6 Ways Essential Oils Can Improve Your Life

Not thrilled about relying too much on over-the-counter or prescription meds to improve your overall health? If not, you may benefit from essential oils. If you've heard good things about essential oils but haven't yet explored them yourself, now is the perfect time to consider the following ways these natural, plant-based products can improve your life.

1. Boosting Your Immune System

Lavender oil is just one of several essential oils with reported properties that can give your immune system a boost. A more efficient immune system means you'll be in a better position to fight off seasonal colds, minor infections, and even temporary aches and pains caused by overexertion of joints and soft tissues. Tea tree oil also has antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties that could help your immune system do its job a bit better. Also, lemon oil can keep bacterial infections at bay.

2. Reducing Stress and Anxiety

Once used in religious services, frankincense essential oil is now used in meditation and yoga sessions to promote stress and anxiety reduction. Sweet orange essential oil can also play a role in counteracting the effects of daily stress. A 2008 study involving lavender oil aromatherapy found that it reduced levels of the stress hormone cortisol in healthy men. A study involving postpartum women produced similar results.

3. Improving Sleep

Insufficient sleep can contribute to issues with spine and joint pain, a weakened immune system, and many other health-related woes. There's research suggesting inhaled lavender oil can improve sleep quality. Another option is to add a few drops of this essential oil to your bath shortly before you get to bed—or you can sprinkle a few drops on your sheets. Clary sage oil and Roman chamomile have produced similar results for individuals wishing to improve their sleep habits.

4. Helping Out Your Cherished Pets

One of the surprise ways essential oils may be able to improve your life is by making things better for your cherished pets. After all, when your pets are healthy and happy, you'll likely be equally relaxed and happy. However, caution should be taken with essential oils for dogs or cats so they don't ingest them. The good news is that there are several options available for your four-legged friends. Carrot seed oil, for example, is good for canine skin, and cedarwood and sweet orange oils deter fleas.

5. Relieving/Managing Pain

Some essential oils also have known pain-relieving capabilities. Cinnamon oil, for instance, is often referred to as a therapeutic oil because it may help clear up chest colds and soothe muscle aches. Participants in one study also reported relief from tension headaches and nausea associated with the use of peppermint oil. Pain related to inflammation or sore muscles may be eased with Roman and German chamomile oils, yarrow oil, or rosemary oil. Ginger oil has a warming effect that may provide welcome relief from pain. And if your discomfort is from muscle tension, try clary sage oil or juniper oil.

6. Making Your Skin Healthier

If you tend to be susceptible to painful or itchy acne outbreaks, tea tree oil works like benzoyl peroxide, the active ingredient in some acne medications. Helichrysum essential oil is also worth considering if you have acne-prone skin. Also keep your skin healthy with lavender oil, which reduces skin irritation related to sunburn, eczema, hives, and even ingrown hairs. If you have damaged skin, consider frankincense essential oil. Chamomile is especially good for sensitive skin. Rose otto essential oil is recommended for mature skin.

Finally, eucalyptus essential oil actually kills 99 percent of the particles related to the influenza virus, which makes it a preventative treatment. Not sure where to start with essential oils? Follow your nose! Go with scents you naturally find pleasing. Odds are whatever essential oil products appeal to your sense of smell will likely have a slew of assorted health and well-being benefits associated with them.