6 Eco-friendly Essential Oils in 2024 (Guide)

Essential oils were a fixture in people’s homes in ancient times. They would employ the finest essential oils to free themselves of different bodily illnesses. But when modern medicine gained a hold, aromatherapy was relegated to the side.

Have you too been exposed to the amazing world of aromatic oils? Do you want to test them out but are worried about buying a low-quality product?

Many businesses have sprung up that are claiming to deliver the purest and most eco-friendly essential oils but they’re often not pure essential oils at all, and are merely oils fragranced with synthetic scents. 

We’ve examined some of the most popular oils on the market, as well as product quality and purity, in depth to assist you purchase essential oils in bulk, without compromising the quality of the oils or their impact on the environment.

Let’s take a look:

6 Eco-friendly Essential Oils to Try in 2024

Essential oils are used for everything from cosmetics, balms, lotions, and bath soaps to home remedies, eco-friendly cleaning products, and natural room fragrances.

Their incredible scents and myriad curative properties have been used for centuries to cure ailments and improve moods and cognitive function. Aromatherapy is a popular and highly effective therapy that uses essential oils for their scents and benefits.

This video by Demystifying Medicine McMaster goes into detail on the strengths and weaknesses of essential oils in aromatherapy:

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF4VYMWwo1M[/embedyt]

Let’s take a look at the best eco-friendly essential oils to use at home:

1. Lavender

We know lavender fragrance from shampoos and cosmetic products, but its advantages go much beyond that. The lavender essential oil has got outstanding anti-inflammatory and antibacterial qualities. A topical oil combination including pure lavender works excellently to heal mild burns and insect bites.

Since it’s an antioxidant-rich oil, you can also add it to your DIY skin-care recipes and enjoy potentially significant advantages. Losing hair? Why not try some lavender oil. Research has revealed that lavender may amp up hair growth by a substantial proportion if applied regularly.

2. Mint

Peppermint and spearmint essential oils have a strong, fresh and sweet scent that is great for improving alertness when you’re tired or feeling emotionally low. In addition to the pungent scent and sweet flavor, mint is antibacterial, and has soothing and cooling properties that make it a great choice for use in balms and lotions for everything from dry skin to sunburn.

Mint grows prolifically and is one of the most accessible eco-friendly essential oils on the market.

3. Clove oil

Apply clove oil on a cotton swab and apply it to the affected tooth and its surrounding gums. The dentistry profession has used clove oil for years due to its powerful analgesic qualities. Frequently added in dental rinses and mouthwashes is clove.

Clove oil is useful against viruses, particularly herpes simplex. Applying a drop of clove oil to a cold sore dramatically reduces the discomfort and duration of healing. In fact, all essential oils in this article are suitable for this purpose.

The analgesic qualities of clove oil make it good for rheumatism and arthritis. Massage into the afflicted region after dilution as suggested below.

Clove is a potent antibacterial agent against several bacterial types. With no adverse effects, it destroys E. coli, Salmonella, Helicobacter pylori (associated with stomach ulcers), Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae, and several others. Put a drop on your kitchen sponge, in your dish detergent, and on your cutting boards to naturally minimize germs. Telephones, toilet seats, doorknobs, and computer keyboards should not be forgotten!

4. Tea Tree

Tea tree is one of the most popular and commonly utilized essential oils globally. It is also known as melaleuca, and it has significant antibacterial effects. Multiple studies have shown that pure tea tree essential oil may destroy a variety of pathogenic bacteria. Additionally, tea tree oil may be an efficient insect repellent.

It is also a frequent element in acne-reducing home remedies. To create your own anti-acne face cleanser, just combine four to five drops of tree tea oil with raw honey. It is also used as a deodorant because it inhibits bacterial development under the arms.

5. Rosemary

You may be familiar with Rosemary as a popular spice, but it has further uses. Rosemary is one of the most effective essential oils used in traditional medicine for decades. It has been shown that inhaling Rosemary blends improves cognitive function in elderly persons. It also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. 

6. Lemongrass

For decades, lemongrass has been used in the healthcare profession to treat digestive disorders. However, it does much more than just cleanse the intestines. Lemon essential oil is useful against certain drug-resistant bacteria. Typically, these microorganisms cause blood and skin infections.

The antioxidant qualities of lemongrass make it a strong non-surgical dental treatment alternative. Additionally, it may assist to manage your blood sugar and reduce your bad cholesterol levels. It is also a possible pain reliever for persons with arthritis and joint discomfort.

Avoid These 3 Common Essential Oil Mistakes

1. Not Taking Caution with Essential Oils 

The belief that essential oils are safe is one of the most prevalent blunders individuals make while working with them. If you don’t take the time to study about and understand the proper use of your essential oils, you might face dire repercussions. Unsafe usage of essential oils may result in burns and severe allergic responses.

Take some time to find out how much can be used safely at a time, how to properly dilute it in a carrier oil and how to apply it safely to your skin. Remember that some oils and essential oils can amplify the effects of the sun on your skin, so be sure to check that the ones you’re using are suitable for use on exposed skin.

2. Not Using Pure Essential Oils

Pure essential oils are just that – pure. They do not contain other oils, synthetic fragrances, preservatives or any ingredients that are not the essential oil itself. Pure essential oils offer all the benefits associated with that plant’s essential oil, and most are made from carefully cultivated plants with minimal environmental impact.

If they’re certified organic, you can be certain of this and rest assured that no nasty chemicals were used in the growing or distillation processes.

On the other hand, oils containing synthetic fragrances and blends of different oils, like mineral oil, can be harmful to your health and to the environment. Avoid these and opt for pure, organically produced, essential oils from a reputable source.

3. Using Essential Oils All Day in a Diffuser 

You are ecstatic about the new essential oil you just purchased, so you have set your smell diffuser to run continuously. Essential oil studies indicate that over exposure is possible. It is not advisable to keep your essential oil diffuser on for extended periods of time. Before using it again, you should allow the odors to disperse for one to two hours.

Conclusion

The essential oil business is extremely unregulated, making it difficult to locate high-quality, eco-friendly essential oils in this sea of brands. If you want to use therapeutic essential oils in your daily life, you must exercise extreme caution and make sure you’re buying from a reputable source, and are aware of how to use them properly and safely. 

Have you lately discovered the fascinating world of essential oils but are unsure where to begin? This guide has been written with individuals like you in mind, who want to expand their understanding of eco-friendly essential oils.

References

NIH.gov: Hair Growth-Promoting Effects of Lavender Oil in C57BL/6 Mice – PMC

MedicalNewsToday: Rosemary oil and hair growth: Research, effectiveness, and tips

ScienceDirect: Clove Oil – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics

MDPI: Lemongrass Essential Oil Components with Antimicrobial and Anticancer Activities