Have you ever used essential oils? Are you not sure how to do it? In this post you will find a short introductory guide that will allow you to clear up all your doubts and start using them safely. And if you already use them, we encourage you to stay. It will be a very complete post and you may discover new things.

Essential oils, to be of quality and with all their properties intact , must be 100% pure . Avoid products that call themselves “essence or aroma of…”. This already indicates that there are more things in their components than the essential oil of the plant in question.

The ones we have at Alma Eko are from the Labiatae brand . They are 100% pure essential oils and, in addition, come from organic farming , which further assures us that their properties are respected. They are suitable for external use (inhalation and topical use) and internal use (ingestion).

Essential oils have a large number of beneficial properties for health. They are used in aromatherapy to improve physical and emotional health in a natural way . But they can also help you with household cleaning , as we will see later.

It is important to know the properties and uses of each essential oil to know which one you need in each situation. At a time when health is more important than ever, we invite you to incorporate some essential oils into your family medicine cabinet.

If you visit our online store, you will see that each oil has different properties and that many share some of them. This can be confusing. That is why we bring you this post, to try to clarify some concepts.

 Types of uses of essential oils

There are various ways to use and apply essential oils and we are going to tell you all about them:

• Diffusion in the environment : when used in an ultrasonic diffuser, they purify and improve air quality. They can also be used in essence burners, diluted in water, but they lose their properties when heated.
• Direct inhalation : place a drop of essential oil in your hands and rub together. Bring your hands close to your face and inhale. Repeat this several times.
• Topical application : a gentle massage can be performed on the area to be treated. It is recommended to use a carrier vegetable oil (coconut, olive, almonds...) to spread it well, help moisturize the area and prevent accidental irritation. It can also be used cosmetically by mixing it with creams, body milks or clays.
• Homemade cleaning products : A few drops of essential oil can be added to natural cleaning products (such as vinegar and baking soda multipurpose cleaners) or even to laundry detergents.
• Internal use or ingestion : essential oils can be ingested with other vegetable oils or foods. It is always recommended to consult a specialist before using them in this way.

If you don't know where to start, use lavender

At Alma Eko we have 13 different varieties of essential oils and you may not even know where to start.

Let's play it safe. If you want to get started and you're not sure which oil is best for you, start with lavender . It's the most versatile essential oil.

• It has antiseptic, bactericidal, healing and soothing properties.
• It acts as a muscle relaxant and also helps calm the mind . It reduces insomnia, stress, anxiety...
• It is very effective in healing wounds, bites and burns .
• It is one of the safest oils . We can safely use it on children and it is one of the few that we can safely use undiluted.

It works for both rips and tears and it's safe too!

Essential oils for respiratory diseases

We want to talk to you about which essential oils can help you the most when a respiratory illness occurs.

Scots pine and eucalyptus essential oils are very good expectorants . When you have a cold at home, try putting them in a diffuser or rubbing your chest with a couple of drops in another vegetable carrier oil. You can combine it with ginger , which is also anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and analgesic .

Essential oils for pain

We are going to talk to you about essential oils that can help you with possible pain .

• Rosemary essential oil is very effective against headaches and migraines . You can use it by simply putting a drop on your fingers and rubbing it on your temples and the back of your neck. The effects are almost immediate.
• You can do the same with lavender essential oil when you have headaches . But it is also very effective as a muscle relaxant . Perform light massages, together with another carrier vegetable oil, when you feel back pain, pulled tendons or heaviness in the legs.
• Use ravintsara for menstrual pain and also for contractures . It is a powerful anti-inflammatory .
• Oregano is an analgesic , so you can use it for any localized pain.
• Fennel essential oil is very effective against digestive discomfort .

Essential oils and mental health

The use of essential oils to improve mental health and help in emotional management is becoming more and more widespread.

We are going to make you three proposals:

• Use cloves when you feel down. They are a good stimulant and a natural aphrodisiac .
• On the contrary, if you feel stressed or stressed, use lavender . It has a great calming effect .
• Citronella is considered a natural antidepressant . It can help you avoid falling into the spiral of sadness and fear.

If in doubt, consult a professional . We have verified information and we have been trained before offering essential oils in our store. But mental health issues are very delicate. See a specialist if you think you need it. Essential oils can help you in your process, but they are certainly not miraculous.

Essential oils for home cleaning

Essential oils are also great allies in cleaning the home .

Thyme and essential oils Tea tree oils have antiseptic, antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. Therefore, they help keep the environment and surfaces in your home disinfected.

The same thing happens with lemon , which is also a powerful deodorant .

The essential oils of mint and citronella also help keep insect pests and even small rodents away .

Conclusion : Essential oils are good for everything! Do you dare to try them? Don't hesitate to ask us any questions you may have.