4 Latest Trends in Essential Oils for Health and Wellness

 

“We each have the innate ability to heal ourselves. To empower ourselves with natural solutions, instead of succumbing to life-altering chemicals. There's a time and place for pharmaceuticals, but it shouldn't be the first answer, nor the only form treatment.”

― Dana Arcuri

By Tess Bercan

 

When I was a kid, my sister and I visited my grandparents every summer. 

 

Born in Italy and raised on pure ingredients, both my grandparents knew quality food and treated culinary arts like a religion. Because my Nonno and Nonna (grandma and grandpa in Italian) would only settle for the best cuisine, my grandma's cooking reflected this high standard. 

 

As soon as my sister and I could smell the garlic, olive oil, and tomatoes on the stove, we would ditch our bikes and run inside. We knew a delicious meal was about to hit, and we weren't about to miss out. 

 

To this day, I recognize the aroma of gourmet Italian cooking, and it triggers a powerful nostalgia within me. 

 

It's no doubt that memory can be triggered by scent, but what else can aromatherapy do?

 

With quality, therapeutic grade essential oils, you can experience countless health and lifestyle benefits. 

 

What are Essential Oils?

 

 

Essential oils are extracts that come from roots, seeds, stems, flowers and other parts of plants and flowers. 

 

If you have ever smelled the scent of freshly cut roses, you know first-hand how intoxicating raw botanicals are. 

 

Not only are plant essences pleasurable to our senses, but they have been used throughout history to provide medicinal relief for many ailments. 

 

Below, you’ll find four popular ways to use essential oils in everyday life. 

 

1. Essential Oils for Allergies

 

In an article for Healthline reviewed by Debra Rose (Ph.D., MSN, and RN), it explains that essential oils can be used as a viable alternative to combat allergies.

 

Maybe you have seasonal sensitivities, or perhaps, you experience the discomfort of never-ending allergens. Either way, with the help of a few plant extracts, support is closer than you may think. 

 

Eucalyptus oil, for example, acts as an inflammatory agent and can be highly beneficial for decreasing congestion. Breathing in eucalyptus oil also brings a cooling sensation that provides relief. 

 

To use eucalyptus oil in daily life, disperse this healing scent with the aid of a diffuser. Alternatively, you can boil water on the stove with a few drops added to breathe the scented air directly.   

 

Some other oils you can quickly work into your routine to combat allergies are peppermint, lavender, and lemon oils. 

 

2. Essential Oils for Acne

 

If you suffer from the frustration of blemish-prone skin, you know how important it is to find an effective cleansing routine that works. 

 

Chances are, you've spent some money and time investing in numerous 'solutions' that haven't always panned out. You’re certainly not alone in this struggle, but with the use of essential oils for acne, you have a powerful skin clarifier at hand. 

 

What essential oil can you use to help clear up that annoying acne? Good question. 

 

According to a study published on the National Center for Biotechnology Information site (NCBI), subjects who used tea tree oil on their face experienced clearer skin. 

 

Tea tree oil (or Melaleuca) has long been hailed a crucial ingredient to fight acne, because of its antimicrobial and antiseptic properties that refresh your skin. It's also quite gentle and easy to use. 

 

How can you use tea tree oil?

Use tea tree oil into a DIY soap. 

Dilute tea tree oil into a carrier oil to spot-treat breakouts. 

 

For reference, the study published on NCBI used a 5% dilution. 

 

3. Essential Oils for Easing Nausea 

 

Maybe you're recovering from the flu, one-too-many sake bombs, or car sickness. No matter what the reason for nausea, one fact remains, that horrid roller coaster sensation in your stomach is terrible. 

 

To get your tender tummy back on track, you can reach for a few essential oils to ease your discomfort. 

 

While studies have not conclusively shown the effectiveness essential oils for comforting nausea, Medical News Today explains that plant extracts can be helpful. 

 

In one study that took place in 2017, it was shown that ginger oil helped patients feel less prone to nausea and vomiting after abdomen surgery. 

 

And in a review paper, the authors came to the helpful conclusion that ginger oil reduced symptoms of nausea. 

 

How can you use ginger oil?

 

Do you suffer from motion sickness? Many people can't endure long car rides without their stomachs summoning that horrible queasy response.

 

If this is the case for you, you may want to nausea-proof your ride with an essential oil diffuser for the car. Also, for convenience, you can, of course, ease your space at home or office by diffusing this beneficial oil.

 

4. Essential Oils for Beards

 

In an interview with Laura McKinnon, Creative Designer of Drops of Gratitude (an essential oil specialty shop), she explains how important our sense of smell is.

 

Essential oils have a strong influence on how we think, feel, and behave. Aromatherapy allows us to harness the olfactory strength of plants to enhance our well-being, says McKinnon. 

 

You might be wondering what scent has to do with beard maintenance. 

 

When essential oils are used in beard oils and beard balms, they offer both you and those you around you a pleasurable sensory experience. Why not harness nature's power to impress?

 

McKinnon gave us an exclusive beard oil balm that you can use to spruce up that gorgeous facial hair of yours.

 

Badass Beard Balm Recipe

 

This soothing beard balm is a natural, leave-in conditioner that nourishes your beard. It stops dryness, defeats tangles, and combats frizz while enhancing your beard’s natural luster, says McKinnon. 

 

Ingredients:

2 tsp of premium beeswax

1 teaspoon of pure shea butter

3 tsp FCO (fractionated coconut oil)

2 Drops of Cedarwood 

2 Drops of Melaleuca 

2 Drops of Rosemary

 

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a glass container. (Leave out essential oils for now.)

Put the jar in a saucepan with 2 inches of hot/boiling water. 

Stir ingredients thoroughly.

Remove the jar from the heat.

Add the essential oils. 

Stir again.  

Let the balm rest for 1-2 hours. 

 

With a few quality essential oils stocked in your health arsenal, you’re prepped and ready for quite a few of life’s challenges -- enjoy and choose the scents that revive or relax you most!

 

If you're interested in trying essential oils, consider our Elements of Nature Essential Oils, with unique and specialty blends for your home or car!