Lavender, lemon, and peppermint…oh my! Found in everything from sunscreen to toothpaste, essential oils offer an abundance of health benefits that go above and beyond making your home smell exquisite. Whether you are well versed in essential oils or are just beginning to learn about the long list of health benefits essential oils can provide, prepare to be blown away discovering all things made possible by these plant extracts. Here at Dr. Green Life™ we are committed to providing a more natural approach to everyday health, which is why we choose to add essential oils to our skincare products. Read on to learn about the essential oils used in our skincare line and the health benefits they provide. These essential oils include: lavender, copaiba, lemon balm, sweet orange, bergamot leaf, peppermint, rosemary, eucalyptus, geranium, and lemon peel. 1. Lavender (Lavandula spp) Have you ever taken a bath with lavender essential oil and found yourself in a state of luxurious deep relaxation? That’s due to the soothing and calming effects this oil provides. If you are having trouble winding down at night, the tranquil influence of lavender essential oil has been shown to induce a restful sleep, which us moms desperately need (1). Research also suggests lavender oil has the ability to restore skin health, impact the skin microbiome, and support minor wound healing (2-5). Studies have shown lavender essential oil contains antioxidant activity to support cellular health, and can temporarily reduce pain from minor headaches (6,7). Lavender is native to the Mediterranean and its name comes from the latin verb "lavare" meaning "to wash". It has a long history of use in medicine, perfumery, cosmetics, laundry, food, and more. The calming scent and therapeutic compounds make lavender a well-loved healer on physical, mental, and emotional levels. See Product 2. Copaiba (Copaifera spp) From the “miracle” copaiba tree in South America comes copaiba essential oil. With its sweet and smoky scent, copaiba essential oil has been used for hundreds of years in Europe as a remedy for lung problems, bladder issues, and intestinal upsets (8). Containing powerful compounds that support a healthy skin microbiome and promote inflammatory balance, copaiba is great at calming and protecting stressed skin (9-12). The next time you shop, find a skincare product containing copaiba essential oil — your skin will thank you! For a calming, cleansing, cleaner for your whole body wash, try our Cleanest Care™ Nourishing Shampoo & Body Wash. Formulated with copaiba and geranium essential oils, it will leave you feeling nourished, soothed, and hydrated from head to toe. See Product 3. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) Thousands of years before we were googling remedies on the internet, lemon balm essential oil was used to calm the mind, uplift the mood, and strengthen the vital spirit (8). Nowadays we can find lemon balm in products such as cosmetics and toothpaste, but what is particularly interesting are studies showing lemon balm essential oil supports healthy levels of inflammation, provides antioxidant protection, and can temporarily relieve minor pain (13-15). Due to ongoing studies looking at the relationship between lemon balm essential oil and cellular integrity, this is one important oil to keep on hand (16). Gentle enough for everyday use, our Nourishing Daily Lotion contains lemon balm and copaiba essential oils that will leave your skin feeling soft, calm, and comforted the whole day through. See Product 4. Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) That happy feeling you get from breathing in the citrusy scent of sweet orange essential oil is not just in your head. A study of 20 female university students showed an increase in relaxation after breathing air infused with this oil (17). For skin benefits, sweet orange essential oil has been shown to help with minor acne and dull and/or oily complexions (8,18,19). And with studies showing sweet orange essential oil has calming benefits during labor, this is one essential oil you’ll want in your birth bag (20). Due to ingredients such as sweet orange and bergamot essential oils, our Moisturizing Body Lotion promotes natural collagen production and hydration, all while leaving your skin feeling- you guessed it- moisturized. Safe for the whole family, with zero common allergens and third party tested, this lotion is literally the cleanest. See Product 5. Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) Despite at times looking like a lumpy lime past its prime, bergamot is actually quite beneficial to your health. Historically used in Italy in perfumery, food, and medicine, bergamot essential oil is beloved worldwide for its uplifting scent and benefits for mood, sleep, stress, inflammatory balance, and cellular health (21-24). When used on topically, bergamot has the potential to increase skin collagen and promote hair growth (25), making it a favourite ingredient in face and body care. You may be familiar with the scent of bergamot - this essential oil is responsible for the distinctive floral-citrus aroma of Earl Grey tea. See Product 6. Peppermint (Mentha piperita) Peppermint essential oil shouldn’t be saved for just the holiday season, as it boasts healing properties that are beneficial year round! In the spring and fall when everyone’s focus is on respiratory health, the inhalation of peppermint essential oil improves the function of tight junctions in the respiratory epithelium — which prevent allergens from entering the body when functioning properly. It also supports