Natural oils have been used for medicinal and health purposes for many years. These oils are produced by the extraction or distillation of different parts of the plant. Each of these oil provides outstanding mental, physical, and emotional health benefits. Moreover, they have several uses, such as detoxification, antiviral, antidepressant, antibacterial, etc. Natural oils have always been used initially for medicinal purposes. But now they are slowly being used in everyday life. With the ever-increasing cost of medical bills, using a few natural oils in daily life can help prevent or cure illnesses cost-effectively and naturally.
What is Natural Oil?
Natural oils contain aethereal glycerin salts with many organic acids, such as stearic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acid-forming stearin, olein, and palmitin. Natural oils are excellent moisturizers that leave the skin soft and smooth. Many oils often have significant nourishing and revitalizing effects when absorbing the skin. Natural oils are used in a wide range of cosmetic items, including personal care and makeup products.
These oils are obtained from various parts of oil-containing plants—for example, seeds, leaves, barks, woods, flowers, fruits, roots, etc. We can divide the natural oils into 3 categories. They are
- Plant oils
- Essential oils
- Aroma oils
Now, here are the 7 most common natural oils and their benefits:
1. Tea Tree Essential oil
Benefits:
- This oil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which cures acne and swelling skin.
- This oil reduces dryness in both skin and scalp. For this reason, it is an ingredient in many shampoos and conditioners.
- Tea tree oil can soothe skin irritations. It can also reduce swelling and help the healing of wounds and abrasions.
- Tea tree oil can treat and disinfect small cuts and abrasions by killing S. Aureus and other bacteria that may cause open wound infection.
- Tea tree oil has been shown to help remove nail infection.
2. Argan oil
Argan oil is made from kernels that grow on argan trees native to Morocco. It oil has traditionally been used both orally and topically to improve skin, hair, and nails. It includes a variety of different beneficial properties and vitamins.
Benefits:
- Argan oil protects the skin’s free radical damage caused by the sun. As a result, it can prevent burns and hyperpigmentation in the long term. This may help prevent skin cancer advancement, including melanoma.
- People use Argan oil most commonly as a moisturizer. That’s why it’s also found in lotions, soaps, and hair conditioners.
- Argan oil has anti-sebum properties and can help control the amount of sebum in the skin. This may help to treat a variety of different forms of acne.
- Argan oil has antibacterial and fungicidal properties. This can heal and prevent bacterial and fungal infections of the skin.
3. Coconut oil
Coconut oil contains fatty acids and proteins and provides various health benefits. It protects and moisturizes the skin. It also soothes scaly, rough spots that go along with common conditions such as eczema.
Benefits:
- Coconut oil is said to have a modest increase in the amount of healthy cholesterol.
- It can help reduce insulin resistance levels in the body. It also helps with problems that often lead to type 2 diabetes.
- Coconut oil helps to slow down the aging process because it contains antioxidants.
- It has been shown to reduce stress from exercise and chronic cold.
- Some people use coconut oil on their hair to increase shine and protect it from damage. It can penetrate the scalp better than mineral oils.
4. Olive oil
Antioxidants in olive oil can help protect the body from cell damage. Thus, it can save you from various health conditions and diseases. Extra virgin olive oil has a sour flavor but contains more antioxidants.
Benefits:
- A fair amount of vitamin E is present in this oil. The olive oil’s light density makes it a natural non-stick moisturizer that lasts long and suits all skin types.
- A massage of olive oil before shampoo helps to give your hair a distinct shine and strength.
- Extra virgin olive oil contains antioxidants. They fight inflammation and help protect your blood cholesterol from oxidation. These are two benefits that can lower your risk of heart disease.
- Olive oil is the only type of monounsaturated fat associated with a lowered risk of stroke and heart disease.
5. Sunflower oil
Sunflower oil is made from sunflower pressed seeds. It is high in vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant and is also known to protect the health of our cells, tissues, and organs. It also plays a role in boosting our immune system.
Benefits:
- Sunflower oil contains phytochemicals such as choline and phenolic acid, which help the heart.
- Research shows that including sunflower oil in the diet will effectively lower our overall cholesterol levels.
- As sunflower oil is too light, it is more absorbed in the digestive tract than many other oils. It also serves as a mild laxative and can assist with constipation.
- Sunflower oil contains a lot of fats that provide the body with a good source of fuel.
- Sunflower oil contains a lot of nutrients and antioxidants. It also helps to fight against acne, eczema, inflammation, and general redness and itching.
6. Jojoba oil
Jojoba Oil is produced from the Jojoba plant’s seed. It is a shrub tree found in southern Arizona and California. Vitamin E and B-complex vitamins in Jojoba Oil help to heal and control the skin.
Benefits:
- This oil is the perfect moisturizer; it can slow down aging and fade fine lines and wrinkles.
- Jojoba Oil has anti-inflammatory properties that minimize the redness caused by drying. It can also reduce the effects of eczema and rosacea and keep the skin calm and relaxed.
- Jojoba contains vitamins E and B and antioxidants and minerals such as chromium, copper, and zinc, all of which feed and protect the skin.
- It helps control sebum development and prevents acne caused by clogged pores.
- It helps the skin cells to bond together after they have been scratched or cut.
7. Almond oil
Almond oil is made from squeezed raw almonds. This oil is full of health benefits such as vitamin E, zinc, protein, and potassium. The texture is lighter than that of olive oil and shea butter.
Benefits:
- Using cellular almond oil helps to fill the gaps in your hair, leading to smoother and softer hair over time.
- Almond oil can both prevent stretch marks in pregnant women and reduce itching from stretch marks.
- Monounsaturated fats in almond oil can help to regulate blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes.
- This oil can lower your blood pressure, improve lipid levels, and reduce your risk of heart problems.
- Almond oil can be a safe and simple option to help prevent excess earwax build-up.