Used for thousands of years in various cultures for medicinal and health purposes because of their antidepressant, stimulating, detoxifying, antibacterial, antiviral and calming properties, they are recently gaining popularity as a natural, safe and cost-effective therapy for a number of health concerns. They require a large quantity of plant material and need to be diluted before use because they are concentrated. Essential oils can be used in different ways, including aromatherapy (smell is the fastest way to reach your brain.), skin massage (dilute first), adding them to bathwater, using them in a compress or burning them in a diffuser. The science, psychoneuroimmunology, shows that when you experience something pleasurable like a soothing massage or the scent of a fragrant flower, your mood lifts and your well-being is positively affected. This can happen with just a single drop. Buy USDA certified organic oils only and beware of claims of “professional grade” or “therapeutic grade” as there is no official grading system for essential oils.
Typically created through the process of distillation — which separates the oil and water-based compounds of a plant by steaming — they are highly concentrated oils that have a strong aroma. In fact, sometimes they are called volatile aromatic oils because of their high concentration of the aromatic compounds. (1) They also are simply called aromatherapy oils. By concentrating the oils of these plants, you are literally separating the most powerful healing compounds of a plant into a single oil.
Of all your five senses, your sense of smell is the fastest way to reach your brain. With a direct path, the nerve fibers of your olfactory system – or your body’s system for smelling – run straight to the limbic area of your brain. It’s here in your limbic system where you find direct links to your memories and stored learned responses, emotions, and feelings. However, your olfactory system involves more than just your brain…
Certain essential oils, such as peppermint, can be absorbed through your nasal cavity and through your bronchial tract and lungs. These “fast track” delivery systems help explain how your body – and your brain – can respond so quickly to a calming or invigorating essential oil scent!
“Can Inhaling Essential Oils Harm My Pets?”
Contrary to common belief, newer research suggests that high-quality, pure essential oils may actually support the emotional and physical well-being of pets, including cats, when inhaled.
A word of caution… Not all essential oils are created equal. Avoid inexpensive essential oils of unknown quality or content. Many inexpensive oils can contain synthetic fragrance oils or perfumes that may be unhealthy for your pet to inhale. To know which oils are suitable for your pets, it’s recommended to consult a veterinarian with essential oil experience. Essential oils should always be diluted, blended, and used with the supervision of a veterinarian or aromatherapist. Rosemary should not be used around pets with epilepsy and Tea Tree should not be used with cats.
Burning essential oils over a candle or light bulb is the traditional way to disperse the scent of essential oils into the air, however we now know that exposing an essential oil to heat can damage some of its fragile, beneficial properties. With the new generation of diffusers such as the ultrasonic or waterless diffuser, your essential oil is dispersed into the air without heating the delicate compound. With an ultrasonic or “cool mist” diffuser, you simply add your desired number of drops of one or more essential oils to a small reservoir of cold water. Within seconds, you have a cool, scented mist. However, check your options before buying a cool mist diffuser… Some models have lights that can’t be turned off at night, a real disadvantage.
Another option is the waterless or dry aroma diffuser. This type doesn’t require water to disperse the essential oil – rather the diffuser attaches directly to the bottle of essential oil. Much like the ultrasonic diffuser, it disperses fine droplets of the essential oils into your air. Both the ultrasonic and dry aroma diffusers provide continuous distribution of the essential oil in a way that is easy for your body to absorb, so you experience its ultimate benefits. You can also enjoy the unique scent of each essential oil.
No matter which way you choose to enjoy your essential oils, there’s something important you need to know about them…
It’s Not Hocus-Pocus… There’s Real Science Behind Aromatherapy
Notice how your mood shifts when you smell a fragrant flower? While aromatherapy isn’t new, the science surrounding it called psychoneuroimmunology is. Simply, it’s the study of how your experiences – both good and bad – affect your inner self and your immune health. Here’s what scientists have discovered: When you experience something pleasurable like a soothing massage or the scent of a fragrant flower, your mood lifts and your well-being is positively affected. You can try it for yourself… Watch how your mood – and even your energy – shifts when you cut into a juicy orange or sniff a sprig of mint from your garden.
The most exciting thing scientific researchers have gleaned from this, in my opinion, is how we can use aromatherapy in our daily routines to enhance our vitality and well-being, and even our outlook on life.
