Current:Home > MarketsWhat are essential oils? What a medical expert wants you to know -Nova Finance Academy
What are essential oils? What a medical expert wants you to know
View
Date:2025-04-15 15:53:30
Your quest to solve a number of health ailments - anxiety, insomnia, nausea and more - may have brought you to look up essential oils.
They're usually sold in small, dark-colored bottles and have varying potent scents. But what actually are essential oils? Are they good for you? Here's what medical experts want you to know before trying them.
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are fragrant plant extracts, made by steaming or pressing plants, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. They're often used for aromatherapy, which a centuries-old practice of inhaling these oils or absorbing them through the skin with the goal of improving certain health ailments.
What are examples of essential oils?
There are dozens of types of essential oils. Some of the most popular include lavender, tea tree, peppermint and lemon oils, per Johns Hopkins.
More on essential oilsWhat oils to use, how to use them and safety tips
Are essential oils good or bad for you?
Some research has shown that essential oils can offer some benefit for some health concerns. Lavender essential oil may be beneficial for anxiety, depression and sleep; peppermint and ginger may help subside nausea and vomiting.
But experts caution that there's still a lot unknown about how essential oils work, because most of the studies conducted aren't the highest quality.
"Conducting high quality research with essential oils can be challenging," University of Maryland School of Pharmacy assistant professor Lauren Hynicka, PharmD, BCPS, tells USA TODAY. She references double-blind studies, during which neither the study subject nor the researcher knows if a placebo or actual treatment is being used until the end to prevent bias.
But as Hynicka points out, it's tough to fake a placebo for essential oils: "Either you smell an essential oil, or you don’t."
Johns Hopkins called some lab studies "promising," but said clinical trials actually using humans were "mixed," with some showing benefits and others showing no improvement in symptoms.
If you're going to use an essential oil, Hynicka says they're likely safe when inhaled, such as adding a few drops to a diffuser, cotton ball or nasal inhaler. If you're going to use them topically, dilute them in coconut or jojoba oil first. And make sure you're investing in a high-quality essential oil — Johns Hopkins warns that some companies will dub their products "therapeutic-grade," but that's an unregulated marketing term, not a signifier that it's a product a medical expert would recommend.
"I would recommend anyone using essential oils mention the reason and how they plan to use essential oils with their doctor or medical provider," Hynicka says, adding that they should be kept away from children and pets. "It would be especially important to consult with your care provider if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or have a history of seizures."
More:Can smelling candles actually make you sick?
veryGood! (47767)
Related
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Mississippi Senate paid Black attorney less than white ones, US Justice Department says
- Parked vehicle with gas cylinders explodes on NYC street, damaging homes and cars, officials say
- Florida men's basketball coach Todd Golden accused of sexual harassment in Title IX complaint
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- 1 monkey recovered safely, 42 others remain on the run from South Carolina lab
- 'Just a shock': NC State student arrested after string of 12 shootings damaging homes and vehicles
- Cowboys' Micah Parsons poised to make his return vs. Eagles in Week 10
- 'Malcolm in the Middle’ to return with new episodes featuring Frankie Muniz
- Sean 'Diddy' Combs again requests release from jail, but with new conditions
Ranking
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- Wicked's Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo Detail Bond With Sister Witches Kristin Chenoweth, Idina Menzel
- Flight carrying No. 11 Auburn basketball team grounded after scuffle between players
- Zoë Kravitz Joins Taylor Swift for Stylish NYC Dinner After Channing Tatum Split
- What to watch: O Jolie night
- Georgia governor declares emergency in 23 counties inundated with heavy rain and flooding
- FEMA: Worker fired after directing workers to avoid helping hurricane survivors who supported Trump
- A list of mass killings in the United States this year
Recommendation
Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
Are giant rats the future in sniffing out wildlife trafficking? Watch the rodents at work
Obama relatives settle racial bias dispute with private school in Milwaukee
Haul out the holly! Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree arrives in New York City
'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
Entergy Mississippi breaks ground on new power station
Who is racing for 2024 NASCAR Cup Series championship? Final four drivers, odds, stats
Republican US Rep. Eli Crane wins second term in vast Arizona congressional district