Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Wellness

BlissMark may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

These popular essential oils can help with a variety of ailments

BethAnn Mayer
By

Essential oils have become a popular natural remedy for a variety of ailments, quickly becoming one of the most well-known holistic medicinal treatments. Essential oil makers extract the oil from various leaves, flowers, and plant seeds, and these oils retain the scent, or “essence,” of its origin. People often use essential oils in aromatherapy, but use extends to perfumery, food preservation, and even pest repellant.

So, what’s the science behind it? Essential oils stimulate the sense of smell. The scent molecules from these oils travel from a person’s nose to the amygdala, part of the brain’s emotional center. This can help calm nerves, assuage negative feelings, aid sleep, and even boost the immune system response.

Recommended Videos

While there is not widespread clinical research around essential oils as a cure for all of these ailments, some studies and anecdotal research concluded it can improve conditions such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia. So while it might not be a cure-all, if you’re feeling drowsy, stressed, congested, or have some other physical or mental pain, essential oil use may be worth a shot.

Related

Read on to learn more about the 11 most beneficial essential oils for aromatherapy.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Peppermint

Not only can peppermint oil make a room smell fresh, but it can also make you feel refreshed. This popular oil, derived from the flowering parts and leaves of a peppermint plant, is known for improving memory and alertness, so it’s highly recommended for those who work long hours. Studies have also found it can boost athletic performance, reduce headaches, soothe muscle aches, and, as a limited amount of research shows, may also aid with irritable bowel syndrome.

Buy Peppermint Oil

Lavender

One of the most common essential oils, lavender, comes from the iconic purple plant and is often found in perfumes and soaps. A whiff of this oil can be a soothing sensory experience — it’s no wonder hotels like to lightly spray it on linens and spas decorate waiting rooms with it. A 200-person study showed that lavender oil effectively lessened patients’ anxiety in a dental office, suggesting it can be a great remedy for relaxation and stress relief.

Buy Lavendar Oil

Jasmine

Derived from the white flowers of jasmine plants, this essential oil is also frequently mixed into perfumes, including the timeless Chanel No. 5. Jasmine has a sweet, romantic smell, making it a noted aphrodisiac. It’s a mood-booster that can help reduce stress, anxiety, fatigue, and depression, and is even recommended for menstrual cramps and menopausal symptoms.

Buy Jasmine Oil

Sage

This essential oil packs a punch– it’s full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals like Vitamin A, zinc, and magnesium. In small doses, these vitamins aid in improving physical and mental wellbeing through fighting infection and improving memory. Sage emits a strong, spicy scent that is relaxing, reducing blood pressure, anxiety, and inflammation.

Buy Sage Oil

Orange

A fresh cup of orange juice may bring back happy memories of childhood breakfasts or summer soccer games. In fruit form, it’s famous for its immune-boosting properties, but it also packs a whole lot of punch as an essential oil. Orange is a mood-enhancing scent that can help reduce anxiety and stress. A small study also showed inhaling a bit of orange can help improve running times, and another showed it’s potential to aid in weight loss.

Buy Orange Oil

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a popular ingredient for cooks, bakers, and drink-makers, and it’s also a go-to aromatherapy for improving focus and energy. This essential oil improves blood flow to the brain, giving a much-needed pick-me-up when you’re feeling bogged down or distracted.

Buy Cinnamon Oil

Eucalyptus

This essential oil’s benefits make it popular during the cold and flu season. Derived from eucalyptus plants, this oil contains eucalyptol and alpha-terpineol, which help to break up congestion and reduce headaches. To use this essential oil, you can diffuse it or put a few drops on your hand and inhale after taking a hot bath or shower.

Buy Eucalyptus Oil

Chamomile

Drinking chamomile tea has long been a favorite pre-bedtime routine. While chamomile is known to help promote good sleep, drinking too much tea before bed can cause a midnight bathroom run. As an alternative, consider chamomile aromatherapy. In addition to helping you catch some extra zzz’s, a 2018 study showed this essential oil also calms feelings of anxiety.

Buy Chamomile Oil

Rosemary

Mental fog is real, especially if you’re prone to an afternoon slump or have had trouble sleeping. Suggestion: ditch the third cup of coffee and diffuse some rosemary next time you’re feeling out of it. This essential oil stimulates the brain to promote clarity and improved memory function.

