There are natural healing oils for many different conditions, including infections, skin irritations, and pain. Some oils are also believed to help relax muscles and relieve stress. Natural healing oils are made by extracting the oil from a plant or seeds, usually by using steam distillation. The use of natural healing oils comes from ancient medicine, and it is believed that the ancient Egyptians may have been the most proficient practitioners of these treatments. Some of the more commonly used healing oils are lavender, chamomile, tea tree, and eucalyptus.
Tea tree oil is distilled from the leaves of the tea tree that is native to Australia. It is used primarily for the treatment of infection and inflammation. Tea tree oil is usually a standard item included in most natural first aid kits because in addition to fighting bacteria, it also acts as a soothing agent when applied to fresh skin wounds. This oil is also used to treat fungal conditions such as athlete’s foot, acne, and ringworm. Other natural healing oils that offer similar benefits include bay laurel, eucalyptus, and lemon.
Chamomile oil is made from the flowers of the chamomile plant, and is primarily used to help promote relaxation and relieve stress. When rubbed into the skin, it is said to have the effect of relaxing muscles, which can help with stress, insomnia, and muscle fatigue. It also has some antiseptic properties so it is sometimes used to help fight skin infections. Lavender, lemon eucalyptus and clary sage are natural healing oils that share many of the characteristics of chamomile.
Eucalyptus is credited with having several different healing properties, and is used as a stimulant, antibacterial agent, and a pain reliever. In addition, some herbal practitioners believe that when rubbed on the chest and beneath the nose, eucalyptus oil can also help to loosen head and chest congestion. Other essential oils offering similar medicinal values include cinnamon bark, rosemary, and lemon verbena.
Lavender oil is a type of pleasantly scented oil that is commonly used to relieve mental stress and depression. The oil is made using the aromatic flowers of the lavender plant, which is native to the mountains near the Mediterranean. According to research, test subjects who used lavender oil did show a slight decrease in symptoms associated with anxiety and depression. Natural healing oils that share some of the healing qualities of lavender include chamomile, valerian, and marjoram.