Essential Oils 101

There’s been a lot of buzz around essential oils lately. Many yogis are turning to essential oils to ease sore muscles, clear skin and zen out.

What are they anyway? Essential oils are taken from the bark, flowers, leaves, roots, seeds and stems of plants. There are more than 90 known essential oils, each with its own scent. Before using any essential oil, you’ll want to do some research on how it should be used, whether for aromatherapy or skin care, diluted or in a mixture, etc.

If you’re ready to give essential oils a try, here are a few we’d suggest:

Lavender

You’ll love lavender for its calming properties. If you want to unwind, rub some lavender onto your skin and soak in the smell. You can also put a few drops on your bedroom pillow(s) to help you fall asleep faster.

Peppermint

Peppermint is known to help digestion and stimulate the senses. To ease nausea or stomach pains, rub peppermint oil directly on your stomach. If you’re looking for an energy boost, rub some peppermint oil under your nose.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is antibacterial and antiviral, so it’s great to use when you are congested. To clear your sinuses, add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to boiling water and inhale the steam. This oil is also an anti-inflammatory. So if you’re sore after a challenging Yoga Sculpt class, rub a bit of this oil on your muscles.

Lemon

Lemon oil does more than freshen up a space - it’s been known to help with smoothing wrinkles and toning skin. Put a few drops of lemon oil on a cotton ball and dab at your face for best results.

Ylang Ylang

Pronounced “EE-lang EE-lang”, this oil can be used an antidepressant. When used in aromatherapy, Ylang Ylang can help to calm the body and reduce stress. This oil can also be applied as an antiseptic. If you have a cut, dab some ylang ylang on it to protect from infection.