The Benefits of Using Essential Oils

Essential oils may seem like the unicorn of the medical world. The essential oil industry’s list of assets is vast, intriguing, and honestly – pretty confusing, leaving many of us asking, “are these plant extracts actually effective?” The answer that has repeatedly been proven through science and research is “yes”.
 
Although the use of essential oils may sound new to us, they have actually been used for thousands of years by our ancestors to enhance physical and mental well-being throughout their daily lives. So how, exactly, can essential oils help you?
Here’s how:

1. Fight off sickness
  Some essential oils like cinnamon and eucalyptus are known to help the body stimulate the growth of white blood cells. This results in a boosted immune system and a healthier psyche overall.
 As an added bonus – if you’re already feeling sick, using a diffuser can increase the needed humidity in the air to relieve your cough and sinus pressure.

2. Sleep better
Getting a good night’s rest is an essential part to our body’s health and wellness, but sometimes a good night’s sleep is hard to come by. In fact, the CDC has reported that 1 in 3 Americans are not getting enough sleep at night, leading to researchers and other professionals to turn to essential oils for support.
At the very basis of their usages, essential oils have relaxing properties that can help almost any night owl get a good night’s sleep. Chamomile and lavender are the most well-known for assisting us in our sleep, helping our mind and body start to relax and wind-down for bed.

3. Safer than candles
If you love candles for the aromas that they give off but are worried about an open flame in your home, essential oils may be a more suitable option for you.
With an essential oil diffuser, you can continue your aromatherapy practices while you sleep without having your mind constantly worry about the potentially hazardous situations that candles bring, such as burns, wax spills, or even having your pet knock it over.

4. Increase Your Energy
  When we don’t wake up feeling refreshed, we often turn to (multiple) cups of coffee to combat our lethargies. Oftentimes, this may not be the healthiest option for us, as coffee can sometimes lead to headaches, a rise in blood pressure, and in some cases, an increased risk of heart attacks.
To completely eliminate these effects from coffee, consider using essential oils that will increase vitality and reduce fatigue. Some great essential oils for boosting energy are peppermint, grapefruit and lemongrass.
 
If you haven’t yet hopped on the essential oil train, it’s not too late – the market size in the US is valued at $3.36 billion and is only growing, with an expected growth rate of 9% from 2016 to 2024. If you’re looking for a technique that will leave you sleeping better, feeling more energized, and is all-around safer than traditional methods, essential oils might just be the right option for you.

Article written by Elise Morgan
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