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Top 5 Essential Oils You Shouldn’t Be Without

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The use of essential oils is as old as time. But their benefits are becoming more appreciated with each passing day. They have been employed in aromatherapy, perfume and cosmetic industries. They can be used topically, via inhalation, massage, room diffusion and also in soothing baths. They are extracted via expression techniques, steam distillation and solvent extraction from natural sources.

Three years ago I came to appreciate fully the advantages of essential oils as they have made me a healthier person both inside and out. Because essential oils have been so beneficial for me, I wanted to some of my favorites. Here are my top five essential oils that I cannot be caught dead without.

Chamomile oil

Chamomile oil has a very soothing fruity flavor that is good for both the mind and the body. It has a wide range of properties including the following: antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antibiotic, antidepressant, carminative, aphrodisiac, hepatic, sedative, analgesic, digestive, etc.

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After a hard day at the gym, I use chamomile essential oil to massage my body to ease muscle pain. I also incorporate a few drops into my body cream to treat sunburn and rashes. It can also be used in this way to treat diaper rash.

Topically it is also used to treat dermatitis, boils, eczema and dry skin. In diffused form, it helps to relief depression, anxiety, stress and insomnia.

Lemon Oil

My jar of lemon oil never runs dry because it is very important to my beauty and skin therapy. It’s refreshing and pleasant smell is also a plus. Lemon essential oil has anti-allergy properties; therefore, I use it to treat skin problems like redness or swelling. I also used it for its astringent, detoxifying and sedative properties by adding a bit of it to my cup of tea or warm water in the morning or at bedtime.

Frankincense Oil

Remember the story of three Wise men at the manger who bore gifts for the promised child some two thousand years ago? Well, besides gold and myrrh they also bore frankincense. It is a highly valued and sought after essential oil. Besides its use in perfumery because of its rich smell, it is also had healing properties. It is used to treat head aches, nasal congestion and body pain.

What more? It is also a mosquito repellent!

Rosemary Oil

Rosemary oil has a strong and rich aroma which not only has importance in housecleaning but also helps in improving the mood greatly. It has also been said to have effect in treating mood swings and poor memory.

I have also incorporated rosemary oil in my hair therapy. It has improved my hair texture and length significantly.I also used rosemary oil to rinse my mouth every morning by adding it to a glass of warm water. It helps in preventing bad breath, plaque and cavities.

Rosemary oil also had the following properties: analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, etc.

 

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Oregano Oil

Oregano oil is carminative, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, anti-oxidant antifungal, anti-septic, diaphoretic, etc. thus it can be used to treat athlete’s foot, warts, Candida, sinus congestion, arthritis pain and so on.

I have also used it as insect and bug repellent. It is also used to make the house smell great. Furthermore, it has also used as spices in cooking.

 

These are just 5 of the essential oils I love and use regularly but in reality, there are just too many too list because the benefits are so natural and amazing. I hope these simple insights give you a little bit to get started on your essential oil journey at least.

 

As always, please leave a comment if you’ve tried any of these or other essential oils and let me know your thoughts!

 

Join us in the Essential Oils for Wellness Revolutionaries Facebook group for more information and support!

 

 

 

Disclaimer: I am not a Dr. and do not diagnose, treat, nor prescribe so before you start any essential oil program please consult your physician and ensure it is okay for you personally. People with sensitive skin may have allergic reactions and pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using lavender oil altogether. Certain types and brands are safe internally and some are not. Over ingestion or ingesting the wrong oil could cause health complications. Please be familiar with your lavender oil and other essential oils!

* I love sharing my experiences and hearing others experiences with essential oils because it is an effective way of learning to utilize these wonderful gifts of nature. Knowledge is power and with this knowledge, we can take control of our personal wellness. However, I am required by law in the USA to state, “These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products and techniques mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.”

image of orange essential oil

Cleaning With Essential Oils

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Everyone needs to clean their house or office at some point in time, but if you are like many people, you probably do not like the smell of the toxic chemicals. Maybe you’ve tried to clean with a mixture of water and vinegar in the past and that smell didn’t thrill you either. The one thing that you’ve been missing out on for all of these years is essential oils. Essential oils make cleaning products smell much better and certain essential oils have a component that actually cleans really well.

