Essential oils are natural oils obtained through the process of distillation having the characteristic scent of the plant from which they are extracted. For thousands of years, essential oils have been used in aromatherapy and treatment or management of different health conditions.
What’s more, most of us don’t even realize how beneficial essential oils for your skin, body, and soul. Throughout this post, we’re going to shed some light on important benefits of common essential oils.
Migraine relief
Statistics show that more than 37 million Americans suffer from migraines and about 5 million adults experience at least one migraine episode per month. An unbearable headache, sensitivity to noises and light, nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms are associated with migraine pain.
Debilitating pain prevents affected persons from doing their daily tasks and their quality of life suffers.
Various natural remedies can help relieve the pain including essential oils, primarily lavender and peppermint essential oils. The European Neurology published results of the study which discovered that inhalation of lavender essential oil is an effective and safe treatment for the management of migraines. These benefits could be due to lavender’s soothing effect.
When it comes to peppermint oil, it alleviates migraine thanks to calming and numbing effects. Along with inhaling, rubbing a drop of this essential oil on the forehead and temples can help achieve much-needed pain relief.
Moisturizing effects
Essential oils can do wonders for your skin to keep it youthful, smooth, and nourished. In fact, they act as top moisturizers to hydrate your delicate skin which is necessary for the reduced appearance of signs of aging. One of the best essential oils for moisturizing effect is jojoba oil. A study whose findings were published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that compounds from jojoba have a massive potential to enhance skin moisturization for at least 24 hours.
How does jojoba essential oil improve hydration of the skin? It plays the role of sebum and moisturizes our skin when the body can’t do it naturally. As you age, the body gradually loses its ability to moisturize skin due to lower production of sebum. That is why skin appears dull, lifeless, and dry.
In addition, jojoba oil functions as an emollient, meaning it also prevents irritations, scaly, and rough patches. Other essential oils that can help moisturize your skin include lavender oil, pomegranate seed oil, and frankincense oil.
Anti-aging effects
Essential oils are added to anti-aging products, but not only because of their amazing scent. These oils have amazing benefits for skin and work together with other ingredients to give you that youthful look you want. In fact, one of the best anti-aging tips you can read is to start using essential oils, if you don’t use them already.
For example, pomegranate seed essential oil protects your skin from sun damage which could, otherwise, speed up the aging process. On the other hand, frankincense essential oil acts as an astringent to protect skin cells. Not only you can use it to reduce the appearance of acne and blemishes, but also pores and wrinkles.
Moreover, this oil produces the tightening effect and makes saggy skin appear firmer. In addition, frankincense reduces the appearance of dark spots, which are also associated with the aging process.
Myrrh essential oil also delivers anti-aging effects through high antioxidant content. The role of antioxidants is to destroy free radicals and prevent oxidative damage. Geranium oil is yet another essential oil to use as an anti-aging tool. Just like frankincense, it acts as an astringent and tightens skin to lessen the appearance of pores and wrinkles.
Better athletic performance
If you exercise regularly then you know how difficult it is to get the maximum out of every training session. Multiple factors affect your athletic performance, but at the same time, there are many things you can do to enhance. It’s simple; better performance brings you one step closer to your body goal or desired weight loss.
Probably the most surprising benefit of essential oils is the ability to help you get the most out of your exercise. Before you start thinking it is just some silly claim, it’s important to mention science also confirmed benefits of one particular essential oil for this purpose – peppermint oil.
One study enrolled 12 healthy male students who had to drink 500 ml bottle of mineral water containing 0.5 ml peppermint essential oil. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of this oil on athletic performance.
Scientists discovered that after 10 days of supplementation, participants improved their exercise performance significantly. A possible explanation for this is the relaxation of bronchial smooth muscles together with an increase in ventilation and brain oxygen concentration.
Weight loss
In order to achieve quick weight loss in a safe manner, it is essential to boost your metabolism. What’s more, a slow metabolism is one of the reasons why you gain weight or find it difficult to slim down. The body’s metabolic rate is necessary for burning calories and breaking down food to use it as energy. Scientists from China discovered that essential oils play a role in a person’s metabolic rate.
What essential oils to use for this purpose? Here are a few examples:
- Peppermint oil – boosts the metabolism, soothes an upset stomach, and improves digestive health. Also, this oil increases energy levels and stops food cravings
- Ginger oil – increases thermogenesis thus boosting metabolism as well
- Bergamot oil – boosts metabolism by burning sugar and fats
- Cinnamon oil – breaks down sugars into energy in order to speed up your metabolism and help suppress appetite
- Lemon oil – suppresses appetite, improves digestion, increases metabolism
Conclusion
Essential oils have been used for centuries for medicinal purposes due to incredible health benefits they can provide. These oils help ease the pain, assist in weight loss, and do many other things to keep us healthy and strong. At the same time, essential oils play a major role in beauty and skincare.