Top 10 Essential Oils For Aromatherapy

What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that utilizes essential oils and aromatic compounds with the intent of enhancing a person’s mood, physical and cognitive health and functions.

What are essential oils?

Essential oils are those highly concentrated extracts from various aromatic plant materials. These oils are used in aromatherapy because they provide many health benefits in the body. These oils have the abilities to alter and adjust the moods and emotions of the person. They also have the abilities to normalize and bring back the proper hormonal balances of our body.

I have researched about the Top 10 Essential Oils used in Aromatherapy according to the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy. Here are the essential oils together with information about the health benefits they provide.

1. Peppermint

• This is one of the 10 most useful essential oils used in Aromatherapy.
• This is a fresh and sweet herb with a strongly piercing quality.
• This is antispasmodic that gives a very energizing action.
• This is helpful in treating headaches and migraines.
• This can restore the sense of smell for people experiencing “Anosmia” or lost sense of smell.
• This also aids in dissolving kidney and gallbladder stones.
• This is anti-allergenic, which is good for the digestive system.
• This can be used as inhalation for people with colds.
• This herb should not be overused and should not be used on eczema since it is too strong.

2. Eucalyptus

• This is a useful herb in aromatherapy.
• The parts of this herb used are the leaves.
• The essential oil taken from eucalyptus is very useful in treating respiratory problems including mucous discharges.
• This is anti-spasmodic and sedative, which is good for conditioning the chest of the person with cough.
• This has an active antiseptic property that can work as a natural antibiotic.
• This aids some cases of vaginal discharges with blood and infections.
• This is also helpful in nervous system functions.
• This should be avoided by people with seizures and other epileptic problems.

3. Ylang-ylang

• This is one of the 10 most effective essential oils in Aromatherapy.
• The flowers are the parts useful in aromatherapy.
• This is excellent for people with asthma.
• This is a hypo-tensor that can calm down any signs of hyper activities.
• It reduces the over-accelerated rate of breathing and abnormal heart beat.
• This is an aphrodisiac that can make the body feel warm and sensuous.
• This is helpful for people with sexual problems like frigidity and impotence.
• This can help after pregnancy to instill the feeling of togetherness and warmth.

4. Geranium

• This is sweet and heavy, similar to the characteristic of the rose.
• The stems and leaves are the most useful parts in aromatherapy.
• This herb possesses an antiseptic property.
• This can help stimulate the nervous system.
• This is best for the skin, especially for people with eczema, and psoriasis.
• This is an anticoagulant helpful for the circulatory system.
• This helps regulate the adrenal cortex that balances the body.
• Helpful for people with a varicose veins problem.

5. Lavender

• This is the most popular among all the essential oils used in aromatherapy.
• The parts used for aromatherapy are the flowers.
• This is described as floral, light, and clear with woody undertones.
• This has soothing and refreshing qualities.
• This is highly antiseptic and antispasmodic.
• This helps calm the excessive palpitations of the heart that are usually caused by stress and anxiety.
• This is useful in treating wounds and burns.
• This can also help people with hypertension or high blood pressure.
• This is also excellent in treating respiratory problems like tuberculosis, bronchitis and pneumonia.
• This relaxes the nervous system.

6. Lemon

• This is one of the 10 most essential oils used in aromatherapy.
• The part of this plant used is the rind.
• This is known as a febrifuge that cools and reduces body temperature.
• This is best for the circulatory system.
• This help stimulates the nervous system.
• This is a blood purifier that aids in hemorrhoids, ulcers and varicose veins problems.
• This essential oil calms down bile attacks by decreasing the bile flow.
• This should not be used when you have tendencies to expose directly to sunlight since it is photosensitive.

7. Clary Sage

• This is an essential oil characterized as a natural painkiller.
• The part of the plant used is the aerial parts.
• This is a great help for women suffering from Dysmenorrhea and other chronic and extreme pain.
• This also soothes digestive system disorders.
• This calms tension that can cause migraines and headaches.
• This is also helpful in treating kidney troubles.

8. Tea tree

• This is an essential oil used in aromatherapy, which has excellent anti-fungal properties.
• This is best to use as an antiseptic.
• This is helpful in treating lung congestion.
• This is also good in treating sunburns.
• This is used in treating yeast infections.
  

9. Roman Chamomile

• This is the most effective essential oil in aromatherapy when we are talking about nervous system complaints.
• This is an anti-inflammatory for the skin.
• This helps regulate and normalize the menstrual cycle.
• This is also beneficial for hypochondriacs.
• This is helpful for people with Migraines, insomnia, psychosomatic allergies.
• This is also great in treating nervous depressions.
• This will help calm irritability and nerves.
• This should not be used during early pregnancy.

10. Rosemary

• This essential oil is clean, clear and penetrating.
• The parts of the plant used are the flowering tops and leaves.
• This essential oil is helpful for gout, arthritis, and rheumatism.
• This also relaxes muscle fatigues.
• This is beneficial in repairing and regenerating muscle tissues.
• This eliminates toxins from the liver.
• This is also best for respiratory disorders.
• This stimulates the nervous system.
• This should be avoided during pregnancy.
• This should also be avoided by people with high blood pressure and seizures.