Which Essential Oils should I use for Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy and aroma diffuser oils have taken social media by storm. Content creators and influencers are incorporating them into their daily lives and netizens are using them to help with certain ailments from headaches, poor sleep quality and even anxiety. But what exactly is aromatherapy and why are people so hyped up about it?
In simple terms, aromatherapy is an alternative practice that uses naturally derived essential oils medicinally to improve the health of the body, mind and spirit. Also known as essential oil therapy, aromatherapy enhances both physical and emotional health. This perfumery therapy has been in practice for thousands of years with greater prevalence in ancient Chinese, Indian and Egyptian cultures.
Learn More: Popular Essential Oils & Their Benefits: Lavender, Lily & More
Aromatherapy diffuser oil uses the power of mother nature, harnessing concentrated natural extracts from different plants and flowers. Known for its relaxation and mood-boosting powers, the effects of essential oils are generally experienced by breathing in the scents. The molecules stimulate an area of the brain called the limbic system, which influences everything from emotions and hormones to blood pressure and breathing patterns. You can also enjoy the effects of pure essential oils through skin absorption using products like bathing salts, body lotions, clay masks, or body oils.
Fun fact: To create 5ml of rose essential oil, you need 252,000 individual petals or 8,000 rose flowers.
Aromatherapy has an array of benefits. Some of them include managing pain, improving sleep quality, soothing sore muscles as well as easing labour discomforts. Aromatherapy can also treat certain conditions including asthma, fatigue, depression, inflammation and menstrual issues. The most popular essential oils used for aromatherapy are
1. Earthy Oils - Vetiver, Patchouli
Earthy essential oils can be described with words like herbal, grassy, garden fresh and musky. These aromas are present in the air while you are outdoors mowing grass or digging in the garden. Quite literally, earthy essential oils are known for their grounding, stabilising and calming properties thanks to their high terpenes content. This contains sedative effects that soothe anxiety, depression, tension and headaches.
2. Woody Oils - Cedarwood, Pine, Cypress, Cinnamon
Woody essential oils are known for their fresh, forest-like aroma that transports us away in a peaceful calmness. Just like the strong trees in the jungle, these oils are known for their centring, steadying, strengthening and empowering properties that promote upbeat, positive emotions. These oils also contain terpenes that are anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiseptic, and ani-viral, useful in treating colds, coughs and flu. They are also leveraged to repel insects including head lice and bedbugs.
3. Citrus Oils - Neroli, Orange, Lemon, Bergamot
Citrus essential oils are known for their uplifting, tangy aroma that boosts joy and everyone needs a little happiness in life. These pure essential oils are one of the most widely used worldwide because of their healing, reviving, mellowing, harmonising and cheering properties that are beneficial for anti-ageing, acne, dull skin, dermatitis, inflammation and treat flu, cough and fevers. They are even used to eliminate digestive issues like diarrhoea, constipation and gas.
4. Floral Oils - Rose, Ylang-Ylang, Lavender, Clary Sage, Geranium
Floral essential oils are often associated with the fresh and aromatic feeling of walking through a beautiful field of flowers and are known for their uplifting and calming aromas. These essential oils are most commonly used in perfumes thanks to their relaxing, sensual and nurturing properties. Floral essential oils are also beneficial in improving skin appearance, combating hair fall issues and relieving stress.
As you explore this world of aromatherapy diffuser oils, do take note of how different oils and methods of use can affect your health, physically and mentally. These essential oils can be used in numerous ways and even mixed together for added benefits. If you are looking for authentic oils in Singapore, Kyndle is the shop for you. Do contact us to know more about our range of pure essential oils.