An Essential Oil Guide: Scents for Your Starter Kit

Have you ever wondered what different essential oils smell like? Perhaps you’re just looking to learn more about essential oils? Or maybe you have some insight into which essential oils might work well together? 
Regardless of your reasons, you’ll probably benefit from knowing more about essential oils. These natural substances are available in various forms, such as oils, absolutes, and extracts. If you’re wondering what essential oils are, let me break it down.

Introduction to Aromatherapy

What is essential oil?
Essential oil is a concentrated liquid extract of various plant parts, including flowers, leaves, stems, and roots. They’re often distilled to separate the plant’s scent from the other components. They’re then bottled up and sold.
 
People use essential oils for health and beauty purposes, such as aromatherapy, natural remedies, and more. Some people even use essential oils for cooking.
 
Essential oils are volatile, and volatile oils are liquids that evaporate quickly. This means they have to go somewhere and do this once rapidly released. Therefore, essential oils have a subtle scent that can be so powerful. They’re often said to have therapeutic properties and provide relief for many ailments, including muscle pain and anxiety.

Benefits of Essential Oils

There are many benefits to using essential oils for health and beauty purposes. These oils can help with various issues, including depression, anxiety, stress, and more. Doctors may even prescribe some oils to help ease pain. They’re also relatively inexpensive, especially when compared to prescription drugs.
 
Essential oils can also be used for aromatherapy. This is a practice where people use scented oils to enhance the mood, help with relaxation, and increase mental clarity. Essential oils are often diffused or inhaled while they’re being used. You can also use them in small amounts in a diffuser. Many people even keep a bottle of essential oil on hand for everyday wellness purposes.

Choosing the Right Starter Kit

Types of essential oils
There are many different essential oils, each with distinct scents. You’ll want to know which ones to look for, so let’s break down their types.

• Citrus – orange, tangerine, grapefruit, lime, and more

• Floral – jasmine, lavender, rose, and more

• Woody – sandalwood, cedar, eucalyptus, and more

• Heady – vetiver, cedarwoods, and more

• Herbaceous – basil, marjoram, peppermint, and more

• Mossy – rosewood, cinnamon, and more

• Spicy – ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, and more

• Fruity – grapefruit, Valencia orange, pomegranate, and more

Essential Oil Application Techniques

How to use essential oils
Certainly, using essential oils can be a versatile and beneficial practice, but it's important to understand how to use them safely and effectively. Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts from plants that contain aromatic compounds. Here's a more detailed explanation of how to use essential oils:
1. Topical Application: Applying essential oils directly to the skin is a popular method. However, due to their potency, essential oils should never be used undiluted on the skin, as they can cause irritation or sensitization. To apply essential oils topically, follow these steps:

• Choose a carrier oil: Carrier oils, like coconut oil, jojoba oil, or almond oil, dilute the essential oil and help spread it over the skin.
• Dilution: Mix a few drops of the essential oil with the chosen carrier oil. The typical dilution ratio is 2-3 drops of essential oil per teaspoon of carrier oil for adults.
• Patch test: Before applying to a larger area, do a patch test on a small area of skin to check for any adverse reactions.
• Application: Gently massage the diluted oil mixture onto the desired area, such as the wrists, temples, or the soles of the feet.

2. Inhalation: Inhaling essential oils can have a direct effect on the respiratory system and can also impact emotions and mood. Here's how you can inhale essential oils:

• Diffuser: A diffuser disperses essential oil molecules into the air, allowing you to inhale them. Add water and a few drops of essential oil to the diffuser as per the manufacturer's instructions.
• Steam Inhalation: Add a few drops of essential oil to a bowl of hot water, place your head over the bowl, and cover your head with a towel. Inhale the steam for a few minutes, keeping your eyes closed to avoid irritation.
• Tissue or Inhaler: Place a drop or two of essential oil on a tissue and inhale, or use a personal inhaler.

3. Aromatic Use: Using essential oils to create a pleasant scent in your environment is another popular method:

• Pillow Mist: Spritz a mixture of water and a few drops of essential oil onto your pillow before bedtime for a soothing sleep environment.
• Room Spray: Mix essential oils with water in a spray bottle and use it to freshen up a room.
• Scented Candles: Add a few drops of essential oil to the melted wax of a burning candle to release the aroma.

4. Bathing: Adding essential oils to your bathwater can provide relaxation and aromatherapy benefits:

• Dilution: Mix a few drops of essential oil with a carrier oil or an unscented bath gel before adding it to the bathwater.
• Dispersal: Agitate the water well before entering to help disperse the essential oil evenly.

5. Massage: Using essential oils during a massage can help relax muscles and enhance the therapeutic effects of the massage. Always dilute the essential oils in a carrier oil before using them for massage.
6. Internal Use (with Caution): Some essential oils are labeled as safe for internal consumption, but this method requires caution and guidance from a qualified aromatherapist or healthcare professional. Inappropriate internal use can be harmful.
Safety Considerations:

• Always do a patch test before using an essential oil to check for allergies or sensitivities.
• Keep essential oils out of reach of children and pets.
• Consult a healthcare professional if you're pregnant, nursing, or have any underlying health conditions before using essential oils.
• Research each essential oil's properties and safety guidelines before use.
• Store essential oils in a cool, dark place to preserve their potency.

