Uses & Benefits of Essential Oils

For every health problem, there's a good chance that there is an essential oil to help resolve it. But what exactly are pure essential oils? 

Essential oils are natural and highly concentrated chemical compounds found within plants. Once extracted, these natural compounds maintain the plant’s aroma and overall 'essence', bottled up and becoming what we know as pure essential oils. Whether used for aromatherapy, diffusing or topical application, each essential oil contains an array of benefits that can enhance daily routines and assist in combatting life's unexpected health challenges.

The healing powers of plants were first recognised by our ancestors in 1800 BCE, where they were used to strengthen immunity and heal the sick. Nowadays, extracted and transformed into essential oils, they are used as a natural alternative to help improve physical and mental health, well-being and overall quality of life. 

The human sense of smell is the only one of the five senses connected to the limbic system - the part of the brain that influences emotions, behaviour and memory. Each time someone inhales an essential oil, the limbic system is activated; the brain responds by sending chemical messengers linked to our nervous system, initiating an emotional response. If you have ever heard the saying, "Nothing is more memorable than a smell", it’s likely this scientific truth is where it stems from! 

The process of using natural plant extracts (essential oils) to receive the therapeutic benefits they offer is known as ‘Aromatherapy’. Whether we’re using pure essential oils in the bath, a massage or in an essential oil diffuser, we are practicing aromatherapy in some shape or form. 

When you inhale a natural aroma, its therapeutic properties stimulate part of the brain, encouraging an emotional and often a physical response. For example, because of its anxiolytic and sedative properties, inhaling lavender essential oil is thought to be one of the best ways to calm the brain and assist with sleep. 

An aromatherapy diffuser allows you to fill an entire space with the therapeutic aroma of an essential oil. Not only does this enhance your environment by creating a pleasant smell, but when diffused, users can safely receive therapeutic essential oil properties through inhalation. 

When applied topically, some essential oils are known to promote healthy glowing skin, whilst others can ease joint and muscle pain through massage. We receive these essential oil benefits because the oil is absorbed deep into the skin and enters the bloodstream once applied topically. Essential oils also affect the skin cells and underlying muscles they are applied to. In saying this, it is important to remember that these oils are highly concentrated, so they should always be diluted before direct contact with the skin. 

As a general guideline for healthy adults, we recommend: 

Here are some ways to use essential oils topically:

• Add your essential oil to a carrier oil or base massage oil to create a soothing massage oil. 
• For a quick and convenient way to use essential oils topically, add your dilution to a glass roller bottle and apply to your pulse points (temples, wrists, behind your ears and soles of your feet). 
• To ease muscle and joint pain and promote relaxation, add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to a warm bath. 
• You can also add one-two drops of your chosen essential oil to a daily moisturiser to boost its existing benefits. 

When it comes to cleaning, many people are moving away from chemical-filled, store-bought products and opting for natural alternatives, and this is where essential oils can help. 

As it goes, many oils have long been used to keep homes clean due to their properties. It's why in-store products use certain fragrances in the first place — consumers associate them with cleanliness!

Here are some of our favourite essential oils for cleaning: 

With so many different essential oils available, choosing the best one for your health problem can feel overwhelming. Here, we have listed some of the most versatile essential oils known to treat several health issues simultaneously. 

For those wanting to purchase essential oils, we always recommend finding a product that is 100% pure. This means the oil is free from synthetic fragrances, fillers, and other nasties that may harm your health and diminish its therapeutic properties. 

When it comes to essential oil purity, there are a lot of misleading and false claims within the market. So, here are some tips to help you decipher whether an essential oil is 100% pure: 

While essential oils can have profound benefits to your overall health and well-being, they are extremely potent and concentrated and can be harmful when used incorrectly. It is also important to understand that essential oil safety is dependent on several factors, such as: 

There is a lot of information about this topic online, much of it contradictory! It’s why we wrote an article about safe oils for pets, which we encourage you to read if you keep animals at home. 

While it is vital you do your own research about the safe use of oils around dogs and other pets, here are some of the most common oils you may want to avoid: 

Essential oils don’t have a ‘shelf life’ as such and can last for many years. However, to obtain optimum freshness, we recommend using your essential oils within 24 months. It is also best to store your essential oils in their original dark glass bottles, in a cool and dry place at room temperature, ensuring that they are not directly exposed to sunlight and are out of reach of children and pets. 

Now you know all about essential oils and their uses, not to mention essential oils properties and benefits, you can begin appreciating these pure natural oils for yourself, enhancing your health and wellness at home. 

Or perhaps you already enjoy the many benefits of natural oils and are looking to source high-quality products from a trusted supplier in Australia. 

While essential oils are generally available to purchase at health, wellness and retail stores, it is important to remember that the purity and quality of these essential oils will vary. That is why we recommend finding a reputable supplier. 

At AWO, we have a wide selection of 100% pure essential oils, organic essential oils and carrier oils sold at affordable prices. Because our stock is purchased in bulk, our costs are significantly lower, allowing us to offer our high-quality products at a low cost to our customers. What’s more, we are based right here in Australia! 

Visit our online store for a comprehensive list of essential oils and benefits.