And now I’m going to show you exactly how to do it…
Aromatherapy allows you to tap into certain specific compounds extracted from the leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, bark, and roots of plants. These wonderful aromatic compounds are called essential oils. When carefully produced, high-quality essential oils are pure and very concentrated. A single drop can lift your spirits and improve your mood!
There are multiple ways you can experience the potential of these exceptional compounds. Many people like to massage essential oils mixed with a “carrier” oil directly onto their skin. Others like to add them to their bath water, shampoo, or lotion. Still, others can be used internally, if you’re using a high-quality organic, food-grade oil like many of our Organic Essential Oils are. But there’s even more…
Benefits of Essential Oils
1. Balance Hormones
There are essential oils for hormones that may help to balance your estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, thyroid and testosterone levels.
Some oils, such as clary sage, geranium and thyme, help to balance out estrogen and progesterone levels in your body, which can improve conditions like infertility and PCOS, as well as PMS and menopause symptoms. A 2017 published in Neuro Endocrinology Letters indicates that geranium and rose have the ability to influence the salivary concentration of estrogen in women. This may be helpful for women who are experiencing menopausal symptoms that are caused by declining levels of estrogen secretion. (2)
Certain oils are also able to lower cortisol levels, which can help to improve your mood and reduce symptoms of depression, and increase testosterone levels, which can improve a man’s libido. (3)
2. Boost Immunity & Fight Infections
Many essential oils have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-fungal properties that help to boost your immune system and fight infections. The chemical substances found in the oils, such as terpenes, esters, phenolics, ethers and ketones, have the potential to fight foreign pathogens that can threaten your health. Some of the best essential oils for your immunity include oregano, myrrh, ginger, lemon, eucalyptus, frankincense, peppermint (or Mentha piperita) and cinnamon.
Studies have shown that essential oils effectively destroy several fungal, viral and bacterial pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Helicobacter pylori and Candida albicans infections. Because antibiotic resistance is becoming such a major threat in modern health care, using these oils as a form of independent or combination therapy can help to fight bacterial infections in a safer and more natural way. (4, 5)
Oregano oil, for instance, has powerful immune-boosting properties and has displayed both antiviral and antibacterial properties in lab research. Oregano oil contains carvacrol and thymol, two compounds that have antimicrobial effects and can inhibit the synthesis and growth of several types of bacteria. (6)
Frankincense oil’s immune-enhancing abilities may include helping to destroy dangerous bacteria, viruses and even cancers. For example, a lab study found that frankincense oil shows strong immunostimulant activity. (7a, 7b)
Frankincense also demonstrates anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects when tested in lab studies and on animals — specifically, helping to fight the cells of specific types of cancer. (7c) A 2012 study showed that a chemical compound found in frankincense called AKBA may kill cancer cells that have become resistant to chemotherapy. (7d)
3. Support Digestion
Another researched essential oils benefit is their role in aiding and improving digestion. Some oils help to relieve upset stomach, indigestion, diarrhea, stomach spasms and even conditions of the gastrointestinal system, such as IBS. Oils can also aid your digestion by helping to stimulate digestive enzymes that make it easier to break down and absorb the nutrients, fats and protein that you need.
Ginger essential oil, for example, is known to promote your digestive health by easing indigestion, constipation and ulcers. A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found that ginger oil stimulated gastric emptying in people with indigestion. Ginger oil is also used to relieve gas, reduce nausea and ease abdominal pain. (7)
Another useful essential oil for digestion is peppermint. Research shows that peppermint oil works to provide rapid relief of IBS symptoms. In a 4-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 72 patients with IBS received either peppermint oil or placebo. The peppermint group experienced a 40 percent reduction in total IBS symptoms after 4 weeks, which was superior to the 24 percent decrease of symptoms reported by the patients in the placebo group. After just 24 hours of using peppermint oil, the treatment group experienced a decrease in symptoms of 19.6 percent. (8)
Some other essential oils that may be helpful for digestion include fennel, lemongrass, marjoram, black pepper and juniper berry.
4. Boost Energy Levels
Did you know that essential oils can help to boost your energy levels and even improve your athletic performance? Some oils have stimulating effects and can actually increase oxygen to your brain, which will leave you feeling refreshed, focused and energized.
