The Benefits of Essential Oils

For thousands of years, essential oils were known only by local healers with unique knowledge. In the 20th century, they made their way into health food stores. There, health nuts or quirky hipsters might buy them to use in pungent remedies or homemade lotion. But the benefits of essential oils were still unknown to most.

In the last few decades, essential oils have exploded onto the world market. Now, they’ve made their way from the shadows into even the most mainstream places: hospitals, children’s classrooms, spas, national grocery chains, and perhaps even the diffuser in your living room.

People claim that essential oils can do everything from reduce stress to cure common ailments. Although they’ve been used for thousands of years all around the world, scientists have only recently started to study them. What have they uncovered? Are essential oils worth the hype?

What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts. They capture the “essence” of the plant – its distinct scent and flavor.

Essential oils are made by pressing or steaming parts of a plant (like the fruit, leaves, flower, or bark) to extract its fragrant elements. Once extracted, these elements are often combined with a “carrier oil” to become the product we see on the shelf. Synthetic essential oils that are made through chemical processes are not considered “true” essential oils.

Because it requires so much of the plants to create essential oils, they can be pricey. For example, it takes 250 pounds of lavender flower to make 1 pound of essential oil!

What Are the Benefits of Essential Oils?

People have used plants as medicine since the dawn of humanity. Archaeologists have discovered that the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Chinese, and Persians used essential oils for healing, cosmetics, and pleasant aromas.

Modern science has begun to investigate the effects of essential oils. They are a bit difficult to study since there are no universal standards for them. Studies of essential oils on humans (as opposed to stem cells or animals) are somewhat rare, and more research is needed. But the benefits of some essential oils have been established. Read on to find out what they are!

tea tree

Tea Tree Essential Oil

On the swampy southeast coast of Australia, the tea tree grows. Indigenous people there have long used oil from the leaves of the tea tree as a germ killer and herbal medicine. Today, we get tea tree oil from steaming the leaves of the Australian tea tree.

Studies on stem cells show that tea tree oil inhibits and kills fungi – yes, even those pesky fungi that cause ringworm¹. (We’re not sure why yet, but tea tree oil doesn’t seem to clear up ringworm infections as effectively as over-the-counter creams². So don’t rely on it alone to treat active infections.) But it may be an effective tool in preventing ringworm infections from taking hold in the first place.

Tea tree oil also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Because of this, it may:

improve acne³
treat dandruff⁵ (which is likely related to a fungus) when used in shampoo
treat eczema⁶, possibly better than conventional eczema creams
when combined with lavender oil, treat lice eggs⁴.

Note: Never swallow tea tree oil! It can cause serious symptoms when taken internally. So stick to the outside of your body only!

Lavender Essential Oil

Ah, lavender. The darling of essential oils. The sweet-smelling bringer of relaxation and bliss.

For thousands of years, purple bursts of lavender have dotted the shrubby, mountainous landscape of the Mediterranean. If you walked into an ancient Roman bathhouse, the aroma of lavender would likely greet your nostrils. King Louis XIV famously loved bathing in lavender-scented water – if only we could send a Platinum Bar back in time to him!

So what are the benefits of this beloved essential oil?

Aromatherapy with lavender can reduce symptoms of anxiety in the short term^7,10. One study found that it was as effective at reducing anxiety as a commonly prescribed (but habit-forming) benzodiazepine⁸. It may also improve sleep quality⁹.

Lavender has shown antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 1¹¹, a skin infection common in both the general population and in contact sports athletes. It also has antibacterial properties. The essential oil of a particular type of lavender, L. angustifolia, is effective against antibiotic-resistant strains like Staphylococcus aureus (the culprit behind MRSA) and E. coli J53 R1¹¹.

Since fungal infections are such a nuisance in the sports we love, we’re interested in lavender essential oil’s antifungal properties. Lavender essential oil is a potent antifungal that may combat skin infections such as ringworm and candida¹².

