In the world of alternative medicine these days, aromatherapy is being used frequently as a tool in healing the body and mind. Now, in such form of complementary medical therapy the key component used is a “hydrophobic, volatile, and aromatic liquid” known as essential oil. There are several oils available in the market nowadays that are used by a large number of people including “Yoga specialists” around the globe for a wide range of health issues. So, here is presenting a list of “6 Essential Oils” that are commonly used by a few individuals who specialize in Yoga.
a. Geranium Essential Oil:
Derived from a shrub known as “Pelargonium graveolens” is an essential oil known Geranium. Furthermore, this oil comprises of over 50 organic compounds, of which citronellol, nerol, and geraniol form its major components. In terms of useful properties, when used this oil helps in reducing health related issues such as stress, depression, and high blood pressure. According to a Yoga teacher named Elena Brower from New York, Geranium oil when used proves to be useful in skincare and in elevating an individual’s mood. In addition, it can also apparently help in instilling a feeling of “love and trust” within an individual.
b. Lavender Essential Oil:
“Steam distillation” is the process used to extract the Lavender Oil from the flower spikes of a herb known as “Lavandula latifolia”. This oil basically is a mixture of “phytochemicals” that include compounds such as linalool and linalyl acetate. Furthermore, when used it can help induce sleep, relieve stress and anxiety, help cure acne, relieve pain, serve as a diuretic by stimulating flow of urine etc. In addition, it can also be mixed along with other essential oils such as cedarwood, pine, clary sage, geranium, and nutmeg. According to a Yoga expert, when used this oil helps stimulate creativity in an individual as well in inducing sleep. It also helps in the maintaining good skin health.
c. Peppermint Essential Oil:
“A soothing effect” is what an essential oil known as Peppermint is said to exert on the body when used. It is basically extracted from a hybrid mint (watermint and spearmint) using the “steam distillation” process. Furthermore, the major organic compounds in this oil include menthol, menthone, menthyl actetate, menthofuran, and 1,8 cineol. When used it helps in reducing stomach aches, resolve digestion issues, relieves headaches, helps improve mental focus etc. In addition, to the above mentioned benefits to health a Yoga expert claims that Peppermint Oil helps in maintaining the proper functioning of the heart.
d. Eucalyptus Essential Oil:
Extracted from the “leaves” of a plant using steam distillation process is an essential oil known as Eucalyptus. The major organic component of this oil is “cineole”, however it may also include compounds such as piperitone, phellandrene, citral, methyl cinnamate, and geranyl acetate. Furthermore, when used this oil can help improve the digestive, respiratory, and also provide relief from muscular pain. In addition, this oil also helps in maintaining a “positive” state of mind by enabling the elimination of “negative patterns” that may arise from time-to-time within the human body.
e. Orange Essential Oil:
“A Citrus sinensis fruit” is used to extract Orange essential through the use of a process known as “cold compression”. The major organic chemical compounds in this oil includes alpha-pinene, citronellol, geraniol, sabinene, myrcene, limonene, linalool, and neral. Furthermore, when used it proves to be useful in the treatment of conditions such as muscle spasms, inflammation, infections, and kidney stones. In addition, when used it also helps in “uplifting” an individual’s mental state when feeling low.
f. Rose Essential Oil:
“Solvent, steam, or supercritical extraction” the processes used to obtain Rose essential oil. Extracted from the “petals” this oil consists organic compounds such as citronellol, geraniol, and linalool. When used this oil helps in the treatment of ailments like depression, inflammation, wound infections, muscular spasms, and viral infections. In addition, when used this extremely “sweet smelling” oil has an “soothing” effect on the body.
Image Credits: Public Domain Pictures and Wikimedia Commons