ESSENTIAL OILS: PROPERTIES, USES, LISTINGS, BENEFITS ...

Essential oils have been used for thousands of years for their properties and benefits. On this page you will find listings of the main oils. Select an oil to know the beneficial effects it can have on your body and mind.

Most of the essential oils are obtained through distillation and cold pressing, in this way we obtain a liquid that represents the pure essence of the plant and allows us to enjoy all its properties.

1. List of essential oils
2. Application of essential oils
3. Properties and benefits of essential oils
4. How are they obtained?
5. Side effects and precautions

1. List of the main essential oils

Below you will find a complete list with all the most popular essential oils. Click on any of them to see a complete description and know its origin, uses, composition, benefits, side effects, etc.

Basil essential oil
Aloe vera essential oil
Anise essential oil
Tea tree essential oil
Arnica essential oil
Bergamot essential oil
Calendula essential oil
Cinnamon essential oil
Cardamom essential oil
Coriander essential oil
Cypress essential oil
Citronella essential oil
Clove essential oil
Juniper essential oil
Eucalyptus essential oil
Wintergreen essential oil
Geranium essential oil
Incense essential oil
Jasmine essential oil
Ginger essential oil
Laurel essential oil
Lavender essential oil
Lime essential oil
Lemon essential oil
Tangerine essential oil
Chamomile essential oil
Mint essential oil
Myrrh essential oil
Orange essential oil
Neroli essential oil
Oregano essential oil
Patchouli essential oil
Rosewood essential oil
Parsley essential oil
Pine essential oil
Grapefruit essential oil
Rosemary essential oil
Rose essential oil
Sage essential oil
Sandalwood essential oil
Sesame essential oil
Thyme essential oil
Vanilla essential oil
Vetiver essential oil
Carrot essential oil
essential oils properties

2. Application of essential oils

Inhalation, aromatherapy: through a diffuser or adding a few drops in hot water to inhale the vapor. In general, this is one of the safest ways to make use of oils.

Topical route: there are oils can be applied directly on the skin (for example using a compress) and other more concentrated that must be diluted in carrier oils. You can also add drops of essential oils in the bath water or use them as massage oils. The topical application of essential oils can help treat wounds, rejuvenate the skin, moisturize the lips, help prevent hair loss, treat acne, dandruff ...

Ingested: Some oils are non-toxic and can be used as an additive for food. Anyway you have to be very careful before ingesting an essential oil. It is always best to consult a doctor.

3. Properties and benefits of essential oils

list of essential oilsThanks to their properties, essential oils are attributed a multitude of benefits. Below we indicate the ones that we think are the most important to highlight. Select an oil from the list that you will find above to discover all its benefits.

Multi-purpose cleaner : citrus oils are mainly used for their disinfectant properties.

Natural insect repellent : for example you can apply eucalyptus essential oil in the form of a spray.

Control pests : use the essential oil of orange or clove.

Purify the air : use a vaporizer of essential oils to enjoy its anti-microbial properties of some oils.

Benefits related to beauty and relaxation:

Improve sleep : lavender oil can be effective in treating insomnia.

Rejuvenate the skin and eliminate wrinkles : mix a few drops of sandalwood oil, geranium or lavender with a facial lotion.

Massages : many of the oils can be mixed with a massage lotion.

Relaxing bath : simply add a few drops of the essential oil in your bathtub to enjoy the rejuvenating properties of different oils.

Reduce cellulite : for example through a massage with coconut oil.

Natural perfume : you can apply a few drops directly on your skin. The most used oils for perfume are lavender, vanilla and jasmine.

Treat acne : through the topical application of tea tree oil.

Hair health : you can mix a few drops of lavender oil in your shampoo to improve the health of your hair.

Benefits related to natural medicine:

Although they are attributed many health benefits, before using oils for medicinal purposes consult your doctor.

Some of these benefits can be: migraine relief, reduce cough, cure colds, heal burns, treat wounds, improve digestion, soothe insect bites, improve circulation etc.

4. How are they obtained?

uses of essential oilsThe two main methods for the production of essential oils are distillation and extraction.

Distillation : this is the most popular way to obtain essential oils. Many of the most common oils such as tea tree, eucalyptus or lavender are produced by distillation. The procedure is as follows: put different parts of the plants (such as leaves, flowers, seeds or roots) in a special container for distillation on water. When the water is heated the steam passes to the different parts of the plant, then condenses to liquid state. This liquid is packaged as an essential oil since it is considered to represent the "essential plant". Normally the whole procedure can last about 20 hours and is done in a single process.

Extraction : was the most common way to obtain essential oils before discovering the distillation. It is about obtaining the essential oil through cold pressing, similar to the way of extracting olive oil. It is the method used to extract citrus essential oils. The result is usually a highly concentrated liquid.

It is also possible to synthesize them and obtain essential oils artificially . It is a very common practice since the production costs and the retail price are much lower. Thanks to this method, the growing demand for "cheap essential oils" can be met. We recommend that you always obtain as much information as possible about the manufacturers of essential oils before purchasing them.

5. Side effects and precautions

There are essential oils that are toxic, you have to be very careful and know each type of oil well before using them. It is not advisable to use them too frequently since they may carry health risks. We do not recommend taking any essential oil.

Keep in mind that many of the oils are very concentrated and have to be diluted in a carrier oil such as geranium oil, lavender, jasmine, rose ... In the descriptions of the different oils, we indicate if they should be mixed .

We are advised to use essential oils in babies, small children or pregnant women . Neither should you use the oils with your pets.

The side effects that are derived from essential oils are multiple. Some examples are: malaise, headache, drowsiness, skin allergies and irritations. You should always do a test with a small amount of oil to see that you do not have any allergies. You should never apply the oils on the eyes or other sensitive areas.

Essential oils can cause addiction if they are used too often and lack of concentration so it is not advisable to use them if you need to be concentrated.

Citrus oils are phototoxic, so if you have applied them topically, we recommend waiting 72 hours before exposing yourself to sunlight or artificial light.

We always have to use recognized brands to ensure that the ingredients are of the highest quality. If you experience discomfort using any essential oil, discontinue its use and consult with your doctor.

ESSENTIAL OILS: PROPERTIES, USES, LISTINGS, BENEFITS ...