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The 5 Best Essential Oils for Weight Loss

By U.S. News & World Report

You may have heard about essential oils for relaxation, skin care and pain relief, but did you know that you can use essential oils for weight loss too? No, essential oils aren’t some magical potion that will make you drop 30 pounds in 30 days, but by ingesting, diffusing or applying essential oils topically, you can promote weight loss by giving your body what it needs to burn fat, stay active and reduce cravings.

[See: 10 Unusual Weight-Loss Tips That Actually Work.]

Here are five essential oils that, along with a healthy, nutrient-rich diet and daily physical activity, will give you that extra boost that you need to lose weight fast.

1. Peppermint Oil

Not only does peppermint oil boost energy levels — which allows you to maximize your workouts — but it can also help soothe sore muscles, minimize recovery time and help you get back to working out sooner. Research published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that ingesting peppermint oil with water enhanced exercise performance in male athletes by relaxing the bronchial smooth muscles and increasing the ventilation and brain oxygen concentrations. In other words, the concoction made it easier to power through intense exercise without getting out of breath.

Additionally, peppermint is a natural energizer that reduces fatigue and improves focus, so you can keep your eyes on your weight-loss goal. It also reduces hunger cravings and can help you to feel full faster.

Peppermint oil has a cooling sensation when you use it topically, so just rubbing one to two drops into your temples and behind your neck can give you the energy and pain relief you need. You can also diffuse peppermint oil for a quick energy boost; Add five to 10 drops to bathwater to soothe achy muscles; add one to two drops to a glass of water; or even mix in a couple drops with your toothpaste before brushing.

2. Lemon Oil

Research shows that breathing in the scent of lemon essential oil improves the neurological activity that promotes the breakdown of body fat. Lemon oil actually has both stimulating and calming properties, and it promotes a positive mood, which can be extremely helpful when you are working to reach your weight-loss goals. It also enhances the body’s detoxification capabilities and supports healthy digestion — an all-important factor when you’re trying to lose weight.

[See: 10 Ways to Break a Bad Mood.]

Try adding two to three drops of lemon oil to water, salad dressing or a smoothie, or you can diffuse it at home or at work. If you are feeling groggy during the day, inhale lemon oil directly from the bottle for a quick pick-me-up.

3. Grapefruit

Grapefruit essential oil helps to activate enzymes in the body that work to break down body fat. Grapefruit benefits weight loss because it contains compounds like D-limonene, which helps to support your metabolism and cleanse your lymphatic glands so they can carry nutrients between the tissues and the bloodstream. Studies also show that using grapefruit oil affects autonomic nerves, which regulate important body functions like heart rate and digestion, and reduce appetite and body weight.

To use grapefruit oil for weight loss, add two to three drops to a glass of water, diffuse it in your home or office, or massage two to three drops onto your chest and wrists when a craving strikes.

4. Ginger

One of the most important benefits of ginger essential oil is its ability to support digestion and the absorption of nutrients. By improving the absorption of the vitamins and minerals that you’re consuming, ginger oil is supporting the body’s cellular energy and, in effect, promoting weight loss. A key compound in ginger oil, called gingerol, also effectively reduces inflammation in the body and possesses antioxidant activity. This process naturally reduces pain and swelling, which helps keep you active and burning more calories.

Add one to two drops of ginger essential oil to tea or a green smoothie for the best results. You can also diffuse ginger at home or work, inhale the oil directly from the bottle or apply two to three drops topically to the stomach area after eating.

[See: Green Smoothies 101: Health Benefits and Recipes.]

5. Cinnamon

Cinnamon oil helps to balance blood sugar levels, thereby aiding weight loss and reducing sugar cravings. When your blood sugar levels are unstable, you may find yourself overeating and gaining weight. Plus, when your energy levels are low, it’s difficult to exercise and burn calories. Using cinnamon oil will help reverse these issues that are standing in your way and, as an added bonus, cinnamon oil serves as a cardioprotective agent that reduces the risk of heart disease and inflammation. You can use cinnamon oil internally by adding one to two drops to a smoothie or tea. You can also diffuse cinnamon oil at home or inhale the oil directly from the bottle.

More from U.S. News

The Best Spices for your Health

The 10 Best Diets for Fast Weight Loss

Everything You Need to Know About Peppermint

The 5 Best Essential Oils for Weight Loss originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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