Found the best essential oils for sleep, for energy and more.
While essential oils have been in use since the 12th century, the rise of the wellness movement means their popularity has soared over the last decade. A quick search on Google reveals a seemingly never-ending supply of products that claim to cure all manner of ills, and while many of those claims are overblown, choosing the best essential oils for your particular ailment may yield some tangible benefits.
They have found incredible popularity over the last few years for their use in the worlds of alternative medicine and reed diffuser glass bottles. Whether you’re struggling to concentrate, to sleep, or to fight off a cold, an increasing number of people turn to essential oils for an answer. And while they can’t replace methods like good sleep hygiene or medical intervention in some cases, many swear by their ability to help boost energy, calm the mind or just make your room smell nice.
Essential oils are so called because they provide the ‘essence’ of a plant’s aroma and flavour, and are extracted via a process of distillation. They can then be used in a variety of ways. They are often diluted in water before use, and different levels of dilution can make them suitable to be ingested, applied to the skin, or placed in a glass bottle diffuser to evaporate into an aromatic mist. They’re often used in cosmetic cream jar and beauty products such as bath oils, but can also be found in household cleaners, food and drinks and lots more unexpected places.
One of the most important things to remember when using essential oils is that they need to be diluted in order to reduce the risk of bad reactions on the skin or long-term issues elsewhere in our systems. Applying oils directly to the skin - especially for those with sensitive skin - can cause major health problems such as sensitization, so if you’re adding oil to a aroma reed sticks diffuser, then just a few drops (1-2 drops per 10ml, or no more than 5%) mixed in with water or, for cosmetic purposes, a ‘carrier oil’ such as vegetable oil is enough.
Even when diluted, if you are vapor the solution with a glass bottle round diffuser then you should make sure to do so in a well-vnetilated area, and never for longer than 30-60 minutes in one go.
Simply put, the use of essential oils is relatively safe as long as you’re using them correctly - i.e. making sure to read the label, considering potential interaction with medications and supplements, not overdoing it when mixing with your carrier solution, and keeping them out of reach of children (see below) and animals. We’d also recommend always making sure to do a patch test on a small area of your skin before applying it more liberally.
This is a much thornier issue, but what we do know is that essential oils should never be used around children younger than 2 years of age, and only in concentrations of about 0.5-2% or below (as opposed to the maximum of 5% for adults) after that. You should avoid the following oils entirely:
- Eucalyptus
- Fennel
- Peppermint
- Rosemary
- Verbena
- Wintergreen
- Bay
- Cinnamon
- Clove bud or leaf
- Lemongrass
- Thyme
Additionally, you shouldn’t use the following during pregnancy or breastfeeding:
Camphor
Parsley
Hyssop
Tarragon
Wintergreen
Wormwood
If in doubt, speak with a medical professional about the use of essential oils during pregnancy and around children.
Furthermore, you must always be very careful not to ingest the oils as they can be extremely toxic, especially for children whose young organs are less robust than our own.
Essential oils that you can buy online or on the high street vary significantly in price, and you can also buy them individually or as part of a larger set. It’s most common to see essential oils glass bottle sold in 10ml quantities and, while some single scent bottles can cost just a few pounds, larger sets or mixes designed for certain effects such as sleep or even pain relief can be a little bit pricier. The best thing to do is take any outlandish claims with a pinch of salt, and do your research if you’re looking for a specific outcome so you can be sure you’re getting your money’s worth.
For relaxation and sleep - Lavender, Chamomile, Rose, Frankincense
For healing and anti-inflammatory purposes - Cedarwood, Basil
For boosting energy and mood - Ylang-ylang
For concentration - Vetiver, Patchouli, Lemon
For beating the sniffles - Eucalyptus
Post time: Nov-17-2022
