Have you ever stepped into a florist’s shop, perceived the scent of organic lavender and felt even a tiny bit more relaxed? Perhaps you’ve stepped into the garden, detected a whiff of rosemary and rose buds, and noticed your mind become a smidge clearer.

Numerous studies have identified the benefits of essential oils for mental health and overall wellbeing.

If you’ve read about the powers of plant extracts, you may be curious about how to use essential oils—in other words, the correct methods of application or incorporation in your daily life. Below, we’ve listed our top three ways to introduce essential oils into your life.

Plus, we’ve even thrown in a few suggestions regarding our favorite essential oils to get you started.

What Are Essential Oils and How Are They Useful?

Essential oils have many uses. You can use essential oils for cleaning as well as to enhance your overall health and wellbeing. Essential oils are plant extracts that are concentrated enough to capture a plant’s unique flavor or scent. They’re typically extracted from natural sources including:

• Wood
• Bark
• Seeds
• Fruits
• Leaves
• Flowers

Essential oils harness the power of various plants to help to support relaxation, concentration, and restful sleep, and also support the regulation of our moods and emotions.

While we’ll mostly leave the discussion of lavender oil, lemon oil, and other specific essential oil uses for another post, below we’ll look at some of the top ways to use essential oils, including:

• Inhalation
• Topical application
• Diffusion

Inhalation

One of the more direct methods of bringing essential oils into contact with your body is actually by breathing them in. (Yes, this is as simple as it sounds.) This is an easy way to individually take in the benefits of a pure essential oil without throwing the scent around a shared area like an office or living room.

One low-effort way to achieve this is to:

• Fill a bowl with hot water, squeeze in a few drops of your favorite essential oil, and inhale the vapor emanating from the bowl. You can place a towel over your head to trap more of the steam.

• Another option is to throw an essential oil-infused tissue in your bag for inhalation on the go.

Try this with eucalyptus oil to help clear nasal passages and the sinuses. Opt for a bit of peppermint oil instead to help increase feelings of alertness.

On the Skin

The topical application of essential oils allows them to be absorbed through the skin*. This is especially useful news for massage enthusiasts or those who enjoy creating their own lotions and skincare products. Adding the essential oil to a neutral massage oil and using this formula on the body is a clever way to provide targeted care to areas experiencing tension or tightness.

*Warning: Keep out of reach of children. Highly concentrated, essential oils should always be diluted with a carrier oil when used on the skin. Keep away from eyes & mucous membranes. Not for internal use. It is recommended to dilute any essential oil with a carrier oil or water if used directly on the skin, as it may cause skin irritation for some people. Discontinue use if skin irritation occurs.

In Diffusers or Humidifiers

Whether you go with simple reed diffusers or electronically-powered humidifiers, both methods can distribute the powerful scents and benefits of essential oils within a room—even while you’re out of the house. Over time, this can allow you to actually transform the entire ambiance of your home.

If using a diffuser, add your favorite essential oil to a neutral, carrier oil, and carefully pour the mixture into an aroma mist diffuser. Because some oils can stain fabrics and furniture, we recommend doing this step over a towel or the sink.

If adding essential oils to a humidifier, place a few droplets in the water tank. Be sure to check with the manufacturer’s instructions first, since not all humidifiers can accommodate essential oils.

Soothing oils like sandalwood oil or rose oil can help improve the mood and calm the nerves. Scents like these can go a long way toward helping to facilitate a relaxing home environment.

Harness the Power of Essential Oils With Starwest Botanicals

The benefits and potential healing properties of essential oils have been well-documented. For those looking for alternative ways to support your mental and physical health, identifying the essential oils that can target your unique needs is the first step down this ancient path of wellness.

Whether you’re adding essential oils to your humidifier or applying on your skin after diluting, keep in mind that the method of application is just one piece of the puzzle. Another is using oils of the highest quality to ensure that you’re actually reaping their benefits.

At Starwest Botanicals, our 100% pure bulk essential oils are sourced from trusted, high-integrity suppliers and distillers around the world. Head to our site today to check out our pure essential oil collection which includes eucalyptus oil, lemon oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil, and more, or learn more about them on our blog.

Sources:

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Essential Oils.https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/essential-oils/index.cfm

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. A systematic review on the anxiolytic effects of aromatherapy in people with anxiety symptoms.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21309711/

International Journal of Neuroscience. Modulation of cognitive performance and mood by aromas of peppermint and ylang-ylang. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18041606/

Clinical Microbiology Reviews. Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil: a Review of Antimicrobial and Other Medicinal Properties.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1360273/