Essential Oil 101: Everything To Know
About Our All-Natural Extract Oils

Essential Oils Balance Hormones

Hormones control different processes and functions in the body. Some of the hormones include estrogen, cortisol, testosterone and progesterone. The production or secretion of the hormones in the body results in metabolism, reproduction, sleep-wake cycle, growth and even happiness. These bodily functions perform their tasks smoothly if the hormones are balanced. Overproduction or underproduction of the hormones can cause the body to behave erratically.

A study published in the European Journal of Neuroscience in July 2002 evaluated the effect of overproducing corticotropin-releasing hormone and anxiety levels. (1)

There are several essential oils for hormones that regulate the production of hormones. Some of these oils include Clary sage, sandalwood, geranium and thyme essential oils. These oils when applied on the body regulate or balance estrogen and testosterone and maintain a healthy level. The proper presence of these hormones can maintain sexual health including loss of libido, infertility, and frigidity. Women’s health issues including Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can be mitigated with the use of these oils.

A study conducted in 2017 and published in Neuro Endocrinology Letters stated that olfactory exposure to certain essential oils increased the influence of salivary concentration of estrogen in perimenopausal women. The aromas of geranium and rose otto oils worked the best in this case. (2)

Cortisol is a hormone that determines whether you should be happy or sad. (And here you thought that you control your emotions.) The level of cortisol, and other hormones, determines the symptoms of depression and stress, and the level of testosterone, the male hormone. So, essential oils can not only help beat sexual dysfunctions, but also improves sexual performance. A study published in 2012 shows how essential oil inhalation affects the salivary cortisol level of prehypertensive and hypertensive participants.

Essential Oils Boosts Immune System Function

Essential oils have several medicinal properties. Some of these properties are as follows: - anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial and stimulant. These properties cause the body to function properly and thus take away the load on the immune system. Hence, it boosts the performance of the immune system and makes the immunity stronger. This strong immunity can deal with infections and pathogens much better. But, where do the essential oils get its medicinal properties from? It is from the active ingredients of the oil. The active ingredients or compounds in the oil include some alcohols, monoterpenes, terpenes, aldehydes, esters, ketones and phenols. The essential oils for immunity include: -

• Cinnamon
• Eucalyptus
• Frankincense
• Peppermint
• Lemon
• Ginger
• Myrrh
• Oregano
• Clove
• Tea tree
• Rosemary

A study published in April 2005 highlights the immunological benefits of aromatherapy massage with essential oils. (3) Using aromatherapy massage many strains of bacteria and fungus can be treated or prevented. Essential oils are also better at treating certain drug resistant bacteria. Essential oils can be used to treat different infections as a standalone treatment or as a supplementary treatment with other medicines. The peer reviewed Open Microbiology Journal published a research on the efficacy of essential oils in tackling bacterial antibiotic resistance. 

A research published in December 2016 evaluated the antimicrobial properties of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), i.e. essential oils, against human pathogens. It was found that oregano essential oils with carvacrol and thyme had good antiviral and antibacterial properties that could combat pathogens and boost the immune system on the sides. (4)

Another study in Chinese Medicine in 2014 shows the efficacy of both frankincense essential oil and sandalwood essential oil in destroying and inhibiting cancer cells. (5) Another research showed the strong immunostimulant activity of frankincense essential oil. This study was published in 2003. (6) Frankincense oil again showed its ability in killing cancer cells in another study published in 2012. (7)

However, more research and human based trials are needed to find out the use of essential oils in cancer treatment.

Essential Oils For Digestion and Bloating

The role of essential oils in improving digestion is well known. Many essential oils have stomachic properties that can offer relief from indigestion constipation, diarrhea, stomach spasms and bloatedness. Besides being a stomach, essential oils also have carminative and antispasmodic properties. These qualities are also useful in treating conditions including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The primary function of essential oils with stomachic properties is to stimulate digestive enzymes and ensure that the food is digested. It removes excess gas from the stomach and prevents gas accumulation. Better digestion with little stomach disturbance or discomfort results in better absorption of nutrients. Some of the popular essential oils for digestion are: -

• Clove essential oil
• Ginger Essential Oil
• Fennel Essential Oil
• Peppermint essential oil
• Lemon essential oil

Some of the popular essential oils for bloated stomach are: -

• Ginger essential oil
• Cumin essential oil
• Garlic essential oil
• Cinnamon essential oil
• Spearmint essential oil

Besides the above mentioned essential oils for digestion, some other available options are lemongrass, black pepper, juniper berry and marjoram essential oils.

Ginger roots and paste has been used in culinary practices not just for its flavor and fragrance, but also for its medicinal benefits for the stomach. Ginger essential oil does the same for the stomach. It boosts digestion and thus avoids constipation. A research published online in January 2011 and in the World Journal of Gastroenterology concluded that ginger oil improved the gastric emptying and antral contractions for people with indigestion problems with no apparent causes.

Peppermint essential oil is also useful in boosting digestion. In fact, Digestive Diseases and Sciences in 2016 published a study by Dr Brooks D. Cash and team that showed that sustained use of peppermint oil could provide relief from symptoms of IBS. (8)

Energy Boosting Essential Oils

What are some of the essential oils that boost energy levels? Some of the energy boosting essential oils are: -

• Lime essential oil
• Lemon essential oil
• Bergamot essential oil
• Pine essential oil
• Grapefruit essential oil
• Lemongrass essential oil
• Eucalyptus essential oil
• Rosemary essential oil

If you look at the list above, you will see that most energy boosting essential oils are from the citrus family. Essential oils with this ability also improve athletic performance. These oils increase the availability of oxygen to the brain, which makes a person feel energized. In March 2013, the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition published a study which evaluated the effect of peppermint oil on exercise performance. It concluded that better brain oxygen concentration and relaxation of bronchial or windpipe muscles were some reasons for better performance. (9)