After a long day, when you feel tired both mentally and physically, what would it be like to come home and take a hot bath to relieve your body aches? In fact, taking a bath at a time like this is a great relief for the mind and body. Some people say that to enhance the benefits of this bath, that is, to get even better results, you can add some essential oils to the bath water. These are said to have a very pleasant smell and can also provide some health benefits. Let's talk about this in detail today.
What are these Essential Oils?
First of all, it is important to understand that ``Essential Oils`` are not like the perfumes or synthetic fragrances that we buy in stores. These are made from pure plant extracts.
Simply put, this oil is extracted by steaming or pressing parts of a plant (such as flowers, leaves, and bark). Sometimes, it takes a kilo of a plant to make a small bottle of ``Essential Oil''. That's why these are very potent.
These oils are especially used for what is called ``Aromatherapy.'' That is, using the scent of these oils to improve our mental and emotional health .
These oils do have a scent, but there's more to the story than just the scent. The tiny particles in these oils travel directly down the nerves in your nose and affect the amygdala, the main center of your brain that controls emotions. They can also be absorbed into your body through your skin. This is why massage therapists sometimes use these oils in their treatments. In both ways, essential oils can help to change your mood and relieve some physical symptoms.
Do Essential Oils Really Have Health Benefits?
Essential oils are touted for their various health benefits. However, there is still insufficient scientific evidence for many of them. However, some studies show that aromatherapy can help with some mental health conditions and specific physical problems.
The important thing is that aromatherapy is a complementary treatment , not a substitute for the medication your doctor prescribes. You should definitely talk to your doctor before adding it to your treatment plan.
See the table below to see which essential oils may be helpful for various problems according to some studies.
| Health problem | Types of Essential Oils That Can Help |
|---|---|
| Anxiety | Oils like Lavender, Chamomile, Basil, Frankincense, and Sweet Orange can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and improve mood. |
| Nausea and Fatigue | Aromatherapy is useful for nausea caused by cancer treatment (chemotherapy) or during pregnancy. Peppermint, chamomile, and lavender help reduce nausea. |
| Pain | Some studies have found that peppermint oil can help with headaches. Researchers have found that the scents of rose, lavender, and frankincense helped women cope with pain during labor and reduced their need for painkillers. |
| Insomnia | Lavender is a popular scent for insomniacs. Even hospital patients have reported that they slept better when they smelled lavender. |
How to add essential oils to bath water? - The safest way!
If you also want to reap the benefits of these `(Essential Oils)`, you can add them to your bath water. But you have to do it very safely . Since these oils are very potent, some of them can be harmful to your skin, meaning they can cause allergies.
1. Be sure to use a carrier oil.
Essential oils are not water-soluble. If you put them directly in water, the oil droplets will float on top of the water. When you bathe, these oil droplets can directly touch your skin, causing irritation and redness.
The best solution is to mix these oils with a carrier oil. This dilutes the essential oil. Jojoba oil and coconut oil are two popular carrier oils. You can also use any vegetable oil you have at home.
2. Do a Patch Test
It's important to do a patch test before applying anything new to your skin. Dilute the essential oil you're using in a carrier oil and apply a small amount to a small area, such as the inside of your elbow. Wait 24 hours for any allergic reactions, such as itching, redness, or blistering. If there are no reactions, use the product immediately.
3. Use only a small amount.
You don't need a large amount of these oils to benefit. 3 to 12 drops of oil mixed with a tablespoon of `(Carrier Oil)` is enough for one bath. If you prefer, you can make your own bath salts using Epsom salt and baking soda and add a few drops of these oils to them.
4. Read the label carefully and choose the best.
Make sure you are using a good quality product. When looking at the label on the bottle, look for things like the ingredients, purity information, and country of manufacture. Real essential oils come in dark glass bottles, not plastic ones. These oils can dissolve plastic over time.
Remember, there are many artificial bath products on the market that smell similar to ``Essential Oils''. They do not provide the health benefits that they claim. So be aware of what you are adding to your bath water.
After choosing a good quality oil, you can maximize your bathing experience and the benefits of aromatherapy .
Take-Home Message
- Essential oils are not ordinary perfumes, but very powerful extracts extracted from plants.
- Before adding to bath water, be sure to dilute a few drops in a carrier oil, such as coconut oil. Do not add directly to the water.
- Before use, apply to a small area of skin to check for allergic reactions (patch test).
- These are not a substitute for medical treatment. They are just something that can be used for additional relief.
- If you have any medical condition, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding, be sure to consult your doctor before using these.
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