Article updated September 26, 2024
Are you ready to welcome the freshness of autumn and the fading light? Did you know that you can be accompanied by the benefits of essential oils throughout this season of transition, for greater well-being and comfort?
We understand the difficulty of finding the right essential oils. In this article, we're going to introduce you to the best essential oils for this autumn of 2024. Whether you're looking for a boost of energy or a soothing cocoon to relax in, we've got you covered.
Let's embark together on this aromatic journey and explore the power of nature's finest essences to accompany you this autumn.
Landema - Groupe Biolandes
● Recommended essential oil: Black spruce (Picea mariana)
● How to use: apply to the skin (diluted) and diffuse into the air.
Feeling tired and lethargic as the days get shorter and the weather colder?
Keeping your energy levels up in autumn is often a challenge. That's why we recommend making Black Spruce (Picea mariana) essential oil part of your daily routine.
Particularly rich in alpha-pinene, which acts, among other things, on the endocrine system, this essential oil is an excellent general stimulant and tonic. To help combat fatigue, dilute 3 drops of Black Spruce (Picea mariana) essential oil in a hazelnut of vegetable oil, such as Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis), and massage the middle of your back, where your adrenal glands are located.
Black SpruceB (Picea mariana) essential oil also has antiseptic properties and can help purify the air in your home or office. To do this, add a few drops to your diffuser (to find out how many drops to add according to your type of diffuser, consult this article) and diffuse in the room you're in for 20 minutes.
● Recommended essential oil: Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)
● Method of use: diluted skin application or inhalation.
The pace of back-to-school and the hustle and bustle of everyday life can often prevent us from relaxing and recharging our batteries, especially when it comes to getting a good night's sleep.
With its high concentration of esters, Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) essential oil is known for its calming and anti-spasmodic effects, helping to soothe a restless mind, promote physical and mental relaxation, and improve sleep quality.
To get the most out of this essential oil, dilute 1 drop of Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) essential oil in 9 drops of vegetable oil and massage the soles of your feet and the solar plexus before going to bed. You can also place 1 drop on your pillow or a handkerchief to breathe in as you fall asleep.
To find out more about Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) essential oil, read our article Camomille noble or Camomille romaine, are they the same?
By incorporating this essential oil into your evening routine, you'll create an environment conducive to relaxation and a peaceful transition to sleep.
● Recommended oil: Eucalyptus Radiata (Eucalyptus radiata)
● Usage methods: cutaneous application and diffusion
Say goodbye to stuffy noses and coughs, and hello to a dynamic autumn!
Eucalyptus Radiata (Eucalyptus radiata) essential oil is concentrated in 1.8 cineol, a terpene oxide with multiple properties that are particularly appreciated in autumn: antiviral, immunity stimulant, respiratory tract antiseptic, respiratory decongestant for mucous membranes and sinuses...
Eucalyptus Radiata (Eucalyptus radiata) essential oil promotes comfort and hygiene of the respiratory tract, bronchi, throat and nose, both as a preventive measure and when the first symptoms appear.
You can place 1 or 2 drops of Eucalyptus radiata essential oil on your wrist and solar plexus so you can breathe it in and immediately feel its benefits, in the morning when you wake up for example. In principle, you can use it undiluted, as it is very gentle on the skin. You can also diffuse it: add a few drops to your diffuser, alone or in synergy with Black Spruce (Picea mariana) essential oil, and take deep breaths!
● Recommended essential oil: Petitgrain (Citrus aurantium var. amara)
● Method of use : diffusion
To relieve the stress and anxiety you may feel as winter approaches, consider including Petitgrain (Citrus aurantium var. amara) essential oil in your aromatherapy routine.
Distilled from the leaves and twigs of the Bitter Orange tree and concentrated in linalyl acetate, this essential oil is known for its ability to calm, balance and promote a peaceful state of mind. It is therefore very useful for relieving the symptoms of "ras-le-bol" and seasonal depression.
To benefit from the soothing effects of Petitgrain (Citrus aurantium var. amara) essential oil and its comforting fragrance, add a few drops to your diffuser and leave it running for 15 to 20 minutes in the room you're in. You can repeat the process several times a day, as needed.
● Recommended essential oil: Wintergreen (Gaultheria fragrantissima)
● Method of use: massage with a supporting vegetable oil.
Decreased physical activity and increased ambient humidity are often accompanied in autumn by muscular aches and pains, which sometimes hinder your daily movements. This is where essential oil of Wintergreen (Gaultheria fragrantissima) can be of great help.
Its particularity is that it is very rich in methyl salicylate, a molecule similar to aspirin, which acts on both inflammation and pain.
