Magic in a bottle.
Seems like everyone is swearing by essential oils these days. But what exactly are essential oils and how can we use them in our daily lives?
Well, since you (slash we) asked, essential oils are extracts from the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of plants. These oils have the "essential" aromatic and chemical properties of the plant, hence their name. Essential oils are natural, powerful, potent, and effective.
If you're ready to try some of this magic out for yourself, here are some great starters to ease you into the world of essential oils:
Peppermint Oil: Strong, clean, fresh, minty aroma. DIY: A few drops of peppermint oil massaged around the temples, the base of the skull and along the hairline will help chase away a headache.
Tea Tree Oil: Fresh, woody, earthy, herbaceous aroma. DIY: We use tea tree oil directly on skin as a zit zapper. The oil penetrates the built up oils in your pores and also acts as a disinfectant.
Lavender Oil: Floral, fresh, sweet, stimulating aroma. Calms stress, treats skin, and promotes sleep. DIY: Rub 2-3 drops of lavender oil in your cupped palms, then inhale. Rub on the feet, temples, wrists (or anywhere) for an immediate calming effect on the body. Experience bliss.
Rose Oil: A highly romantic oil with a beautiful scent, rose oil is used in many beauty products for its rejuvenating properties. Great for dry skin. DIY: mix 1 tbsp. rose essential oil with 1 tbsp. vitamin E oil and 1/4 cup of purified water. Put it in a spray bottle and shake. Use before your day or night moisturizer and spritz throughout the day for a quick refresh.
So many uses, so little time. With all of these remedies out there, there's no room for the fake stuff!