Exploring Scentopia Singapore's Collection

Powerful essential oils that you should know
Now let’s talk about which essential oils are worth knowing. A few of the most popular essential oils out there include:

• Lavender – Lavender is a calming oil that can help ease anxiety and help you relax. It’s commonly used for sleep, headaches, and more.

• Peppermint – Peppermint is another oil commonly used for digestion issues, headaches, and even stress. Many people even use it to help with sleep.

• Rose – Rose is a scent known for being calming and uplifting. It’s commonly used for stress, anxiety, and more.

• Geranium – Geranium is an essential oil commonly used for anxiety, depression, and more.

• Orange – Orange is commonly used for muscle pain, inflammation, and other injuries. It’s also great for boosting your immune system and improving your mood.​

• Chamomile – Chamomile is commonly used for sleep, headaches, and more. It’s also known for its relaxing properties.

• Vetiver – Vetiver is commonly used to help with stress and anxiety. It’s also used for sleep.

• Bergamot – Bergamot is a citrus essential oil commonly used for stress, anxiety, and more.

• Frankincense – Frankincense is a woody essential oil commonly used for stress, anxiety, and more.

• Sandalwood – Sandalwood is a woody essential oil commonly used for stress, anxiety, and more.

• Ylang Ylang – Ylang ylang is a floral essential oil commonly used for depression, anxiety, and more.

Understanding the Power of Aromatic Oils

Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts that have been used for centuries to promote wellness and improve health. These oils are extracted from various parts of the plant, including leaves, flowers, roots, and bark, and are known for their potent therapeutic properties.
In recent years, essential oils have gained popularity in the wellness industry due to their versatility and effectiveness. Here are ten of the most powerful essential oils that you should know about.

1. Lavender Lavender is one of the most well-known essential oils and is widely used for its calming and relaxing properties. It is known to reduce stress and anxiety, promote restful sleep, and relieve headaches. Lavender oil can also help to soothe skin irritations and inflammation.
2. Peppermint Peppermint oil is known for its refreshing and invigorating aroma. It is commonly used to ease digestive issues, such as nausea and bloating, and to relieve tension headaches. Peppermint oil can also help to improve mental clarity and focus.
3. Rose Rose oil is a luxurious and highly prized essential oil that is known for its calming and uplifting properties. It is commonly used for stress and anxiety relief, as well as for promoting emotional balance and harmony. Rose oil is also known for its anti-aging and skin-healing properties.
4. Geranium Geranium oil is a popular choice for its balancing and harmonizing properties. It is often used to alleviate anxiety and depression, as well as to balance hormones and improve skin health. Geranium oil is also known for its natural insect-repellent properties.
5. Orange Orange oil is a bright and uplifting essential oil that is commonly used for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. It can help to reduce muscle pain and inflammation, as well as to boost the immune system and improve mood.
6. Chamomile Chamomile oil is known for its calming and soothing properties. It is often used to promote restful sleep, ease anxiety and tension, and relieve headaches. Chamomile oil is also known for its skin-healing properties, making it a popular choice in skincare products.
7. Vetiver Vetiver oil is a grounding and calming essential oil that is often used to ease stress and anxiety. It can also help to promote restful sleep and improve mental clarity and focus. Vetiver oil is also known for its skincare benefits and is often used to treat acne and other skin conditions.
8. Bergamot Bergamot oil is a citrus essential oil that is known for its uplifting and mood-boosting properties. It is commonly used to ease stress and anxiety, as well as to improve digestion and relieve pain. Bergamot oil is also a popular choice in skincare products due to its skin-cleansing and antibacterial properties.
9. Frankincense Frankincense oil is a woody and resinous essential oil that is known for its grounding and calming properties. It is commonly used to ease stress and anxiety, as well as to promote emotional balance and clarity. Frankincense oil is also known for its skin-healing properties and is often used to treat scars and other skin issues.
10. Sandalwood Sandalwood oil is a woody and earthy essential oil that is known for its calming and grounding properties. It is often used to ease stress and anxiety, as well as to promote restful sleep and improve mental clarity. Sandalwood oil is also known for its skin-healing properties and is often used to treat acne and other skin conditions.​

Energizing and Focus-enhancing Oils

Now that you know more about essential oils, you can decide which ones you’d like to add to your daily regimen. The great thing about essential oils is that you don’t need many of them to feel the benefits. A few drops of a few oils can go a long way. Hopefully, you now understand these beneficial substances better and can begin incorporating them into your aromatherapy or daily routine.
 
Scents and fragrances are lovely additions to our daily life. They have many properties psychologies which simultaneously lift our spirits. If you are ever looking for free things to do in Sentosa, go on a perfumery guided tour at Scentopia to learn more about the different scent notes and fragrances available and how they impact our senses. It is perfect for outdoor team building activities in Singapore as well! ​

Join Scentopia, Sentosa's latest tourist attraction wonderful orchid scent crafting, fragrance tour, bridal shower or corporate team building which includes perfume making onsite and offsite, beach activities and more. We also serve primary school learning journey, secondary students and pupil on industrial excursions. Know more about our orchids perfume bar or therapeutic orchid scents and other wellness aromas. Conatct Perfume workshop or book a scent crafting session here.