Buy Rosemary Oil

Tea Tree

This essential oil isn’t actually derived from a tea plant but rather from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a tree native to Australia. Tea tree oil is known for its benefits to the immune system and is also praised for its anti-fungal properties. Further, this essential oil is a popular ingredient in shampoos as it can help clear up pesky issues such as lice, dry scalp, and dandruff.

Buy Tea Tree Oil

Lemon Oil

Lemony fresh smelling rooms is often a gold standard in cleanliness. It’s no surprise — lemon may taste sour, but it smells fresh, often putting people in a better mood and flexing its anti-stress powers. When diluted, lemon oil has a high D-limonene concentration, which helps reduce wrinkles and firm up skin, making it a great addition to your skincare routine.

Buy Lemon Oil

Disclaimer: BlissMark provides information regarding health, wellness, and beauty. The information within this article is not intended to be medical advice. Before starting any diet or exercise routine, consult your physician. If you don’t have a primary care physician, the United States Health & Human Services department has a free online tool that can help you locate a clinic in your area. We are not medical professionals, have not verified or vetted any programs, and in no way intend our content to be anything more than informative and inspiring. 

Editors' Recommendations

BethAnn Mayer
BethAnn Mayer
Contributor
Beth Ann's work has appeared on healthline.com and parents.com. In her spare time, you can find her running (either marathons…
Push your comfort zone with these 5 activities
Woman running outdoors

Indulging in favorite exercise routines—swimming, running, yoga, Pilates—is the optimal way to ensure that staying active and keeping fit remains a joy, not a chore. Still, extending the boundaries of your exercise comfort zone by engaging in activities that may not come naturally can provide its own benefits to both body and mind.

An aversion to firearms, for instance, shouldn't be an obstacle to a friendly game of 'toy' gun shooting and improved head-eye coordination. A secret desire to sing, but no formal voice training, shouldn't prevent a splurge on a professional-grade microphone. The products we've selected, below, illustrate that trying something new doesn't have to be an unrealistic goal or expensive commitment; it only requires the desire to push against accepted parameters—and, ultimately, deepen the lived experience.

Read more
Top women’s shoes for walking
online walking partners two women buddies

Exercising is a critical part of living a healthy lifestyle. From mountain biking to hot yoga, there are many different forms of exercise to choose from. Experts recommend incorporating some form of exercise into your daily routine. An example of this might include taking a brisk walk around your neighborhood or spending a day perusing the city on foot. Having the correct footwear to accompany you as you move about is also important for leading an active lifestyle. Improper footwear can damage the joints and muscles in your feet and legs over time. Wearing the correct walking shoes can improve the quality of your workout. Here is a list of some of our favorite walking shoes for women:

Maintaining an active lifestyle can help you look and feel great. Exercising releases endorphins that are helpful for decreasing stress and anxiety. They help to promote more positive thinking which can boost your mood. Having a pair of quality footwear can provide the support that you need to take on any workout. These five walking shoes are a great addition to your workout routine because they offer comfort and style without compromising quality. Whether you like to hike, mountain bike, or practice karate, these athletic shoes are great for all ages. You can take better control of your health with the help of these essential walking shoes.

Read more
5 items you need for a great night’s sleep
unknown walking benefits woman getting restful sleep

Sleep is a very important, and often overlooked, part of our lives. When we sleep deeply it gives our body a chance to repair itself from the rigors of carrying us through each day, and gives our busy minds a break from the worries and problems we often struggle with during our waking hours. There are many factors, however, that can prevent us from getting the rest we need - environment plays a huge role in how easy it is to fall and stay asleep. By making a few small changes to your space with these products, you can transform a less than optimal sleeping space into a relaxing haven you can't wait to curl up in.

It can often be hard to get a good night's sleep but with these items you can sleep sounder, feel more rested, and need to hit the snooze button less in the morning. A lack of sleep - or even just good quality sleep - can cause grogginess, listlessness, and leave you feeling like you're in a fog. These products cause small changes that work wonders - when you control the lighting and noise levels and feel confident in your smoke alarm, you'll find that getting a great night's rest is easier than it used to be.

Read more