Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefitsSafety and Side EffectsRecommended DosageHow to Choose
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Benefits
Safety and Side Effects
Recommended Dosage
How to Choose
Essential oils are distilled plant extracts that maintain their fragrance and potentially offer health benefits.They are sometimes used in complementary and alternative medicine to support certain conditions and overall well-being.
Some research suggests that they could be helpful for stress relief, nausea, inflammation, infections, sleep issues, and more.However, additional evidence and clinical trials are needed to confirm these potential benefits.
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1. Stress and Anxiety Reduction
Along with traditional treatment, aromatherapy may help withstress reliefandanxiety. One study shows thatbergamotessential oil may help lower levels of the stress hormonecortisol, improving fatigue and negative emotions in participants.
Other research onlavenderoil suggests that it can lower self-reported anxiety levels among patients ahead of medical procedures or hospital stays.
2. Improves Sleep Quality
Studies show inhaling lavender essential oil regularly canimprove sleep qualityand reduceanxiety around sleep.
3. Prevents Bacterial Infections
Many essential oils contain antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.They also treatear infections,Staphylococcus aureus(which causesstrep throatand certain skin infections), and other broad-spectrum bacterial infections. The essential oils that may help bacterial infections include:
Research indicates that some essential oils improve ear infection symptoms as effectively as traditional prescriptionantibiotic treatment.
4. Fights Fungal Infections
Tea tree oilhas been studied for its efficacy intreating athlete’s foot, a fungal skin infection.Research suggests that the essential oil may work well with traditional antifungal medication and on its own.
5. Headache and Migraine Relief
Inhaling or applying certain essential oils to the temples and forehead may be a supplementary treatment for people with headaches. Small studies suggest that participants who used lavender, peppermint, andchamomileessential oils reported decreased pain and severity for certain types oftension headaches.However, more research is needed on the efficacy of essential oils for chronicmigraine.
6. Reduces Inflammation
Certain essential oils may relieveinflammation-related symptoms like pain, swelling, warmth, and function loss.Flavonoids(phytonutrients) in the oils may help airway inflammation andinflammatory bowel disease(IBD). The essential oils include:
More evidence and human clinical trials would be needed to support anti-inflammatory benefits for specific health conditions.
7. Relieves Nausea
Inhaling or topically applying essential oil may reducenauseaand other symptoms like vomiting and retching. These include:
People who are pregnant or undergoing medical treatment should check with a healthcare provider before trying this at home.
8. Tames Muscle Pain and Menstrual Cramps
Applying lavender, thyme, andsageessential oils to the abdominal or other affected areas may reduce the severity of muscle pain andmenstrual cramping.Theanalgesic(pain-relieving) effects may be more potent when used together.However, cramping may not be as reduced as when using an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever like Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen).
A Word From VerywellEssential oils provide active and potent remedies for multiple health concerns but should be used with caution and guidance to ensure optimal therapeutic benefits.—EMILY DASHIELL, ND, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
Essential oils provide active and potent remedies for multiple health concerns but should be used with caution and guidance to ensure optimal therapeutic benefits.—EMILY DASHIELL, ND, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Essential oils provide active and potent remedies for multiple health concerns but should be used with caution and guidance to ensure optimal therapeutic benefits.
—EMILY DASHIELL, ND, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
While some people may experience reported health benefits related to using essential oils, it’s important to note that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not monitor or regulate essential oils the way it does for prescription or OTC medications.
It’s a good idea to research the quality of essential oil brands and look for oils produced with distillation methods that avoid using harsh solvents, likeacetone.
To help reduce the chances ofunwanted side effectswhen using essential oils, be aware of the following precautions:
Recommended Amounts and Dosage
Federal health experts do not offer set guidelines on recommended amounts and dosages because the essential oil market isn’t regulated or standardized like food and medicine.
Different brands of essential oils contain varied amounts of chemical compounds. They don’t have an expiration date, and the chemical composition can change as they age, potentially producing different clinical effects.
Aromatherapy practitioners typically apply essential oils in the following methods:
When applying essential oilstopically, diluting them with a carrier oil (like almond, olive, coconut, or jojoba oil) is required to prevent adverse reactions to the skin or body. Diluting at 1% would be equivalent to adding about six drops of essential oil to 1 ounce of carrier oil.
How to Choose the Right Essential Oils for You
Check with your healthcare provider to ensure essential oils are safe, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking any medications. Then:
Summary
A growing body of research suggests essential oils may be beneficial as supplementary therapy for certain health conditions and symptoms, including stress relief, nausea, inflammation, infections, and more.
Much more clinical evidence is needed before essential oils can be broadly recommended as a treatment tactic. Always check with a healthcare provider before implementing any essential oils into your routine to help avoid the possibility of an allergic reaction or adverse side effects.
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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