Because of its ability to fight viruses and bacteria and possibly to stimulate the immune system, lavender is also used to treat infections in the mouth, throat, and lungs¹².

lemongrass

Lemongrass Essential Oil

If you’ve had Thai food before, you’ve probably heard of lemongrass. It’s a tall grass that grows in most tropical and subtropical regions. It is named for its sweet, lemony scent.

Lemongrass is more than just a fragrant addition to a delicious meal. It is used to treat digestive problems like nausea and ulcers¹⁴. It may help relieve stress and anxiety, as well as lower blood pressure¹⁵.

Researchers in Australia believe that lemongrass has similar abilities as aspirin and can relieve headaches and migraines¹⁶. A compound in lemongrass releases serotonin, which regulates mood, appetite, and cognitive function.

Great news for us athletes – lemongrass essential oil is also antibacterial and antifungal¹³. It is effective against some drug-resistant bacteria that cause skin infections, pneumonia, blood infections, and intestinal infections¹⁷.

peppermint

Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint oil is not just the star ingredient in everyone’s favorite Girl Scouts cookie (Thin Mints, of course). It’s been used medicinally since at least the times of ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt for digestive issues and other conditions.

Peppermint oil is a safe and effective short-term treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)¹⁸. It can relieve tension headaches¹⁹ and symptoms of non-ulcer dyspepsia²⁰ (science-speak for upset stomach). It’s also a natural source of menthol, which is the main ingredient in cough drops and products like Vicks Vaporub that relieve congestion.

Peppermint oil packs a punch. It has antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. At least in vitro (using stem cells), it inhibits dreaded mat-borne microbes like MRSA, HSV-1, and the fungi that cause ringworm, among many others²¹. The antimicrobial benefits of this essential oil make it an excellent ingredient in medicines, soap, and skincare products.

rosemary

Rosemary Essential Oil

Rosemary is another aromatic herb with Mediterranean roots. It’s used as a food preservative and as a delicious spice. And it has antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties²² (are you noticing a theme, here?).

Simply breathing in rosemary oil (through a diffuser) may lower anxiety²⁴ and improve memory and concentration²³.

Applying rosemary oil to the skin may:

promote hair growth²⁵
relieve pain²⁶
repel bugs²⁷
increase circulation²⁸

Clove Essential Oil

Clove oil is an antimicrobial titan of the essential oils world. Clove oil can kill staph bacteria. It can even penetrate a biofilm – a group of bacteria living together under the protection of a slimy shield²⁹. Many antibiotics have trouble getting past the biofilm, but clove oil can do it.

Clove oil can stop the growth of many environmental fungi³⁰. One of its major components, eugenol, can stop the growth of the yeast Candida albicans³¹. This yeast causes athlete’s foot and yeast infections. And clove oil can stop the growth of bacteria that cause pneumonia and influenza³².

When applied to the skin, clove oil can help stop chronic itching³³.

cassia

Cassia Essential Oil

Cassia is cinnamon’s strong, spicy cousin. Cassia oil has been around forever – it’s even one of the few essential oils mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible. When applied to the skin, cassia oil has a warming effect.

Cassia oil prevents the growth of bacteria, yeast, and fungi. This includes E.coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and some of the dermatophytes that cause ringworm³⁴.

Cassia oil may also fight against viral infections and protect from colds and influenza³⁵.

Aside from its possible antimicrobial abilities, cassia oil may also:

soothe menstrual symptoms³⁶
relieve arthritis³⁷
manage depression³⁸

How to Get the Benefits of Essential Oils

Essential oils have been used medicinally for thousands of years. Some studies show that certain essential oils can fight off the bacteria, fungi, and viruses that cause sickness and infections. More research on humans is needed to figure out exactly how and how much essential oils can help us. But the initial research is promising, and we’ve chosen the essential oils in Spar Soap based on the best available evidence.

Note: Please talk to your doctor before using essential oils. While there are suggested health benefits in the research, essential oils are not monitored by the FDA for purity or quality.

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Sources

The Benefits of Essential Oils

What Are Essential Oils?