Guide: Choose the Right Essential Oils for Your Needs

Have you ever stood in front of a shelf full of small brown bottles and felt completely lost? Lavender, orange, peppermint, eucalyptus... the list is endless! Choosing the right essential oil can feel like a jungle, but I promise, it doesn't have to be that complicated. This guide is your compass in the world of fragrances, and together we'll figure out how to find the oils that suit your needs.

First of all, what exactly are essential oils? Imagine the essence of a plant, concentrated in liquid form. They are extracted from flowers, leaves, bark, roots and fruits by distillation or cold pressing. This process captures the 'soul' of the plant, its scent and its potential therapeutic properties. And yes, it is about potential properties. While essential oils have been used for millennia for everything from relaxation to relief from various ailments, it's important to remember that research is still ongoing, and results may vary from person to person.

Important: Essential oils should never be ingested and should be used with caution on the skin. Essential oils should always be mixed. A great way to enjoy essential oils is to mix them with water and then drip into our aroma diffuser.

Why should you care about essential oils?

Good question! There are several reasons:

The scent: Okay, this one is pretty obvious. Essential oils smell amazing! They can turn your home into an oasis of calm, an invigorating energy center, or a romantic retreat - all depending on the scent you choose.

Mood enhancers: Scents have a direct connection to our limbic system, the part of the brain that controls emotions and memories. Some scents can trigger relaxation, others can provide an energy boost, and some can even bring back fond memories.

Potential wellbeing benefits: Many people use essential oils to relieve stress, improve sleep, relieve headaches, strengthen the immune system or even improve skin condition. (More on this later!)

Natural alternative. In a world filled with synthetic fragrances and chemicals, essential oils offer a return to nature. (But remember that 'natural' does not always equal 'harmless' - more on safety below).

Before we dive into the world of oils - a little reminder about Evoroma

We at Evoroma love cozy evenings at home. Before we created our product, we thought: how to make the cozy evening as good as possible?

That's when we realized it! Scent can affect the mood of the home so much. That's why we created a stylish stoneware diffuser that spreads scent in the right way in your home!

It's so easy to use. Fill the tank with water, choose your favorite scent, sit back and enjoy.

Diffusing the scent of essential oils with a diffuser is a great way to create a lovely atmosphere. It's a gentle way to let the scent fill the room, without being too overwhelming. And isn't there something special about watching the fine mist rise and spread?

Now for the fun part: which oils should you choose?

Let's break it down by need. Here are some common requests and the oils that are often recommended:

1. relaxation and reduced stress:

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): the queen of relaxation! Lavender is known for its calming and soothing properties. It is perfect for unwinding after a stressful day, or for creating a calm atmosphere before bedtime. Many people find that lavender helps reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality.

Bergamot (Citrus bergamia): A citrus scent with a twist! Bergamot is uplifting and calming at the same time. It can help to lighten the mind and reduce feelings of depression. Imagine a sunny day in Italy - that's pretty much the feeling bergamot can give.

Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata): An exotic and floral scent often used to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Ylang Ylang can also have an aphrodisiac effect, so it's perfect for a romantic evening.

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita or Chamaemelum nobile): Both Roman and German chamomile are known for their calming properties. They can help relieve tension and promote a sense of calm. Chamomile is also gentle and often suitable for children.

Frankincense (Boswellia carterii): A deeply grounding and meditative scent. Frankincense is often used to promote inner peace, reduce stress and improve focus. It has a long history of use in religious and spiritual ceremonies.

2. Energy and Focus:

Peppermint (Mentha piperita): A real energy boost! Peppermint is refreshing and stimulating. It can help increase concentration, sharpen the mind and relieve fatigue. Perfect for a day of studying or work.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): An herbal scent known to improve memory and concentration. Rosemary can also help relieve headaches and fatigue.

Lemon (Citrus limon): A classic refreshing scent! Lemon is known to elevate mood, boost energy and improve focus. It is also a good air purifier.

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus or radiata): A fresh and clear scent often used to clear the airways. Eucalyptus can also help boost energy and improve concentration.

Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi): An uplifting and energizing citrus scent. Grapefruit can help reduce fatigue, increase motivation and improve mood.

3. sleep and rest:

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): (Yes, it's back!) Lavender is a star when it comes to sleep. Its calming scent can help reduce restlessness, promote relaxation and improve sleep quality.

Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica): A warm and woody scent known for its calming and grounding properties. Cedarwood can help create a sense of security and promote deep and restful sleep.

Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides): A deep, earthy and smoky scent known for its calming and relaxing properties. Vetiver can help reduce stress, relieve anxiety and promote a good night's sleep.

