'Oil' be there for you

Nature has a cure for everything and if one goes by the ancient wisdom, plant-based essential oils can be used to heal the mind, body, and spirit without any side-effects. Aromatherapyuses highly concentrated, natural oils extracted from flowers, leaves, roots, bark, and other parts of a plant to enhance or restore psychological and physical health.

Hair health

Dr Vanishree Aithal, MD, Birla Ayurveda, believes that aroma oils are excellent for hair concerns like alopecia, pattern baldness, etc. She says, “Lavender essential oil has anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties. Mix it with three tablespoons of olive oil or melted coconut oil, and apply it directly to your scalp. Leave it in for 10 minutes before washing. Peppermint oil can be applied for hair growth while rosemary is great for improving cellular regeneration. Use eucalyptus to improve shine, thickness, and overall health of your hair.”

It is important to remember that essential oils are never applied directly to the skin but must be diluted with a carrier oil like almond and olive. Dr Vanishree adds, “Some commonly used ones are argan (full of vitamin E and essential fatty acids), avocado (nourishes skin and promotes cell regeneration), cocoa butter (restores dry and aging skin), coconut (reduces inflammation and irritation) and jojoba (excellent for dry skin). There are also different ways of using aroma oils: through a diffuser, direct inhalation, hot or cold compress and while bathing.”

Sumptuous skincare

Applying 2-3 drops of essential oil blends on the face and neck can give long-term visible effects, but note that nature takes time to show phenomenal results. Supriya Arora Malik, founder of Indulgeo Essentials, says, “Essential oils have been proven to reduce pigmentation, decrease scarring and reduce the appearance of wrinkles in mature skin. They help in fighting bacteria and inflammation that contribute to acne breakouts; as well as to unclog pores and reduce inflammation while brightening the complexion.”

These oils can be added to beauty scrubs repairing the skin. A scrub made of argan oil, brown sugar and honey exfoliates the skin while moisturising it. “Common scrub oils include tea tree, lemongrass, cinnamon, patchouli and eucalyptus for acne-prone and inflamed skin; carrot seed, geranium, ylang-ylang, lavender and tangerine for pigmentation and darkness; frankincense, jojoba, clary sage, neroli and myrrh for anti-aging; rosemary, lavender, geranium, ginger root, onion seed, peppermint and clary sage for hair growth and protection,” recommends Supriya.

Wonderful well being

Thanks to the soothing properties of aromatic extracts, you can use oils like lemon or tangerine to create an uplifting atmosphere. Diffusing anti-bacterial oils such as eucalyptus or tea tree can help clear a room of air-borne pathogensand any bad odours.