5 Uses for Essential Oils You Didn't Know About

You probably use perfume products daily, right?

But have you ever thought about the backstory of this thousand-year industry?

It all started in the plant kingdom.

The plant kingdom’s treasures—of leaf, seed, flower, and fruit—were refined into fragrant essential oils, then worn at important ceremonies in ancient, antiquiarian, and medieval eras.

Much later, under modern perfumery, these oils were mixed with a host of chemical ingredients, such as acetone, benzyl alcohol, and ambroxide, into all the perfume bottles in the world!

But that’s not the whole story—not by far!

These pleasant-smelling essential oils actually have hidden powers you might not know about...

The Other Powers of Essential Oils

Beyond their fragrances, essential oils have always possessed therapeutic properties!

In this blog post, we'll explore five alternative uses for essential oils that you might not be familiar with, featuring plant extracts from:

• Rose
• Basil
• Lemon
• Orange
• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Clary sage
• Eucalyptus
• Cardamom
• Peppermint
• Chamomile
• Ylang-ylang

Let's fly into the world of aromatherapy!

#1 Insomnia Relief: Rose, Lavender, and Ylang-Ylang Oils

Sleepless nights are the outcome of a busy, ravenous mind. 

As you toss and turn on your bed, thoughts overwhelm you, and you need a calming distraction. 

Essential oils extracted from damask rose, lavender, and ylang-ylang could be your secret weapon against insomnia.

• Rose oil, particularly the type extracted from Rosa damascene, is known to have a positive effect on adults’ sleep quality, making it a potential remedy for insomnia.^[1] The damask rose oil has a soft bouquet with subtle tannic nuances to it.
• Lavender oil, also known by the name Lavandula angustifolia, promotes blood melatonin levels in adults, creating sleep-inducing conditions for the night.^[2] It disperses a soothing, fresh aroma over the person, with spicy hints of licorice.

• Ylang-ylang oil, extracted from the plant Cananga odorata, is known to improve sleep in certain patients. The fragrance is a mix of notes: banana, wood, and sweet yellow flowers.^[3]

Oilori has gone two steps ahead and mixed these three essential oils for sleep, along with extracts of sandalwood and chamomile, into one practical roll-on product for your bedtime! 

What’s the other pain point our trusty essential oils can clear out?

#2 Period Pain Relief: Clary Sage, Rosemary, and Chamomile

Ladies, we understand that menstrual cramps can be excruciating.

Fortunately, the essential oils of clary sage, rosemary, and chamomile come to your rescue! 

• Clary sage oil, derived from the herb, emits a delicate fragrance with musky hints. Through effleurage massage, clary sage oil has been found to aid in therapy for primary dysmenorrhea, the scientific term for abdominal period pain.^[4]

• Rosemary oil has a clean, minty profile that verges on camphoric. Its aroma can calm down the busiest workaholics, but it is best known as an ethanol extract—shown to reduce inflammation and pain in people with dysmenorrhea.^[5]

• Chamomile oil creates an aroma of herbal, spicy notes. Through its chamazulene and α-Bisabolol components, this essential oil reduces inflammation, and studies have shown that it is useful in PMS relief.^[6]

Oilori has put these three essential oils, along with rose and peppermint oil, into a “period pain relief roll-on” for all the women out there! 

The next problem is a common one, regardless of gender!

#3 Migraine Relief: Peppermint, Eucalyptus, and Basil Oils

Migraines eat into your energy.

The pain fatigues you, and you can’t perform daily tasks like you usually do. 

Peppermint, eucalyptus, and basil essential oils are headache whisperers—soothing your mind for the hard hours.

• Peppermint oil, derived from the hybrid herb Mentha piperita, contains menthol, which has a cooling effect on the head. Research shows that topical treatment with this oil can alleviate tension-type headaches.^[7]

• Eucalyptus oil contains eucalyptol, which reduces inflammation associated with migraines. It has been shown to increase cognitive performance and relax muscles in headache pathophysiology.^[8] It’s especially useful against cold-induced headaches, as it opens up nasal passageways.

• Basil oil, derived from the well-known culinary herb of the same name (Ocimum basilicum), has anti-inflammatory properties that have been shown to reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines.^[9]

These elixirs of the earth, along with lavender, rosemary, and chamomile oil, can be your “headache beater.”

Get it in the form of Oilori’s special migraine essential oil roller!

