What are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are natural, concentrated extracts from plants. It is important to distinguish between essential oils and fragrant oils that are produced synthetically to replicate a natural smell. Essential oils have been used for centuries for their therapeutic properties, whereas synthetically produced oils may smell nice but will have no medicinal properties. We can all use essential oils to improve our physical, emotional, and mental health.
Choose Wisely
In recent years, some companies have begun producing supposedly superior essential oils and are charging exorbitant prices. Essential oils should not cost an arm and a leg! At Sage Natural Living, we stand by the quality and purity of the essential oils we sell while ensuring they are affordable!
How I use the oils
I use essential oils in almost every aspect of my life. As I always look to simplify life, I stick to a few of my favourites with multiple uses. Here are just a few of the ways that I use essential oils to improve my life:
- Reduce stress and anxiety. I particularly love the effects of Ylang-Ylang to help to calm my mind when I start overthinking. A couple of drops rubbed onto the temples with a few deep breaths can often stop a racing mind in its tracks! Alternatively, a diffuser in the background can help in a stressful situation.
- Improve sleep. Lavender, Bergamot, and Chamomile are my favourites here. Massaged into the temples or the souls of the feet can help relax the mind and body. Another option is to make up a spray bottle and mist your pillow or the whole room. Sleep is integral to our lives, and most don’t get enough! There are many more ways to assist with healthy, natural sleep; I will address these in a separate article.
- Boost mood. It doesn’t take much for me to get a little blue, especially in the long winter months. If I wake up feeling that way, I often put a mood booster blend in my diffuser for a quick pick-me-up! Peppermint, Lemongrass, Clary sage (also great for concentration) and orange are great, and here at Sage, we have our Joyful Candle scented with these exact essential oils chosen for this reason.Â
- Relieve pain. I am lucky not to experience much pain, but I grab my peppermint oil when a headache rears its ugly head. Once again, massaging on the temples, soles of the feet, or even the wrists does wonders for me. When going through chemo a couple of years ago, I also discovered that peppermint and ginger were helpful for nausea.
The above are my experiences – there are so many more uses for oils. Below is a quick reference table for the most common essential oils and their benefits.
| Essential Oil | Uses |
| Oregano | Boost immunity, fight off infection |
| Lavender | Reduces stress and anxiety, promotes sleep, soothesHow I Use Essential oils to improve my natural wellbeing skin |
| Peppermint | Relieves pain and inflammation, improves digestion, boosts energy |
| Tea tree | Fights infection, clears congestion, treats acne |
| Eucalyptus | Relieves congestion, clears sinuses, boosts immunity |
| Chamomile | Reduces stress and anxiety, promotes sleep, soothes skin |
| Frankincense | Promotes relaxation, improves mood, boosts immunity |
| Lemon | Boosts mood, improves digestion, cleanses the air |
| Orange | Boosts mood, improves digestion, uplifts the spirit |
| Rosemary | Improves memory, concentration, boosts circulation |
| Ylang-ylang | Promotes relaxation, reduces stress and anxiety, enhances libido |
Methods of Use
- Diffusing is the most common way to use essential oils. Add a few drops of essential oil to a diffuser and let the fragrance fill the air.
- Topically. You can apply essential oils directly to the skin, but they should generally be diluted with a carrier oil first. You can also add them to your natural skin care products.
- Massaging. Dilute essential oils with a carrier oil, such as coconut or almond, and massage into the skin.
Safety Precautions
If you are new to essential oils, it is important to start slowly and test them on a small area of skin before using them more widely. Buying essential oils from a reputable source is also important to ensure they are high quality.
- Essential oils should always be diluted with a carrier oil before applying them to the skin.
- Essential oils should not be ingested unless under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional.
- Essential oils should be kept out of reach of children and pets.
- Essential oils should not replace medications without consultation with a healthcare professional.
If you are pregnant or have any health concerns, please consult with a healthcare professional before using essential oils.
Here at Sage Natural Living, we offer an extensive range of essential oils, other natural wellbeing products and accessories. We are always available to chat in person or online to assist with enquiries or discuss our experiences with essential oils.
To learn more about how essential oils can improve your life, visit our website or contact us today.
We hope this article has inspired you to add essential oils to your own wellbeing routine