Whether its in passing at a spa or as part of your daily wellness routine, its likely we've all come across essential oils at one point or another. 

Essential oils have blossomed in popularity in recent years - feeding into major wellness industries including cosmetic goods, massage services, cleaning products and even hospital care. 

This is largely due to the vast amount of benefits they can provide across different areas of the mind and body - helping to facilitate overall wellbeing as well as creating a peaceful and grounding atmosphere. 

While aromatherapy itself has been around for centuries, many people still struggle to understand its fundamental roots, as well as how and why essential oils are so important beyond just their pleasant scent. 

We'll be touching on all the amazing things that essential oils can do, as well as how they work, what their benefits are, and how to use them in your day-to-day life. 

The process of extraction used to obtain these essential oils is designed to capture the scent, flavour, and function of the botanical, and can be done in a number of ways in order to bottle the best versions of the plant. 

Some methods of essential oil extraction include:

• Steam distillation 
• Cold pressing 
• Solvent extraction 

Steam distillation is the most common of these methods; using steam and cold water to separate the oil from its botanical.

Cold pressing is also widely utilised for citrus essential oils in particular, whereby the peel of the fruit is punctured and the essence collected. This is generally conducted as a by-product of the juice making industry. 

Solvent extraction is the least customary of the three, and is mainly implemented for delicate or resinous oils like benzoin that harden too quickly under cooler temperatures. 

You can find out more about how essential oils are made here. 

How do essential oils work? 

Employed mostly for their benefits in aromatherapy, essential oils can be inherited for different purposes depending on their characteristics. 

Inhalation using a diffuser or oil burner is the most popular way to experience an essential oil, as it is the most open channel for your body to interact with and therefore creates the largest number of benefits overall. 

Inhaling essential oils can help stimulate regions of the mind - including the hippocampus and limbic systems - to create a sense of calm, emotional balance, and enhanced focus. 

The limbic system is also responsible for scent memory, so may explain why certain aromas draw the mind back to certain nostalgic events. 

Essential oils can also be diluted with carrier oils and applied to the skin, allowing the natural compounds to soak into the body and target specific physical ailments. 

Though some sources consider it safe to do so, essential oils should never be taken internally. 

What are the different types of essential oils and their uses? 

Essential oils come from such a wide variety of botanical sources that it can be hard pinpoint the best ones for you without proper guidance. 

At a basic level, essential oils can be categorised through the following scent profiles: 

• Floral
• Citrus
• Herbal
• Spicy
• Earthy
• Fresh

Each of these oil categories can have generalised benefits to them - like citrus oils being good for energy, for instance - but overall are only really an indicator of scent in your chosen essential oil. 

A better way to go about choosing your oils would be through function. Essential oils carry a number of popular applications including, but not limited to: 

• Sleep
• Energy
• Pain Relief
• Stress Relief
• Decongesting

Essential oils like lavender that work extremely well for sleep, will not necessary target a stubborn cough in the same way as eucalyptus oil would. 

What are the most popular essential oils? 

Some of the most popular essential oils for day-to-day use are: 

• Lavender - used for sleep and stress relief 
• Lemon - used for cleaning and balancing mood
• Rosemary - used for haircare and concentration
• Bergamot - used for uplifting the mind and reducing fatigue
• Frankincense - used to boost immunity and aid digestion
• Clary Sage - used for stress relief and menstrual symptoms
• Tea Tree - used for infections and scalp health 
• Lemongrass - used for pain relief and gut health
• Peppermint - used to decongest and deter spiders
• Eucalyptus - used to decongest and manage headaches

This list of essential oils and what they are used for primarily targets oils that are considered to have objectively pleasant scents as well as enhanced benefits, but feel free to explore more essential oil types that may be a better fit for you. 

You can find out more about the top 10 best essential oils here. 

How do you use essential oils? 

Once you've chosen the best set of oils for you, its time to figure out how to apply them in your daily routine. 

Diffusion 

Diffusing essential oils with an electric diffuser or oil burner is an impactful way to experience both their scent and their mind-balancing characteristics. 

If you're feeling stressed, mentally fatigued, or physically blocked, this may be the best choice for you. 

The scent of an essential oil can also be appreciated within candles and soaps, so don't be afraid to add a few drops to your next crafting project. 

Massage 

Using a carrier oil to dilute them, essential oils can be absorbed into the skin to help target pain, ease tense muscles, and provide a calming atmosphere. 

This is a great option if you're someone who struggles from sore points in the body, or if you're looking to create your own at-home spa experience using essential oils. 

Skincare and haircare 

Certain essential oils like geranium and rosemary work very well in cosmetic applications.

They can be used to tighten pores and brighten complexions as well as promote hair growth and scalp health.

Try diluting a skin-benefitting oil and using it as a daily cleanser, or adding a few drops of hair-boosting oil into your shampoo to stimulate hair growth over time. 

Cleaning sprays & bug sprays

Essential oils can sometimes contain antimicrobial properties that make them extremely proficient for cleaning the home. 

If you're looking for an all-natural cleaning agent, or want to give your surfaces an impactful top-up, try combining some useful essential oils with water and an emulsifier in a spray bottle. 

This same technique works well if you're looking to get rid of unwanted pests, as certain essential oils are known to deter insects as well as protect against carried diseases. 

Candle & soap making 

Wanting to go beyond the bottle to enjoy your favourite essential oils? Try using them to craft your own homemade soaps, candles, wax melts, and more. 

Their natural benefits and attractive aromas provide an all-natural alternative to commercial products, and can be useful for gifting out to friends and family. 

More scientific research is constantly being conducted on what makes essential oils so naturally powerful, and while they may only seem like an accessory to a good-smelling home, they can provide a much greater impact when utilised in the correct way. 

Don't be afraid to try our a mix of essential oils, or stick to the classic, to find the best one for you and your wellness journey.

Shop our essential oil range here.