An Essential Oils Guide for Wellness

Essential oils are the modern-day magical cure-all for virtually any ailment (non-life threatening) or bodily irritation. From tummy troubles, to hives and headaches, and even scurvy, you can probably find an essential oil that can aid whatever is ailing you. You can also use food-grade essential oils for a boost of flavor in your next recipe, and many oils can treat skin concerns or even be used to clean your home due to their antiseptic properties.

Most essential oils come in very small bottles (usually 5 or 15 ml), but just one bottle can last you up to 10 years depending on your use. Essential oils are highly concentrated, so typically, you only need to use a drop or two of an essential oil to get the job done.

Before you select which brand is right for your needs, you must identify your intended use and application. Do you plan to ingest the oil, apply it topically, or diffuse it aromatically? If you plan to ingest oils, make sure to find a brand that is certified food grade, otherwise, you can make yourself very ill.

Even in the case of topical or aromatic use, it is best to stick with therapeutic-grade oil so you can trust what you are applying on your skin and breathing in.

Also, it is important to keep in mind that with essential oils, you get what you pay for. If one brand of essential oils appears to be far less expensive than another brand, in many instances, it is an inferior product.

Many times one brand may be less expensive than another, but the formula is less effective (and more diluted) and you need to use more and apply it more frequently to obtain the same desired effect. Carefully evaluate ratings and reviews online and identify which brands are the right fit for your intended use.

Once you have identified brands that you might want to consider, there are three necessary oils that you should have in your medicine cabinet at all times, which will get you started on the road to balancing your body and mind.

Lavender
Not only does lavender smell amazing, but in an essential oil form, it can soothe your mind and refresh your spirit. Lavender is the most versatile essential oil, so if you are only going to add one oil to your toolkit, this is it. Lavender essential oils treat headaches (see the holistic headache treatment article here), reduce stress, aid in relaxation, and promote restful sleep.

As a natural antiseptic, you can also use lavender to cleanse cuts, bruises and soothe skin irritations and dry skin. Lavender can minimize the appearance of scars over time, deodorize fabrics and even repel moths and insects (in place of moth balls). You can even make a DIY yoga mat spray with lavender oil, which if applied before your practice, can calm your mind and help you reach higher levels of focus and relaxation.

Lemon
I’m sure you have read and been strongly encouraged to drink lemon water each morning for good health and stomach balance. However, it can be quite expensive and tedious to juice lemons on a daily basis. That is where food-grade lemon essential oils come in. They are an excellent, cost-effective and easy-to-use replacement for lemon juice.

You can use lemon essential oils to add flavor to foods, sanitize and cleanse carpets and hard surfaces, as an odor eliminator, to remove oil and grease from most surfaces, and even improve circulation and reduce the appearance of cellulite!

Peppermint
This essential oil has a strong minty scent and can soothe digestive upset and promote efficiency when added to tea or your beverage of choice. You can apply peppermint essential oils topically to relieve headache pressure or put a drop or two on your tongue, under your nose or on the back of your neck as a non-caffeine pick-me-up.

You can diffuse peppermint oil aromatically to curb your appetite and impulse to snack throughout the day, and it can improve blood circulation and boost your overall mood. It can also be used to cool skin discomfort, such as hives.

The following are a few additional essential oils that you may find helpful in your essential oils arsenal:

Oregano
This versatile essential oil is a strong immune-boosting oil with antioxidant properties to heal everything from a cold to scurvy! The taste and smell is very strong and overpowering (when mixed with water), but it does make a great addition to food and strong-flavored drinks.

Cinnamon
Cinnamon essential oils promote healthy cardiovascular (heart) health and immune function and improve circulation, and it can be applied topically as an antiseptic.

Frankincense
Frankincense essential oils improve your spiritual connection, as this is a smell is associated with churches and anointing oil. You can use the scent to center and focus your mind, overcome stress and alleviate nervous energy.

Tea Tree
You can use tea tree essential oils to improve the functionality and appearance of your skin, and you can even clear up blemishes. With its strong antibacterial properties, tea tree essential oil is an excellent oil choice when mixing your own yoga mat cleanser or surface cleaner.

Eucalyptus
With eucalyptus, you can create your own mouth rinse or on-the-go breath freshener. This oil is also great for clearing up sinuses and easing a sore throat.

There are many more essential oils for you to explore and try for yourself. Just do a quick online search of your ailment or concern paired with the phrase “treat with essential oils,” and you will get a multitude of suggestions and recommendations for your natural and holistic course of action.

Essential oils are not a replacement for medical attention, but they can be quite helpful for minor irritations or issues, without resorting to pain medication or products filled with chemicals. If you choose to open your mind to the world of essential oils, you will only be limited by your imagination and ability to navigate a search engine. ☺

This article and all included information is not intended as medical advice and does not treat or diagnose. Please consult your doctor for any health-related questions or concerns.