Scented candles, heated oils, and other scented products are becoming increasingly popular as busy homeowners try desperately to cover up the smell of last night’s salmon dinner or get rid of pet odors before the in-laws come over. A home that smells bad is generally considered to be unclean and dirty, even if that is not really the case. While air fresheners and scented candles can quickly cover up undesirable smells, they cannot fix the root cause of the bad smell, nor can they make the air cleaner and safer to breathe.
If you want to simultaneously clean and freshen the air from bad odors, you should invest in a quality air purifier. Although an air purifier is more expensive up-front than candles or scented oils, it can be used for a much longer period of time, and it can actually clean the air instead of just covering up bad odors. These benefits alone make an air purifier well worth the initial investment. Here are five types of smells you can get rid of with an air purifier.
Essential oil diffusers
You will love how diffusers are so easy to use. All you’ll have to do is fill it with water, add a few drops of essential oil, and switch it on. The diffuser produces a fine mist that carries the fragrance of the essential oils throughout your condo living. It also lets you avoid potentially harmful chemical sprays or plug-ins.
But what exactly are essential oils? For those new to this trend, these incredibly potent oils — some of which have been around for centuries — are extracted from plants to capture their flavors, scents, and overall beneficial properties.
They make for a great addition to your skin, hair, and healthcare collection, and can also be used for aromatherapy.
If you’re looking to get into essential oils, but aren’t quite sure where to start, we’ve compiled an extensive list of some of the most popular and beneficial ones. Keep reading to see which oils can best meet your needs.
Types of essential oils
Lavender
This incredibly popular oil has all kinds of benefits. This subtly floral scent can help people to relax and sleep. Moreover, breathing it in has been found to help with alleviating headaches, while the use of the oil topically may help reduce the itching and swelling from bug bites
Safety: There are a few known side effects. These include nausea, headaches, chills, and vomiting. It can also irritate the skin if you have an intolerance.
Roman chamomile
Featuring a combination of a light floral and herbal aroma, this oil has the potential to put your mind at ease when diffused and inhaled through steam. While this oil is great for calming the mind, it’s equally as useful on the skin and has been found to treat conditions like inflammation and eczema.
Safety: Anyone allergic to daisies, marigolds, and ragweed should avoid using this oil altogether.
Rose
When the sweet, floral scent of rose oil is inhaled, it’s been shown to help reduce anxiety. Its antioxidant properties have also been found to help treat acne and improve complexion for an overall younger look.
Safety: Skin irritation can occur when used topically, so make sure to use more of the carrier oil if you want to reap the skincare benefits of rose oil.
Hyssop
This earthy, herbal, and sweet-scented essential oil can be used on the skin to help to minimize scarring, decrease inflammation, and act as an overall healing agent.
Safety: Don’t use hyssop if you’re pregnant or have a history of seizures.
Ylang ylang
This flowery oil emits a spicy but sweet aroma and has been suggested as an aid in relaxation, a self-esteem builder, and it even may act as a repellent toward certain insects. It’s frequently found in cosmetics and promises a laundry list of beauty benefits, including the treatment of combination skin and the promotion of hair growth.
Myrrh
This sappy-smelling essential oil is said to treat skin issues by relieving acne and cracked skin, and may even help treat athlete’s foot.
Safety: Myrrh should never be taken orally. If you’re using it topically, take note that it’s been found to cause dermatitis. More serious side effects include heart irregularities and lower blood pressure. It can also increase the risk of miscarriage if taken by people who are pregnant.
Vetiver
The smoky, sugary scent of vetiver is often used in tranquil aromatherapy to boost your overall mood and calm your nerves. As for its antioxidant benefits, it’s been found to help promote skin health and heal scars.
Safety: Since it’s nonirritating and non-sensitizing it’s a great topical alternative for those who can’t handle other essential oils.
Frankincense
The aroma of this one may smell like the holiday season to you, but it also has all kinds of astringent, digestive, antiseptic, and disinfectant properties.
It may prevent oral issues like bad breath, toothaches, cavities, and mouth sores, and one study
Trusted Source even suggests it can help improve skin health.
Safety: Aside from potential skin sensitivity, users can rest easy knowing there aren’t any major side effects from using frankincense.
Grapefruit
Even though this is also derived from a citrus fruit — the peel to be exact — it has more of a bitter and fresh scent, and is a popular oil to use in a diffuser. It’s been said to have antifungal properties that may help reduce any harmful bacteria within.
Safety: Again, similar to lemon, avoid UV rays from the sun when applying topically.
Cedarwood
Earthy and naturally woody-smelling, cedarwood is used for a number of topical beauty treatments. Studies have shown that these benefits include fighting acne, treating eczema, and reducing dandruff. On top of all this, it also allegedly helps to reduce arthritis and relieve coughing.
Safety: It’s important to note that none of these benefits comes from ingesting the oil. It’s not safe to consume cedarwood oil and if done so can result in vomiting, nausea, thirst, and damage to the digestive system.
Peppermint
When you inhale the minty herbal scent of this oil, some evidence has shown that it can relieve IBS symptoms. Likewise, a limited amount of evidence has found that this oil can help with headaches and indigestion.
When applied topically, you’ll immediately sense a cooling effect. This can help with things like muscle pain (and potentially help to increase exercise performance), sunburn relief, and itchy skin conditions like poison ivy or insect bites.
Safety: Peppermint essential oil shouldn’t be ingested as it can cause serious side effects like heartburn, headaches, an irritated esophagus, and mouth sores. So if you need to freshen your breath, just stick to actual mints.
Spearmint
This other minty option is quite similar to peppermint in both aroma and benefits, therefore it can be used as an alternative. You will find that spearmint oil has a bit of a sweeter kick to its aroma and has been found to have antifungal properties. It also provides the same cooling effect as peppermint when applied topically, which makes it equally as useful for warding off unwanted insects and relieving bug bites.
Safety: If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, speak with your doctor before using spearmint oil.
Basil oil
The essential oil extracted from basil has many topical and internal benefits. It’s been shown to be both antiviral and anti-inflammatory, so it could work as a cold and flu remedy and muscle relaxer.
It’s also been found to treat acne, and one older study even found that it worked as a way to reduce stress. You can also add it to hair treatments to get rid of buildup and enhance shine.
Safety: If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, speak with your doctor before using basil oil.
While there’s still a good deal of research that needs to be done to fully back and support essential oils as a way to treat various health issues, there are still a number of benefits worth exploring.
Remember that essential oils must be diluted in a carrier oil before applying to the skin. Do not swallow essential oils. Some are toxic.
From alleviating insect bites to making your home smell great, essential oils offer a wide range of potential benefits.
If you are thinking of moving into a new condominium, check out Vista Residences!
Vista Residences is the condominium arm of the country’s largest homebuilder, Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc. that offers ready for occupancy and pre-selling condominium projects in Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong, Quezon City, Ortigas, Baguio, Cebu, and CDO that are strategically located within major cities, in close proximity to premium universities, transit-oriented locations, and developed business districts.
For more information on Vista Residences, email [email protected], follow @VistaResidencesOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, or call the Marketing Office at 0999 886 4262 / 0917 582 5167.
