10 Best Essential Oils That You Should Give A Try | Yogic Blogging

If you are a frequent traveller, you may have seen posh hotels & restaurants using an oil diffuser to create a pleasant, sweet-smelling ambience. Do you know that the secret ingredient behind that sweet smell is an essential oil.           

     

Essential oils are sweet-smelling compounds extracted from the roots, leaves, or flowers of a plant through cold pressing or steam distillation without adding any chemicals. They have a relaxing & soothing effect on your mind. From uplifting your mood to treating skin problems such as acne, pimples & rashes, essential oils can do wonders if used regularly.

Essential oils are mostly used for aromatherapy, a holistic process in which the essential oils are added in an oil burner & diffused into the air to promote whole-body healing & well-being. Aromatherapy is used in salons, restaurants, hotels to create a beautiful ambience. There are various essential oils available in the market these days, you might be confused about which one to choose from, so I have handpicked 10 best essential oils that you should give a try. 

1. Lemongrass oil

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a long tropical grass grown in India, China, Africa & Australia. Lemongrass has a fresh, lemony & grassy scent. It has such a sweet scent that most people find it attractive. Due to its ability to reduce fever, it is also known as fever grass. Lemongrass smells exactly like lemon & because of that, it is used in making teas, beverages, cosmetics, beauty products such as soaps & perfumes, culinary purposes, and much more. 

The medicinal properties found in lemongrass oil have been found to relieve joint & muscle pain, reduce fever as well as headaches. Lemongrass oil contains substances such as citral & limonene which reduces the growth of the microorganisms & inflammation. The aroma of lemongrass oil is extremely strong a little bit goes a long way.                     

Benefits 

Relieves stress, reduces pain, keeps insects and mosquitoes away, helps in relieving headaches 

2. Clove oil

Clove also is known as ‘Syzygium aromaticum’ is one spice that is found in all Indian kitchens. Clove oil is mostly extracted through steam distillation, but most of the producers use chemical solvents to extract this prized oil. Clove was commonly used in all the traditional Indian recipes.

Clove is mentioned in Ayurveda as one of the most powerful spices known for its high antimicrobial, antiviral & antiseptic properties. Clove oil possesses a very strong, spicy & warm scent. Clove oil is extracted from the flowers of the tropical clove tree. Clove oil has a strong pungent smell which many of you may not like. It is used as a remedy for all dental problems in India for centuries. Eugenol an aromatic oily compound found in clove oil has anticancer & analgesic properties.

Due to its medicinal properties gargling clove oil with warm water may help in bad breath. Clove oil when used in aromatherapy relaxes the nerves, reduces stress & uplifts the mood. Add a few drops of clove oil in your oil diffuser to experience its phenomenal benefits.                   

Benefits 

Helps in reducing cough, gives relief from a sore throat, a natural powerful insect repellent prevents aging & reduces nausea.

3. Cinnamon oil

 

Cinnamon oil is mostly obtained from the barks or leaves of the ‘Cinnamomum Verum’ or the ‘Cinnamomum Cassia’ tree. Cinnamomum verum is also known as true or Sri Lankan cinnamon while Cinnamomum cassia is known as cassia or Chinese cinnamon. 

Cinnamon is one of the oldest & most valuable spices in this planet. Regular intake of cinnamon may reduce the risk of diabetes, studies prove that cinnamon can reduce the growth of cancer cells in our body. Even some studies have proven that cinnamon can prevent Alzheimer’s disease. According to a research, cinnamon bark contains an extract called CEppt which may prevent Alzheimer’s symptoms from developing. There are two types of cinnamon oil available in the market – cinnamon leaf essential oil & cinnamon bark essential oil. 

Cinnamon oil when diffused in an oil burner can create a relaxing & soothing environment all around the home. If used regularly in aromatherapy cinnamon essential oil can boost alertness and reduce stress.  

                          

Benefits 

Stimulates circulation, relieves pain, improves digestion, fights off infections. Reduces cough & cold. It is rich in anti-bacterial & anti-fungal properties.        

4. Citronella oil

 

Citronella essential oil is extracted from a different species of lemongrass (Cymbopogon). The oil obtained from the tall thin leaves of Cymbopogon through steam distillation has a sweet, lemony aroma with a thin consistency. 

Citronella oil can be used as an insect repellent. With an invigorating, fresh lemony scent, Citronella is also an excellent addition to natural house cleaning products. It will disinfect kitchen surfaces, bathrooms, floors, and all whilst leaving a lovely chemical-free aroma in the room.

If used in aromatherapy citronella oil may slow down the growth of harmful airborne bacteria, ease headaches, reduce anxiety & uplift the mood. For centuries citronella has been used in Indonesia, Sri Lanka & China for its medicinal values.

