But essential oils may not be totally worthless. Based on his own work, Moss said rosemary, sage and peppermint oils might improve memory and cognition to a degree. He also says lavender has been linked with improved sleep. Just don't expect essential oils to be magical elixirs. They're a far cry from being medication, and shouldn't replace standard medical care.

“The effects of essential oils are small. They are not a panacea. They can provide small benefits for individuals and should, in my opinion, be seen as self-care life enhancers rather than treatments as such,” Moss said.

If anything, many essential oils smell nice. So, if spritzing your pillow with lavender oil brings enjoyment and relaxation — even via the placebo effect — is there really anything wrong with that?

Are essential oils safe and effective treatments for certain medical conditions? The jury's still out, but Discover rounded up some of the published work that explores the effects of some popular essential oils in animals and humans. If you’re thinking about trying essential oils, make sure you check with your doctor first.

Origianl post from: https://www.discovermagazine.com/health/what-science-says-about-the-healing-potential-of-essential-oils