Ancient Egyptians knew a thing or two about the benefits of using essential oils. They were not only used in ancient burial practices, they also were used then as today as an analgesic, skin softener and fragrance.

Essential oils are the essence, or compounds that are extracted from plants, herbs and flowers and work by stimulating your limbic system, an area in the brain involved in behavior and emotional responses including those that regulate needs and desires and survival instincts. So, using essential oils in aromatherapy is an excellent way to relax after a long, difficult day and put those worries to rest.

With so many essential oils to choose from, how do you know which one to use for what? Considering the majority of the population could probably benefit from reduced stress, anxiety and improved sleep, we decided to start with ways you can use essential oils to do just that.

 Relieve Anxiety and Help Provide a Restful Sleep

There are a variety of essential oils that are excellent for helping to reduce stress and anxiety including peppermint, eucalyptus, chamomile and lavender. Much like Eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil is great for clearing your head and nasal passages and providing relief for allergies that can often prevent you from getting a good night’s rest. Chamomile oil, which is made from the flowers of daisies, was shown to relieve the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.

Skin

Lavender essential oils help to relieve chronic skin conditions like eczema, dry skin and acne. Applying lavender essential oils directly to the skin area that is irritated can in some cases cause more irritation, so it’s recommended to mix your oils with a milder carrier oil like coconut, argan or tea tree. Lavender is also a natural antifungal and antimicrobial which helps to alleviate skin irritation caused by fungal conditions such as yeast. You can add a few drops of lavender to your skin lotion to help smooth your skin. Doing this in addition to taking Havasu Collagen gummies can help your skin to look and feel smoother and younger.

Disease Fighting Properties

Essential oils have been shown in studies to fight free radicals which cause diseases such as skin cancer. Free radicals also can cause collagen damage which can reduce skin elasticity, speeding up the aging process. Essential oils in studies have been shown to have properties that fight diseases such as the flu.

Pain Reliever/Analgesic

Rubbing a dab of essential oils on a sore muscle after a workout or if you have a minor injury can help to alleviate pain and inflammation. Each type of oil has its own unique benefit so it’s good to do a little research before using them. You can also combine two or more oils so you get the full effect of each of their properties.

Oral Issues

Essential oils like Frankincense have been traditionally used in church ceremonies and are known for welcoming aroma. They are also good for helping to cure halitosis, toothaches, cavities and mouth sores. Clove oil, when applied directly to an affected area, can be used to help numb pain caused by a toothache.

While there are over 90 different essential oils, these are a few of the most popular:

• Peppermint: helps boost energy and aid digestion; also helps with headaches, muscle pain, bacteria and serves as a natural insect repellant
• Lavender: alleviates pain, inflammation, and is anti-fungal; also used to relieve stress, anxiety, headaches, improves sleep and is an insect repellant
• Sandalwood: calms nerves and helps with focus
• Bergamot: helps reduce stress and improve skin conditions like eczema
• Rose: balances moisture levels in skin, helps improve mood and reduce anxiety
• Chamomile: helps improve mood and relaxation
• Ylang-Ylang: alleviates headaches, nausea and skin conditions
• Tea Tree: helps fight infections and boost immunity
• Jasmine: helps with depression, childbirth, and libido
• Lemon: good for digestion, mood and headaches
• Eucalyptus: helps with pain, inflammation and relaxation; also helps to clear sinuses
• Myrrh: alleviates athlete's foot, aids with relaxing and relieving stress
• Vetiver: helps to calm anxiety
• Frankincense: can be used to help with the immune system, aging, hormones and stress, but also aids in preventing bad breath, toothaches, cavities and mouth sores

Oils can be used in diffusers for aromatherapy, with a carrier oil for topical applications or you can add a few drops to your bath water for a more immersive experience. As you can see, essential oils can be used in a variety of ways to improve many aspects of your health.