Aromatherapy is an alternative form of medicine that makes use of essential oils, which are extracted from various plants that capture their flavor or essence, which makes them potent. Often used for one’s therapeutic benefit, it is obtained by steaming, distilling parts of plants, or cold pressing by using a machine to extract the oil and they are absorbed by the body.
With the abundance of the different kinds of aromatherapy oils on the market, it can be quite a task to choose one that suits you that is why we've prepared a buying guide to help you. In this article we will talk about their benefits as well as our recommended aromatherapy oils for you to try.
Quick List - Top Aromatherapy Oils
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If you’re having trouble sleeping, oils like lavender has been noted to improve the quality of sleep. It can also be used to soothe and relax especially if you apply them in trigger areas such as your neck, behind your ears, elbows, and back of your knees.
It has also been noted to provide physical healing benefits as plants have anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial effects. It can be a remedy for acne, muscle ache, and sore throat.
Before heading over to the top 10, here are the things you should consider in choosing the best essential oil.
Aromatherapy oils are made from plants like leaves, herbs, barks, and rinds. Before buying, try to check the ingredients list and see if it is made of pure plant oils as some manufacturers use diluents, to lessen the concentration of the plant oil, which can cause an allergic reaction. Though some are harmless like vegetable oil.
Check the label and look for the botanical Latin name so you can be sure it contains plant material and not something synthetically produced, which can be the case for fragrance oils.
Oils come can be utilized two ways; through inhalation like oil diffusers you see in some people’s bedroom or through topical application. Let’s find out which one is suited for you.
Considered the safest method for using essential oils, it occurs when the oil evaporates into the air using a diffuser usually in the form of spray, oil droplets or a steam bath. You can even use aroma sticks if you’re on a budget.
Inhaling the scent influences the nervous system as well as the limbic system, which affects one’s emotions, heart rate, and hormones. In a way it has a holistic effect to your body. It can also provide respiratory disinfection and decongestion.
It is usually in the form of massage and body oils as well as skin care products. The aromatherapy oils are applied directly to your skin, sometimes with the use of carrier oils, such as coconut, olive, and jojoba oil, which dilute the essential oil and make it easier to apply on your skin.
It is used to target specific areas that are in pain such as to relieve backache or sore muscles. Massaging the area where you applied your oil can help increase blood flow and improve circulation. However, some people may have allergic reactions to these oils so it is advised to dilute it with carrier oils.
Aromatherapy oils can get confusing seeing the variety you have to choose from. This does not mean you have to buy each and every one of them. You just have to pick what needs to address.
If you find yourself having trouble sleeping despite your best efforts, it is possible you may be too worked up to sleep. You can lessen stimulus as you near your bedtime but sometimes smelling something relaxing also helps you get in the mood for dreamland. Use lavender oil as it has been known to have a calming effect and helps improve sleep.
Chamomile is noted to help reduce insomnia so you can have a good night’s rest. Other oils good for inducing sleep include ylang-ylang, which emits a sweet aroma and repels insects as well as frankincense, which has been dubbed as a heal-all oil ranging from being an antiseptic to improving your skin and mood.
In times where you need an energy booster it is good to take a break from consuming caffeinated products such as coffee or energy drinks. Citrus fruits like orange can improve your mood and boost your energy, while grapefruit can reduce stress, increase your energy, and relieve hangovers.
Lemon is great for reducing nausea and boosting energy levels. Mint oils such as spearmint and peppermint have cooling effects when you apply them topically, think of it as an external breath mint and it can help alleviate muscle pain and can repel bugs as well as relieve bug bites.
Herbs such as rosemary are great for enhancing your mental focus and preventing the onset of dementia. Basil can help increase your alertness and works as a muscle relaxer while patchouli can help you relax as well as provide a calm focus.
Cedar wood provides a calming effect that helps you improve your focus while cinnamon has stimulating properties that can fight mental fatigue and aid your concentration.
If you’re feeling down in he dumps sniff some jasmine oil, which is a stress reliever and used an anti-depressant as it can make you feel confident and optimistic. Bergamot and lemon is considered a pick me up and when your mood is feeling down and can lower your anxiety levels.
Sandalwood, which has been used in perfume, has been thought to help reduce anxiety as well as increase alertness.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Aura Cacia Discover Relaxation Kit | ![]() | An Oil to Suit Your Every Need | |
2 | Garden Lab Essential Oils Set | ![]() | Citronella and Peppermint for an All-Natural Bug Repellent | |
3 | dōTERRA Frankincense Touch | ![]() | Soothe Your Senses with Frankincense | |
4 | Aura Cacia Lemon Essential Oil | ![]() | Feel Energized with Lemon Oil | |
5 | Edens Garden Cedarwood - Himalayan Essential Oil | ![]() | Relax and Wind Down with Cedarwood Oil | |
6 | Aura Cacia Love Potion Essential Oil | ![]() | Refresh Your Living Room with White Jasmine and Sandalwood | |
7 | Organic Blendz Rosemary Essential Oil | ![]() | Improve Your Mental Clarity with Rosemary | |
8 | Plant Republic Bergamot Essential Oil | ![]() | Reduce Your Stress with Bergamot | |
9 | Beryl Essentials Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil | ![]() | Cinnamon for Boosting Concentration | |
10 | Lemongrass House Ylang Ylang Pure Essential Oil | ![]() | Diffuse Ylang Ylang for a More Inviting Bedroom |
With this 4-piece kit from Aura Cacia, you have an essential oil for your every need. It contains lavender to help you get in the mood for bed and patchouli, which has great balancing properties and can give you a calm focus as well as sweet orange, to instantly improve your mood.
