All the benefits of essential oils

Surely, you've heard of aromatherapy, a very trendy treatment based on the use of essential oils. These can be very good to treat some pains and conditions without substituting conventional medicine. Essential oils are also used in beauty treatments and as fragrances for our homes. But do you know how to use them? What are their benefits? Here are some answers!

Before getting to know how essential oils can help us, let's learn some basic principles about them. Aromatherapy is a kind of natural and alternative medicine that in no way can substitute conventional medicine, but it definitely can be used to ease certain pains. That's why it's important to know that pregnant or breastfeeding women, as well as kids under 7, shouldn't use these kinds of treatments unless a doctor advised them to.

Before using the oils we must ask ourselves three questions: Is it going to provoke unintended side effects on me? These treatments may not be indicated if you are already under another specific medical treatment, pregnant, or too young. Secondly, what oil do I need, and how do I use it? These are usually concentrated oils that are never used on their own. Finally, we have to know which dose we need so the oil is effective and safe for us.

There are three ways to use essential oils: they can be applied straight to the skin with a massage (previously diluting them in a vegetal oil or some cosmetic product), used in the air with a diffuser or sprinkler (very handy to perfume our homes), or as an ingredient in foods and drinks like tea or milk.

There's an enormous variety of essential oils. Nowadays, we can find around 150 on the market, and each oil with its characteristics and specific virtues. Some of them can be beneficial to improve our breathing, digestion, and skin, help with insomnia or stress, and even, fight a cold. Possibilities are endless, so let's see in detail our personal selection of '15 essential oils that you should have at home'.

This mint essential oil has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Its fresh smell helps to ease nausea and headaches, so it comes in handy when we are feeling a bit dizzy.

Common lavender has calming and anti-inflammatory properties. Its essential oil is really good for accelerating scaring, helping with skin infection, or drinking it in water to ease cramps and contractures.

The essential oil of Eucalyptus Radiata has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. It's recommended for otorhinolaryngologist infections such as colds, ear infections, and flu symptoms; it also helps to lower the fever caused by these conditions.

This essential oil is useful to mitigate stomach pains and digestive disorders and to reduce asthma caused by stress and skin allergies. This is due to its antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties.

Also known as Melaleuca Alternifolia, this oil is extracted from an Australian bush. The Tea Tree essential oil has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and alleviates skin, oral, otorhinolaryngologist, and gynecological infections. It's easy to see it as an active ingredient in many skin care products.

The lemon essential oil is a terrific anti-septic. It disinfects the air and strengthens the nervous system. It can be used, for example, as a booster if you're feeling fatigued.

This essential oil is really common in skincare and hair products. But that's not all, it can be useful as a remedy to ease arthritis, asthma, skin and mouth infections, and even, flu symptoms.

Ravensara (or Ravintsara) is one of the most used oils in aromatherapy and some even call it 'the oil that cures everything'. Originally from Madagascar, this plant has important anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. Its essential oil can help us with conditions like the flu, gastroenteritis, or a low immune system.

If we apply the Helichrysum Italicum to our bruises, it'll make them disappear faster. A great oil to have around if we want to reduce eczema and alleviate pains caused by arthritis and hepatic conditions.

This essential oil works really well with stress, spasms, cramps, and indigestion.

The Rose Geranium essential oil has regenerative actives that help to soothe redness in the skin and to achieve smooth and firm skin. It's also beneficial for fatigue cases. It will give us a boost and make us forget about tiredness.

When dealing with stress or insomnia, the Petitgrain Bigarade essential oil (also known as Bitter Orange) will help us relax and calm ourselves. And it's also recommended when we are a bit down to lift our mood.

This essential oil has a very soothing effect and can also be applied to ease the pain and stinging of sunburns and insect bites. But especially the spike lavender is really helpful to relax; that's why it's a must in our essential oils kit.

How many home remedies have you tried to get rid of hiccups? Well, the Tarragon oil can really help you with that. Its properties are perfect to alleviate, not only hiccups, but allergies such as hay fever, or even premenstrual syndrome cramps.

If you feel sore in your muscles or joints, this essential oil can be the answer. The calming effects of Wintergreen are one of the reasons men and women in sports use it as a remedy to ease the pain caused by a long day of training.