What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils, or absolute oils, are the fragrant and incredibly powerful oils extracted from plants, flowers, and herbs. They can be extracted from the leaves, roots, bark, seeds, or flowers through a process called steamed distillations and cold pressing. The oils extracted are many times more potent than the actual whole plant itself and when used in their purest form, should be used under professional direction. Essential oils have been used since ancient times for medicinal purposes and emotional healing. They are still used today for all types of physical and spiritual ailments and can be found in a variety of products. You can find essential oils in soaps, massage oils, diffusers, medicines, incense, foods, fragrance oils, candles, household cleaners, beauty products, and now in Jo-Sha Yoga Mat Cleaning Wipes.

Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils and was in fact voted as the 1999 Herb of the Year by the International Herb Association. Lavender has a clean, calming aroma with multiple benefits. It is anti-bacterial, anti-septic, and naturally cleansing. It relieves allergies, PMS, shock, insomnia, and stress, and promotes feelings of love, peace, and health. One of the most important benefits of lavender is that it is normalizing, or balancing, to the body's energies, helping us get our hyper and stagnant feelings under control. Use Lavender to restore balance and evoke a sense of calm and relaxation.

Peppermint is actually a hybrid of water mint and spearmint. The result is a cooling and healing essence with an invigorating scent. Peppermint is a mental stimulant that awakens the mind and evokes feelings of refreshment and renewed calm. It is also a natural cleanser and has a cooling effect on skin and sore muscles. Peppermint is a great remedy for muscle pain, headaches, cold symptoms, and fatigue. Use Peppermint to invigorate the mind and awaken dull senses for deeper meditation.

Eucalyptus is a strong essential oil and in some forms can be very potent. It evokes a feeling of well-being and good health and can ease a stressed mind and sooth a turbulent stomach. Medicinally, Eucalyptus has been used to relieve asthma, colds, congestion, headaches, and in its strongest form can even kill some influenza viruses. It is an anti-septic, decongestant, purifier, and an anti-viral. Use Eucalyptus to promote mental clarity and to cleanse negative energies caused by physical or emotional distress.

Tangerine has a fresh and surprisingly sweet fragrance, not to be compared with Lemon or Orange. It has its own personality and users are often pleasantly surprised when they experience it for the first time. Tangerine is a natural anti-septic as well as an astringent for oily skin. It aids in digestion, circulation, and is a natural cleanser. Tangerine evokes feelings of joy, generosity, and cheer. Although it is rejuvenating, it is at the same time calming to over-active senses. Use Tangerine to create an uplifting inner atmosphere of joy and to ease burdens on the mind.


Jo-Sha Wipes are natural, cleansing, yoga mat wipes infused with these soothing essential oils. You will appreciate having a clean yoga mat on which to practice while you enjoy the healing benefits of essential aromatherapy oils. Find out more about Jo-Sha yoga mat cleaning wipes.