ESSENTIAL OIL BENEFITS ESSENTIAL OIL BENEFITS


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ESSENTIAL OIL BENEFITS

 

IN ESSENCE...

  • Essential oils are the highly concentrated, volatile aromatic compounds obtained from plants.
  • Essential oils have many different applications, but they are most popularly used in aromatherapy.
  • Different types of essential oils have unique chemical profiles that endow them with their characteristic aromas and that purportedly offer a range of benefits.
  • Exploring the scents and uses of different essential oils can help you discover the best oils and blends for you.
  • It is important to dilute essential oils before using them in topical applications to ensure safety and comfort.

 

WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL OILS?

 

Essential oils are highly concentrated, volatile compounds obtained from plants that contain the plant's unique chemical constitution and aromatic essence. Essential oils are typically obtained by a process of steam distillation or cold expression from various plant materials including leaves, flowers, seeds, bark, berries, resin, needles, roots, and wood.

Essential oils have many uses in the cosmetics, flavor, and fragrance industries, and are common ingredients in traditional medicinal applications, but they find their most widespread use in aromatherapy. Whether diffused in a space to impart a particular energy, added to a bath for a sensual soak, or used in a massage, essential oils are reputed to have a wide range of benefits depending on the type that you choose.


 

EXPLORING ESSENTIAL OILS

 

If you are keen on embarking on an essential oil journey, New Directions Aromatics can help you find out the many purposes that different essential oils serve. We have compiled a list of essential oils that are commonly sought, along with some of their reputed benefits to help you learn about their different attributes and uses. Read on to help inform your choices and ensure you find the oil that best suits your needs.


 

ESSENTIAL OILS BENEFITS CHART

 
ESSENTIAL OIL & BOTANICAL NAME FRAGRANCE FAMILY MAIN CONSTITUENTS DESCRIPTION AND REPUTED AROMATHERAPY BENEFITS
Bergamot

Citrus bergamia		 Citrus
  • Linalyl acetate
  • Limonene
 The refreshingly green and pungent scent of this oil is good for relaxation and for soothing digestion.
Clary Sage

Salvia sclarea		 Herbal
  • Linalyl acetate
 This bittersweet, herbaceously floral scented oil is good for calming down, relaxing, and managing feelings of stress.
Cedarwood
 
  • Cedrus:
    atlantica
    deodora
  • Juniperus:
    virginiana
    ashei
  • Cupressus funebris
 Woody
  • Himachalene
  • g-Himachalene
  • b-Himachalene
  • Cedrol
  • Thujopsene
  • Thujopsene
  • a-Cedrene
  • b-Cedrene
  • Cedrol
 This thick and woody scented oil is a good stress management aid. It also helps encourage restful sleep, clear the airways, and maintain healthy circulation.
Cinnamon Leaf

Cinnamomum zeylanicum		 Spicy
  • Eugenol
 A spicy and sugary scent with musky undertones, this oil helps the body feel revitalized and refreshed.
Geranium

Pelargonium spp.		 Floral
  • Citronellol
  • Geraniol
 This is a very herbal scent with minty undertones that helps to relax and calm mood.
Ginger

Zingiber officinale		 Spicy
  • Zingiberene
 This fresh spicy scented oil is warming and helps to maintain healthy digestion.
Grapefruit

Citrus paradisi		 Citrus
  • Limonene
 This fresh and fruity oil has a slight tang for a cleansing scent that helps the body feel refreshed.
Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia		 Floral
  • Linalool
  • Linalyl acetate
 This herbaceous floral scent helps encourage restful sleep and helps boost mood. It can also help soothe skin.
Lemon

Citrus limon		 Citrus
  • Limonene
 This light and tangy-smelling oil is cleansing, clarifying, and uplifting.
Lemongrass

Cymbopogon flexuosus		 Citrus
  • Citral
  • Geranial
 The medium citrus character of this oil combined with its strong herbal base is a cleansing scent and helps clarify the mind.
Lime

Citrus aurantifolia		 Citrus
  • Limonene
 The sharp, bittersweet scent of this oil helps uplift, refresh and revitalize the mind and body.
Patchouli

Pogostemon cablin		 Earthy
  • Patchoulol
 This oil has a warm, heavy scent with fruity undertones and is great for relaxing.
Peppermint

Mentha arvensis / Mentha piperita		 Herbal
  • Menthone
  • l-Menthol
 This warm and fresh minty scented oil is highly energizing, revitalizing, and stimulating for the senses.
Rosemary

