The chillier seasons are fast approaching, and while scarves and lattes may be ahead, so are allergies. The “Poly Plague” seizes all life forms making Nyquil and Tylenol a student’s go-to cure. However, places like Whole Foods and Lassens sell holistic alternatives to cure the body of the common cold.
Essential oils are a new craze in the holistic beauty world, and while being considered by many as a beauty aid, these oils have abundant usages and benefits for overall health and well-being.
“People these days are so external — they want their hair to look good, their face, but they don’t take care of their insides too and [essential oils] does that for them,” essential oil multi-level marketing company doTerra specialist Taryn Mohler said.
Mohler was introduced to the world of essential oils in January while attending a holistic beauty night with her mom. During the last year, Mohler has completely changed her everyday lifestyle with the many uses of essential oils.
“I have a one-year-old and a two-year-old who are constantly contracting different colds and such,” Mohler said. “Their immune systems need to be developed so it’s nice to be able to give them something that I know is all natural and truly does help them. Their colds don’t linger and they never produce any green mucus.”
Essential oils have been around for centuries, used in cultures for a range of purposes from cosmetic to medicinal. The oils are made through a distillation steam process from different compounds of barks, fruit rinds, flowers and more.
Plants hold their healing properties in their outer shell to shield themselves from bugs, environmental factors and other harmful surrounding matters. The oil is then pulled from this outside layer and an essential oil is born. They are extremely concentrated due to the separation of the healing composite of the plant.
Due to their variety of healing properties and satisfying smells, essential oils can be incorporated into many different things.
“My favorite use for essential oils is adding them to my homemade shampoo and conditioner, as well as toothpaste, deodorant, and for helping treat any ailments I may currently be feeling,” essential oil lover and San Luis Obispo community member Liz Griggs said.
Griggs grew up with essential oils incorporated in her daily lifestyle. From a young age, her mom replaced their home cleaning products with essential oils that included lemon and tea tree.
“Nature aligns well with our bodies and promotes an overall better well-being,” Griggs said. “The oils can have such a profound impact on a student’s everyday lifestyle, helping with concentration, relaxation, waking up and especially with germs.”
Essential oil combinations to try:
- For concentration/studying: rosemary, peppermint, eucalyptus, lemon. Add a few drops to a diffuser when studying or rub a few drops behind ears, on temples and on wrist near pulse.
- For relaxation: lavender, chamomile, grapefruit, frankincense. Add to a diffuser or spray the room with water plus a few drops of oil of choice. Add oils to soaps/shampoos for showers to wind down.
- For early morning classes: lemon, lime, peppermint, spearmint, any citrus. These help invigorate the senses and wake you up for the day. Rub behind ears and neck or inhale through the nose throughout class.
- For germs and sickness: lemongrass, tea tree, lemon, peppermint. Drop under tongue and rub under feet. Clean surface areas with the other oils and water to stop spread of germs.
- For athletes experiencing pain: peppermint, lemongrass, marjoram. Massage into inflamed muscle. Inhaling oil before workout can energize and improve respiration.
“There’s something for everyone,” Mohler said. “I’m so happy to share this with everyone and show them a natural alternative that works.”