What Are Essential Oils?
For centuries, people all over the world have extracted the oils
from plants as a benefit for health.
You can inhale them, massage them into your skin
or use them in skin care products.
You can even take them by mouth.
But they’re no cure-all.
At best, you should use them along with conventional medicine
under the care of your doctor.
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Lavender
- Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils.
- You’ll find it in many perfumes & soaps.
- Studies have found that it reduces stress.
- Others suggest it eases pain & stops hair loss.
- But there’s little scientific evidence to support most health uses.
- As with many oils, these benefits need more research.
Turmeric
- Turmeric & one of its compounds, curcumin, are from the ginger family.
- The are used as a spice & for medicine goes back centuries.
- Curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties.
- It’s generally safe to take by mouth or apply to the skin.
- It’s been used to treat such illnesses as Alzheimer’s, cancer & arthritis.
- It may lessen skin irritation after radiation treatments.
- Early research shows it can cut down on the number of heart attacks after bypass surgery.
- But some studies show stronger evidence of its effectiveness with these things than others.
Tea Tree
- The aboriginal people of Australia have used oil from the tea tree to treat wounds for
centuries. - Now, it’s used in skin products to treat things like athlete’s foot, nail fungus, acne & insect
bites. - There isn’t a lot of research to see how well it works.
- Most people can use it on the skin without problems.
- You shouldn’t take it by mouth because it can cause confusion & a loss of muscle
coordination.
Evening Primrose
- This yellow flowering plant makes an oil that has a fatty acid known as GLA (gamma-
linolenic acid). - You can take it as a dietary supplement for conditions like eczema, arthritis & pre-
menstrual syndrome. - Scientific evidence doesn’t support these uses, though.
- It’s probably safe to take for short periods of time, but there may be side effects, including headache & upset stomach.
Cinnamon
- Cinnamon oil is made from the bark, twigs or leaves of the cinnamon tree.
- People sometimes use it as a dietary supplement for stomach problems & diabetes,
among other conditions. - You can take it in a capsule, drink it as a tea or add it to food.
- These are generally safe for most people in limited amounts.
- But trials haven’t shown that it helps control blood sugar or blood pressure in people with
type 1 or type 2 diabetes. - However, researchers are looking at how it affects symptoms of MS.
Ginkgo
- Ginkgo oil, from the leaves of the ginkgo tree, has a long history in Chinese medicine.
- It’s sometimes used for tinnitus (ringing of the ears), eye problems & leg pain due to
narrowed arteries. - But it’s best known as an aid for brain function & memory, especially for elderly people
who have dementia. - However, research hasn’t found evidence that it’s helpful for anything.
- Check with your doctor if you choose to use it because it may react with other drugs,
including blood thinners.
Peppermint
- Peppermint oil is used to give a nice smell to things like soaps & cosmetics.
- You can put it on your skin for headaches or muscle aches.
- You can also take it in liquid or capsule form.
- Several studies have shown that it may help with stomach upset or irritable bowel
syndrome (IBS). - Peppermint oil has some possible side effects, though, like allergic reactions, rashes & heartburn.
Bitter Orange
- You can take bitter orange oil by mouth or put it on your skin.
- Some people take it as a supplement for heartburn or weight loss.
- But the only proven uses are to help with skin problems like ringworm, jock itch & athletes
foot. - Because it can act as a stimulant, there have been concerns about its use as a dietary supplement.
- Studies haven’t proved that it’s unsafe, but it’s a good idea to check with your doctor
before you try it.
St. John’s Wort
- The ancient Greeks were the first to use the oil of this plant.
- Today, its main use is as a treatment for depression.
- But studies disagree on how well it works, so you shouldn’t use it in place of medicine
your doctor prescribes.
- It can have life-threatening side effects if you take it along with certain drugs, so it’s
vital to talk to your doctor before you try it.
Flaxseed
- The oil from flaxseed is used as a dietary supplement to treat conditions like diabetes,
high cholesterol & cancer. - It’s also often tried for hot flashes.
- Another use is as a laxative.
- Though flaxseed is high in fiber, the oil isn’t.
- Studies on its ability to lower cholesterol haven’t been conclusive.
- Others have shown it doesn’t help with hot flashes.
- Be careful if you use it: It can cause diarrhea.
Garlic
- You probably have used this plant as a spice.
- It also makes an oil that you can use on your skin to treat things like psoriasis or wounds.
- When you take it by mouth as a tablet or capsule, it supposedly controls high blood
pressure & high cholesterol & even fights the common cold. - Actual evidence it works, though, is scant.
- It may raise your chance of bleeding if you take blood thinners.
- Check with your doctor.
Chamomile
- You know about the tea but chamomile flowers can also be found in extract, capsule
& tablet form. - It’s used to treat skin conditions & mouth sores from cancer treatment.
- Some claim that it can ease diarrhea & gas, treat stress & help with sleep issues.
- Study results are mixed, but it’s shown promise in treating anxiety.
- Be careful, though: Some people have an allergic reaction.
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