Shopping Guide to Essential Oils

In this shopping guide, we're going to be covering essential oils and what they can do for you. If you've been trying to get into aromatherapy, or are looking for herbal remedies for common ailments, keep reading to find out which essential oil products could help you out!

What are essential oils?

Essential oils are compounds that have been extracted from plants. They contain the plant's essence, scent or flavour and have been used in aromatherapy for centuries.

Essential oils are obtained in a range of ways which includes, cold-pressing, and distillation. An essential oil that is obtained through chemical extraction is not considered a true essential oil.

Essential oils are usually combined with carrier oils to make them suitable for use. Undiluted essential oils should not be applied directly to the skin as this can lead to skin irritation and other negative side effects.

How does essential oil work?

Essential oil is used in aromatherapy to treat common ailments, but how do they work? Essential oils contain concentrated plant extracts which are the active compound in most essential oils. When an essential oil is diffused it reaches the smell receptors quickly. Each different plant essence has a different chemical make up which affects the body in different ways.

Essential oils are known to affect the body in a range of ways and have been known to boost energy, regulate blood pressure, improve mood, promote mental clarity, and improve a range of health conditions.

Health benefits of undiluted essential oils and essential oil blend products

Essential oils come with many health benefits and can be used in a variety of ways, including inhalation, topical use, and household use. Below, we've gathered as many benefits of essential oils as we could. Check them out.

Antibiotic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory

A number of essential oils have antimicrobial and antibiotic properties. This makes them great for wound healing, infections, and as cleaners on household surfaces.

In addition, some essential oils have been known to reduce inflammation in the body. Test tube studies have shown that some kinds of essential oil can work to reduce inflammation, and therefore treat inflammation in the body protecting against some illnesses.

Stress and anxiety

Probably the most known property of essential oil, these oils have the ability to reduce stress and anxiety levels. Whether used for aromatherapy or as a massage oil, essential oils can decrease feelings of stress, worry and anxiety.

A range of different essential oils contains these calming properties, though the most famous is likely lavender oil.

Sleeplessness and insomnia

Another well-known property, essential oil is known to treat sleeplessness, restlessness, and insomnia. Though not a magical cure, the calming effects of many essential oils can soothe you into sleep.

Headaches and migraines

There is research to suggest that some essential oils can help ease symptoms of headaches and migraines. These include peppermint oil, chamomile, and sesame oil.

Best essential oils and how they can help you

Now we know how essential oils can help in general, we're going to take a look at our favourite essential oil products and how they can help you out!

Lavender oil

Lavender oil is a very well-known essential oil.

It is known for its calming properties and can soothe anxiety and stress through inhalation. It is also great for those struggling with sleep and can promote a restful night.

Lavender oil can be used on burns, wounds, and insect bites when diluted. It can also be used as a disinfectant around the home and is found in many household cleaning products, like this Floor Cleaner from Abode.

Peppermint oil

Peppermint oil is a fantastic essential oil. As previously discussed, this essential oil is known to soothe headaches. Topically, it can also soothe muscle pain, nerve pain, and joint conditions, as well as allergy rashes and itchiness. Remember to dilute any essential oil before topical use.

When ingested, peppermint oil can help to treat indigestion, heartburn, nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and menstrual problems.

Peppermint oil is also found frequently in glass cleaners and stainless steel and chrome cleaners, like this Koala Eco Glass Cleaner.

Eucalyptus oil

Eucalyptus oil is a great oil to use when your sinuses are blocked! Inhale using an aromatherapy diffuser and feel your airways clear. You can also use eucalyptus to disinfect wounds and as a bug repellant!

Eucalyptus oil is also used in household cleaning for its disinfectant qualities. Indeed, it is a great essential oil to use in your bathroom! Use this Koala Eco Bathroom Cleaner to enjoy the cleaning capabilities of this essential oil.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil has a huge variety of uses that can be beneficial to your health! These include use as a sanitiser, particularly hand sanitisers, as an insect repellant, in natural deodorant, as an antiseptic for small cuts that can boost wound healing, to fight acne, and as an all-purpose household cleaner, like this Toilet Gel from Abode!

Tea tree is a versatile oil to have to hand and can come in useful in a wide range of settings.

Clary sage oil

Clary sage essential oil is thought to have positive effects on mood, including easing anxiety and worry and promoting mental function. In addition, clary sage has anti-inflammatory effects and can lower blood pressure.

Clary sage can be inhaled, used topically when diluted, and ingested in small quantities.

Lemon oil

Lemon oil is a great essential oil to use for skin health and for symptoms of morning sickness. It can also help ease symptoms of anxiety and depression and is a great household cleaner.

Lemon oil can be used as a pain reliever when inhaled and can wake you up and make you feel more alert.

