The Truth Behind Essential Oils
Essential oils are all the rage these days, but it’s difficult to know what the hype is all about. They’ve been used for thousands of years in folk medicine and, more recently, they’ve become a popular alternative to traditional therapies. But what makes them so effective? In this post, we’ll take a closer look at essential oils, their benefits and their difference from fragrances.
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are a natural substance derived from seeds, bark, roots and flowers of plants. They are extracted through a process called distillation using steam or water. The resulting liquid is highly concentrated and contains the essence of the plant it came from.
At Wild Science Lab, we harness the power of essential oils at a suitable amount of concentration for maximum effectiveness, whilst ensuring it isn’t overused. Every skin and hair solution has been carefully formulated with concentrations in mind.
What’s the difference between essential oils and fragrances?
There’s a big difference between essential oils and fragrances. You might have heard of them as “aromatherapy”, but that’s not quite right. Essential oils are natural ingredients extracted from plants and flowers, whereas fragrances are synthetically made.
There are many misconceptions about essential oils, so let’s clear things up. Fragrance is a mixture of synthetic chemicals that are usually mixed with alcohol, whereas essential oils are pure plant extracts. While fragrances may smell pleasant and conceal odours, they can cause headaches and other health problems when inhaled over time. In contrast, essential oils stimulate the glandular system to balance hormones and regulate moods. They also have antibacterial properties that allow them to be used for aromatherapy or medicinal purposes such as relieving sore muscles or fighting cold symptoms.
Do essential oils cause allergic reactions?
It’s possible. Although uncommon, some essential oils can cause allergic reactions in people with sensitive skin or underlying medical conditions. A few types of essential oils are known to cause allergic reactions or sensitivities in some people, although this can happen only if you use them incorrectly or overuse them. At Wild Science Lab, we harness the power of essential oils at the appropriate concentration for maximum effectiveness while avoiding overabundance. Each skin and hair solution has been meticulously crafted with concentrations in mind.
What are the benefits of essential oils?
Essential oils have many benefits that are often overlooked. The most obvious benefit is their scent, but essential oils also have a number of health benefits as well. Essential oils can be used to improve mood, reduce stress and anxiety, boost immunity, improve sleep quality and more. They also tend to have anti-inflammatory properties that can help improve the skin’s texture and reduce inflammation.
Most people don’t realise that fragrances are made with chemicals, which can be harmful. They contain phthalates and other toxic ingredients that can cause health issues such as asthma, allergies and hormonal imbalances.
Essential oils offer a safer alternative to fragrances. They contain no artificial ingredients or chemicals; they are extracted from real plants (hence the name “essential”) instead of being synthesised in laboratories like most perfumes you see on store shelves these days.
To sum it all up…
Essential oils can be a great way to enhance your yoga practice or improve sleep quality!
This article is an overview of what you can expect when using them – there’s so much more out there and we hope you continue to learn more about the topic as well.
