What is an essential oil?
As we move away from an over-reliance on using drugs for every ailment, more and more people are choosing to use natural therapies for health and wellbeing.
Essential oils have been used for medicinal purposes across the world since ancient times. Historians have found evidence of their use in countless ancient civilisations, including: Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Ancient China, Ancient India and Medieval Europe.
True essential oils are 100% pure and made from all-natural ingredients.
Plants offer us an infinite range of medicinal properties to aid our health and wellbeing.
From our mood to our muscles, skin, hair, immune system, bones, digestion, focus and more, the plant world is brimming with flowers, stems, roots, leaves and bark that contain powerful compounds to improve our mental and physical health.
These scented oils are carefully extracted from the relevant part of the plant through cold pressing or steam distillation.
The peel of citrus fruits is usually cold-pressed which means the peel is put under a heavyweight hydraulic press whilst other plants are steamed and the oil collected.
Most natural essential oils are colourless or a very light yellow tone, although there are a few that have a striking natural colour.
What is aromatherapy?
When we use natural plant oils to improve our mental and physical health it is called aromatherapy.
Aromatherapy is a therapeutic approach, increasingly recognised by the medical community and the use of essential oils continues to grow at an exponential rate.
Do essential oils work?
There are many individual studies into the effects of specific plant compounds on specific ailments. What we do know is that scent plays a powerful role in the limbic system.
The limbic system connects our brain to lots of fundamental emotional and mechanical behaviours.
Heart rate, joy, tension, pleasure, movement, blood pressure, memory, immune functions, motivation and more are all affected by the limbic system. This junction of emotions, behaviours and memories is greatly impacted by fragrance.
When we inhale the beautiful aromas from essential oils, it has a direct effect on our limbic system resulting in physical and emotional change. Particles also enter our body via our nose, moving through the olfactory system, lungs and on into our bloodstream.
If essential oils are added to a carrier oil, such as coconut or jojoba oil, they can also be massaged into the skin where further benefits can be imparted to the body as the essential oil is absorbed.
As a result, essential oils can be used in a diffuser, during massage, in the bath, as part of a beauty routine and lots more.
Many essential oils are great for your skin and used throughout beauty products. The consistency of essential oils is not greasy, instead they are easily absorbed like water.
Which essential oil should I choose?
Each essential oil offers something different for your body and mind so it is impossible to say which essential oil is best. However there are some popular benefits people tend to seek when they first begin to use essential oils, such as oils for sleep, relaxation, hair, skin and a positive mood.
Indeed, as you become more familiar with essential oils you will find you use many different oils for different reasons and even create your own blends.
The 5 most popular essential oils for new buyers are often:
Peppermint: Peppermint essential oil can aid digestion whilst helping you to feel calm and energised.
Lavender: Lavender essential oil is a top-selling oil to aid sleep and relaxation.
Bergamot: Bergamot essential oil is a great all-rounder that can both lift your mood and help you relaxwhilst boosting skin health and more.
Rose: Rose essential oil is a favourite for skin, relaxation and increased feelings of joy.
Sweet Orange: Sweet Orange essential oil is well-known for its uplifting qualities to boost your mood.
Other popular choices include: sandalwood, chamomile for relaxation and tea tree to fight infection.
Discover the benefits of more essential oils, by browsing our essential oils collection where you will find detailed information about the advantages of each essential oil