Aromatic and therapeutic plants have been used for over a thousand years, from medicinal purposes to sacred religious rituals. Our ancestors understood the effectiveness and significance of the natural oils extracted from such plants. Still, somewhere along the way in this fast-moving world, we stopped appreciating the incredible health benefits they offer.

Although essential oils have recuperated some popularity over the last decade, they’re still considerably underutilized. If you are a bit skeptical about the health benefits of natural oils and are not sure why you like them but still get allured to buy one anyway because they smell good. Or perhaps you have heard they are good for your personal care, then this article is for you.

Read on to learn some facts and benefits of natural oils for personal care to better understand the value of these essential oils.

What are Natural Oils?

Natural oils are also known as essential oils, and they are defined as:

Natural oil is typically acquired through distillation and holds the distinct fragrance of the plant or other source from which it is extracted.

Natural oils are the aromatic liquid of a plant that holds its beneficial properties and fragrance. They are found in its seeds, leaves, bark, fruit, roots, and peel. The only way to acquire essential oil is through a manual process of distilling or mechanical pressing. The extraction methods depend on the kind of plant you are using to retrieve oil. The chemistry of oil stays intact while extracting it through these processes. In contrast, any other process might alter the oil’s composition and thus cannot be considered as an authentic essential oil.  

In addition to this, the therapeutic value and purity of essential oil are crucial when considering its use for holistic health purposes. Factors such as climate, soil condition, fertilizer, harvest time, and extraction time can determine the oil’s therapeutic value and purity.

Anyone wanting to add essential oils to their daily personal care and health regime must strive to acquire only therapeutic-grade and certified organic essential oils.

Facts About Therapeutic Essential Oils

• Therapeutic natural oils are concentrated, which means that it requires numerous plants to attain a small amount of oil.
• They are also volatile, which means they evaporate quickly when exposed to air.
• The tiny molecular structure of natural oils allows them to easily penetrate the skin.
• Several natural oils hold powerful antioxidants.
• Therapeutic essential oils help promote spiritual, emotional, and physical healing

How to Safely Use Essential Oils?

The quality and purity of essential oils available in the market differ greatly, as there’s no regulation. Because of this, several businesses don’t even list all the ingredients of a bottle that you’re buying. Pure natural oils and those diluted with less expensive products are both easily found in markets. That is why essential oils must never be ingested.

We also do not recommend using oil diffusers or household appliances that can produce scented vapor as every oil has a different effect on every person. For example, peppermint oil is typically recommended to relieve headaches, but if it is used near an infant who is less than thirty months old, the infant can become agitated. Moreover, someone with a fast heartbeat can also adversely react to peppermint.

Therefore, the safest ways to use natural oils are:

1. Body Oils

A blend of natural essential oil with a carrier oil such as jojoba, coconut, or olive can easily be massaged onto the skin. Keep in mind that essential oils are concentrated. Hence they can irritate the skin. Therefore, always avoid using them full-strength on your skin.

2. Aromatherapy Accessories

Bracelets, necklaces, and keychains created with absorbent materials can be used to apply essential oils on it and easily sniff it throughout the day.

3. Aroma Stick

Also knows as an essential oil inhaler, these plastic sticks include an absorbent wick that infuses the essential oil. Moreover, they come with a top cover to keep the scent under wraps until you are ready.

Allergic Reactions to Therapeutic Essential Oils

Some people might experience allergic reactions or irritation to certain therapeutic essential oils. A person with a history of reactions to topical products or atopic dermatitis is more likely to have a negative reaction to essential oils.

Though you can face a reaction to any of the essential oils available in the market, few of them are more likely to be problematic, such as:

• Jasmine oil
• Oregano oil
• Lemongrass oil
• Bergamot oil
• Chamomile oil
• Cinnamon bark oil
• Ylang-ylang oil

As pure natural oils are potent, diluting, or mixing them in a carrier oil (coconut, olive, jojoba) is the best way to prevent a negative reaction while applying directly to the skin.

