What Are Essential Oils and Do I Need Them?

Essential oils have been used for thousands of years. Most often, these oils are used for cosmetic and medicinal purposes due to their unique therapeutic properties. Essential oils derive from distilling or extracting different parts of plants, such as the bark, roots, leaves and flowers. Ancient cultures made essential oils by soaking plants in oil and filtering the oil through linen.

Using these oils has remained a common practice for ages. Interested in trying them out for yourself? Here are a few different ways that essential oils can be applied in your daily routine:

Personal Health

Known for their uplifting properties, essential oils can aid in relaxation, sleep, and more. Some of these remedies can also offer a more natural cure for certain health ailments. For example, rosemary oil is known to promote mental clarity and ease tension when sniffed or diffused into the air. Or sprinkle a little lavender oil on your pillow at night to alleviate insomnia.

Hygiene and Beauty

You can incorporate essential oils into your morning routine. For example, combine a few drops of your favorite essential oil with water in a spritzer bottle for a natural body spray. Or heal dry skin by adding a little lavender oil to coconut oil for a soothing balm. Just be sure to test for allergies before adding essential oils to your personal hygiene or beauty routine.

Household

Essential oils can also be used around your living space. For example, lemon oil and tea tree oil can be effective around the house as a powerful all-purpose cleaner when added to warm water. Or you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to a load of laundry for an extra fresh scent.

Before using or consuming essential oils, it's important to be aware of the proper usage and purpose. For example, certain oils might need to be diluted before use. We recommend that you closely read the label and consult the retailer with any questions. When used properly, essential oils can be a helpful additive to your health and beauty routine.