In our last post, we talked about water and how it benefits the body. The human body is made up of roughly 60% water on average, and that water is used in the everyday functions and processes of the body, keeping it performing at its best. When you receive routine chiropractic care, your overall health plays a role in how effective the treatment is. This means that it is important to keep your body in the best shape possible to get the most out of your chiropractic adjustments! If you are interested in learning more about how water benefits the body, feel free to check out our last post!
Today, we’ll be continuing an earlier discussion about essential oils and their benefits! Just to recap, essential oils are compounds extracted from plants that are often used in aromatherapy and other forms of alternative medicine. Oils are made from steaming or pressing parts of a plant, such as the flowers, bark, leaves, or fruit. This captures the compounds that produce fragrance, known as an “essence”. The essence is then combined with a carrier oil to dilute it and help it absorb into the skin more easily. Essential oils can be used in a variety of ways and can treat a variety of conditions. For some people, essential oils are a great alternative to over-the-counter medications. If you are interested in learning more about essential oils, you’re in the right place! Let’s get started.
The most common way people use essential oils is through inhalation. Typically, this is done by opening the bottle of essential oil and inhaling deeply a few times. Sometimes, people put a few drops of oil onto a cotton ball or cotton pad and hold it up to their nose, inhaling a few times, or they place the material in areas such as car vents or pillowcases to allow it to disperse naturally. This method is called dry evaporation. However, essential oils can also be used in diffusers and humidifiers, which disperse the oils into the air. There are many different types of diffusers, such as candle, ceramic, electric, and reed diffusers. Lastly, essential oils can be applied directly to the skin, but only after being diluted with a carrier oil. In this manner, the oils can be used for skincare or massage therapy.
Essential Oils: Scents & Benefits
There are over 90 types of essential oils, each with its own unique benefits. Last time, we touched on lavender, peppermint, orange, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil. Let’s take a look at some other scents and their benefits!
Bergamot
Bergamot, or citrus bergamia, is a citrus fruit native to Italy that is about the size of an orange but has a yellow-green color, depending on ripeness. It is known for its fragrance, giving off a fruity and refreshing aroma with floral hints. Bergamot essential oils are made from the peel of the fruit and extract of the juice. It is commonly used in aromatherapy because it is both uplifting and calming. Because of this, it is most often used to reduce stress and anxiety and increase mental alertness. However, it can also be used for joint pain and inflammation. Because of this, it is beneficial to those with arthritis. Some people also use it for skin inflammation and conditions such as eczema. You can use this essential oil any way you choose, but we recommend adding a few drops to a lotion for a soothing massage, dabbing it on your shirt collar to soothe anxiety, or adding a few drops to a warm bath to relax and wind down. If you are interested in using bergamot to treat skin conditions, add a few drops to your daily moisturizer or body wash.
Chamomile
Chamomile refers to daisy-like plants of the family Asteraceae. Two of the species of this flower are commonly used to make herbal teas and other infused beverages, which are used for medicinal purposes. The use of chamomile can be traced back to ancient times– It is mentioned in medical texts from ancient Greece, Egypt, and Rome. It can be used for a variety of purposes, including digestive issues such as nausea or indigestion, wound healing, anxiety relief, and anti-inflammation. Chamomile is also used to relax the body and mind and promote sleep. Some of the best ways to use chamomile essential oil are through a diffuser, adding a few drops to a lotion or moisturizer, or adding a few drops to bathwater. If you would like to use it as a sleep aid, you may find it helpful to dilute some of the chamomile oil in water and add it to a spray bottle. Shake well and spray throughout the room before you go to sleep.
Lemon
Lemon is a citrus fruit that comes from small evergreen trees native to Asia. It has been widely used for health purposes because it is a rich source of vitamin C, which is a nutrient the body needs to form blood vessels, cartilage, muscle, and collagen in bones. Vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant that protects your cells from free radicals. Lemons are also high in soluble fiber and various other plant compounds that have health benefits. Research shows that lemons may support heart health, weight control, and digestive health. When it comes to essential oil, lemon is said to fight exhaustion, lift mood, clear skin, kill bacteria and viruses, and reduce inflammation. Have you ever noticed that many cleaning products are lemon-scented? When using these products, many people feel refreshed, just as the surface they cleaned has been refreshed. Lemon essential oil can be diffused or applied topically with a carrier oil. If you apply lemon essential oil on sensitive areas of your skin, such as the face, be sure to wash it off before exposing yourself to sunlight, as this can cause a chemical reaction.
Cedarwood
Cedarwood oil, or cedar oil, is derived from the needles, leaves, bark, and berries of cedar trees. It is sometimes found in products such as shampoo and deodorant, or even insect repellent. The components in cedarwood oil include cedrine, cedrol, and thujopsene. These components have been found to have antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, insecticidal, and diuretic properties. Since there are different types of cedar trees, the components may vary based on the type of tree used. Cedarwood oil can be used for acne treatment, pain relief, stress and anxiety relief, and better sleep. You can use the inhalation method or dab a small amount on a towel and place it under your pillow. For acne, dilute the oil and use it as a spot treatment by leaving it on blemishes for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing.
As you can see, these are just a few of the many essential oils out there. You can also mix different types of essential oils together to suit your needs. It is important to research essential oils to find ones that work best for you, and always speak with your medical provider first. Have you ever tried essential oils? Let us know! We hope you found this article informative, and we encourage you to reach out to us if you have any further questions or concerns. It would be a pleasure to assist you. Here at Family Chiropractic & Massage, we offer chiropractic care as well as massage services and heat and cold therapy. We have doctors who have studied various chiropractic techniques to render care to patients with different types of conditions. As people vary, so do the techniques chosen to help each patient get well. We use evidence-based treatment methods to help patients get better faster. If you are suffering from any type of back pain, contact us today to set up an appointment so we can assess your needs and create an effective treatment plan. One of our experienced doctors would love to help get you on the right track to living a healthy, pain-free life! Thank you for reading, and we hope you’ll check back for more articles about chiropractic care and all it has to offer!
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