healthy inflammatory balance and makes mast cells less likely to release histamine (26). Whether you’re hitting the slopes in the winter or playing your favorite summertime sport, peppermint essential oil can be your secret weapon — research has shown that it can improve exercise performance (27)! One of peppermint’s best known benefits is helpful year round: Peppermint can temporarily soothe headaches associated with muscle tightness and stress (28). When used topically, peppermint essential oil has been shown to support a healthy inflammatory balance, provide assistance in the recovery of wounds, and allow for temporary relief of minor pain associated with bumps and bruises (29). And if you are suffering from itchy skin, this oil can help soothe and calm the irritation (30). Hands up if you will be keeping peppermint essential oil in use all year long! See Product 7. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) For days when you are having trouble focusing on the task at hand, rosemary essential oil can help get you back on track. Used in ancient Greece and Rome to strengthen memory, rosemary has been shown to influence cognitive performance, support memory strength, and encourage a healthy inflammatory balance as well as a healthy microbiome (31-33). And for days when you are a bit more than stressed out, rosemary essential oil has shown improvement in calming the body and mind (34).Rosemary is particularly prized for it's benefit to the hair and scalp; there is evidence that it helps with hair growth, scalp flakiness, and UV protection (41-43). See Product 8. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp) Did you hang a bundle of eucalyptus in your shower to keep up with the latest trend? Well, it’s more than trendy, it’s also beneficial to your health. Eucalyptus essential oil has been found in studies to support the body’s inflammatory levels, help maintain a healthy microbiome, and temporarily relieve minor pain (35). Due to its ability to support healthy inflammation levels, inhalation of eucalyptus essential oil has shown promising results in supporting the function of the bronchial tubes as well as the joints in our bodies (36,37). Need a hostess gift? Due to its visual appeal and health benefits, a bouquet of eucalyptus could be it. Eucalyptus essential oil is one of the key ingredients in our Hydrating Face Cream. Research as shown that eucalyptus essential oil can increase the ceramide content of skin cells in the outermost layer of the skin (44). Ceramide is important for protecting and restoring the skin barrier, especially for parched, dry, and mature skin. Note: Eucalyptus oil should not be consumed due to risk of toxicity. See Product 9. Geranium (Pelargonium spp) If you have pregnant friends nearing their due dates, drop off some geranium essential oil for them to infuse. A study showed that women who breathe in the aroma of geranium essential oil during the first stage of labor had a significant uplift in mood (38). And if you don’t recognize the person staring back at you in the mirror after many sleepless nights postpartum, geranium essential oil could be just what you need to wake up your skin and bring a smile to your face. This oil supports the inflammatory balance of the skin and is helpful with skin issues, such as minor acne, dry skin, and skin aging. Geranium oil also allows for hydration balance on the skin and the renewal of skin cells as well as it contributes to minimizing spots on the skin (39). This is a must have oil for moms everywhere! See Product 10. Lemon Peel (Citrus limon) On days where you are dragging yourself out of bed, the energizing effects of lemon peel essential oil are a must. The fresh citrusy scent not only offers mindful rejuvenation, but when used in skincare products it can help with minor acne and balance greasy skin due to its support of the skin’s microbiome and inflammatory balance (40). Referred to as a “cure-all,” lemon essential oil has traditionally been used for everything from helping maintain the body’s temperature and supporting the body’s joint system to helping maintain the function of the intestinal tract and liver (8). These days it’s a great alternative to conventional cleaning products due to its antiseptic properties. Our Botanical Body Wash, made with lemon peel and peppermint essential oils, is sure to brighten your day while it helps awaken dull skin and hair due to its gentle astringent properties. If you have a hard time waking up in the morning, the crisp and clean energy of this body wash is for you. See Product SHOP & EARN REWARDS. JOIN TODAY! Summary With uses ranging from sleep and mood improvement all the way to clearing minor acne, essential oils have been utilized throughout the world for centuries to help heal ailments. With ongoing studies underway, scientists are sure to find even more ways essential oils can be beneficial to your health. Whether you are looking to temporarily take the edge off minor headaches, support digestion, or cleanse your skin, you’ll find what you need in essential oils. At Dr. Green Life™ we are committed to providing a more natural approach to everyday health, which is why we choose to add essential oils to our skincare products. Now if you need me, I'll be clearing off a shelf in my remedy cabinet to make room for all my new essential oils. References: Keshavarz Afshar, M., Behboodi Moghadam, Z., Taghizadeh, Z., Bekhradi, R., Montazeri, A., & Mokhtari, P. (2015). Lavender Fragrance Essential Oil and the Quality of Sleep in Postpartum Women. 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