The health benefits of essential oils

The use of essential oils, or aromatherapy, has become a trendy way to treat a wide range of conditions, including insomnia, anxiety and pain. Some essential oils also have antibacterial and antifungal properties, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

While scientific evidence that essential oils help treat certain health conditions is lacking, aromatherapy has been used for nearly 6,000 years and is commonly used in spas and hospitals today, according to the UMMC.

What are essential oils?

Essential oils are complex mixtures of anywhere from 20 to 100 different compounds, extracted from the roots, leaves, seeds or blossoms of plants, according to UMMC and Mary O’Connell, distinguished achievement and regents professor in Plant and Environmental Sciences at New Mexico State University.

Essential oils and their uses

Peppermint: Used as an antibacterial agent topically and to soothe an upset stomach when taken with tea, O’Connell said.

Peppermint can also be used to ease a headache by mixing a drop of peppermint oil with another oil (such as almond oil or olive oil) and rubbing it into the temples, according to Deborah Brandt, clinical herbalist and owner of From The Ground Up, an herb shop and apothecary of herbal formulas, located at 339 N. Alameda Blvd., in Las Cruces.

Clove: Used as an antibacterial agent and has a numbing effect, or an anesthetic effect, when used topically, O’Connell said.

“Clove essential oil has been used for decades for toothaches,” Brandt said.

Eucalyptus: Used as an antibacterial agent. Inhaled, eucalyptus oil can help clear respiratory congestion. “You can put Eucalyptus oil in steaming water, and put a towel over your head and breath in those scents,” Brandt said.

Basil: The scent of basil can help lift the spirits, Brandt said. Used topically, it may also help treat acne. According to WebMD, “applying a gel containing basil and sweet orange essential oils to the skin for eight weeks might help clear breakouts in people with acne.”

Lemon balm: Lemon balm, used topically, may help treat skin conditions, such as herpes, shingles and cold sores. Brandt suggests mixing lemon balm with St. John’s Wort Oil to help reduce symptoms of the herpes virus.

Thuja: Thuja can be applied directly to the skin for joint pain, osteoarthritis, and muscle pain. It can also be used as an insect repellent. “I mix it with other oils for bacterial infections,” Brandt said.

Rosemary:  Rosemary aromatherapy may improve memory quality, according to WebMD and Brandt.  “(Rosemary) has some of the same compounds as the drugs for Alzheimer’s disease and it’s interesting that Rosemary, historically, has been called the herb of remembrance,” Brandt said.

Floral oils (lavender, rose): Lavender, as well as rose, orange, bergamot, lemon, sandalwood and others have been shown to relieve anxiety, stress, and depression, according to UMMC. “Lavender is very common for relaxing,” said Brandt, who suggests putting a few drops your pillow before bed.

Fennel, aniseed, sage and clary sage oils: These essential oils all contain estrogen compounds, which may help relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and menopause, according to UMMC.

Choosing a brand

Today there are many brands of essential oils to choose from. O’Connell recommends picking a provider that is careful about how they grow their plants and how they process and store the oil.

The chemical composition of essential oils varies depending on the environment, where the plants were grown and the specific genetics of the variety of those plants. Whether the oils are steam distilled or solvent extracted can also cause the composition of the oil to vary, she said.

Oils also degrade over time and based on how the oil is stored, the quality of the oil can be impaired. Oils stored in darker bottles are best to maintain quality, O’Connell said.

Brandt said she recommends looking for essential oil brands that are organic, to ensure the oil is in its purest form.

Things to note

• Never take essential oils by mouth unless under the supervision of a trained professional. Some oils are toxic, and taking them by mouth can be fatal, according to UMMC.

• In rare cases, aromatherapy can cause side effects, such as rash, asthma, headache, liver and nerve damage, as well as harm to a fetus, according to UMMC.

• Oils high in phenols, like cinnamon, can irritate the skin. Add water or a base massage oil to the essential oil before applying to your skin, according to UMMC. If using an essential oil externally, Brandt recommends mixing one-part essential oil with about five parts carrier, such as coconut oil or olive oil to dilute it and avoid any negative skin reactions. Using the essential oils near the eyes should also be avoided, according to UMMC.

• Essential oils are highly volatile and flammable and should not be used near an open flame, according to UMMC.

• Essential oils are not a cure all for everything and shouldn’t be used as a substitute for going to the doctor, Brandt said.  “If you use essential oils for your condition and you’re not better in three days, then got to the doctor,” she said.

Alexia Severson may be reached at 575-541-5462, aseverson@lcsun-news.com or @AlexiaMSeverson on Twitter.