What Are Essential Oils?
by Infused Essence
Have you ever wondered what “stop and smell the roses” really means? It’s a lovely phrase suggesting to take time to enjoy the small, beautiful parts of life, but there is another layer of meaning behind that practice: studies have shown that rose can be used to improve mood and reduce anxiety.
Plants have been used as medicine as long as humans have been on this earth, and even today, 74% of all modern medicines are plant-based. We can utilize plants for their health benefits outside of medicine as well. One of these ways is through the use of essential oils. These concentrated plant extracts capture the plant’s scent and flavor, or “essence.”
Essential oils are natural compounds derived directly from the plant either through distillation with steam & water, or mechanically through a cold press process. After being extracted from the plant and bottled, the oils can then be used in dozens of different ways, from aromatherapy to homemade cleaning products and skin care.
When used topically, such as dabbing on pressure points or massaging into the skin, essential oils sink into the skin, and the plant chemicals are absorbed, stimulating a variety of responses.
How can smells be healing?
Essential oils have a great range of properties, including calming, energizing, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, analgesic (pain relief), digestive aids, stress & anxiety reduction, and memory improvement. When inhaling the aromas of essential oils, the limbic system is stimulated through your sense of smell.
The limbic system is the center in the brain that influences memory, behaviors, and emotions. It also regulates unconscious physiological functions such as blood pressure, breathing, and heart rate. Because of this, the scents of essential oils are a powerful tool that can be used to change mood, focus, stress, sleep, appetite, and much more.
How will I know that essential oils are right for me?
Many essential oils have multiple properties, and you can easily mix and match to suit your needs. By introducing essential oils into your life, you can take control of your holistic health -- mind, body, and spirit -- in a way that is 100% natural, safe, and easy to use.