Essential oils don’t just smell divine, they also possess powerful benefits for your mood, skin, and overall well-being.
For thousands of years, our ancestors have used them as a primary source of medicine to promote natural healing. Nowadays, essential oils are trending on TikTok and frequently feature in celeb self-care rituals.
Even Gwynie-P says they keep her zen, “I think there’s just something very healing about essential oils. I love aromatherapy.” If it’s good enough for the Goop guru, it’s good enough for us. Whether you want to spice up your sex life, boost your energy levels, or banish brain fog, we’ve rounded up the key benefits of essential oils and how you can implement them into your daily routine…
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are liquids extracted from flowers, herbs, leaves, roots, fruits, and seeds through the process of distillation, formulated to work in harmony with the body to promote better well-being. Each essential oil has a unique composition of chemicals, and this variation affects the smell, absorption, and health benefits of the oil.
How to use essential oils
The options are endless! If you’re in need of a quick hit, you can sniff straight from the bottle, or emit them using an essential oil diffuser to turn your room into a zen den. For the ultimate indulgence, pour a couple of drops into your next bubble bath and prepare to float away into a blissful state. Some essential oils even come in perfume bottles. Simply spritz around you, or your “aura” if you’re being “woo woo”, and inhale for an instant lift (though make sure to avoid your eyes!).
Different types of essential oils and their benefits
Rosemary essential oil – for enhanced focus
Banish morning brain fog with rosemary - a fragrant essential oil that’s like gulping a shot of espresso. This handy herb can improve memory retention, awareness, and target headaches. Recently it’s also caused a stir on TikTok for promoting hair growth.
Peppermint essential oil – for digestive health
Suffering from sugar cravings? Sniff some peppermint oil to manage those munchies around that time of the month. It can also help to promote regular bowel movements, reduce bloating, and ease symptoms of IBS.
Frankincense essential oil – for stress relief
Ever wondered what yoga in a bottle smelt like? Enter: Frankincense. Yes, that’s right, the nativity one. But it’s also perfect for those particularly stressful moments when you need to soothe the spirit.
Lemon essential oil- for an energy boost
Next time you want to combat the urge to fall asleep at your desk (we’ve all been there), instead of reaching for a caffeine kick, why not try something more wholesome? Citrus scents are the perfect pick-me-up for when you’re feeling lethargic or hungover! Erase that night of drinking and dancing with a dose of lemon essential oil.
Lavender essential oil – for sounder sleep
Lull yourself into a deep sleep with a whiff of lavender essential oil. It’s been proven to lower your heart rate, which in turn slows your breathing, directly interrupting your fight-or-flight response to promote feelings of peace. *Yawns*
Ginger essential oil – for reducing inflammation
A component of ginger essential oil - called zingibain - is responsible for its anti-inflammatory properties. This can provide pain relief, treat muscle aches, aid arthritis and cure migraines.
How do essential oils promote well-being?
We all know how powerful scent can be. Ever associated certain emotions with specific smells? That’s because aromas can stimulate the neurons in our olfactory bulb, directly connected to the limbic system, responsible for our feelings. “Scent is processed in the same part of the brain as memory and emotion”, says bio-alchemist, Michelle Gagnon. “It can conjure many feelings and images, and it can enhance and entice all of the senses.” Essential oils are therefore scientifically proven to transform our mood and change how we feel.
However, Michelle also stresses that the “efficiency of an essential oil depends completely on its quality and wholesomeness”. While the MHRA doesn't monitor or regulate the purity or quality of essential oils, it’s always worth buying organic products to ensure better results.
In a nutshell...
If you’re looking for a natural wellbeing remedy these small bottles of liquid magic can transform your state of mind. Whether you’re in need of a buzz or ready to bliss out, you’re just one whiff away from a better mood.
*NB: Do not apply directly to the skin, or without patch testing them on your skin first. Do not add them to any food or drink without consulting an expert first.