 

Certain essential oils, like tea tree oil, have an antimicrobial property, so they help disinfect the house while you are cleaning.
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There are many different essential oils that can be used for cleaning and there are numerous recipes available on the internet for people to try. Many of the essential oils can be mixed together to create unique scents, but it important to remember that the essential oils are concentrated and you should use the least amount of drops as possible. Even though the essential oils are a natural product they can still be harmful to your skin if too much is used at once.

Lemon and orange are two of the most popular essential oils that are used in cleaning products.

Lemon essential oil can deodorize the air, so it is perfect to place in the refrigerator, a closet or the bottom of a garbage can. It is also wonderful as a floor cleaner and all you need to do is mix together a gallon of hot water, 1 cup of vinegar and 5-7 drops of lemon essential oil. The lemon essential oil can also be used as a wood or leather polish.  Mix 10 drops of the oil with a half cup of olive oil and your wood and leather will shine beautifully.

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Orange essential oils work great on grease and when you combine them with castile soap and water, you can clean your stove and counters quickly. The orange essential oil can also be mixed with the lemon oil when you make a floor cleaner, so you don’t have to worry about having to scrub the spills that have hardened. Using the orange essential oil in an air freshener is a good way to keep the house smelling fresh and invigorating all day long.

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Lavender is a more calming scent, so for those people who cannot handle the citrus scents, this would be perfect. Hand washing dishes can be therapeutic, so making your own lavender dish soap would be a good way to help you relax even more while doing this chore. You can also make an easy lavender linen spray by adding 2 cups of distilled water, 2 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol or vodka and 15-20 drops of lavender essential oil in a spray bottle. Spray it on your pillow in the morning, so you can enjoy the scent as soon as you lay down in the evening.

 

Thyme, pine, cinnamon, peppermint, eucalyptus, rosemary, grapefruit and tea tree essential oils are also used in many cleaning product recipes. Many of these oils fight germs, help clean and certain ones are already found in many of the commercial cleaning products. The best thing about using them in your own products is that you will not have to worry about the harmful and toxic chemicals.

 

It is really simple to start using essential oils in your cleaning products. Once you get started, I can guarantee that you will not want to use anything else! Your house will smell much better and you will most likely notice that you don’t mind cleaning as much as you did before.

What are some of your favorite essential oils to clean with? Tell me in the comments below!

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Lavender Oil Awesomeness

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Lavender (lavandula angustifolia) is well known for its relaxing effects on the body.

It's been known to eliminate nervous tension, enhances your mood and more.
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In fact, the Latin name of lavender is Lavare, which means “to wash”, because it has a clean aroma. Lavender oil is often used in aromatherapy oils, infusions, gels, soaps and lotions and there are many benefits of using the oil, which will be detailed below.

