Guest posting by Liz Thomson, Health & Content Specialist

Since the advent of civilization, humankind has always turned towards the healing powers of the plants. Tribal and folk medicines mainly focused on deriving healing concoctions from the plants. One of the most popular among all is essential oils (EO).

EOs are immensely popular all over the world for their aroma-therapeutic properties. People have shown intense interest in EOs due to their benefits over mental, physical, and emotional well-being.

What are essential oils?

EOs are high concentrated extracts made from plants, seeds, flowers, roots, and barks. The liquid extracts are derived from various beneficial plants through different manufacturing processes. These oils have a much stronger aroma and bioactive chemical compounds than the plants they come from.

Bioactive components of essential oils

Generally, EOs parts into two groups of chemical components. They are hydrocarbons and oxygenated compounds. The hydrocarbons are mostly terpenes, and oxygenated compounds are mainly aldehyde, ketones, esters, alcohols, phenols, and oxides. Here are examples of the most sought-after EOs and their clinical efficacy.

1. Lavender Oil (LEO)

Lavender has played a significant role in ancient medicine. The medical properties of the plant are studied specifically on mental and emotional well-being.

Highly studied properties –

● Anti-anxiety and anti-depression effects – The clinical trials investigated the several effects of oral lavender oil preparation (Silexan). Investigations suggest that LEO significantly reduced symptoms of anxiety disorders. Other clinical trials on depression disorders found that LEO was useful to alleviate mood and reduce psychological distress.

● Sedative effects – Since ancient times, lavender has thought to be an excellent natural remedy for insomnia and improving the quality of sleep. Randomized trials found that smelling LEO improved the sleep quality of individuals.

● Analgesic effects – There are reports suggesting lavender is useful for people with chronic pain. One such study with ICU patients found that massaging LEO on patients’ feet helps lower blood pressure, heart rate, and pain.

2. CBD Oil

CBD oil might not sound like essential oil, but it is one. The oil derives from the hemp plant, a non-psychotic plant, unlike its sister marijuana species. CBD, short for Cannabidiol, is the most common bioactive compound found in a cannabis plant.

Highly studied properties –

● Anti-seizure effects – In the last two decades, dozens of studies have reported that CBD oil Canada has anti-seizure activity. Recently, the FDA approved the one and only CBD medication Epidiolex for epileptic seizures.

● Neuroprotective Effects – CBD oils are well-known to have neuroprotective properties in various neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis (MS), and stroke. Nabiximols is the medication approved for spasticity in MS patients derived from CBD.

● Analgesic effects – CBD oil helps as a pain-relieving agent. A range of studies, including animal models, cell cultures, and few clinical trials, suggest CBD oil effectively treats chronic pain, arthritis pain, cancer treatment pain, and migraine.

3. Tea Tree Oil (TTO)

TTO is acquired from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia or narrow-leaved paperbark. Tea tree essential oil was part of Aborigine folk medicine for centuries. They used oil for treating cough and skin problems.

Highly studied properties –

● Antibacterial effects – TTO’s antibacterial effects have gained much attention due to its susceptibility towards a range of bacteria. Few have proven that TTO has been found effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, MRSA.

● Antifungal effects – TTO was investigated in susceptibility against Candida albicans. Candida is the most common cause of fungal infections in people. Investigation proved that TTO was able to inhibit the growth and occurrence of candida infections.

● Anti-acne – There was a meticulous study on TTO treating acne. The study found that TTO could reduce acne without causing any side effects concerning acne medications.

3. Lavender Oil (LEO)

Lavender has played a significant role in ancient medicine. The medical properties of the plant are studied specifically on mental and emotional well-being.

4. Peppermint Oil (PEO)

PEO is obtained from the leaves of the peppermint, a mint plant variety. PEO is used in a variety of extracts, food flavoring agents, and dietary capsules globally.

Highly studied properties –

● Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – The most extensive research of PEO centered on IBS. A meta-analysis of clinical trials examined the efficacy of PEO capsules and found that the oil relieved symptoms of IBS and abdominal pain.

● Antiemetic effects – A small study examined the effects of PEO aromatherapy on postoperative and pregnancy nausea. It reports implied that PEO helped to lower the levels of nausea.

● Digestive effects – Few studies and tons of anecdotal reports suggest that PEO helps in giving relief from indigestion symptoms.

5. Eucalyptus Oil (EEO)

EEO has been used to treat symptoms of cough, nasopharyngeal infections, and decongestants since old ages. There are several EEO remedies available over-the-counter.

Highly studied properties –

● Analgesic effects – Several clinical trials investigated EEO for its analgesic properties. One study found that inhaling EEO was highly effective in reducing pain and blood pressure among the subjects who had a total knee replacement.

● Anti-asthmatic effects – Clinical trials on bronchial asthma treatment investigated effects of EEO. Examinationsfound that EEO was successful in improving lung function significantly.

● Dental health – Cell studies show that EEO exhibits antibacterial activity against periodontal bacteria; the same effect was seen in a human clinical trial. The study found that chewing EEO containing gum promoted periodontal health.

Conclusion

There are around 90 types of EOs, and l has its unique smell and potential health benefits. They are often beneficial as an alternative therapy and are harmless when used in small quantities. However, on a note - there is no evidence suggesting that EOs heal any severe health condition.

References -

https://www.abundanthealth4u.com/essential-oils-constituents#:~:text=In%20general%2C%20pure%20essential%20oils,alcohols%2C%20phenols%2C%20and%20oxides.

https://archives.drugabuse.gov/testimonies/2015/biology-potential-therapeutic-effects-cannabidiol

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1360273/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3612440/#:~:text=There%20is%20growing%20evidence%20suggesting,and%20neuroprotective%20properties%20for%20lavender.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237842903_A_REVIEW_ON_PEPPERMINT_OIL

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/266580

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2221169115001033#sec1