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8 Best Essential Oils to Make You Feel 100 Percent BetterStress, sleep, mood... whatever your concern, these oils will help |
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"Essential oils give plants their smell," explains acupuncturist Elizabeth Trattner, DOM, who has trained under Andrew Weil, MD for 30 years. The oils are a concentrated distillation of the plant, and can be up to 100 times more potent than the plant itself, says Trattner.
Essential oils have been used in fragrances for years, but lately, they've scooted into the spotlight as a way to treat health issues. Diffused, inhaled, ingested or applied topically, some studies suggest that essential oils really can have healing powers -- potentially.
But not all essential oils are created equal. According to Rupinder Mangat, founder of luxury essential oil brand Mevei, these are the things to watch out for:
-Don't be fooled by labels like "therapeutic grade." Mangat says there is no such generally accepted definition of the term in the industry, nor any organization that grades or certifies essential oils.
-Other terms that don't mean anything include: "medicinal grade," "certified pure," "aromatherapy grade," etc.
-Look for ISO-approved oils. ISO stands for International Organization for Standardization, which is an independent organization in Switzerland that provides standards for packaging, conditioning, storage and manufacturing.
-Smell the oil and dot it on a tissue. Mangat says there should be no trace of an alcohol smell and no residue.
-Watch out for essential oils labeled "nature identical," which are synthetic and don't include important trace chemicals found in the plant version.
-Price is an indicator of quality, says Mangat. A cheap essential oil from discount retailers is "not pure, guaranteed," she says. Real essential oils are expensive.
Here, the best essential oils to treat whatever ails you. But first, a word of warning: Essential oils are not meant to be applied topically without a carrier oil or some form of dilution. "I have witnessed so many patients who have had allergic reactions to it when put directly on skin, scalps, and nails," says Trattner. She says the best way to get the aromatherapy benefits of oils is to put a few drops in a diffuser or a bowl of hot water.
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