Essential Oil Benefits
This guide includes a list of 21 possible benefits that can be achieved when using particular essential oils carefully and sensibly.
Are Essential Oils Beneficial for Everyone?
I've been using essential oils for over 20 years, and I personally love how beneficial essential oils can be, and I love discussing their uses and applications. Having said that, we all need to maintain realistic expectations. Essential oils do not provide the same exact benefit or outcome for everyone. As with the use of medications and personal care products, not everyone responds in the same exact manner to every medication or product. The same holds true with essential oils. Although Lavender Essential Oil, for example, elicits a calming effect for many people, it can be stimulating for some individuals especially if it's used in larger quantities.
Some individuals may also not achieve the same benefits as others because some people don't choose the most appropriate oil for what they're trying to do, they use an essential oil in an unsafe way or they use a method of administration that is not the most effective for what they're trying to achieve. Sometimes also, people use old, oxidized essential oils or adulterated essential oils that provide minimal (if any) benefit. All of these factors can play a part in leading to diminished benefit and effectiveness.
When using essential oils, follow all safety precautions and thoroughly research the essential oils you plan to use using reputable sources. Avoid using essential oils that are contraindicated for any medical issues that you have.
List of 21 Essential Oil Benefits
This list is intended as a general overview of the possible benefits that essential oils offer. As touched upon above, I say "possible benefits" because not everyone benefits from using essential oils in the same way. And it also strongly depends on using the correct essential oils in the correct way.
Essential oils must be used with care. Be sure to follow all safety precautions and always research the safety info and contraindications for each essential oil that you are considering working with.
Benefit #1:
Some Essential Oils are Anti-Microbial
Some essential oils are anti-bacterial, anti-viral and/or anti-fungal. Tea tree is probably the most well known anti-microbial essential oil. Anti-microbial essential oils, when used properly, can help to reduce (but not necessarily eliminate) bacteria and other microbes. Not all essential oils are as potent in their anti-microbial action as others, so it's important to learn about each essential oil and its specific properties and safety information.
Example Essential Oils to Consider and Learn More About:
Benefit #2:
Some Essential Oils Can Help Reduce Pain and Headaches
Some essential oils have the potential to ease pain when used properly. Read Aromatherapy for Headaches for an overview in using essential oils to assist in easing the pain associated with headaches.
Example Essential Oils to Consider and Learn More About:
Benefit #3:
Some Essential Oils Can Promote Relaxation and Can Help Encourage Restful Sleep
Calming essential oils can be beneficial to use if you need help relaxing or need help falling and staying asleep. Lavender and Roman Chamomile are probably the most well known for their ability to help encourage rest and relaxation, but there are numerous others. For more information and for links to blends and recipes, read Aromatherapy for Insomnia and Problems Sleeping. Also see 10 Essential Oil Diffuser Blends for Relaxation.
Example Essential Oils to Consider and Learn More About:
Benefit #4:
Some Essential Oils Can Help Balance the Emotions and Ease Feelings of Stress, Grief, Sadness and Anxiety
Essential oils can be highly beneficial in helping to soothe emotional discomfort. For more information, read Aromatherapy for Emotional Well-Being.
Example Essential Oils to Consider and Learn More About:
Benefit #5:
Some Essential Oils Can Help to Increase Alertness
Some essential oils like Grapefruit, Lemon and Basil tend to be energizing and stimulating. They can help to support alertness when feeling sluggish or fatigued.
Example Essential Oils to Consider and Learn More About:
Benefit #6:
Some Essential Oils Can Help With Mental Focus and Support Cognitive and Brain Health
Essential oils like Rosemary can help to support concentration and mental focus. Some oils are also showing potential to support cognitive and brain health.
Example Essential Oils to Consider and Learn More About:
Benefit #7:
Some Essential Oils Can Complement Meditation, Prayer, Yoga and Spiritual Applications
I often use essential oils during prayer and meditation. For more information, read AromaWeb's Guide to Essential Oils for Spirituality and Enlightenment.
Example Essential Oils to Consider and Learn More About:
Benefit #8:
Some Essential Oils Can Support Healthy Digestion
Example Essential Oils to Consider and Learn More About:
Benefit #9:
Some Essential Oils Soothe Nausea
Example Essential Oils to Consider and Learn More About:
Benefit #10:
Some Essential Oils Help Control Acne and Oily Skin
Example Essential Oils to Consider and Learn More About:
Benefit #11:
Some Essential Oils Can Reduce Inflammation
Example Essential Oils to Consider and Learn More About:
Benefit #12:
Some Essential Oils Can Help Ease the Discomfort of Colds and Flus
Essential oils won't keep you from catching a cold or the flu, but they can be quite helpful in minimizing your chance of getting sick and in making recovery a little easier. For more information, read Reducing the Risk of Contracting Flus and Colds With Aromatherapy.
Example Anti-Bacterial Essential Oils to Consider and Learn More About:
Example Expectorant Essential Oils to Consider and Learn More About:
Benefit #13:
Some Essential Oils Can Help Stimulate Circulation
Example Essential Oils to Consider and Learn More About:
Benefit #14:
Some Essential Oils Can Help in the Care of Minor Cuts and Wounds
Example Essential Oils to Consider and Learn More About:
Benefit #15:
Some Essential Oils Have the Potential to Curb Food Cravings and Support Weight Loss
Losing weight and controlling food cravings can be a huge challenge. Some essential oils, particularly citrus oils, can play a role in supporting efforts to lose weight and control food cravings. For more information, read Aromatherapy and Weight Loss.
Example Essential Oils to Consider and Learn More About:
Benefit #16:
Some Essential Oils Have the Potential to Assist When Trying to Quit Smoking
Essential oils will not miraculously help you quit smoking, but some essential oils do have the potential to help ease some of the cravings and withdrawal symptoms that are associated with quitting smoking. For more information, read Essential Oils and Aromatherapy Tips to Help Quit Smoking.
Example Essential Oils and Absolutes to Consider and Learn More About:
Benefit #17:
Some Essential Oils Can Soothe Itching
Example Essential Oils to Consider and Learn More About:
Benefit #18:
Some Essential Oils Can Help Repel Insects
Several essential oils have the potential to help repel insects when properly used. However, there is no guarantee that the use of essential oils will prevent you or other users from being bitten by insects.
Example Essential Oils to Consider and Learn More About:
Benefit #19:
Many Essential Oils Essential Oils Smell Amazing
Essential oils not only offer therapeutic benefit, but many also smell wonderful and can be used to create natural perfumes that do not contain the synthetic ingredients that many mass marketed commercial personal and home fragrances have.
Benefit #20:
Some Essential Oils Can Help Set the Mood for Romance and Can Act as Aphrodisiacs
Essential oils, absolutes and CO2 Extracts can tantalize our sense of smell and can play a beautiful role within romance, love and intimacy. For more information, read AromaWeb's Guide to Essential Oils and Aromatherapy for Romance.
Example Essential Oils and Absolutes to Consider and Learn More About:
Benefit #21:
Some Essential Oils are Useful in DIY Household Cleaners
Because many essential oils are anti-microbial, they can be helpful in making DIY household cleaners that help to clean and kill germs more naturally than cleaners that include a lot of synthetic ingredients. However, it's important to understand that DIY products that are made using essential oils at safe concentrations are usually not as effective at germ killing as commercial cleaners that have other germ killing ingredients. Many commercial cleaners are carefully tested for efficacy.
