Diffusing essential oils is a fantastic way to improve both physical and mental health. Essential oils can actually act as an anti-bacterial, anti-depressant, anti-anxiety, a stimulant and as an anti-viral. The use of pure, 100% therapeutic grade essential oils can be an amazing way to balance your hormones, reduce cortisol levels related to stress, and to improve cognitive function especially in those with Alzheimer’s disease.
It is very important to use high-quality and organic essential-oils and not cheap or synthesized alternatives. There have been some reports of synthetic essential oils killing animals specifically cats. I recommend purchasing essential oils directly from an aromatherapist and making sure that they are again 100% pure and therapeutic grade. I get my essential oils from Lunaroma which is one of my favorite stores for aromatherapy and skincare products in my home state of Vermont.
Another fantastic brand for an incredible value is Vasseur Essentials. This is a company started by Brittany Vasseur—one of my all-time favorite YouTubers! She provides information containing sources from scientific studies about the safety of essential oils on her website.
1. Basil.
Basil can naturally improve your body’s ability to regulate stress by lowering the amount of the “stress hormone” cortisol in your body which will help you to respond better to daily stressors. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory which can effectively treat many conditions. Did you know that inflammation is the root cause of most diseases and disorders including cancers, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases? Well, now you do.
In high-doses, basil can act as a pain reliever comparable to regular strength ibuprofen. As a result, many holistic physicians recommend incorporating more basil into our diets to help decrease inflammation.
Basil is also exceptionally high in vitamin K which can help to improve bone health and the look of your skin. The essential oils derived from basil are really great for your skin because they are rich in anti-oxidants which can not only help to prevent wrinkles and fine lines, but the essential oil from basil is particularly effective for treating eczema.
You should, however, take caution when applying essentials oils to the skin. You need to dilute them with fractionated coconut oil (a carrier oil) prior to skin application in order to avoid skin irritation.
2. Cilantro.
A study in 2011 found that concentrated amounts of cilantro compare to the effectiveness of Valium for reducing anxiety without the nasty side-effects such as aggression, memory problems, and muscle weakness.
Cilantro not only improves sleep, blood pressure, and cholesterol but it can also help to strengthen your teeth, bones, and hair. It has been found that cilantro is detoxifying to the body, beneficial to heart-health, and helpful for diabetics as it can lower blood sugar. It can protect against free-radical damage which is a contributing factor that leads to developing degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, Parkinson’s disease, and cancer.
3. Lemon Balm.
Lemon balm can aid in heart-health as it acts as a way to relieve discomfort and to decrease the frequency of heart palpitations. It will also help to regulate an overactive thyroid caused by a condition called “hyperthyroidism” in which the body is producing too much T4 and T3 hormones.
Consuming lemon balm tea can help to fight infectious bacteria and to kill Candida. When you have Candida in your gut you may begin to experience symptoms such as exhaustion, brain fog, problems with digestion, and poor immune system function. Candida could be festering in your body if your diet is high in refined carbohydrates or sugar. Lemon balm and it’s naturally produced essential oil can help diabetics by lowering blood sugar and reducing oxidative stress.
Lemon balm has been demonstrated to positively impact mental health as it can help with moodiness, stress, concentration, and sleep. Due to its mild sedative effect, some studies have reported that lemon balm is an effective and natural treatment method for children diagnosed with ADHD.
A study assessing apoptosis (the natural cycle of cell-life and cell-death in the body) found that lemon-balm essential oil might have the potential to kill cancer cells while keeping the healthy cells alive. Chemotherapy treatment for cancer causes both types of cells (healthy and cancerous) to die. This essential oil can also help patients with chronic pain to reduce inflammation contributing to pain alleviation while simultaneously enhancing immune system function.
4. Peppermint.
This is another essential oil that can really help individuals with ADHD as its diffusion can improve focus and concentration. It is also used to help treat people with depression because of its mood uplifting properties and has demonstrated the ability to regulate hormones.
Peppermint essential oil is amazing if you either have asthma or are sick with a cold. It will help to unclog your sinuses, soothe your sinuses, soothe your throat, and act as an expectorant. Peppermint can help with the aches and lethargy as well as Postnasal Drip which can irritate the stomach causing nausea. Peppermint essential oil aids in nausea prevention as it soothes the gastric lining of the stomach and colon.
The health benefits that essential oils have to offer are vast. Give these a try and let me know if you’d like more content related to the usage and effectiveness of essential oils for improving physical and mental health.
For more information regarding essential oil brands and their safety, please visit Consumers Advocate Best Essential Oil Brands Based on In-Depth Reviews. They had an independent lab test the purity of 33 oil samples from popular essential oil brands such as Aura Cacia and doTERRA.
What are your favorite essential oils to use? Do you have a favorite brand? I’d love to hear from you! 👇
