5 Natural Oils and Their Health Benefits

We have a slight obsession with oil. We eat it, drink it, rub it on our bodies, massage it into our hair, and use it as a pretty powerful medicine as well. There are so many different kinds of oils to help our bodies thrive, and they each have their own unique value. Essential oils have their place secured in a natural beauty routine: They're natural, chemical-free alternatives to everything from traditional cosmetics to potentially toxic fragrances. But many can do a lot more than just smell good. In this discussion we will introduce you to some of the essential oils that carry a bundle of benefits along with an enchanting fragrance.

1.      Peppermint:  The bright scent of peppermint does more than to freshen up your breath. It is also used to soothe nausea and other stomach issues, help stop itching, and cool overworked muscles (thanks to the menthol).

Add drops of peppermint oil to a bowl of hot water and breathe in the steam to fight congestion, or rub diluted oil into sore muscles.

2.      Lavender:  Lavender is go-to oil for almost any situation: Not only is it one of the few oils that is gentle enough to use undiluted, it's a "virtual first aid kit in a bottle." The antibacterial properties allow it to fight germs and, like peppermint, it's often credited with aiding digestion and helping fight headaches.

3.      Rose: This rose by any name will smell as sweet: Look for it labeled as Rose Otto, rose oil, or rose essential oil, and choose oils produced in Bulgaria and Turkey for the highest quality. These slightly-distilled oils won't have the strong scents of oils used for perfumes, but they are more popular with aroma therapists.

4.      Clove: Clove oil is also antiseptic, so diluted versions can treat bug bites, cuts, and scrapes; other suggested treatments help clear up earaches, digestion problems, nasal congestion, stomachaches, and headaches. As an added bonus, it's an aphrodisiac and therefore a popular form of stress relief.

5.      Lemon Balm: Lemon balm essential oil, also known as Melissa essential oil after the plant's Latin name, Melissa officinalis, doesn't look like much, but it has plenty of benefits. It's an antidepressant, it keeps your nervous system working smoothly, it calms anxiety and inflammation, it counteracts insomnia, it heals ulcers, it fights bacterial infections, and has been credited with treating herpes, headaches, and high blood pressure.

From ancient to modern times, natural oils have been used to treat anxiety, aches, and even acne. Use these oils in your daily life and have a healthy life and live longer.