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Uses of Essential Oil

Dhanya Joy
Essential oils are widely used for their therapeutic properties, especially in aromatherapy. There are several types of essential oils that can be used in the treatment of around 250 different types of ailments.
An essential oil is a volatile oil, which has the characteristic odor or flavor of the plant from which it is extracted. These are obtained from the flowers, needles, roots, gums, stems, bark, or resins of various types of plants and trees, in a highly concentrated form.

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They are rich sources of vitamins, natural hormones, antiseptics, and antibiotics. They are also very aromatic and fragrant, which makes them useful for aromatherapy.

Uses

Also known as aromatherapy oils, these oils are categorized depending upon their characteristic scent, also known as their 'notes'. These notes are of three types: top, middle, and base notes. All these categories have different properties, based on which, they are used for different purposes.

Top Note

It includes oils like basil oil, lemon oil, tea tree oil, lemongrass oil, eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, grapefruit oil, etc. They have antiviral properties, they are inexpensive, and have a light, refreshing, and uplifting fragrance.
Being volatile in nature, they evaporate quickly and do not last for a very long time. However, they are effective at the same time. They also have anti-venomous, antispasmodic, antidepressant, carminative, analgesic, sudorific, and cephalic properties.
These oils can also act as expectorants, stimulants, diaphoretics, insecticides, emmenagogues, nervine, stomachic, and febrifuge. Hence, they can be used to relieve fatigue, nervous disorders, skin disorders, insect bites, allergies, digestive disorders, and headaches.
They are used to restore mental alertness and vitality. They could also be used to treat migraines . They are used in aromatherapy, and also in the manufacture of tonics, bug repellents, and ointments.

Middle Note

Middle note include oils like juniper oil, lavender oil, rosemary oil, nutmeg oil, yarrow oil, etc. These oils have a calming, relaxing, and energizing effect.
Their fragrance is sweet, soft, warm, soothing, and takes some time to blend in; but once it does, it stays for a long time. These properties make them ideal for massage therapies, which provide relief from stress, depression, and muscle pain.
They are used in the treatment and cure of hair loss and dandruff. They can also be used in the manufacture of room fresheners and sprays, perfumes, body tonics, skin moisturizers, shampoos, and colognes, due to their fragrant properties.

Base Note

Base note includes oil like clove oil, cedarwood oil, ginger oil, myrrh oil, vanilla oil, sandalwood oil, rosewood oil, rose oil, ylang ylang oil, etc. These oils have a strong and heavy fragrance, due to which they may not evaporate immediately like the other top note essential oils.
These oils have the strongest therapeutic properties, which is a combination of the properties of the top note and middle note oils. These are also more expensive, as compared to the other two oil notes.
They have high levels of digestive, uterine, sedative, astringent, balsamic, fungicidal, pulmonary stimulant, and anti-seborrheic properties. These properties make them useful in the treatment of scars, high blood pressure, intestinal infections, depression, cough, cold, and sore throat.
Also, they are useful in the treatment of dyspepsia, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, flatulence, and anxiety disorders. These oils are used in the manufacture of soaps, compressors, vaporizers, mouthwash, creams, and lot more.
The essential oils can also be blended with each other to enhance their benefits or to use as a quick remedy. They can be added to bathing water to keep you energetic and fresh all day long.
However, it must be noted that these oils are highly concentrated, and they should be used only externally in minimal quantities. Overuse can lead to various complications and worsening of medical conditions.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this story is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of an aromatherapy practitioner.