Words by Olivia Albers<\/strong><\/p>\n Imagine coming home after a long day of work to the aroma of fresh citrus, mint or cinnamon. The stress of the day starts melting away immediately. \u00a0Sure, there are \u00a0other options for relaxation like yoga classes or massage therapy, but their prices can be cringe-worthy and scheduling around a busy schedule might be difficult. Not to worry. There\u2019s a better, more fragrant way to relieve some stress for a fraction of the price: essential oils. <\/span><\/p>\n Essential oils are natural oils extracted from plants and trees. Oils from fruits like lemon or lime can come directly from the fruit\u2019s rind. Vegetable oils include coconut oil, olive oil or grapeseed oil to name a few. Pungent spice extracts come from the leaves and stems of lavender, spearmint, peppermint, jasmine, thyme and oregano. Oil manufacturers use steam distillation and cold-pressing to produce the highest yields of oil from any of these natural sources.<\/span><\/p>\n The strong fragrances of essential oils can have a calming effect on the part of the brain that controls emotion and mood. The smells connect with the human olfactory and limbic systems, triggering chemical reactions in the brain that can reduce levels of stress and anxiety. However, oils fire off various reactors and can affect each person differently. <\/span>The popularity of essential oils<\/span><\/a> continues to rise, and oils are increasingly marketed as a natural way to relax the body. <\/span><\/p>\n Cindy Corwin, certified clinical aromatherapist and owner of Healing Essentials in Cedar Falls, Iowa, has used essential oils with her patients for years. Her top picks for relaxing oils are lavender, bergamot, lemon and frankincense. Corwin considers lavender the \u201cSwiss Army Knife of essential oils.\u201d It can help \u201cthe body kind of relax and shift into a different gear, a lower gear,\u201d she says. <\/span><\/p>\n Many of Corwin\u2019s clients have difficulty relaxing. For them, she diffuses oils like bergamot or lemon. The diffusion process involves adding drops of essential oils into water, which is then put through a diffuser. The diffuser acts like a humidifier as water is atomized into the air, and the oil\u2019s scent is spread throughout a room.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c[Frankincense] is the only essential oil that is rejuvenating and relaxing at the same time,\u201d Corwin says. \u201cIt is actually stimulating the immune system to help the body fight off illness, but it also has the chemical components to help the body relax.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n However, no oil works universally. Corwin says the best way to find the right oil is to sample a few and see which one the body reacts positively to. \u201cThe one that resonates with you, that\u2019s typically what your body needs,\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\n The price of essential oils varies depending on the brand and type. Corwin says a 7.5-milliliter bottle of lavender oil should cost around $14, while other oils like frankincense can run up to $29 a bottle. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m always going to suggest a higher-quality oil just because it\u2019s been proven to be safe,\u201d says Tiffany McSkimming, an essential oils distributor. \u201cYou get that one ingredient from the plant and that\u2019s it.\u201d There are also cheaper options to choose from, which can cost between $10-15 for a 15-milliliter bottle.<\/span><\/p>\n When it comes to selecting a brand of oils, McSkimming says research is key. No FDA regulations govern labeling essential oils. Bottles could be diluted or chemically altered, so consumers need to be cautious. \u201cMost reputable essential oil companies are bottling their essential oils in dark blue, dark green or dark brown bottles,\u201d Corwin says. When essential oils are exposed to sunlight or heat, they start to degrade. The darker bottles prevent some of this breakdown. Corwin, too, suggests finding a trustworthy essential oils company or individual seller before making a purchase. <\/span><\/p>\n McSkimming uses the book <\/span>The Reference Guide for Essential Oils<\/span><\/a> to figure out which oil she wants to use throughout her day. This book provides readers detailed information on more than 100 essential oils.<\/span><\/p>\nTypes Of Oils<\/span><\/h5>\n
Purchasing Oils<\/h5>\n