Essential and Carrier Oils: Their Uses and Benefits

There is an ever growing interest in the benefits and uses of  essential  and carrier oils. Understandably so. There is so much that these amazing oils can do. From home to medicinal uses, the possibilities are endless. Every essential oil and carrier oil has its specific use. Listed below is just a fraction of what they are capable of. Feel free to leave your questions or comments if you would like to know more.

Essential Oils for Normal Hair

Lavender oil: Not only known for its gorgeous scent, it has proven hair benefits and is good for all hair types.  It is a good treatment for dandruff and itching, helpful in controlling hair breakage and improving hair growth. Most widely known to treat alopecia areata, a condition where you lose excessive hair, especially in patches. Daily massage with lavender oil has proven to help significant re-growth and gives you the results in a few months. Lavender oil blends well with many other carrier and essential oils including jojoba, rosemary and tea tree oils. Other benefits of Lavender oil include relaxation and easing stress . Its balancing properties can also boost stamina and energy.  It may be used to soothe and cleanse common cuts, bruises, and skin irritations.

Rosemary Oil –  The oil is derived from the rosemary plant and is very useful for dandruff problems and flaky itchy scalp. It stimulates hair follicles; as a result hair can grow longer and stronger. It still can be used for numerous applications including stimulating  hair growth due loss or  aging and restoring mental alertness when experiencing fatigue.

Sage Oil: This is one of the best scalp clarifiers. It deep cleanses impurities away from the scalp and works well with other herbs to heal scalp problems such as psoriasis and helps when used with zinc to end dandruff symptoms.

Lemon Oil– Works well for a treatment for dry scalp, dandruff, lice, and under active sebaceous glands. The sebum on the hair is what keeps it from drying out. Curly hair tends to be more dry and can benefit from lemon essential oils. Be very careful to only use lemon on hair that is too oily as this can seriously dry out the hair after just one washing or rinse.

Essential Oils for Dry Hair

Tea Tree Oil: This is a great moisturizer for the hair, it helps to keep the scalp free of bacteria and fungal problems. Tea tree oil unblocks the sebaceous glands and encourage the flow of the scalp’s own moisturizing oils while clearing away dead skin cells. Tea tree oil mixed with other essential oils is especially good as a scalp treatment for relieving dandruff.

Lavender Oil and Rosemary Oil are excellent for dry hair as well.

Essential Oils for Oily Hair

Peppermint Oil: Helps to stimulate blood flow to the root of the hair. This is very important for hair as it helps the hair to receive proper nourishment. This in turn will lead to hair growth. That tingly feeling when peppermint oil is felt on the scalp is actually the stimulation of  blood flow to hair.

Lemon Oil, Rosemary Oil and Lemon Oil are excellent for oily hair as well.

Carrier Oils for Various Hair Types

Jojoba Oil –  This is considered to be the king of the carrier oils. Many scalp related problems are caused by a hardened build-up of sebum that clogs the hair follicles and may cause some type of scaling. If this hardened build-up is not removed, it can eventually obstruct the hair follicle’s ability to function properly. Jojoba rapidly penetrates down to the scalp and hair shaft, and readily loosens and dissolves this hardened build-up. The scalp and hair follicles are left clean and free to continue their normal function. Jojoba is great for all hair types and has an ability to inhibit excess activity of the sebaceous glands making it the perfect choice for people with oily scalps that still need conditioning. Likewise it can be used for dry hair as it helps to moisturize your hair properly.

Coconut Oil–  This consists of more than ninety percent of saturated fats Vitamin-E and Vitamin K and minerals such as Iron. Coconut oil is considered one of the best natural nutrition for hair and is in contention with olive and jojoba oils as the king of the carrier oils. It is an excellent conditioner and helps in the re-growth of damaged hair. It also provides the essential proteins required for nourishing damaged hair and it softens the hair and conditions the scalp.

Castor Oil – is a vegetable oil obtained from the castor bean.  It is rich in ricinoleic acid and can be used to treat skin conditions such as fungal infections. It nourishes hair and prevents the scalp from drying by retaining moisture. Castor oil added to hair care products helps to seal moisture, softens, and visibly thickens hair. Castor oil can also be used by itself on the hair to seal in moisture.

Avocado Oil– is extracted from the king of the ‘hair’ fruits avocado. It is full of vitamins that your hair needs like vitamins A, E, D and potassium. If you want a super deep conditioner treatment  you can add avocado oil to the other carrier oils and you will definitely feel and see the difference.

Grape seed Oil- One of the top benefits of grape seed oil is that it gives your hair a great sheen. It also helps in reducing brittleness in the hair. But for this you need to regularly massage your scalp with grapeseed oil. Dry, rough and frizzy hair can also benefit from the use of grapeseed oil. The hair cuticles gets smooth with this oil as it seals in the moisture on hair strands. Grape seed oil is also used as a heat protector making it perfect to use on damaged hair caused by excessive heat treatments. As this hair oil is odorless and non greasy in texture, it can be applied by people who do not like the feel of heavy hair. This oil gets easily absorbed by the scalp and hair. Often grapeseed oil is used as carrier oil. You can dilute grapeseed oil with other essential oils like lavender oil to apply it on your hair.
Sweet Almond Oil– This is used as a carrier oil for blending essential oils, is beneficial for the skin, hair, and has overall health advantages as well. It can be used as an effective massage oil, and many use it to treat under eye bags, and eczema. For hair, moisten your fingertips with several drops of almond oil and gently massage the scalp. A comforting regimen, treating the scalp and hair to sweet almond oil, benefits follicles, prevents hair loss, provides shine and strengthens hair. It can also be used as a hot oil treatment. It Nourishes hair and smoothes hair cuticles, makes hair long, strong and thick. Massaging with almond oil adds shine to the hair. It also controls hair fall.