How to Choose the Right Essential Oil?

Several firms claim that their natural oils are pure or have a medical-grade. However, these words are not universally defined and hence hold little weight. Given that essential oils are a product of an unregulated industry, these oils’ composition and quality can vary greatly.

Keep in mind the following factors in choosing only high-quality essential oils:

Quality

 Authentic natural oils are the ones that have been processed or altered the least throughout the extraction process. Therefore, go with an essential oil that is chemical-free and extracted through mechanical cold pressing or distillation.

Purity

Find a natural oil that includes only aromatic plant compounds, without synthetic oils or additives. Pure essential oils generally list the plant’s botanical name, such as ‘‘lavendulan Officinalis’ instead of words like the ”essential oil of lavender.”

Reputation

Purchase essential oils from a brand that has a reputation for manufacturing high-quality products.

Nutraceutical and Health Benefits of Natural Oils

Essential oils are not only an excellent product for lifting low spirits with their rich fragrance or for their therapeutic value; for many people, they even aid in alleviating several medical conditions. Below are a few health-related and nutraceutical benefits of natural oils:

Kills Bacteria Inside Cell Wall

Essential oils function entirely differently than traditional medications. These oils’ atomic mass unit is so small and lipid-soluble that they can easily penetrate the cell walls. This ability allows an essential oil to kill a virus from inside the cell. Whereas, pharma drugs are only able to kill the virus once they’re outside the cell. This is a significant breakthrough in the medical world, and extensive research is being conducted to determine if essential oils can attack dangerous cells such as cancer cells without injuring the surrounding health and tissues of the patient.

Improve Anxiety and Stress

Many research studies have shown that scent of some essential oils can be used alongside traditional medication to treat stress and anxiety. Along with a carrier oil, massaging essential oils has proved significantly to relieve stress in numerous individuals.

Relieve Headaches and Migraines

Over the years, essential oils like peppermint, lavender, and chamomile have been used to relieve headaches and migraines. Dabbing peppermint essential oil with an ethanol blend on your temple and foreheads can effectively reduce the pain and, with time, even diminishes the frequency of headaches.

Treats Insomnia

Smelling lavender oil significantly improves sleep quality in postpartum women and for people with heart disease. Apart from improving sleep quality, the scent of lavender oil also aids in curbing insomnia.

Natural Oils for Personal Care

Apart from therapeutic and health benefits, essential oils are also gaining popularity in personal care practices. Numerous businesses have started incorporating essential oils in their products to enhance their effectiveness. Some of the ways in which essential oils are used in personal care are:

Dental Care

The way to achieve healthy teeth starts by using products to ensure hygiene and cleanliness without harsh chemicals. This is why numerous dental and oral product manufacturing companies have started using essential oils in their products. Essential oil infused dental care products are not only a safer alternative but are also very effective in boosting overall oral health and encompasses antimicrobial properties.

Hair Care

Naturally derived essential oils are an effective and now widely used component of formulating hair products rich in delivering aroma-therapeutic experience, fragrance, and moisture to our hair and scalps. Due to the increasing demand for organic products, companies are trying to avoid harsh ingredients like sulfates or synthetic fragrances in their products. Instead, plant-based, natural essential oils are being used to infuse fragrance and nourish hair.

Skin Care

Essential oils are the new rage in the skincare industry. Every day we witness a new essential oil out in the market, promising unprecedented results. Rosehip oil, grape seed oil, marula oil, and moringa oil are just a few of the many essential oils available. Essential oils work effectively in providing moisture, fighting age lines and wrinkles, preventing stretch marks, and improving your skin’s overall health. This is the reason why numerous big brands are switching towards incorporating essential oils in their products instead of artificial and harsh ingredients.