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 Uses

  • Sleep: Lavender oil has often been recommended for occasional sleeplessness because it promotes restful sleep. I use a spray oil and lightly spray my pillow cases and night for the soothing feeling it brings me to help me doze off. I also spray it around my dogs crates to relax them as well, especially because one of them tends to get anxious in her crate and has a difficult time relaxing.
  • Calming: The calming scent of lavender makes it an excellent tonic for mild mood issues and calming nerves. It can be helpful in treating headaches, emotional stress, nervous irritability and help0s promote emotional well-being. Rub a few drops of lavender oil in your cupped hands and inhale the scent deeply to calm the mind. Also try rubbing it on your feet, wrists, temples (anywhere!) for a calming effect. Do you get stressed in crowded areas like planes? It’s great to use in situations like this to create your own personal oasis!
  • Bug repellent: Apply some lavender oil on exposed skin when outside to aid in prevention of bites from mosquitos, moths, midges, etc. The smell of the oil is very potent for these types of bugs. If you do happen to get bitten, lavender essential oil has qualities that could reduce irritation, itching and pain associated with bug bites.
  • Minor cuts and burns: 2-3 drops of lavender oil on a minor burn will help decrease pain.
  • General pain relief: Let’s face it … We all have our aches and pains that we could use some natural relief for. Lavender oil is a known remedy for pains caused by tense, sore muscles, sprains and minor injuries, backaches, muscle aches, etc.   I’ve had massage therapists who add lavender oil to their lotion and it works wonders for calming, relaxing and overall everyday pain and tension relief. I can definitely tell a difference when they use it versus when they don’t!
  • Dry, chapped lips and skin: Try rubbing lavender oil on dry, chapped skin and lips (also works on sunburned lips!). Aaaah, relief!
  • Hair care and dandruff: Rub a few drops of lavender oil into your scalp if you have issues with dry scalp because it has proven beneficial to help eliminate it. A study from Scotland reported that over 40% of patients suffering from alopecia showed an increase in hair growth when they regularly rubbed lavender oil into their scalp. In fact, because it has been proven to help with hair loss in general, it is often recommended as a preventative for male pattern baldness.
  • Skin care: Because lavender oil aids a healthy immune system it can be used to treat conditions such as acne, wrinkles, cold sores, scar tissue and other conditions. I have not tried this, but a friend told me she mixed several drops of lavender oil with coconut oil and used it on her itchy, dry skin and it helped relieve her condition.
  • Motion sickness: Place a drop of lavender oil behind the ears, around the navel or on the tongue to help calm the mind during motion sickness.
  • Encourages proper nasal function: Inhaling lavender oil has been proven to relieve hay fever and is widely used for other overall immunity support. It can be added to vaporizers and used as a vapor or rubbed on the skin of the neck, chest and back. It has a stimulation effect that is great for nasal function.
  • General household: Add a few drops of oil to a cotton ball and stash it in your linen closet. Not only will it smell fresh, it will repel moths and insects. A few drops in your water fountain will scent the air and kill bacteria. Deodorize your laundry by placing a few drops on a wet cloth and toss it into your dryer or add a few drops to the water in your iron to freshen your clothes.
  • Flavor enhancer: There are some essential oils that may be ingested, but PLEASE beware and do your research before ingesting it! Not all essential oils are therapeutic grade and are edible! If you have lavender oil that may be ingested, you may add a few drops to your recipes, flavor your favorite beverages like lemonade and teas, add it to your raw chocolate or even salad dressings.

Get your very own lavender oil awesomeness here or email me at Julie@TheWellnessPerspective.com for more essential oil awesomeness!

Lavender oil can be purchased on its own or it comes in the Everyday Oils kit.

(Hint: Always purchase a distributor/wholesale kit versus customer option. Don’t pay retail when you can buy what you want, when you want. No obligation to buy or sell, ever! Simply save $$$.)

Young Living Lavender Oil

What other uses have you found lavender oil useful for? Don’t be shy – share in the comments!

*NOTE: Not all lavender oil is the same! Please be aware that when you buy lavender oil at spas, health food stores and even online, most are not therapeutic grade! Young Living lavender oil is. Does your lavender oil bottle say NOT for internal use??? If so, throw it away! It is not pure lavender oil. Pure lavender oil is edible!!

Disclaimer: I am not a Dr. and do not diagnose, treat, nor prescribe so before you start any essential oil program please consult your physician and ensure it is okay for you personally. People with sensitive skin may have allergic reactions and pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using lavender oil altogether. Certain types and brands are safe internally and some are not. Over ingestion or ingesting the wrong oil could cause health complications. Please be familiar with your lavender oil and other essential oils!

* I love sharing my experiences and hearing others experiences with essential oils because it is an effective way of learning to utilize these wonderful gifts of nature. Knowledge is power and with this knowledge, we can take control of our personal wellness. However, I am required by law in the USA to state, “These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products and techniques mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.”