colds, cough, runny nose, cellulite, skin inflammation, hair loss. It helps in the case of people with cardiovascular and digestive system diseases because it cleans the veins and digestive tract.

Tea tree oil

A strong antiseptic, anti-inflammatory agent with a fresh herbal fragrance. It soothes: colds, flu, viral infections, thrush, burns. It has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. It cleans pores and helps in the fight against acne and mycosis of the skin, disinfects the air.

Eucalyptus oil

Antiseptic, mildly stimulating, analgesic. It soothes: colds, coughs, rheumatism, fatigue, skin inflammations, and reduces lice. Eucalyptus oil is used to prepare inhalations in the treatment of colds and colds. It has a disinfecting and cleansing effect.

Geranium oil

Antidepressant, regulates fluid management. It soothes: cellulite, obesity, depression, nervous tension, anxiety, neuralgia, sexual disorders, circulation disorders, skin infections, colds, runny nose.

Fir oil

Antiseptic, analgesic. It soothes: colds, pharyngitis, chronic cough, asthma, insomnia, headache, burns, wounds.

Lavender oil

One of the most valuable in aromatherapy, a beautiful floral fragrance is also used in perfumery. It has a calming and anti-inflammatory effect. It soothes: depression, anxiety, fatigue, nervous tension, insomnia, migraines, hypertension, obesity, skin inflammation, hair loss, has an immunological effect. It is also used to soothe various types of pains: muscular, menstrual, rheumatic. Lavender oil is also often a component of anti-cellulite preparations.

Neroli Oil

Used to refresh the air. It soothes: depression, anxiety, shock, panic, insomnia, dryness and aging of the skin.

Patchouli oil

Anti-inflammatory, regulates fluid management. It soothes: cellulite, urinary tract diseases, anxiety, depression, stress, skin inflammation, repels insects.

Attar oil

It soothes: depression, insomnia, stress, headaches, hypertension, infertility, nausea, aging and skin irritations, burns.

Sandalwood oil

Calming, antiseptic. It soothes: depression, anxiety, sexual tension, gastric disorders, nausea, heartburn and hiccups, runny nose, cough, dermatitis.

Ylang oil

Anti-stress, anti-depressant. It soothes: depression, anxiety, stress, hypertension, circulatory disorders, oily skin, and alopecia.

Lemon oil

Used in the production of acne cosmetics – it prevents the formation of blackheads and regulates the secretion of sebum. Lemon oil also has a bactericidal and toning effect. It inhibits the action of free radicals and slows down the breakdown of collagen fibers, so it also has anti-aging properties.

Pine oil

Used during respiratory infections of the body, it increases immunity.

Jasmine oil

Used as an ingredient in cosmetic oils and hair oiling preparations.

Peppermint oil

Analgesic effect – thanks to the menthol content, it gives a feeling of coolness on the skin. It is also used during inhalation and in gastric ailments.