It also includes an essential chill pill; a blend of peppermint, sweet basil, and Roman chamomile great for balancing and relaxing. Aside from using it as a diffuser you can use it in your laundry for fresh smelling clothes or in your soaps and lotions. The kit even comes with a learning guide to help you utilize the oils.
If you have bug problems, this set has citronella oil, which is very effective for keeping away pesky insects so you can say goodbye to mosquitoes biting at your legs. If you have bedbugs or cockroaches, you can use peppermint oil to keep them away while you sleep. It is also good if you are suffering from coughs or colds.
You can put a couple of drops of citronella or peppermint in a spray bottle filled with water and use it as an all natural bug repellent. You can also dilute the lavender oil and spritz it over your pillows and blankets if you have trouble sleeping, while the eucalyptus could be used as a healing salve for cuts and bruises.
Want a quick pick me up besides your trusty white flower? Use this neat roll-on frankincense oil. Frankincense has been called a heal-all oil due to its number of uses such as reducing the appearance of wrinkles and skin imperfections to calming and balancing emotions.
You can apply this compact roll-on on your hands, neck, and bottom of your feet for a soothing effect as well as your pulse points and temple. You can use either sniff it or apply it topically over your body. Unlike other essential oils, you can apply it directly on your skin without using carrier oils.
Lemon has many uses both in food and as a cleaning agent and now it is used as an essential oil. It has a fresh aroma that wakes you up and instantly boosts your mood. It can also reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Use it to instantly freshen up your living room.
Keep in mind that due to its concentrated nature, essential oils must be diluted if you are planning to use it topically. This all-natural oil is made from 100% pure essential oil. Dilute it with water, lotion, or soap if you want to feel energized and clean or mix with other essential oils such as lavender, grapefruit, and bergamot.
Cedarwood is ideal for helping you support your emotions and is subtly relaxing. It has a woody and earthy fragrance that eases nervous tension. It also has anti-inflammatory properties for arthritis and helps in reliving muscle spasm. This is ideal if you feel a little overwhelmed and to wind down after a long day.
Can’t get enough of the scent? You can add a tablespoon of cedarwood oil, combine with tea tree oil and mix with your shampoo. Remember to rinse well before applying conditioner. If you are planning to use it as body oil, dilute it with carrier oil first like coconut or almond oil.
Sometimes unwanted odors can stick to you or your living space, whether it is the prito smell from when you made breakfast or a faint hint of ulam, it can get off-putting sometimes.
If you want to smell clean, refreshing, and inviting, this essential oil aims to do just that.
It is an an aromatherapy oil made from pure extracts that will make you feel refreshed, clean, and invigorated as Jasmine has anti-depressant properties. This blend is also ideal to use in the bath if you ever want to set a romantic mood. Mix it with water to refresh your living space or add in your lotion.
Having trouble concentrating at work? Perhaps a whiff of rosemary oil is what you need as it is beneficial in improving your mental clarity, help reduce nervous tension as well as fatigue. Put a drop of oil on your hands, rub them together and cup them over your nose and mouth.
You could put it in an aromatherapy diffuser for your room, add a few drops in your warm bath, or even dilute it with a carrier oil if you want to use it as a massage oil. It has a fresh, strong, and woody fragrance that can be soothing if you have a headache. It is also believed to improve memory, so it is ideal for studying.
Bergamot is a citrus that is great for reducing stress levels and anxiety. It is considered a pick me up along with lemon and has anti-inflammatory properties. It is used to flavor earl gray tea so if you’re a fan of that particular kind you may notice some similarities. It can be used to treat different skin concerns such as a spot corrector for acne.
If you have any insect bites you can use this oil as a salve and apply over your bites. You can put a couple of drops of this in water and use it a diffuser or you can mix it with a carrier oil such as coconut and use it as massage or body oil. Should you want to make your own blend, it is best to pair with it lavender or chamomile oil.
Do you feel tired already during midday? Perhaps you want something to help you help you concentrate while you study or work? Sniffing some cinnamon oil has stimulating properties that could boost your blood circulation and help you focus so you can still feel energized and avoid a midday slump.
It is also said to have health benefits such as promote a healthy immune system by decreasing inflammation, ward off parasites, viruses, and inflammation. Fun fact, it can also stimulate one’s libido. To use, simple inhale it straight from the bottle, you could also put a couple drops into a diffuser, or mix with your lotion.
Looking for a way to make your bedroom more inviting? Place an ylang-ylang reed diffuser to make it smell slightly sweet and floral without being too overpowering as this scent has been used in many perfumes including Chanel No. 5 so your room will smell pleasant without choking you.
Ylang-ylang has relaxing and soothing effect so you can drift off to dreamland if you have trouble sleeping. It also repels insects as well so no need to worry about mosquito bites. It is ideal if you want to delicately freshen up your room or soothe your mind and body.
Can’t get enough of holistic healing? Check out these other picks that promote your well-being naturally. You can now feel like you are in a spa right in the comfort of your home.
Author: Justine Cuizon
No. 1: Aura Cacia|Discover Relaxation Kit
No. 2: Garden Lab|Essential Oils Set
No. 3: dōTERRA|Frankincense Touch
No. 4: Aura Cacia|Lemon Essential Oil
No. 5: Edens Garden|Cedarwood - Himalayan Essential Oil
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