Orange (Citrus sinensis): A sweet and soothing scent that can help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. Orange is mild and often suitable for children.

4. colds and immune system:

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus or radiata): As mentioned earlier, eucalyptus is excellent for clearing the airways. It can help relieve nasal congestion and coughs.

Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia): A powerful oil with antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. Tea Tree can be used to strengthen the immune system and fight infections.

Important: Essential oils should never be ingested and should be used with caution on the skin. Essential oils should always be mixed.

Lemon (Citrus limon): Lemon is not only refreshing, it also has antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris): A strong oil with powerful antibacterial and antiviral properties. Thyme can be used to strengthen the immune system and fight infections. 

Ginger (Zingiber officinale): A warm and spicy oil that can help relieve nausea and strengthen the immune system.

5. Skin care:

Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia): (Yes, it's back!) Tea Tree is known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it popular for treating acne and other skin problems. Important: Always dilute Tea Tree thoroughly before applying to the skin.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): Lavender is soothing and healing to the skin. It can be used to relieve irritation, reduce redness and promote healing of minor wounds and burns.

Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens): A floral fragrance known for its balancing properties for the skin. Geranium can help regulate sebum production, reduce inflammation and improve skin elasticity.

Frankincense (Boswellia carterii): Frankincense is known for its anti-aging properties. It can help reduce wrinkles, improve skin tone and promote cell renewal.

Carrot seed oil (Daucus carota): An oil rich in antioxidants and vitamins. Carrot seed oil can help protect the skin against damage, improve skin tone and reduce signs of ageing.

Important about Safety:

Dilution: Essential oils are very concentrated and should always be diluted in a carrier oil (e.g. almond oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil) before applying to the skin. A common recommendation is 1-3% essential oil in the carrier oil.

We recommend using an aroma diffuser as it is the best way to enjoy essential oils without having to worry too much about safety.

Ingestion: Essential oils should NOT be ingested.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Some essential oils should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Always consult your doctor or midwife before using essential oils if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Children: Take extra care with essential oils around children. Some oils are not suitable for children under a certain age. Always dilute the oils properly and use them with caution.

Allergies: If you have sensitive skin or are allergic to certain plants, you should test a small amount of diluted essential oil on a small area of skin before using it more widely.

Phototoxicity: Some citrus oils (e.g. bergamot, lemon, lime) can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight. Avoid sun exposure for 12-24 hours after applying these oils to the skin.

Storage: Store essential oils in a dark, cool place out of reach of children and pets.

Quality is key:
When buying essential oils, make sure to choose pure, undiluted, high-quality oils. Look for oils that are labeled with the botanical name (e.g. Lavandula angustifolia for lavender), country of origin and extraction method. All our essential oils are sourced in the EU and we follow all safety requirements. We can assist you with all data safety sheets and take all safety requirements very seriously. Unfortunately, there are quite a few operators who do not and therefore it is always best to choose an operator who can provide you with all the required data sheets.

Final words:

Exploring the world of essential oils is a journey of fragrance, well-being and discovery. I hope this guide has given you a good foundation, and that you feel inspired to find the oils that are right for you. And don't forget to check out Evoroma.se to find your perfect diffuser and start creating a fragrant home. Good luck to you!

FAQ/Frequently Asked Questions:

1. "I'm new to essential oils - where do I start?"

 Start with a few basic oils such as lavender (for relaxation), peppermint (for energy) and lemon (for refreshing effect). Experiment with these individually or in simple mixtures in your diffuser. Read up on safe use, especially on dilution, before applying them to the skin.

2. "How do I know if an essential oil is of good quality?"

    Look for 100% pure essential oils. Look for the botanical name (e.g. Lavandula angustifolia for lavender), country of origin and extraction method on the label. Buy from trusted suppliers like Evoroma.se.

3. "Can I use essential oils directly on my skin?"

    No, never. Essential oils are very concentrated and need to be diluted in a carrier oil (e.g. almond oil, jojoba oil) before application to the skin. A common recommendation is 1-3% essential oil in the carrier oil. Some oils, like tea tree, require extra care. The best way to enjoy essential oils is to use a diffuser.

4. I am pregnant/breastfeeding - which essential oils should I avoid?"

    Some essential oils are not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Always consult your doctor or midwife before using essential oils if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. There are general lists online, but individual advice is most important.

5. "My diffuser doesn't work/smells weird, what am I doing wrong?"

Clean the diffuser regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions. Use clean water and make sure you do not overfill the container. If you use tap water and live in an area with hard water, you may want to use distilled or filtered water to avoid lime deposits. Check that the oil you are using is of high quality and from Evoroma. If the problem persists, contact the retailer or manufacturer.