There are over 90 types of essential oils. With the recent interest in natural medicine, interest in essential oils has also blossomed. In this article, we’ll go over exactly what essential oils are, as well as give you some amazing oil facts. Read on for more information about these incredible oils, and how they can help you live a healthier life:
What Are Essential Oils?
Before we go into the oil facts, let’s talk about what essential oils actually are. You probably hear about them all over the place, and claims that they can do everything from cure cancer to help with morning sickness. While the latter two claims may not be scientifically verified, there is some anecdotal evidence that they can help with certain conditions.
But what exactly are they?
Well, the essential oil itself is the aroma and flavor from a specific plant. In order to get the essential oil, the manufacturer will distill the oil from the plant, typically using steam or water or sometimes using a method called cold pressing.
Once the oil is extracted, it is mixed with what is called a carrier oil in order to make it safe for use. Depending on the carrier oil and the method if distillation, the essential oil can be inhaled or put on your skin.
Some people prefer to put the essential oil in a diffuser and breathe it in that way. Others may put some on their tongue or purchase tea with essential oils in them.
Essential oils all have terpenes or things that make you feel a certain way. For example, lavender helps calm people down. Visit this site for more info on terpenes.
Read on for some amazing facts about essential oils:
- Jesus Christ Himself Was a Recipient of Essential Oils
If you’ve ever heard the Nativity story or grew up in a church, you’re familiar with the tale of the Three Wise Men.
A recap for those unfamiliar: Jesus Christ, the central figure in Christianity, was born in a stable in Bethlehem for what His followers believe is to take the world’s sins. Once he was born, the Three Wise Men came to see him, following a star to find His location. They came bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
While you probably know what gold already is, frankincense and myrrh are essential oils. They both can help treat arthritis, while myrrh helps with dental issues and kills oral bacteria.
Although Jesus wasn’t the first person to ever receive essential oils as a gift, He may arguably be the most famous.
- Lavender Oil Is the Most Versatile
Many essential oil enthusiasts state that lavender is the most versatile essential oil, and that you should have it in your arsenal.
Lavender, first and foremost, makes you sleepy and helps you feel calm. This is why many people recommend that if you have a difficult time sleeping, to put lavender mist on your pillow before you go to sleep. Some soap companies even make lavender infused soap that’s used right before you go to bed.
Many people who have issues sleeping say that diffusing lavender before going to sleep puts them in a calm mood. Lavender can also help with your digestive issues, as well as PMS symptoms for women. It can also help with bug bites and help treat minor wounds and can help with pain after children have had a tonsillectomy. Additionally, the lavender plant itself is particularly beautiful as a decoration.
- Peppermint Is the Most Widely Used
Think about something all of your oral hygiene products have in common. From gum to toothpaste to floss, what exactly is it that ties them all together? Well, in case the header for this paragraph didn’t give you a clue: it’s the taste of mint.
Peppermint and mint essential oils are used fairly liberally in beauty and health products. It’s no secret that peppermint can help freshen your breath and contribute to oral health.
But what else can it do? Well, a lot of things, it turns out. One of the most common uses for it, aside from oral hygiene products, is to help with stomach upset. In fact, it helps many women suffering from morning sickness settle their stomach.
It can also help with muscle and joint pain, as well as help with seasonal allergy symptoms.
- You Can Clean with Them
Why are most of your household products lemon-scented? Partially because lemon juice and lemon essential oils are a great way to clean around the house.
Not all essential oils can kill bacteria effectively, but if you want a lemon-fresh after smell, try cleaning your home with a mixture of lemon essential oil and a few other common ingredients like vinegar or baking soda.
Many people choose to clean with essential oils over cleaning products because of their lack of chemicals. And this can be a great way to keep the house clean, though we don’t recommend doing a deep clean with just essential oils.
There Are Far More Oil Facts Than We Could Fit Here
Essential oil facts are plentiful, and many people swear by them. Using them in your everyday life is fantastic, but doesn’t give up modern medical advice in lieu of essential oils. That is, don’t protect yourself or your kids from diseases with essential oils or use them instead of necessary medication. Using them in tandem with modern medication is the best way to go about it.
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