Understand the therapeutic benefits of essential oils and how to use them at the comfort of your home.
I have never been a huge fan of conventional medicine. I try to stay away from medications as much as I can and place a stronger focus on remedies of alternative medicine. In the past years, I have fallen in love with essential oils for their amazing healing properties.
Essential oils are made by extracting the natural oils from various parts of plants. Typically, steam distillation is used to produce the oils. Steam will run through the plant breaking down the cells that carry the oil. The oil and steam are then carried to a cooling chamber where they are condensed and separated.
Now let's take a look at the top five essential oils I always have on hand at home:
1. Lavender. Lavender oil has this fresh floral scent with a dash of sweetness and herby aroma. On top of its amazing scent, it is also the most versatile essential oils. Therapeutically, lavender oil has a calming effect which does wonders for those suffering from anxiety. Medicinally, it can be used as an antiseptic and pain reliever to soothe minor burns.
Properties: Calming, Balancing
Emotional or Mental: Calm, Composure, Use for emotional overload, Tension & Panic
Physical: Headaches, Insomnia, Acne, Bruises, Burns, Asthma, Flu, Colic
How to Use: Diffuse, Bath, Massage, Topical
2. Peppermint. Peppermint oil has a very stimulating yet soothing aroma. This stuff is amazing. Not only it is effective in arousing your mental sharpness but it can be used to relieve congestion, headaches, digestive problems and nausea.
Properties: Fresh, Stimulating, Regulating
Emotional or Mental: Clear thinking, Concentration, Use for mental fatigue
Physical: Indigestion, Sinus, Congestion, Headaches, Gall bladder, Nausea How to Use: Diffuse, Topical
Cautions: Could be sensitizing
3. Eucalyptus. This oil has a very fresh and clean aroma that is sure to open your airways up. I love to drop a little of this in my diffuser and it’s a great natural way to clear my nasal passages up.
Properties: Refreshing, Stimulating
Emotional or Mental: Dispels melancholy, Promotes optimism
Physical: Asthma, Bronchitis, Coughs
How to Use: Diffuse, Massage
Cautions: Do not use with infants
4. Lemon. With its uplifting and fresh scent, lemon oil can help get rid of bad vibes and increase concentration and mental awareness. Feeling less inspired to get your flow on? Diffuse few drops in your bath and be ready to feel renewed.
Properties: Refreshing, Purifying
Emotional or Mental: Trust, Clarity, Concentration, Use for confusion, Indecision or Fatigue Physical: Antiseptic, Blood, Purifier, Rheumatism, Gout, Liver, Cleanser
How to Use: Diffuse, Bath, Massage
Caution: Photo-sensitizing, do not use on skin and exposure to sun
5. Tea Tree. A widely popular form of alternative medicine, tea tree oil is awesome! Not only is tea tree oil’s astringent properties great for alleviating oily secretions of the skin – think oily face & scalp issues – but its terpinen content soothes minor wounds without irritation. I love to add a few drops to my shampoo; it leaves my scalp squeaky clean.
Properties: Antibiotic, Calming
Emotional or Mental: Strength, Morale, Use for tension or Stress Physical: Acne, Athlete's foot, Chicken pox, Fungus, Burns
How to Use: Diffuse, Topical
Caution: Could be sensitizing
Do make sure all essential oils that you purchase or use are 100% pure. As essential oils are very potent, you should always dilute them before applying them directly on your skin (except lavender). You can dilute essential oils with carrier oils or water depending on what you are going to use the essential oil for. If you have any health concern, please consult your physician first before trying out any essential oil as part of your home remedy.
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Nora is the contributor of this article and she is continuing her passion in advocating and educating the benefits of using plant-based remedies and handmade soaps by joining Sugar & Spice as an Instructor.