Thrive Alive

Natural oils, such as coconut oil, shea butter oil, and olive oil, have been used for skin care and hair care for centuries. Generation after generation have touted them for various moisturizing, protective, and antibacterial qualities. With the growth of the modern cosmetic and wellness industries, these deceptively simple substances have often been overlooked, but they’ve had a bit of a resurgence in the public eye over the last decade, as people strive to find additive-free, affordable, and effective products.

To soothe muscle aches: Lavender, ylang-ylang, ginger, chamomile, frankincense. Add a total of 12 drops of essential oil to 2 tablespoons of a base oil, like jojoba or almond oil, Galper advises.

The dull ache. The throbbing. The nagging pressure. If you’re one of the 78% of people who suffer from tension headaches, then you've been there. While classic over-the-counter meds like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be great to ease the pain, staying hydrated, eating regular meals and sticking to a consistent sleep schedule can all help stop headaches naturally. And there's one other natural remedy that some sufferers take advantage of: essential oils.

Experts think aromatherapy activates areas in your nose called smell receptors, which send messages through your nervous system to your brain.

The oils may activate certain areas of your brain, like your limbic system, which plays a role in your emotions. They could also have an impact on your hypothalamus, which may respond to the oil by creating feel-good brain chemicals like serotonin.

Some experts think that when you put essential oils on your skin, they cause a response in your skin and other parts of your body, like your joints.