Body Care

Essential oils are also being widely used as natural remedies for maintaining personal hygiene and total body care. The refreshing fragrance of these oils and their potent formula works excellently to provide required moisture and nutrients to the skin. Additionally, brands incorporate essential oils in deodorants, lotions, shower gels, soaps, and more to transfer their rejuvenating and powerful properties to the consumers. As essential oils do not involve any harmful chemicals, they are safe to use for people of all ages. 

6 Popular Types of Natural Oils 

The popularity of CAM – complementary and alternative medicine – has increased over the past few decades, and natural essential oils are a significant part of that. 

In fact, as per the Global Aromatherapy Market Analysis, Companies Profiles, Share, Size, Growth, Trends, and Forecasts to 2024, the aromatherapy market worldwide is expected to increase 8% by the year 2024.

Essential oils can be an excellent addition to your hair, skin, and healthcare regime. A few of the popular natural essential oils are: 

Lavender Oil

This exceedingly popular essential oil encompasses all types of benefits. Its subtly floral scent can considerably help people to improve sleep quality and controls stress. Inhaling its fragrance is effective in alleviating headaches and migraines. On the other hand, its topical use can help to reduce swelling and itching from bug bites.

Safety: few known side effects are: nausea, chills, headaches, vomiting, and skin irritation.

Chamomile Oil

It features a blend of a light herbal and floral aroma and has the potential of putting your mind at ease when it is diffused and sniffed through steam. While this essential oil is excellent for calming the mind, it is equally useful on the skin and helps treat skin conditions like eczema and inflammation. 

Safety: people allergic to marigolds, ragweed, and daisies should avoid using this oil. 

Rose Oil 

When the floral, sweet scent of essential rose oil is sniffed, it helps to reduce anxiety. It also holds antioxidant properties that help to improve complexion and controls acne. 

Safety: Always use a carrier oil to avoid skin irritation. 

Hyssop Oil 

This herbal, sweet-scented, and earthy essential oil can minimize skin scarring, reduce inflammation, and work as an overall healing agent. 

Safety: Do not use hyssop oil if you have a history of seizures or are pregnant. 

Cedarwood Oil 

Earthy and woody-smelling, cedarwood oil is used for numerous topical beauty treatments. The benefits include acne control, dandruff reduction, and improving eczema. Additionally, it also helps to relieve coughing and reduces arthritis. 

Safety: Remember, cedarwood oil must not be consumed orally, or else problems like nausea, vomiting, thirst, and injury to the digestive system can occur.

Peppermint Oil

When you sniff the herbal and minty scent of this essential oil, it can relieve IBS symptoms, headaches, and indigestion. When topically applied, a cooling effect or sensation occurs that can help with muscle pain, sunburns, and insect bites.

Safety: It should not be consumed orally, or else severe serious side effects like mouth sores, heartburn, irritated esophagus, and headaches can occur.

Caution Note

Before you get started, there are some basics to keep in mind when working with essential oils:

• When applying essential oils topically, always mix it with a carrier oil to avoid irritation.
• Before applying the oil on larger skin areas, always do a patch test to ensure you’re not allergic or irritated to it.
• Several essential oils are toxic and must not be taken orally unless prescribed by a healthcare professional.
• Always buy pure essential oils. There are countless perfume oils and knock-off versions that do not contain the same benefits.

Closing Note

Natural oils are so much more than just potent oils with tantalizing fragrance. 

They are a primeval form of therapy that were once revered worldwide for their numerous healing properties. The demand for essential oils is again finding their way back to our homes as we discover its countless benefits. 

The use of natural oils for personal care and nutraceutical practices are wowing the customers and forcing businesses to shift towards a more organic and natural means of production. 

About Maverik Oils

At Maverik Oils, it starts with family.

​As a family-run set-up, we realize that the needs and dynamics of one business to the next can vary significantly. Due to this, since day one, we have endeavored to personalize every experience based on your needs and requirements. To learn more about us, make sure to check our website.