Last week, when explaining how to make natural sugar scrubs, I mentioned a few different essential oils to add to the recipe. Of course, they give the scrub a scent that you want, but different types of essential oils have other therapeutic benefits as well. Essential oils are natural, highly concentrated extracts from the leaves, flowers, and stems of plants.
According to healthline.com:
Peppermint: used to boost energy and aid digestion
Lavender: used to relieve stress
Sandalwood: used to calm nerves and help with focus
Bergamot: used to reduce stress and improve skin conditions like eczema
Rose: used to improve mood and reduce anxiety
Chamomile: used to improve mood and relaxation
Ylang-Ylang: used to treat headaches, nausea, and skin conditions
Tea Tree: used to fight infections and boost immunity
Jasmine: used to help with depression, childbirth, and libido
Lemon: used to aid digestion, mood, headaches and more
The most popular ways to take advantage of these oils are to apply them to the skin, either in a lotion or sugar scrub, or, to inhale them through smell and steam. Though you can inhale the oils by taking deep breaths from the bottle, the best way to inhale them is to add a few drops of oil to your diffuser. If you don't have a diffuser, add a few drops to a cloth and add the material to the vents in your car or place a few drops on your pillowcase.
Essential oils are completely natural, but you do need to take a few precautions to make sure you stay safe while using them. These oils are very concentrated so it is important that you do not let it touch your skin unless it is diluted first. You can add it to a carrier oil to dilute it and make yourself a rollerball blend to apply directly to your skin or add a few drops to your favorite cosmetic products. Focus on adding it to any place you experience pain or tightness or rub the diluted oil onto your wrists and temples.
Carrier oils are also made from plants, but these are safe for the skin. Their job is to “carry” the essential oils onto your skin. Carrier oils prevent any irritation that essential oils may give you by themselves. Most of the time, carrier oils are unscented so they don't interfere with the therapeutic properties of the essential oils they pair with. One of the most popular examples of a carrier oil is Coconut Oil. Coconut oil does have an aroma, but it is not processed with chemicals and comes straight from the meat of a coconut. Coconut oil has a lot of fatty acids which makes it a great carrier oil for massages and skin care preparations. Another great carrier oil is olive oil. There is a good chance you already have it in the house and can help moisturize your skin. Just add a few drops of your essential oil and massage your new oil wherever you feel you need it most.