Top 7 Benefits of Essential Oils

Essential oils have been around for thousands of years. Their use in traditional and folk medicine practices in various cultures around the world is nothing new, but their more widespread usage is becoming increasingly popular. Not only do essential oils smell pleasant—they’re also used in aromatherapy, personal hygiene practices, health care, cooking, cleaning, beauty treatments, and more! In this blog, we’ll share the top seven benefits of essential oils. 

What Are Essential Oils?  

Ultimately, essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that retain the natural smell and flavor of their source. They’re made by steaming or pressing various parts of a plant (including the flowers, bark, leaves, fruit, roots, and peels) to capture the compounds that produce fragrance. There are dozens of different essential oils—like lavender, tea tree, peppermint, lemon, and ginger—all with different fragrances, chemical makeups, and associated uses.  

7 Common, Everyday Benefits of Essential Oils  

1. Boost Immunity & Fight Infections - Many essential oils have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Chemical substances found in oils have the potential to fight foreign pathogens that may threaten your health. Tea tree oil, for example, has traditionally been used for wound healing; today, it’s commonly used to soothe acne, combat athlete’s foot, and provide relief from insect bites. 
2. Alleviate Aches & Pains - Among the most popular benefits of essential oils are their analgesic effects. Oils like frankincense and eucalyptus are known to help with inflammation, while lemon and rosemary may assist with pain regulation. 
3. Reduce Stress & Anxiety - Through aromatherapy—the practice of using essential oils for therapeutic purposes by inhaling their scent molecules—several different oils are used to better manage stress and anxiety. Oils such as orange, rose, and bergamot can induce calming, peaceful, and uplifting feelings. 
4. Support Digestion - Essential oils can help aid digestion by stimulating digestive enzymes that make it easier to break down and absorb nutrients, fats, and proteins needed by the human body. Some help relieve an upset stomach, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, ulcers, and gastrointestinal conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). 
5. Improve Energy Levels - Some oils may even help deal with feelings of tiredness and lethargy by increasing brain oxygen concentration. 
6. Relieve Headaches & Migraines - Instead of simply masking the pain, essential oils can work as a natural remedy for headaches and migraines by getting to the root of the problem: poor circulation and blood flow, stress, and sinus pressure. 
7. Promote Good Sleep - Those who struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep should be delighted to know that some essential oils, especially lavender, have sedative properties. Many people find the scent of lavender to be relaxing, helping them achieve a more restful night’s sleep.  

As you can see, the benefits of essential oils reach far and wide, so everyone stands to find them of use in one way or another! Here at Restoration Wellness, our goal is to help you achieve great health and wellness with natural medicine, herbs, essential oils (we exclusively use doTERRA essential oils at our shop), detox programs, and so many other services. Contact us today at 508-769-3682 to consult about which oils will work best for you, and we’ll get you started down the path of lasting wellness!