Although I purchased essential oils from time to time in the past, mostly to add to my diffuser, I only really fell in love with them over the past two years. As an avid believer in natural remedies, and passionate researcher of alternative options for my family’s health needs, I knew I was on to something!
This is what I learned
For those of you who are new to essential oils, I think the best way to go about it is to introduce you to 8 of my favourite and most versatile oils, but not before you read the following!
The wonderful thing about essential oils is that they are nature derived, and as such they cannot be patented. What I learned (sometimes the hard way) is that not all essential oils are created equal. As with any products, some bigger better known companies really focus on sales more than quality and they can have you believe pretty much what they want through their marketing strategies, often prepared by marketers with specialisations in psychology. What can you do ?
Something I will advocate throughout my blogs is RESEARCH and EDUCATION . Do your research and discover for yourself which brands are better for your unique needs. The quality of essential oils should also be backed by certificates of purity and quality.
Look at the price! If it’s inexpensive you’ll probably soon realise it is not a pure oil at all…
I will soon have another post for you with what to look for in a superior quality essential oil.
There are hundreds of essential oils on the market but I believe these 8 will provide your home and family with effective health and beauty solutions. Each oil has its own therapeutic properties, but they can also be combined in order to obtain varied results.
You’ll find some helpful tips at the very end of the article on ways to use theses oils.
Roman Chamomile is certainly one of the safest essential oils you can use. If you’ve ever enjoyed a cup of chamomile tea, you are probably already familiar with its sweet herbaceous scent. Traditionally this herb has been used as a calming and sedative agent, but as an essential oil, its powerful virtues are extensive and powerful.
Roman Chamomile can help relieve the symptoms of an overactive nervous system, and also minimize headaches due to stress. Its anti-inflammatory properties can help ease symptoms of certain skin ailments and insect bites, but its virtues have also been linked to reducing pain due to neuralgia and pms.
Very important to note is that chamomile is a member of the Asteraceae family (also includes ragweed and other allergens), so individuals suffering from asthma may want to use a different EO.
Clove oil has been traditionally used as an antiseptic and anaesthetic agent thanks to its eugenol content, especially as an application to toothaches and dental cavities. As a matter of fact, its virtues in reducing pain and killing certain germs, make it so that it is used today by your dentist as an ingredient in medical antiseptics. That’s the smell that welcomes you when you enter a dentist’s office!
It can also be quite helpful for acne prone skin as it can help reduce and prevent inflamed blemishes on the skin. Its antiviral properties also make it an effective immune booster during flu season, as well as a surface and air sanitizer just by adding a few drops of clove essential oil to a spray bottle with water. It has also been known to kill mold.
HINT: try adding 10 drops of clove oil to 100 ml of water, spray it directly on the mold, wait 10 minutes and then clean it off.
Clary Sage is commonly used to reduce muscles spasms and cramps by helping to control nerve impulses. It is mainly for this reason that it is useful for menstrual cramps and can help mitigate spasmodic coughing and stomach aches.
It is considered to be an emmenagogue and therefore can stimulate blood flow to the pelvic area and uterus, further helping with uncomfortable pains due to menstruation and pms.
Traditionally, it has also been known to help reduce vision impairment due to age, as well as support and eye health in general. Clary Sage essential oil is also considered useful in uplifting your mood and can be helpful during times of particular stress.
Thanks to its antiseptic virtues, the oils can also be applied to small wounds and cuts to prevent infections.
Clary Sage research has proven its many virtues over time. I absolutely love this oil and truly believe it’s a must have for every woman. However, it is not recommenced for pregnant women.
Frankincense is considered to be among the most ancient and precious oils, and when diffused in the air can bring on a calming and grounding effect. It has been known to help reduce stress and anxiety, as well as ease muscle and joint pain. As a matter of fact, boswellia carterii extract is often used in natural supplements for support in joint pain and flexibility.
It has also been traditionally used as an expectorant by eliminating phlegm deposited in the respiratory tract, as well as help relax breathing passages. It has been hailed as diuretic, a tonic, and a digestive aid, as well as an effective astringent in skin care!
What else can be said about this precious oil?
Well, it also seems to be an effective air purifier when diffused!
Try taking a warm bath with this essential oil….it will provide great benefits to both your mind and your body!
This is an oil you cannot do without!
When you think of oregano you probably think of the herby smell of the oregano spice….well the scent of the oregano essential oil is not much different, just more intense.
Traditionally, oregano has proven to be an effective immune booster, as well as an aid for digestive support, and a regulator of glucose levels in the blood.
Thanks to the presence of thymol and carvacrol, oregano also boasts antibacterial and antimicrobial virtues and can be applied to small cuts to prevent the onset of minor infections. When diluted, it is also effective as a mouth wash, and used to gargle with if you have a sore throat.
 Rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins (A, C, E, K), and minerals (calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, niacin,) oregano can also be helpful in supporting heart and bone health, and fight free radicals!
