Essential oils have been used for years as an all-natural cure for numerous ailments. Powerful compounds taken from herbs, flowers, bark and other plant parts all offer a plethora of health and wellness benefits with little to no side effects.
Below we have rounded up the 7 aromatherapy oils that everyone should have at home – and what they can do to improve your health!
1. Lavendar
Lavendar is one of the most common essential oils thanks to its sweet, floral aroma. Most often used in baths and on pillows to aid in relaxation, lavender oil is anti-bacterial as well as an antiseptic, making it great for cuts, stings and burns. Unlike other essential oils that require a carrier oil, lavender can be used on its own.
Lavendar can also help to alleviate:
- anxiety
- stress
- panic attacks
- mental fatigue
- headaches
- high blood pressure
Though lavendar has a sweet smell it is a natural repellant for mosquitos. Apply just a few drops to your skin to ward off the pesky bugs and potentially dangerous bites. If biten however, lavendar can be applied topically to help alleviate any skin rashes, bites and even acne.
Before going to sleep at night, sprinkle just a few drops of lavendar onto your pillow to help you fall asleep quicker and get a good night’s sleep.
2. Tea Tree
Tea tree oil is a true healing oil. Often referred to as the “medicine cabinet in a bottle” tea trea oil can help alleviate:
- athlete’s foot
- dermatitis/eczema
- acne
- nail fungus
- warts
- insect bites
- dandruff
Antiseptic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-microbial and anti-parasitic, the benefits of tea trea oil are nearly endless. The oil helps to regenerate skin tissue, which is what makes it so beneficial to skin conditions and infections. Many skin care companies are now introducing entire lines of skin care with tea tree oil as the main ingredient to help combat acne and other skin concerns.
Tea tree oil can even be added to water and used as an all-natural mold, mildew and germ spray!
3. Peppermint
Peppermint essential oil is fantastic for mental awareness and increased energy levels. In fact, a study conducted by the University of Cincinnati found that inhaling peppermint oil improved mental function and alertness by as much as 28 percent.
A soothing smell, peppermint oil is often used to treat headaches and even nausea. To use, simply mix a few drops of peppermint oil with a carrier oil and rub onto temples to relieve a headache or massage onto the stomach to alleviate stomach craps and nausea.
Peppermint tea is also a common drink to combat nausea, however this does not use actual peppermint essential oil but instead uses the leaves of the peppermint plant.
4. Chamomile
Chamomile is a calming herb that has been used since the Roman era. As a tea, chamomile is often used to help relax and aid in alleviating anxiety. While chamomile leaves can be ingested and used as a tea, chamomile essential oil shouldn’t be ingested internally.
Chamomile is an antiseptic. It can also be used for:
- skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, eczema and other irritations
- arthritis pain (reduces inflammation)
- anxiety
- wound healing
- Chamomile can also be diffused to combat insomnia, stress, depression and irritability.
5. Frankincense
With an earthy and spicy smell, frankincense essential oil can provide a wide range of health benefits. Normally mixed with a carrier oil such as jojoba oil, frankincense is most often inhaled or massaged into the skin.
The benefits of frankincense include:
- reducing inflammation
- stress relief
- anxiety relief
- boost immunity
- alleviates headaches
- fights insomnia
An easy way to use frankincense to fight stress or anxiety is to add a few drops of the essential oil to a bath. Inhaling the scent as well as absorbing the oil through the skin will promote relaxation.
6. Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus has a strong and recognizable smell. Especially beneficial during allergy and cold seasons, eucalyptus oil provides benefits that are antiseptic, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory.
Eucalyptus oil can help alleviate:
- congestion and cough
- asthma
- sinus pain
- respiratory infections
- wounds and burns (when applied topically)
Though eucalyptus oil should never be applied alone to the skin, it can be mixed with other oils or lotions and rubbed onto the skin to help with chest congestion, asthma attacks and even fibromyalgia pain if used several times daily. Eucalyptus oil blends well with other oils on this list such as frankincense and lavendar, which increases its benefits and uses.
7. Rosemary
Rosemary oil is yet another essential oil that is great for combating stress and anxiety.
Other uses for rosemary oil include:
- mental clarity and function
- improved focus and concentration
- immune system boost
- cramp and muscle pain relief
- dandruff fighter (when mixed with shampoo)
Though rosemary is most commonly used as a stress reliever, the German version of the FDA approved rosemary essential oil is a treatment for muscle aches and pains as well as for arthritis. Simply massage the oil gently onto the affected areas and allow the anti-inflammatory properties of the oil to reduce pain and inflammation.
Conclusion
While modern medicine has grown leaps and bounds and has done many great things, not every ailment should be or needs to be cured with medicine. Essential oils such as those listed above offer a well-spring of health benefits for the body and they come without any adverse side effects or potential dangers. Of course those with medical ailments should always check with their doctor before trying one of the above oils as a solution over medicine.
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