What do Essential Oils do?
You may have heard of essential oils, but do you really know what they are, or what they are used for?
An essential oil is defined as ‘a natural oil typically obtained by distillation and having the characteristic odour of the plant or other source from which it is extracted.’
It’s a highly labour-intensive process, the results of which contain unique and varied therapeutic properties which are used within a number of different professions and consumer products the world over.
Essential oils are used within spa products, and by therapists for varied reasons – to help alleviate a symptom, encourage a particular response, or to elicit a particular feeling within someone – and they can have spectacular results.
Take a look at some of the most commonly used essential oils and discover more about how they could be of benefit to you.
Peppermint:
Peppermint oil is a great way to perk you up. Just a sniff can make you feel livelier and more awake. It’s even been proven to help your exercise performance too. A study from Wheeling Jesuit University where college basketball players were made to smell peppermint oil found they had more motivation, energy, speed and confidence.
Lemon:
The fresh, citrus smell of lemon has proven to be a real boost to those suffering from depression, and a study in which people suffering were exposed to the scent of lemon oil saw them able to reduce their antidepressants after 11 weeks. Receiving or even giving a massage using lemon oil can help soothe feelings of anxiety and stress, and help to uplift you.
Lavender:
Lavender oil is used to encourage feelings of calm, peace and tranquillity, as it increases the brain’s alpha waves which are associated with deep sleep. The most used essential oil, it can be found in a range of beauty and cleaning products due to its pleasing scent.
Eucalyptus:
Not just for koala bears, eucalyptus is great for reducing common symptoms of a cold – congestion, headache, stuffy nose – or for the build-up of pressure in the head of those suffering of sinusitis. It is also used as an antiseptic, insect repellent, and a treatment option for wounds, burns, and ulcers.
Rosemary:
Rosemary oil is a great way to encourage you to focus as it has been shown to increase concentration, and memory recall, as well as improving speed and accuracy on mental tasks. It’s also been said that rosemary oil has the ability to stimulate hair growth, boost mental activity, relieve respiratory problems and reduce pain.
Tea Tree:
Commonly used to soothe the symptoms of a cold, tea tree oil also has strong antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic properties, making it widely popular in health products. Amongst some of the conditions that tea tree oil has been known to alleviate are athlete’s foot, acne and dandruff. It’s also been said that it is a powerful combative agent against hospital infections such as staph or MRSA.
Here at the Devonshire Spa, we use only the finest beauty products within our luxury treatments. Our ishga facial uses macadamia nut oil, which is renowned for its skin and hair care benefits, and a range of calming oils are used within the different massages on offer. Take a look here or call us on 01298 338408 to book an ‘essential’ treatment.