Curious about essential oils? Here’s a complete guide to using them properly to reap maximum therapeutic benefits
Essential oils have been getting a lot of buzzes lately and the wellness trend hasn’t shown signs of slowing down since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, with many people using them as a mood-booster during these stressful times.
Loved for its unique healing properties and amazing aroma—in particular by those who wish to improve their overall wellbeing—the application of essential oils can be traced back to ancient times, when people used them to produce medicines or perfumes for meditation and other spiritual practices.
Stress relief, reducing signs of ageing, improving sleep quality and mood, the benefits of these natural elixirs are claimed to be plenty. But how exactly do essential oils work? How to find the best ones and use them safely as a part of a healthy lifestyle? We turned to Suki Ng, Aromatherapy Associates Asia International Trainer, to learn the basics about essential oils and all the ways we can incorporate them into our daily routines.
See also: Essential Oils To Help You Destress
What are essential oils?
Unlike the name suggests, essential oils are not oils that are essential—though some people do find them an inseparable part of their everyday skincare and sleeping routine. Not to be mistaken with perfumes, these oils are fragrant compounds extracted and from different types of aromatic plants, such as flowers, herbs and woods, which are most commonly used in aromatherapy to provide users with a range of therapeutic benefits.