Essential oils: benefits, uses
Not for gourmet food, not for flavor or beauty. Many people have no idea what a few drops of essential oil are capable of – at the right time and in the right place.
Many have entire collections of tiny bottles on the shelf of the bathroom cabinet. Some oils are needed to cheer up the mood on a gloomy day, others, on the contrary, to cool off in hot weather, and others are indispensable in cleaning. It is not so easy to understand all this diversity. But there are five base oils that you should definitely settle in your home. And they won’t let you down.
An irreplaceable oil that will save you from biting insects. Many repellents are still poisonous not only to mosquitoes and horseflies, but also to pets. And they are usually contraindicated in children. Insect repellents from a spray can not be applied at all to the skin – only to clothing. And their smell is usually not the most pleasant …
But eucalyptus oil is a completely different matter. It is 70 or even 85 percent composed of a substance called citronellal. It gives the oil a fragrance that repels insects.
By-effect: This oil is used as a remedy against fungus and inflammation, to relieve the symptoms of the common cold.
How to use: Mix in a dispenser bottle 40 drops of eucalyptus oil, 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar and 150 ml alcohol-free face toner. Shake well – the natural repellent is ready. And so that insects do not fly into the house, it is enough to drop two drops of oil into the aroma lamp.
And this oil is an irreplaceable assistant in cleaning. It has powerful antimicrobial properties, destroying almost any bacteria, including salmonella, staphylococci, enterococci and other unpleasant microorganisms. Better than chlorinated cleaners, agree? Thyme oil can kill even fungal spores, so take note – an excellent disinfectant.
By-effect: thyme or thyme is an active immunostimulant. The oil helps to get rid of inflammation, respiratory diseases, it is added to oral care products – as an antibacterial component. In addition, it effectively fights acne and pimples.
How to use: half a glass of water and vodka, 15 drops each of thyme oil and lemon oil (the latter for flavor). Mix, pour into a spray bottle – the natural disinfectant is ready.
Cinnamon oil will not help you clean the floor, but it will help you get rid of any type of SARS and even relieve the symptoms of bronchitis. This remedy helps to cope with coughs and the most annoying runny nose. Scientists say that the use of cinnamon oil is practically “chemotherapy” in the fight against fungal diseases of the respiratory tract, asthma and purulent sore throats. All in all, a potent anti-inflammatory agent.
By-effect: helps to fight fungal skin diseases, various rashes, diseases of the genitourinary system.
How to use: Cinnamon oil is very allergenic, so it cannot be used in its pure form. Dilute in a 1: 5 ratio, for example, with olive oil. For inhalation, you need to add a few drops to the water to cure a sore throat – two drops in a glass of hot water with honey. You can add it to a massage cream or face cream – 2 drops per 5 grams of cream.
The most famous relaxant. It is commonly used to relieve stress and improve sleep. All thanks to the two components of lavender oil: linalool and linaliacetate. Together, these substances act as a muscle relaxant – simply put, they help the muscles to relax. And at the same time, the nerves relax. By the way, a nice bonus: absolutely all muscles relax, including the facial ones. This means that mimic wrinkles are straightened.
Scientists have proven that lavender oil really perfectly calms the body and mind, and at the same time it is completely safe. Can’t sleep? Now you know what to do.
By-effect: lavender oil is also used in cosmetology. It can be added to face masks to dry pimples and eliminate beauty and irritation. For hair care, lavender oil can help get rid of excess grease and dandruff.
How to use: add a few drops to your bath before bed. You can lightly lubricate your wrists or temples to help you sleep better. Or you can slightly moisten a cotton pad with oil, wrap it in a scarf and put it in a pillowcase.
It is one of the most versatile essential oils. It can be dripped into water to give it a subtle flavor, and can be used in cooking. Or you can add it to cleaning products to rid, say, the sink or refrigerator of unpleasant odors and give them a pleasant fresh scent. Plus, lemon oil has antimicrobial properties.
The oil is used in skin care – thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, it helps to fight acne and even rosacea. In addition, lemon oil accelerates wound healing and relieves itching after insect bites.
By-effect: lemon oil improves blood circulation, helps to strengthen the immune system, whitens the skin, strengthens and whitens nails. They say you can even get rid of warts with it.
How to use: add to olive oil in a ratio of 1: 2 and get an excellent oil for anti-cellulite massage. To enhance immunity, you can add 7-10 drops of oil mixed with sea salt solution to the bath. To strengthen the nails, pure oil is applied to the plate. To enrich a face mask or cream, two drops per 5 grams of the main substance are enough. For inhalation and rinsing – 3-5 drops of oil in a glass of water.