According to CNBC, Americans spent a whopping $323 billion dollars on prescription drugs in 2016. This mind-boggling number included subtractions from list prices for discounts and rebates.
Besides costing people in the United States their hard earned money, some prescription drugs can cause serious, and potentially life threatening, side effects. To avoid the pitfalls of prescription medicines, you might regularly turn to the healing powers of essential oils.
Unfortunately essential oils are not cheap either. That’s because large quantities of raw materials are needed to extract a small quantity. And once you start harnessing their power, you want to build up your supply.
The good thing is there are some essential oils that are incredibly versatile and can be used to cure a great number of ailments. The following versatile options should be staples in everyone’s home.
Lavender
Used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, lavender has a distinctive woodsy, floral aroma. When applied topically, this versatile essential oil may help to alleviate skin rashes, insect bites, minor burns, and acne. You can also use it to disinfect cuts and scrapes. Acting as an anti-inflammatory agent and decongestant, lavender can open up your nostrils and relive respiratory allergies.
Perhaps, lavender is most respected for its positive effects on the mind. Playing the role of an antidepressant, it can relieve debilitating stress and anxiety. Using this popular essential oil might also help you get a restful night’s sleep. Sleeping soundly is detrimental to both mental and physical health and well-being.
Chamomile
Chamomile essential oil possesses a woodsy scent with fruity undertones. People rub on chamomile topically to ease the bothersome symptoms of boils, eczema, dermatitis, bee and wasp stings, cuts, and bruises. When diffused, chamomile is often utilized to relieve stress, anxiety, and depression. It can especially be helpful in lessening the signs of irritability associated with menopause and premenstrual syndrome.
According to research complied by Janmejai K Srivastava, Eswar Shankar, and Sanjay Gupta in 2011, chamomile can aid in improving cardiovascular conditions, stimulating your immune system, and providing some protection against cancer. People who are sensitive to ragweed, chrysanthemums, or other members of the Compositae family are more susceptible to developing contact allergies with chamomile.
Peppermint
Recognized as a digestive aid, peppermint essential oil can be safely consumed in both warm and cold drinks to improve digestion and alleviate heartburn resulting from the buildup of gas. This minty essential oil can also ease nausea associated with morning sickness or car sickness. When applied to your forehead, its soothing, cooling effect can relive headaches. Peppermint can also clear your sinuses. With its anti-inflammatory properties, this essential oil can be rubbed on sore or tired muscles.
Tee Tree
Often touted as being anti-fungal, antiviral, antibacterial, and antibiotic, you can apply tee tree oil topically to effectively treat athlete’s foot, nail fungus, warts, dermatitis, acne, cold sores, and insect bites. Adding a few drops of tee tree oil to your favorite shampoo can help you annihilate dandruff, psoriasis, and head lice. Tee tree oil has a camphoraceous aroma. Although it has many benefits when used topically, tee tree oil can’t be consumed internally.
Oregano
Oregano essential oil is revered for its anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, antiseptic, and anti-microbial properties. This essential oil can help with sprains, arthritis pain, cysts, candida, herpes, shingles, fibromyalgia, and tendonitis. Don’t use oregano without first diluting it. Pregnant or nursing women should avoid utilizing this essential oil altogether.
Rosemary
Rosemary essential oil possesses an earthy, menthol fragrance. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, this essential oil has been utilized traditionally to improve memory, support the nervous and circulatory systems, lessen muscle pain and spasms, and stimulate hair growth.
Numerous studies suggest rosemary extract might inhibit tumor growth by preventing cancerous cells from reproducing. One research study in humans discovered that long-term daily intake of rosemary might prevent thrombosis.
Rosemary has been shown to possess antioxidant characteristics in the lab. Antioxidants can neutralize harmful substances in the body referred to as free radicals. Free radicals damage cell membranes, effect DNA, and even lead to cell death.
Thyme
Thyme essential oil is known as an astoundingly effective anti-microbial agent. In fact, drinking thyme infused tea is believed to be able to prevent food poisoning and stomach infections even after you’ve eaten contaminated food. You can rub thyme on your chest to mitigate asthma, whooping cough, and bronchitis. When applied to your throat, this essential oil might decrease congestion and pain related to laryngitis and tonsillitis.
If staying healthy and happy is at the top of your priority list, consider stocking up on the aforementioned essential oils. Before experimenting with any new essential oils for medicinal purposes, read all instructions and warnings on labels carefully.
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