What Are Essential Oils

You must be familiar with aromatherapy. Well, the fragrant aroma of this product comes from essential oils or also known as essential oils. In addition to producing a fragrant aroma, essential oils also have various benefits and one of them is for body relaxation.

Essential oils or essential oils are compounds extracted from plant parts and obtained through a distillation or distillation process. The extracted plant parts can be in the form of flower petals, leaves, bark, seeds, to roots.

Different Kinds of Essential Oils & Their Benefits

Essential oils are now widely available in the market with a wide selection of different aromas, according to the plant extracted. Here are a few types of plants that produce essential oils and their uses:

1. Peppermint, to increase energy and mood
2. Lavender, to make sleep better and relieve pain
3. Ginger, to relieve nausea
4. Eucalyptus, to relieve nasal congestion and headaches
5. Lemon and kaffir lime, to calm the mind and reduce stress
6. Lemongrass, as a mosquito repellent and air freshener

Some essential oils derived from chamomile, cedarwood, mugwort, sandalwood, vanilla, or various types of flowers, such as jasmine, rose, and ylang, are also often used as aromatherapy for body relaxation.

When aromatherapy is inhaled, the aroma molecules from the essential oil will come out and stimulate the olfactory nerves in the nose. Furthermore, the nerve will send messages to the part of the brain that can regulate emotions and thoughts, namely the amygdala.

This process is thought to have an effect on how aromatherapy works in relaxing the body and mind.

Several studies have shown that essential oils also appear to reduce stress and calm the mind, relieve anxiety, relieve symptoms of depression, improve mood, and reduce nausea in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

However, until now, further research is needed to ensure the effectiveness and safety of essential oils in general for body health.

How to Use Essential Oils

In order to get the benefits of essential oils for body relaxation, these essential oils can be used in two ways, namely:

Credit Video: Glamrs

Inhaled

Inhaling essential oils can be done in two ways, namely inhaled directly and indirectly. If you want to inhale it directly, you can make your own inhaler by dripping enough essential oil on hot water, then inhale the aroma.

If you want to inhale it indirectly, you can use a diffuser. This tool will convert the essential oil into vapor or fragrant smoke & spread it in the air, making it easy to inhale.

Apply to the body

Essential oils are easily absorbed by the skin, so they can also be used for aromatherapy massages and body care lotion mixes.

To enjoy this, you can visit places that give aromatherapy services, such as beauty salons, massage places, and spas.

You can also enjoy it yourself at your home by buying essential oils that are sold freely. However, to be on the safe side, mix essential oils with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil or soybean oil, so as not to cause skin irritation.

Things to Pay Attention to Before Using Essential Oils

Basically, essential oils that have gone through a refining process and are registered with BPOM RI are safe to use. However, if you have a history of allergies, eczema, or have sensitive skin, you should consult a doctor first to ensure safety.

In addition, follow the instructions for using essential oils properly. Avoid use in the area around the eyes or mouth to avoid irritation. It is also not recommended to use essential oils on the skin when going to activities in places exposed to sunlight.

If you want to use essential oils at home, remember to store them in a safe place out of reach of children, as these oils can be harmful if swallowed.

The use of essential oils in pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children also needs to be considered, because their effects on these conditions still need to be studied further. If you still want to use this essential oil, you should first consult with your doctor and immediately consult a doctor if complaints arise afterward.