Do Essential Oils Actually Work?
Essential oils have been used for centuries for their purported healing properties. But in recent years, they’ve become more popular than ever as a natural remedy for a wide range of health issues. Essential oils are a natural way to improve your health and well-being. They’re made by extracting the oils from plants and are used in aromatherapy, massage, and other natural therapies. However, some people are sceptical of essential oils, wondering if they’re nothing more than a scam.
While there is some evidence to support the use of essential oils for certain conditions, much of it is anecdotal. It is important to remember that there is also a lot of misinformation out there. Some people claim that essential oils can cure everything from cancer (1) to the common cold (2). Although there is some evidence, more research is required to support these claims.
There appears to be more convincing evidence that essential oils can reduce or relieve symptoms rather than cure actual diseases. For instance, they can be used to relieve stress (3), kill bacteria, and even help you get a good night’s sleep (4). Some essential oils do have therapeutic benefits, but not all of them do. And even the ones that do have benefits may not work or be safe for everyone.
When looking at the research into the efficacy of essential oils, it is important to remember that many results are done on animals and not on human beings. Other experiments are done in the laboratory. These experiments may show positive results in killing certain bacteria or viruses or even cancer cells. However, what works in a petri dish or test tube won’t necessarily work in the body. This is because the environment in the body is vastly different to conditions in a lab, and not easy to recreate. So when investigating whether or not essential oils work, remember to check if the research is in vitro (which translates as “in glass”) or in vivo (which translates as “in the living”) (5).
This scientific research, carried out in 2018 (6), is a perfect example of this. Thirty-five essential oils were tested on the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. Ten were found to be more effective than antibiotics. However, these experiments were all carried out in a laboratory, and it even states in the conclusion that further research needs to be carried out “in vivo”.
Lyme disease, caused by getting bitten by an infected tick, is not very pleasant and can last a few weeks. Bearing in mind the successful results of the research carried out in the laboratory, you may be tempted to try essential oils. If it, at least, reduces some of the symptoms, it may be worth it. However, remember to check with your doctor first, especially if you are already taking other medication to treat Lyme disease. This obviously applies to any condition, not just Lyme disease.
The other thing to consider when looking at research into how effective essential oils are is the size of the cohort involved. In other words, how many people were included in the research experiment? This study (7) took blood from one thousand, three hundred and seventy six people with a fungal infection. Cinnamon essential oil, along with olive oil, was found to have an antimicrobial effect. This is much more reliable research due to the number of people involved. Therefore, you can be reassured that if you have a fungal infection, cinnamon essential oil would be beneficial.
Still talking about cinnamon essential oil, this study (8) first looked at the effects of the oil on blood sugar in the laboratory. With a successful outcome, the researchers then tested on animals and finally on sixty people. From this, you could reasonably assume that cinnamon oil could help you to reduce high blood sugar and the risk of developing diabetes.
The best research to consider when researching whether essential oils work or not is a meta-analysis review. This is the gold standard of scientific research and usually looks at several scientific studies and compares the results (9). To illustrate, this meta-analysis review study (10) looks at how effective lavender essential oil is for reducing anxiety. The outcome was positive and, hence, lavender essential oil is often touted as a remedy for any symptoms involving anxious feelings. Due to its calming and sedative effects, lavender essential oil is also good for reducing feelings of depression (11), inducing relaxation, and helping with insomnia (12).
Many essential oils are listed in the ingredients of over-the-counter medications. From this, you may assume that they would work on their own. This is the case of eucalyptus and peppermint (or menthol) oils which are often in cough, cold and congestion medications, such as cough syrup and vapour rub. Eucalyptus and peppermint essential oils also work when added to a diffuser or steaming water and inhaled. (See congestion and cough articles).
Having said that, eucalyptus oil is dangerous to eat. As little as half a teaspoon can kill you. Likewise, it should not be applied neat, directly onto the skin either, as it can cause severe irritation (13). For this reason, it is better to dilute it in a carrier oil such as jojoba. In fact, the majority of essential oils should be diluted in this way. Less is definitely more.
Another popular essential oil is tea tree oil. It is found in many medications, including those for acne, oral infections, and fungal infections such as athlete’s foot and herpes. It is also an ingredient in shampoos to prevent dandruff. One of the reasons tea tree oil works so well is because it kills the bacteria that cause these infections. This research (14), carried out in Brazil, backs this up. It even states that tea tree oil (melaleuca) could be beneficial in the fight against bacteria resistant to antibiotic treatments. This bactericidal effect of tea tree essential oil is backed up by this research (15), although it involved poultry rather than humans. However, as the research discusses how tea tree oil can kill bacteria, unless the bacteria is specific to poultry, it could be presumed that this research could be applicable to humans as well.
The only thing to be aware of is that tea tree oil should not be taken internally, as this can have serious side effects. The oil can be applied directly to the skin, but it is advisable to first test a tiny bit on the skin to check you do not have any adverse reactions to it. In addition, pregnant and breast-feeding mothers should not use this potent essential oil (16). This is because it can affect the baby and not enough research has been done regarding the safety of its use during pregnancy, in particular, due to ethical issues (17).
Tea tree oil is also helpful for healing wounds. This research was carried out on humans following a successful laboratory experiment (18). Nine out of the ten participants healed quicker when tea tree oil was applied to their wounds. Ninety percent is a positive result, despite the cohort only being ten people.
While essential oils can be beneficial for certain conditions, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before using them. In addition, be sure to do your research and only purchase essential oils from reputable sources.
There’s no doubt that essential oils can be beneficial for your health. However, it’s important to remember that they’re not a cure-all solution. As with any natural remedy, they work best when used in conjunction with traditional healthy lifestyle choices. So if you’re looking to improve your health, don’t rely on essential oils alone. Instead, use them as part of a holistic approach that includes a healthy diet, regular exercise, and plenty of rest. With that said, there’s no reason to write off essential oils entirely. When used correctly, they can be an effective way to support your overall health and well-being.