Due to its rosmarinic acid component and immune boosting properties, oregano can act as natural antihistamine. It has also been known to alleviate and even reduce reactions to certain allergies by reducing fluid build-up and swelling during an allergy attack.
I use this oil throughout the winter in a diffuser, and also massage it under my feet when I feel the on-set of a cold. Diluting it and gargling with oregano oil is also very effective in preventing and helping with a sore throat. Its uses are truly infinite!
The scent of peppermint is a familiar one to many. Whether you’ve tasted it in a breath mint or a tea, we all know what a refreshing yet soothing aroma it has.
It’s a wonderful essential oil that has the ability to improve digestion, stomach aches and headaches, as well as alleviate nausea and minor pains.
 Peppermint is also used to stimulate mental alertness and uplift mood. I make sure its scent is in my kids’ rooms when homework time comes around and they really love it!
Thanks to its menthol component it is also often used to help clear the respiratory tract and for the temporary relief of nasal congestion. This is the reason it is used in OTC cough syrups and drops.
Its camphor, menthol, and carvacrol components have also proven to be resistant to certain bacteria (salmonella, E.Coli, certain staph infections), and therefore this EO can be an optimal addition in supporting a healthy immune system.
Try adding a drop of peppermint essential oil to your daily moisturizer or hair conditioner to stimulate blood circulation and improve the look of dull skin and greasy hair.
Behold the Tea Tree Oil!
Tea Tree essential oil is considered to be one of the oils with the most all-encompassing virtues. It is certainly one of the most wide spread in medicine cabinets across millions of homes. Why? Its reputation as a cure all is not exaggerated.
It is renowned for its anti-fungal, antibacterial, anti-microbal and antiviral properties, providing excellent support for the immune system, as well as for minor cuts and wounds. It is for the same reason that the tea tree oil is an effective aid for skin ailments, particularity acne. It also acts as a cicatrisant and can help diminish the appearance of scars.
There is also a reason why Tea Tree oil is used in many shampoos on the market; it has been used to reduce dandruff prone hair, as well as hair loss. Adding a drop to your regular shampoo or conditioner, and massaging thoroughly, can provide increased blood flow to your scalp and strengthen hair follicles.
It can also be used as a natural insecticide, and helps repel fleas and lice!
As a stimulant in aromatherapy, it is a versatile oil and can blend well with many other essential oils. It has shown to be effective in stimulating hormone secretions and blood circulation, but most importantly on the immune system.
Not surprisingly, many essential oil users and aromatherapists hail lavender essential oil as their favourite.
Its wonderful, rich floral scent penetrates deeply and is an effective promoter of calmness and restful sleep. It provides comfort during stressful times and helps improve mood. It is among the most versatile of oils, and among the safest when diluted properly.
Its antibacterial properties make it a must have in everyone’s medicine cabinet, and it provides relief from bug bites and small skin inflammations, including acne. It is also an oil that blends well with other essential oils, particularly clary sage.
Lavender EO is often used during massages by adding it to a carrier oil or high quality unscented massage oil, it has also been known to provide relief to achy joints and muscles.
You can also add a few drops to your laundry detergent, or a spray bottle with water, for fresh smelling laundry and a clean scent for your home!
Now that I’ve given you some background about these 8 exceptional essential oils I’d just like to give you some advice on how they can be used safely in your home.
How can these essential oils be most effective for you?
Essential Oils can be applied topically by diluting with a high quality carrier oil like jojoba oil, a 2% dilution is generally considered safe. A good way of going about this is adding 12 drops of essential oil to 30 ml (1 oz) of carrier oil. Yo can do this in a glass container and then transfer the contents to a smaller roll-on or dispenser with a pipette or dropper. The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy website has some details about dilution methods you may also be interested in.
An excellent way of benefiting from the aromatic virtues is by diffusing the essential oils in the air with an essential oil diffuser. I sometimes inhale the oil directly to obtain a more immediate response.
Essential oils can be used in many ways…
- Be added to a bath
- Used in compresses
- Used as inhalations ( you can purchase inhalers)
- Used in an oil burner
- Used during massages (especially effective under the feet)
- And can be a great addition to any beauty routine!
 Just remember…
If you are used to the strong commercial fragrances found in perfumes, you might initially be a little surprised and maybe disappointed by the purity and intensity of some of these scents. Just keep in mind that they are nature derived, and provided to us by Mother Nature through a genuine unpolluted distillation process. They are not artificial, nor diluted with chemicals!
I realise this is a lot of information, but at the same time, it is nowhere near enough. My love for aromatherapy is giving me a means to help my family, and others naturally. It has become a central part of my lifestyle.
Barbara C.
WARNING: It’s important to note that essential oils can have quite powerful effects and that pregnant women and children, as well as individuals suffering from specific health issues should always consult a health care professional before using essential oils. They should also be kept away from children and used only under the supervision of an adult. If you experience any adverse reactions on your skin, rinse the affected area with water and continue by applying a carrier oil to further dilute the EO’s effects. This article is for information purposes only. Please consult your doctor to see which Essential Oils are right for you.
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