To use it for massage, we recommend diluting it by 2% in a vegetable oil such as Sweet Almond (Prunus dulcis) or Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) oil, i.e. 60 drops of essential oil in 100ml of vegetable oil. Massage the resulting mixture into painful areas. This gentle massage will promote blood circulation, release tension and provide welcome relief.
Find out more in our article Gaultheria: discover the plant, its essential oil and their virtues.
● Recommended essential oil: Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica)
● Method of use: massage into the scalp or add to your shampoo.
Just as trees lose their leaves, in autumn we often notice an acceleration in hair loss. Here again, essential oils can help, and Cedar of the Atlas(Cedrus atlantica) essential oil in particular can work wonders.
Rich in sesquiterpene ketones (atlantone) and sesquiterpenes (alpha and beta-himachalene), this essential oil is known to cleanse the scalp and limit the overproduction of sebum, helping to keep hair healthy and slow hair loss. It also helps with oily hair.
To reap the benefits of Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica) essential oil, use 5 drops to massage your scalp in the evening or 1 hour before shampooing. You can also mix a few drops with your shampoo.
It's important to remember that essential oils come from the distillation of aromatic plants, or in the case of citrus fruits, for example, from the mechanical pressing of their peel.
The methods used to grow and collect these aromatic plants, the raw materials for essential oils, therefore play a vital role in the quality of the final product.
Among the criteria that influence the quality of an essential oil are:
● Cultivation method: in order to extract essential oils of the highest quality, it's ideal to use wild-grown or organically cultivated plants. In this way, their physico-chemical composition will not have been altered by external additions.
● Plant selection: it's also important to ensure that only healthy plants of the desired species are harvested for essential oil production.
● Harvesting method: plants should preferably be picked by hand. Not only is this method more environmentally friendly, it is also less traumatic for the plant and produces higher quality essential oils.
● Origin: as with wine, terroir is important. The place where a plant has grown has a major influence on the nature and content of the aromatic molecules it contains. The composition of the essential oil of fine Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) grown in Provence, for example, will not have the same concentration of linalyl acetate as that of the essential oil of true Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) grown in Bulgaria.
● The vegetative stage: harvesting must take place at the stage of maturity when the plant is richest in aromatic essence. This stage varies from plant to plant. For mint, for example, harvesting must take place before flowering, before the plant develops toxic ketones.
● Picking time: the quality of a plant's essence also varies throughout the day. So, it's important to harvest each plant at its best moment: for roses this will be in the morning after the dew, for thyme it will preferably be in the afternoon.
So, to choose quality essential oils, it's important to select a supplier who knows, masters and even controls the entire production chain, from planting onwards.
This is the case with Landema, which, with its parent company Biolandes, offers essential oils from plants grown on its own farms or those of its small local partners in its online store. You can find out more by reading Why choose Landema.
To obtain quality essential oils, in addition to the care taken with the plants harvested, the distillation of essential oils must be carried out according to the rules of the art, and the final product must be duly controlled.
A quality essential oil must be 100% pure, natural and authentic, and to ensure this, you can pay attention to the following criteria:
● Identification of key information on the label: the name of the botanical species in French and Latin, the part of the plant distilled, the method of cultivation (organic, wild or conventional) must appear on the label.
● Certificates of traceability and controls: access to various documents such as certificates of analysis, organic certifications, technical data sheets... which attest to the quality of the product and manufacturing methods are a guarantee of seriousness.
To find out more about the quality of an essential oil, click here.
When looking for essential oils for their benefits, it's important to invest in quality essential oils. Here are just a few reasons why:
1. Efficacy: when you choose essential oils of the highest quality, you can expect optimum efficacy. This means that the concentration of active aromatic molecules will be the highest, allowing you to fully enjoy the aromatherapy experience.
2. Safety: using low-quality or adulterated essential oils can increase the risk of side effects or allergic reactions. You can find out more by reading our article Adulteration, does it mean anything to you?
3. Durability: investing in good quality essential oils extends the shelf life of your products. You won't have to worry about them losing potency before their expiry date or becoming ineffective. Find all our essential oil storage tips here.
By choosing quality essential oils, you're not only enhancing your autumn experience, you're also putting your well-being and safety first.
Whether you're looking to prevent respiratory infections, improve the quality of your sleep or regain calm and serenity, there's at least one essential oil to meet your needs.
So, are you ready for a serene autumn in the company of the best essential oils? Find them now on Landema's online boutique.
Landema, a French company and subsidiary of the family-owned Biolandes Group, specializes in online sales of essential oils and other plant extracts. It benefits from over 40 years' know-how in the cultivation and processing of high-quality raw materials.
Sources: Manuel de formation en Aromathérapie scientifique by Stéphanie Plamondon and Ma Bible des huiles essentielles by Danièle Festy