Essential Oils’ Benefits: 5 Essential Oils to Use in Summer

Essential oils are substances made of potent plant extracts, which can be used on your body. With summer around the corner, there will be hotter days, and you are likely to be in the scorching sun more often. It is important to protect your skin and health during this time. Essential oils can help you do that by providing a series of benefits. Read on to understand different essential oils’ benefits and their uses.

Essential oils’ benefits

There is a range of benefits of essential oils, and they can be used both topically and for aromatherapy treatment. The benefit will differ based on how you use them, but in general, you can expect essential oils to help: 

• Minimize anxiety and keep stress at bay
• Improve your ability to be attentive
• Lower bodily pain 
• Enhance your sleep quality
• Reduce feelings of nausea 
• Improve your mood and raise your spirits [1]
• Fight off harmful microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungus
• Boost your productivity at work
• Manage and lower inflammation
• Get relief from headaches 

Common essential oils and their uses 

Lavender oil

Among the gentler essential oils, lavender oil is one of the many you can use on your body or as part of your aromatherapy regimen. It can even be added to certain body creams to enhance their aroma. Remember, if you intend to use it as a body oil, you will need to add to another suitable base. Some of the essential oils include protection against hyperpigmentation and acne when applied to the skin. Besides this, it is known to help keep stress levels in check and thus also improve your sleep quality. 

Peppermint oil

Peppermint oil is another multipurpose essential oil [2], which can be used to soothe muscles after strenuous activity, ensure smooth gastrointestinal activity, and even improve breathing. A lot of these benefits can only be enjoyed when peppermint oil is used in the right way.

For instance, it is known to help boost productivity and the ideal way to enjoy this benefit is to use it in a diffuser. This way, it enters your immediate environment and serves the purpose. Alternatively, for the gastrointestinal benefits, you will have to ingest peppermint oil by adding it to your morning glass of water. Lastly, for topical use on your skin, dilute the oil with a base oil. Do a patch test first to ensure that there are no adverse reactions to your skin.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil has several uses, primarily due to its antiseptic nature. For instance, it is commonly used to treat wounds as it prevents infections while also reducing inflammation. For this benefit, topical application is the recommended approach, and just a few drops of the diluted oil should suffice. Other ways to use it are as a hand lotion and sanitizer, repellent against insects, and a deodorant. Do note that you will have to mix the oil with carrier oil or cream to get these benefits.

Lastly, tea tree oil can help treat fungal nail infections. This is a common use as the oil does possess antifungal properties and is effective as a natural remedy. Simply mix the essential oil with equal parts of coconut oil and generously apply it to the infected nail. Once done, wash the area well to avoid further spread.

Lemon oil

A popular essential oil, lemon oil is mainly used for its refreshing aroma. It also has many health benefits thanks to its antibacterial properties. When used either as part of the aromatherapy treatment or as a topical ointment, it can help reduce pain, soothe anxiety and help you get relief from nausea [3]. Like with any essential oil, lemon oil must only be used within safe limits. Speak to your doctor before applying to your skin or even using it in a diffuser to ensure it doesn’t cause any harmful reactions.

Orange oil

Like lemon oil, orange oil is another essential oil with a pleasing and refreshing aroma. It is extracted from the rinds of the citrus fruit, and it works to improve your health. You can also use it to keep your home clean and smelling fresh. Ideally, you should use it with a diffuser and create a soothing environment that reduces anxiety. Do note that orange oil may not be the best option to use if you are exposed to direct sunlight. It can make your skin sensitive to these rays and so it may not be wise to use it topically before you step out.

Coconut oil 

 Due to its natural cooling effects, coconut oil is a popular choice in the summer. This natural remedy to beat the heat can be freely applied to your skin or your scalp. In fact, if you are worried about how to stop hair fall, this oil can be an ideal solution. Besides helping with better hair health, coconut also helps with better skin health. For instance, it is an effective moisturizing ointment and helps you ward off dry skin. This also increases your resistance to allergens and infections. Lastly, it can help minimize the effects of atopic dermatitis.

Now that you know about essential oils’ uses and benefits, make sure to be mindful of how and why you are using them. Usually, small amounts and just a few drops are recommended, and using them frequently may lower their effectiveness. If you are allergic to any substance, you should take proper care before using these oils. For more advice on how to use these essential oils, take an online doctor consultation on Bajaj Finserv Health. You will get guidance on which oils can cater to your specific needs and how you can use them in the right way.