The Best Aromatherapy Essential Oils To Try Today

Meta Description: Aromatherapy essential oils can help alleviate stress, improve sleep, and enhance overall well-being. Discover the best essential oils to try. 

Keywords: aromatherapy essential oils, aromatherapy and essential oils, essential oil for aromatherapy

Aromatherapy essential oils have been gaining a lot of hype recently, especially in the online space, where celebrities and influencers are quite vocal about their use. While the trend may have reemerged, aromatherapy isn’t a novel health and beauty practice. 

The history of aromatherapy goes as far as 3500 years BC. Back then, aromatics were used in medicine and perfumes. The term ”aromatherapy” was first used by Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, a French chemist who claimed to treat a burn with lavender essential oil in 1935. 

Today, aromatherapy and essential oils are often thought to be the Holy Grail for their physical and emotional benefits. But what exactly are essential oils, how do they work, and which ones should you try? Let’s discuss. 

What Are Aromatherapy Essential Oils?

John Hopkins describes aromatherapy to be the use of ”essential oils for therapeutic benefit.” The term can be divided into two parts: aroma and therapy. 

Aroma has to do with smell, while therapy is a treatment that helps improve well-being. In aromatherapy, you inhale the scent of essential oils. The scent then goes from the olfactory nerves (responsible for the sense of smell) to your brain and impacts the emotional center, called the amygdala. 

Another mode of using essential oils is through the skin. In this case, aromatherapy essential oils are diluted and then applied to the skin.

Now, what exactly is an essential oil? An essential oil is a highly concentrated liquid extracted from plants, often through steam distillation. Not all essential oils have to be made using flowers. The fruit, leaves, and bark of plants are also used to make aromatherapy essential oils. 

How Do Aromatherapy Essential Oils Work?

An essential oil for aromatherapy could come in several forms, such as: 

• Inhalers
• Facial steamers
• Diffusers
• Bathing salts 
• Clay masks 
• Hot/cold compress
• Body oils or lotions 
• Aromatic spritzers 

There are over a hundred different types of essential oils. Note that the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) does not regulate essential oils. So, when you buy aromatherapy essential oils, do thorough research to ensure you get a quality one just like you do when purchasing your beauty care products. 

Benefits of Aromatherapy Essential Oils 

It’s important to understand that there might be a lot of incorrect and blown-out-of-proportion claims about aromatherapy essential oils. Only use essential oils for their proven benefits. 

Some of these include: 

• Pain management 
• Improvement of sleep quality 
• Reduction of anxiety and stress 
• Alleviation of chemotherapy side effects 
• Treatment of migraines and headaches 

Some other health issues that aromatherapy may have the potential to treat are asthma, fatigue, depression, menstrual problems, alopecia, and inflammation. However, conclusive research is only available for a few benefits. 

Anxiety and Stress Management 

Studies show that 43% of individuals suffering from anxiety or stress use some form of alternative therapy. Some initial research on the use of essential oils for stress management has been positive. Results show that essential oils, in combination with traditional therapy, can help treat stress and anxiety. 

An interesting finding in this regard is that essential oil massages can be useful in stress alleviation. However, the effects only persist during the massage. 

Sleep Management 

Many people use essential oils, especially lavender oil, to treat insomnia. Some research has shown that lavender oil can improve sleep quality in postpartum women. However, it’s not only women who benefit from this oil. A review of 15 studies on the effect of essential oils on sleep found that smelling essential oils affects sleep habits positively. 

Headache Management 

Essential oils have long been used in traditional Persian medicine to treat headaches, among other ailments. A popular headache remedy is to apply a mix of sesame and chamomile oil on the temples. Research shows that this could help alleviate the symptoms of migraines and headaches. 

Popular Aromatherapy Essential Oils and Their Uses 

Here are some commonly used essential oils in aromatherapy and their potential benefits. While most of these oils have a direct wellness impact, they also pose many beauty effects indirectly. 

• Castor Oil: To moisturize and soften skin for a natural glow.
• Sweet Almond Oil: To nourish and revive dry, flaky, and dull skin. It is highly absorbent and makes an excellent carrier oil.
• Avocado Oil: To keep skin supple for extended periods by forming a barrier against moisture loss. It also makes a good carrier oil.
• Grapeseed Oil: To reduce dryness on the skin with its silky texture. It is suitable for all types of skin and doesn’t clog pores or cause breakouts.
• Apricot Oil:  To soften fine lines, restore a healthy glow, and moisturize the skin with its vitamin E content.
• Jojoba Oil: To restore the oil balance in the skin with its effective sebum-like properties.  
• MCT Oil: To treat acne-prone skin, allergic reactions, and irritation for healthy-looking skin. 

How to Choose the Right Essential Oil for Aromatherapy

The first thing to consider is your purpose for using essential oils. Are you looking for relaxation or healing? Do you want to improve your mood or boost your immune system? Choose accordingly. 

Research has shown that the quality of essential oils differs across manufacturers. Many companies claim to sell ”medical grade” essential oils, but there’s no universal definition for what is considered medical grade. So, it’s just a buzzword to get you to buy their product. 

Here are three factors to keep in mind when you buy essential oils: 

• Quality: Get an essential oil that has undergone the least changes during extraction. Essential oils extracted through mechanical cold pressing or distillation are the best options. 
• Purity: Synthetical oils and additives can lower the efficacy of essential oils. Look for oils with scientific names in the product descriptions rather than descriptors like ”essential oil of XYZ.” 
• Reputation: Buy from a company with a solid reputation. Check reviews and ratings before buying from a new company.

Wehn to avoid Aromatherapy Essential Oils 

Always dilute essential oils and use them in a well-ventilated area. Avoid using essential oils if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Also, check with your doctor before using an essential oil for aromatherapy if you have: 

• Eczema 
• Hay fever 
• Asthma
• Psoriasis 
• High blood pressure 

Takeaway 

Aromatherapy and essential oils may serve as alternate treatment methods for everyday ailments. However, do not fall for over-the-top claims about their effectiveness. There is no conclusive research to show that essential oils treat heart disease, Parkinson’s, cancer, or Alzheimer’s. 

Essential oils are not a replacement for medical treatment and should not be used as a substitute for prescribed medication.