Discovering the Benefits of Essential Oils

Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts. Massive quantities of plants are used to create highly concentrated, high quality, pure essential oils. These allow the user to gain the numerous health benefits of each herb while offering versatility in their uses and applications. Some of the health benefits from the use of these oils include relaxation, aiding the immune system and assisting with digestion, helping skin irritations, and helping clear the skin.

Uses and Benefits of Frankincense

Suppliers of essential oils like doTERRA help us understand frankincense oil uses and benefits. Frankincense has been used for thousands of years for both aromatherapy and helping health issues, as frankincense oil is both calming and helping skin irritations. Its rich scent can be used in a diffuser to promote focus and meditation or, when mixed with a base, can be applied directly to the skin for beneficial results.

How to Use Essential Oils

Often essential oils should be mixed with a base of either another oil such as coconut oil or sweet almond oil. Some oils need to be diluted so they are not overpowering. Some of the more gentle oils like lavender are do not need to be diluted. Once diluted, oils can be applied directly to the skin, inhaled, or some oils can be ingested. The application method depends on your end goal.

If you want to purify the air, a diffuser would be an excellent option. These devices combine gentle heat, water, and your oils to release evaporated oils in to the air. You can achieve a similar effect by placing a couple of drops of essential oil into a boiling pot of water. Never directly heat pure oils as it will breakdown their components.

You can also apply your oils to a cotton ball and allow them to evaporate on their own. For example, insects dislike the scent of peppermint, so a cotton ball with a few drops of peppermint oil can be placed in a drawer or cabinet to discourage pests.

When using essential oils in a bath, it’s important to remember that they are not water soluble, so always mix oils with Epsom salts and baking soda then dissolve in the bath before entering.

Oils can also be mixed with water in a spray bottle, or, once mixed with a base oil, applied directly to the skin.