Sandalwood oil

Sandalwood oil has a range of health properties, including anti-inflammatory properties, easing symptoms of anxiety, supporting wound healing, and fighting bacteria.

There is some research that suggests sandalwood contains properties that can protect the body against skin cancer too.

Sandalwood oil can be added to moisturisers, or mixed with a carrier oil and used in massage. In addition, you can use sandalwood oil in an aromatherapy diffuser.

Sandalwood can be found in a range of products, including body lotions, shampoo and conditioner, and natural deodorants.

Rosemary oil

Rosemary oil can be used in aromatherapy and promotes mental clarity, as well as easing stress and repelling bugs. It is also thought to relieve pain, stimulate hair growth, and increase blood circulation.

Rosemary oil can also be applied topically as a massage oil and is known to wake you up and make you feel perkier.

The oil can be found in traditional folk medicine throughout the centuries.

Ylang-ylang oil

Ylang-ylang has been found to improve mood, self-esteem, and manage anxiety as well as have antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory effects.

It may lower blood pressure and decrease heart rate, making it a great oil for anxiety and it can stimulate oil production in the scalp, promoting healthier hair.

Bergamot oil

Bergamot is great for skin, helping to treat acne, cysts, and pimples. Diluted, bergamot can be used as a targeted treatment for spots. Bergamot oil is also thought to tame curls and soften hair.

Bergamot oil also appears in lots of essential oil blend products such as lavender and bergamot essential oil blend, used for skin and hair and in aromatherapy, and bergamot and tea tree oil essential oil blend used to treat inflamed skin.

Frankincense oil

Frankincense oil is known to improve asthma and gut health, as well as oral and skin health. This amazing oil has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties and is thought to reduce symptoms of arthritis.

Frankincense oil can be used in aromatherapy, haircare, face and massage oils, and in health supplements. You can also find frankincense in some essential oil blend products.

Cedarwood oil

Cedarwood oil has a long list of benefits, as well as smelling great! Its benefits include antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antispasmodic effects, treating scalp conditions and hair loss, and having sedative qualities making it a great natural treatment for sleeplessness.

Cedarwood oil can be used topically and can be inhaled.

Using essential oils safely

When using essential oils, there are some considerations to take to ensure you're using them safely. These include:

• Essential oils are not regulated. This means that it is up to the company providing the essential oils to ensure that their product is not contaminated and is of a high standard. Look for organic products and ensure you only use natural essential oils and not products containing synthetic fragrances.
• Consumption of essential oils relies heavily on the oil. You should do thorough research before consuming any essential oils and buy products that are designed for ingestion.
• Undiluted essential oils can cause irritation of the skin and nostrils. If you are using essential oils topically, ensure you mix it with a carrier oil, like jojoba oil or coconut oil.

Conclusion

Essential oils can help to treat lots of different illnesses and ailments and are a great addition to your life. Aromatherapy has helped many and researching this herbal medicine may help to relieve symptoms of ailments that have caused you discomfort in the past.

Remember to follow safe practices when you are using essential oils and buy from reputable brands to ensure you are using the purest and healthiest forms of the essential oil you choose.

There are many more essential oils than the ones listed here, so if you haven't found oil to treat your ailment, check out our range of essential oils and research any further oils that could help you out! We have lots of essential oils available here at Australian Organic Products + More.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top five essential oils?

The most popular essential oils tend to be the most well-known scents. These include:

• Lavender, used to soothe stress and anxiety
• Lemon, used in household cleaning and to perk you up
• Peppermint oil, great for treating headaches
• Sandalwood, great for your skin, hair, and to improve mood
• Frankincense, great smelling and good for oral and gut health

What essential oil is good for the home?

An essential oil you should always have around the home is tea tree oil. A great all-purpose cleaner, tea tree oil has antiseptic qualities and can be used as a surface sanitiser as well as a sanitiser for hands. In addition, it is good for wound healing and can treat acne, as well as act as an insect repellent.

Do essential oil diffusers make your house smell good?

Yes. Essential oil diffusers diffuse great smelling oils throughout your home. In addition, diffusing oils through your home can help to repel bugs, improve mood and mental clarity, help you sleep better, and treat anxiety and depression. There is a range of essential oils that are great to inhale and can help your home to smell good too!

What is the best essential oil for anxiety?

Many essential oils can help to soothe anxiety. The most well-known essential oil for treating anxiety is lavender, but if you don't want to use lavender, you could try rose oil, sandalwood oil, and even bergamot oil. In addition, chamomile oil can help with sleeplessness that sometimes comes with anxiety and ylang-ylang can help to decrease heart rate to stop a racing heart that comes with feelings of worry and stress. There are lots of essential oil blend products catered specifically to anxiety.