#4 Nausea Dispeller: Lemon, Cardamom, and Fennel Seed Oils

Sometimes, when you experience an intense day, nausea strikes.

Perhaps there’s heavy disorientation; perhaps there’s a queasy feeling, with you on the verge of vomitting. Other times, a particularly shocking experience can cause this—like a fracture! And pregnant women can feel nauseous intermittently through the gestation period.

Instead of panicking, consider essential oils like lemon, cardamom, and fennel seed.

• Lemon oil is known for its mood-lifting qualities, clearing mental fog. Lemon aromatherapy has been shown to alleviate the severity of nausea in post-fracure patients and pregnant women.^{[10] [11]}

• Cardamom oil, derived from the Indian herb Elettaria cardamomum, gives off cool, strong notes. Cardamom aromatherapy has been shown to mitigate nausea in tests with postoperative pregnant women.^[12]

• Fennel seed oil, extracted from Foeniculum vulgare, can be applied topically and has been shown to reduce nausea in hospice patients.^[13]
  
  

These three nausea essential oil, along with lavender, peppermint, and basil oils, have been combined into one roll-on by Oilori! 

#5 Stress Relief: Frankincense, Valerian, and Cedarwood Oils

Stress is as common as the common cold.

And there are no definitive “cures” for it—apart, perhaps, from generational wealth!

For most of us, though, there are substances that can alleviate stress, and essential oils like clary sage, rosemary, and fennel seed can be valuable allies in this journey.

• Frankincense oil, most famously known for the Jesus Christ origin story, has long had aromatic properties that make it coveted. It is also known to have anti-inflammatory and relaxing properties for people under stress.^[14]

• Valerian oil’s valerenic acid and bornyl acetate calm the mind and body, and are commonly used to relieve stress without unduly large degrees of somnolence.^[15]

• Cedarwood oil, extracted from the Himalayan deodar, is known for its sedative qualities. The cedrol found in these trees has been said to induce sedative effects in many species of animals.^[16]

 

Along with clary sage, lavender, and orange oils, Oilori’s stress relief essential oil roll-on is the next best stress-busting thing to a good night's sleep!

Heal with the Kashmir Valley's Botanical Treasures

As we conclude our exploration of these essential oils, it's fascinating to know where they come from.

What provides the habitat for most of these plants?

The unique botanical and geographical aspects of the Kashmir Valley come to mind.

Nestled in the northernmost part of India, it is renowned for its picturesque landscapes and distinct climate. This glorious region is not only a haven of natural magnificence but also serves as the source of some of the most coveted essential oils in the world.

• The Himalayan lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) thrives in the high-altitude meadows surrounding the valley. The unique geographical characteristics, including the altitude and the pristine air and water of the Kashmir Valley, contribute to the exceptional quality of lavender oil produced here. Its therapeutic, sweet, and soothing aroma makes it a high-value ingredient in the world of aromatherapy.

• The Himalayan cedar (Cedrus deodara), or “deodar,” is known for its exceptional height, girth, and strong cedarwod oil—the extracts are sought after for perfumery and therapeutic purposes. The cool climate and rich soil of the region create an ideal environment for cultivating them.

• The Kashmiri rose (Rosa damascene) is a pillar of the cottage industry in Kashmir—a source for rose attar (essential oil), rose water, and Gul-e-Roghan. According to experts, the best quality rose oil is cultivated on medium-loamy and well-drained soils, which are found on the variable gradients of Kashmir Valley.

• Cardamom (Eletta cardamomum) grows in abundance here. The cardamom essential oil extracted from these aromatic pods is celebrated for its warm and spicy aroma. It not only enhances the flavor of culinary delights but also offers numerous health benefits, including digestive support and mental clarity, as mentioned previously.

The Kashmir Valley is a place where tradition and culture intertwine with the healing powers of these rare plants. The local communities have been harnessing them for generations, passing down their folk medicinal knowledge to ensure good lives.

By choosing products that source their essential oils responsibly from the Kashmir Valley, you are not only investing in your well-being but also contributing to the preservation of this unique ecosystem. Your support aids in the livelihoods of the local communities, fostering economic growth and environmental conservation.

So, as you embark on your journey of wellness through essential oils, remember the rich heritage and natural beauty of the Kashmir Valley, where these botanical treasures were brought to life. By incorporating these oils into your daily routine, you not only nurture your own health but also become a guardian of this land's legacy, ensuring that it continues to keep its people content for generations to come.

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