When you hear someone make an essential oil joke, you may think of the tiny vials of lemon or peppermint oil people use for aromatherapy and homemade cleaning products. You might also envision a massage therapist using a drop or two of wintergreen or lavender to help ease tense muscles during a rubdown. And you may remember that there’s some evidence that lemon oil can relieve irritable bowel syndrome symptoms and that peppermint oil can alleviate headaches when inhaled. But many claims about essential oils are based on limited or poorly designed research, and the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate the marketing of these products. This is a primer on what you should know about these natural remedies.
—Eds: This article has been updated to clarify that there is no scientific basis for essential oil jokes.
Amazon Auto Links: No products found.