Rosmarinus officinalis		 Herbal
  • 1,8-Cineole
  • Camphor
  • Camphene
  • a-Pinene
 This oil has a strong, invigorating herbal scent that helps clear the mind. It also helps manage water retention.
Sweet Orange

Citrus sinensis		 Citrus
  • Aldehydes
  • d-Limonene
 This sweet and tangy scent of this oil uplifts the spirit, soothes the body, and helps maintain healthy digestion.
Tangerine

Citrus reticulata		 Citrus
  • Limonene
 This light citrus scent of this oil is energizing and helps to clear and balance the mind.
Tea Tree

Melaleuca alternifolia		 Herbal / Woody
  • Terpinen-4-ol
  • Y-Terpinene
 This sharply scented oil has medium spice undertones and makes a good deodorizer.
Camphor

Cinnamonum camphora		 Herbal / Woody
  • 1,8-Cineole
 The sharp, woody scent of this oil helps improve mood and lift spirits.
Ylang Ylang

Cananga odorata		 Floral
  • Linalool
  • Geranyl acetate
 This intensely sweet scent of this oil has an exotic floral undertone and is sensual, soothing, and relaxing. This oil is also good for maintaining hydration and managing stressful feelings.

This list is not exhaustive and there are many more characteristically fragrant oils to explore. NDA offers a vast selection of pure essential oils made from exquisite botanicals sourced from all over the world. Be sure to browse our resource pages for more details!


 

IDEAS FOR BLENDING ESSENTIAL OILS

 

Part of the fun of aromatherapy is coming up with your own special blends for a personalized experience. While everyone's preferences are different, we have provided a few foundational ideas to get you started on your journey of aromatic discovery:

FRAGRANCE FAMILY BLENDS WELL WITH SUGGESTED BLENDS BLEND DESCRIPTION
Citrus
  • Other Citrus scents
  • Floral
  • Lemon, Lime, Tangerine
  • Bergamot, Geranium, Sweet Orange
 Bright, energetic, and uplifting
Floral
  • Other Floral scents
  • Citrus
  • Earthy
  • Geranium, Grapefruit
  • Lavender, Ylang-Ylang
 Soothing, relaxing, and refreshing
Herbal
  • Other Herbal scents
  • Woody
  • Clary Sage, Cedarwood
  • Peppermint, Rosemary
  • Calming and relaxing
  • Invigorating and clarifying
Woody
  • Other Woody scents
  • Herbal
  • Spicy
  • Cedarwood, Rosemary
  • Cedarwood, Cinnamon Leaf
 Soothing, relaxing, and refreshing
Spicy
  • Other Spicy scents
  • Woody
  • Ginger, Cinnamon Leaf
 Warming, refreshing
Earthy
  • Other Earthy scents
  • Floral
  • Patchouli, Geranium, Lavender
 Calming, soothing, relaxing

This list is just the beginning of what is sure to be a long and enriching journey. Visit NDA's resource pages to find more ideas and recipes for blends with your favorite essential oils!


 

SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR USING ESSENTIAL OILS

 

Essential oils are generally safe for use when they are used externally in low concentrations and not ingested. For topical applications, concentrations need to be no higher than 5% to prevent any skin irritations. Diluting with a carrier oil to the appropriate concentration will help ensure a safe and comfortable experience. To reduce the risk of an adverse reaction, a skin patch test should be performed prior to using an oil topically. For inhalation, make use of intermittent exposure that lasts not more than fifteen minutes each. Always read the health and safety guidelines of each oil even when there is no safety information on individual bottles. Visit our resources for a thorough understanding of each essential oil.


 

ESSENTIAL TAKEAWAY

 

Essential oils are a wonderful resource for aromatherapy, natural perfumery, and cosmetics. Whether used on their own or combined for a custom blend, their distinctive scents, and versatile benefits can help enhance your sense of well-being. Keep in mind though, that safe and responsible use is required to ensure the best possible experience with essential oils. If you have been intrigued by this introduction, take some time to discover our many essential oils and their unique profiles for aromatherapy. Whether you find a special oil that you like to use all the time, or you discover a series of blends for your different moods and needs, you are sure to enjoy an essentially sensational experience.

IMPORTANT: All New Directions Aromatics (NDA) products are for external use only unless otherwise indicated. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, and it should not be used by anyone who is pregnant or under the care of a medical practitioner. Please refer to our policies for further details, and our disclaimer below.

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