           

Benefits 

Keeps away biting insects like mosquitoes, has antibacterial and antifungal properties, reduces stress and anxiety. 

5. Rose oil

Rose is one of the most attractive flowers in the world. Most of us have seen this beautiful flower. Rose oil is extracted from Rosa damascena by the process of steam distillation. The essential oil obtained from the rose flower has a sweet, pleasant smell & has numerous benefits if used in aromatherapy.

 

Rose oil is a potent oil with a lovely fragrance & multiple health benefits. It is rich in anti-aging, anti-bacterial & anti-inflammatory properties. Rose oil is also added in cosmetics such as soaps, shampoos & perfumes because of its sweet smell. Unlike other essential oils rose oil has a very mild, calm & soothing aroma.  

          

Benefits

 

Good for the digestive system, reduces anxiety, natural moisturizer, fights inflammation, promotes circulation 

6. Jasmine oil

 

Jasmine oil is a pleasant-smelling oil derived from the plant Jasminum officinale commonly known as jasmine. Jasmine oil is widely used in aromatherapy for its strong, sweet, and romantic fragrance. The oil obtained from jasmine petals has been used as an age-old remedy for over health & appearance. 

Jasmine oil is believed to have multiple health benefits, it may help to reduce anxiety, depression, fatigue, pain, and much more. Jasmine oil may promote healthy hair & skin. Jasmine oil contains moisturizing properties which strengthen the hair from root to tip & prevents hair fall & breakage. Jasmine oil intensely makes the skin soft & supple.    

             

Benefits 

Helps to maintain good skin health, may reduce insomnia, increases alertness and concentration, mood enhancer, rich in anti-inflammatory properties. 

7. Eucalyptus oil

 

Eucalyptus oil is a woody sweet scent taken from eucalyptus globulus also known as eucalyptus tree. It is extracted from fresh or partly dried leaves of eucalyptus through steam distillation. Eucalyptus oil has been used for years for its medicinal benefits.

 The healing benefits of eucalyptus oil can be attributed to its anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, & antispasmodic properties. Eucalyptus oil is a popular oil used for aromatherapy to relieve mental stress & exhaustion. Those people who suffer from sinus congestion diffusing this oil in their bedroom throughout the night may help in relieving their sinus congestion. 

Eucalyptus is beneficial for eliminating the mold that causes respiratory issues. Eucalyptus oil is added in a different variety of cosmetics such as soaps, gels, sprays, and much more due to its refreshing smell.                       

Benefits 

Helps in reducing cough and cold, relieves muscle pain, prevent hair fall, reduces nasal congestion, has anti-inflammatory property. 

8. Peppermint oil

Peppermint oil is made from Mentha piperita or peppermint which is a naturally occurring hybrid of water mint & spearmint. Peppermint oil is known as one of the most versatile oils in the world. Peppermint has a strong, sharp & fresh aroma similar to menthol.

 

Peppermint is rich in anti-microbial properties & it is well known to promote overall health & well-being. When used in aromatherapy the powerful properties present in peppermint oil may help to clear the nasal passageway. Its strong aroma instantly removes bad smells from the room & uplifts your mood.                

Benefits 

Good for cough and cold gives relief from headache and muscle pain. Reduces itching, eliminates bacteria. 

9.Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is a spicy exotic oil extracted from the leaves of tea tree or melaleuca alternifolia plant. Tea tree oil is extracted from the leaves of the tea tree by the process of steaming. Tea tree oil is known to kill bacteria & fungi. It has been used for centuries to treat wounds & other skin problems.  

 

Due to its refreshing spicy smell, it is added to a variety of beauty products & cosmetics. Due to its anti-bacterial properties, it can also be used as a sanitizer. Tea tree is prescribed in Ayurveda as a powerful herb due to its multiple medicinal properties.              

Benefits 

Helps in treating acne and dry skin, insect repellent, can be used as a natural hand sanitizer, reduces inflammation. 

10. Sandalwood oil

Sandalwood oil is derived from the Santalum album or the East Indian sandalwood tree. It is considered as one of the most valuable & expensive trees in the world. Sandalwood oil is a popular essential oil used in aromatherapy because of its warm woody odor. 

Due to its classic scent, it is used in several types of cosmetics, soaps, incense sticks & perfumes. It is said that sandalwood helps improve alertness & focus if diffused while doing meditation. Sandalwood oil is considered a natural healing option for those suffering from anxiety, depression & nervousness. 

You can get all the benefits of sandalwood if you add few drops of this oil in aromatherapy, just make sure you buy a genuine sandalwood oil since most of the oils sold in the name of sandalwood oil are fake and might be mixed with any other carrier oil.                

Benefits 

Gives mental clarity, reduces anxiety, depression, and hypertension, also works as an antiseptic.