Aromatic treasures of nature, extremely effective drugs, accompanying us for thousands of years. Essential oils are substances produced by plants, and they are extremely valuable to us because they have many health-promoting properties. If you associate essential oils only with a nice fragrance and aromatherapy, learn how to use them every day for the benefit of health and beauty.
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts containing mainly fragrances produced by entire plants or specific parts thereof, e.g. flowers, fruits or leaves. Oils are liquid, volatile substances with an unusually intense odour, colourless, yellowish, rarely green.
Essential oils do not dissolve in water, e.g. alcohol is a good solvent for oils. Plants usually produce from a few to a dozen or so essential oils, which make up the characteristic smell of the plant. Essential oils are therefore 100% natural plant extracts, free from artificial additives, flavours and preservatives.
Currently, about two thousand plants are known to produce essential oils, occur in all climatic zones. The most essential oils are found in plants during their flowering, during fruit ripening, if the oils are collected in the root, the largest amount can be found in spring and autumn.
Why do essential oils grow?
It was once thought that essential oils were an unnecessary product of plant metabolism. Today we know that they perform many functions for them. Plants produce oils, for example, to lure pollinating insects or to deter herbivores.
Many essential oils also have strong fungicidal and bactericidal properties, thus plants protect themselves against dangerous microbes. It is also believed that some plants produce essential oils to contact them with other representatives of their species.
Properties of essential oils
Most essential oils have strong bactericidal and fungicidal properties, some also kill viruses, hence oils are very effective in the treatment of various types of infections, both internal and skin. Many oils have a beneficial effect on digestive processes and have a diastolic effect on both smooth muscles of the digestive tract and smooth muscles of the respiratory system. A large part of the oils also has a calming effect, facilitates falling asleep and relieves stress. Many oils also have an analgesic and warming effect, so they are recommended for relieving rheumatic pains or headaches.
- Lavender oil is an excellent sedative agent, relieves stress, makes it easier to fall asleep, and perfectly improves your mood. Sniffing lavender oil removes fatigue and has a positive effect on the brain, so it can be used during work and study.
- Pine oil has a disinfecting and expectorant effect is very effective in the treatment of all respiratory tract infections. It also perfectly stimulates immunity.
- Thyme oil is also an effective drug used in respiratory infections. It relieves cough, runny nose and other cold symptoms. Thyme oil also slightly raises blood pressure.
- Peppermint oil has a positive effect on the digestive system, improves digestion, relaxes, effectively reduces fever. It soothes the symptoms of food poisoning and infections. In addition, it strengthens the body and gently stimulates the nervous system.
- Mandarin oil has a calming and relaxing effect. Its fragrance will help the body in stressful situations. Mandarin oil improves digestive system function, it is also a popular way to get rid of stretch marks.
- Eucalyptus oil has antibacterial and antiviral properties. It alleviates the symptoms of colds, flu and other respiratory infections. It improves mood and soothes depression.
- Melissa oil has a calming effect, makes it easier to fall asleep, improves mood and well-being. The oil also has a strong antiviral effect.
How to use essential oils?
Essential oils have been used for thousands of years, over the centuries they have been used both in typical aromatherapy, applied to the skin and also taken in very small amounts as medicines for various ailments.
Adding essential oils to the bath is also an interesting way to use them. Also often oils are used for massage and are also applied directly to the skin in various skin diseases. Essential oils can also be used for inhalation, they are also extremely effective insect repellents.
Can essential oils be drunk?
Oral use of essential oils is disputed, as it must be remembered that these are concentrated plant extracts with a very strong effect. If you decide to use the oil, you must be sure that it is a 100% natural essential oil, without any additives. Be careful, because many oils can cause allergies, oils are taken in very small amounts, a maximum of 2-3 drops per dosage. Overdose may be associated with the occurrence of unpleasant ailments. On the other hand, it is important to remember that essential oils are also used as food additives, so it often happens that we take them without realizing it, we can also find them in many pharmacy preparations that are approved for oral use. Although officially, essential oils are not recommended for internal use, in therapeutic doses they are valued and effective methods for many ailments. They can be taken with honey, fish oil or linseed oil. Sometimes, essential oils are used as spices.
Nature is full of unusual smells, the main source of which are plants mostly. Most of them are substances with many health-promoting properties. It is worth learning how to use them in everyday life and use as natural medicines, cosmetics or spices.