Essential Oil Basics
Essential Oil Basics.
Essential oils are becoming more popular as a natural health remedy. But there is still a lot of misunderstanding regarding what they are and how they help heal. Simply put, essential oils are organic compounds extracted from specific plants that exhibit healing properties. Their use for healing purposes is often called aromatherapy, which is a holistic treatment seeking to improve physical, mental and emotional health. For over 5,000 years, many different cultures have used these plant oils for many health conditions. There are even over 600 references in the Bible to essential oils and aromatic plants. They are often used for relaxation, beauty care, home cleaning and as natural medicine. Here is a basic guide to 6 essential oils from Innate Oils that can be diffused in your home, car & work or even applied with a carrier oil (coconut is often best) to be used directly on the skin.
- Tea Tree Oil is one of the best-known and most widely used of essential oils. The Australian Aborigines long ago realized the importance of this small tree’s healing attributes as it is effective against all three types of infectious agents: bacteria, fungi and viruses. Additionally, Tea Tree essential oil was included in the medical kits of the military in World War II due to its excellent antiseptic and immuno-stimulant properties.
- Peppermint is a powerful, distinct essential oil that immediately ignites the senses. It has definitely earned its reputation as one of the most fresh and familiar oils available today. Once inhaled or consumed, it goes right to work stimulating the mind and body to help with cooling, muscle pain/aches, migraines, menstrual cramps, sinusitis, depression, nausea and anxiety.
- Lavender is one of nature’s most fragrant and versatile oils. It has long been used as a medicinal remedy for its antiseptic, analgesic and tonic properties. The familiar aroma of lavender is used in cosmetics, perfumes and many skin care products and derived from evergreen shrubs with light green leaves and violet-blue flowers. It is also used as a sedative, helps with calming & insomnia, acts as a muscle relaxant, decreases inflammation, alleviates sunburn & other skin conditions, eases depression, helps with asthma and can even help with headaches (when blended with peppermint).
- Lemon essential oil is crisp and refreshing, with an array of everyday uses and health benefits. It has become a go-to oil for newcomers and veteran users alike, employed extensively in cooking, cleaning, topical application, aromatherapy, and much more. Lemon oil is also rich in antioxidants, which provides anti-bacterial & antiseptic properties, detoxifies, prevents infectious diseases, can act as a fever reducer, repels insects and relieves mouth sores & inflammation.
- Pure Life is a perfect blend for warding off insects and other unwanted pests. It is also great for cleaning and purifying the air to manage exposure to harmful chemicals/smells. Comprised of Rosemary, Lemon, Tea Tree and Lavender.
- Safe Guard is another blend comprised of clove, cassia, lemon, eucalyptus, wild orange, rosemary and cedarwood. Safe-Guard has a sizeable amount of cleansing and purifying properties. When used aromatically this blend is designed to safe guard your body from harmful airborne viruses, bacteria, pollutants and promotes normal respiratory function.