A study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that peppermint oil increased brain oxygen concentration, improved exercise performance and reduced exhaustion in healthy male athletes who consumed peppermint oil with water for 10 days. (9)
Some other great essential oils for energy include grapefruit, lemon, lemongrass, eucalyptus and rosemary.
5. Improve Brain Function
With neuroprotective effects and cognitive performance boosting abilities, essential oil benefits have helped many people who are suffering from neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia. In a scientific review published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, researchers found that because essential oils possess powerful antioxidants that work to inhibit free radical scavenging, they help to naturally improve brain function and reduce inflammation.
Essential oils have also shown to improve learning, memory and ability to focus. Both stimulating and sedative oils can be useful, as oils like peppermint can improve sustained attention over a longer period of time, while oils like lavender can be useful for people going through tough exercises or situations. Furthermore, they can be useful in relieving agitation in individuals with dementia. This is due to their calming and sedative effects. (10)
6. Reduce Emotional Stress & Anxiety
Perhaps one of the most well-known essential oils benefits is their ability to reduce stress and anxiety. Some have sedative properties and induce a calm, peaceful, uplifting and relaxed feeling. The best essential oils for anxiety and stress include lavender, Roman chamomile, bergamot, ylang ylang, orange, rose, frankincense and vetiver.
A 2016 randomized controlled clinical trial found that inhaling rose water for four weeks significantly decreased the state and traits of anxiety in patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment. (11)
A pilot study published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice found that the use of aromatherapy as a complementary therapy helped to reduce anxiety and depression scales in postpartum women. Women between zero and 18 months postpartum were divided into either a treatment group that inhaled a blend of rose and lavender oils or a control group that didn’t receive any type of aromatherapy. After four weeks, the women using aromatherapy had significant improvements in anxiety and depression symptoms compared to those in the control group. (12)
And a 2014 study involving 82 participants evaluated the effectiveness of aromatherapy for elderly people with chronic pain and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Researchers found that after four weeks of treatment with essential oils, there was a significant reduction in negative emotions, including feelings of anxiety, stress and depression, among the intervention group. (13)
These are just some of the studies that have displayed the anti-anxiety and stress-relieving capabilities.
7. Alleviate Aches and Pains
According to a systemic review and meta-analysis published in Pain Research and Treatment, there is a significant positive effect of aromatherapy, compared to placebos or control treatments, in reducing pain. Researchers evaluated 12 studies on this topic and found that essential oils were especially helpful in treating postoperative pain, obstetrical pain and gynecological pain. (14)
There are many oils that may be applied topically or used aromatically to reduce body aches and pains. One study that displays this essential oil benefit evaluated the efficacy of these oils on neck pain. For the study, the experimental group received a cream that was composed of marjoram, black pepper, lavender and peppermint oils, and the control group used an unscented cream. The creams were applied for 4 weeks, directly to the painful area after bathing. Researchers found that the experimental group had improved pain tolerance in the neck and showed significant improvement in the 10 motion areas that were measured. (15)
The best essential oils for alleviating aches and pains include lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, chamomile, rosemary, majoram, thyme, frankincense, turmeric, ginger and myrrh.
8. Boost Skin and Hair Health
Using essential oils on your skin and in hair and beauty products is a natural and effective way to keep up your personal care regimes without having to use products that are made with chemicals and hydrogenated oils. Essential oils may calm irritated skin, reduce signs of aging, like age spots, improve acne, protect your skin from sun damage and thicken your hair.
According to a review published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, “at least 90 essential oils can be identified as being recommended for dermatological use, with at least 1,500 combinations.” What gives these oils their skin benefits is their ability to fight against pathogens that are responsible for dermatological infections. Oils can also help to improve inflammatory skin conditions, like dermatitis, eczema and lupus, improve the general appearance of your skin and even aid wound healing. (16)
There are also quite a few studies that have found essential oils to be helpful for hair growth. One such study, conducted in 2015, evaluated the efficacy of rosemary oil on patients with androgenetic alopecia, or male or female pattern baldness. Patients were randomly assigned to rosemary oil or minoxidil (a medication commonly used for hair loss) for a six-month treatment period. Researchers found that both groups experienced a significant increase in hair count at the six-month endpoint. They also indicated that scalp itching was more frequent in the minoxidil group. (17)
The best essential oils for skin and hair include lavender, Roman chamomile, frankincense, tea tree, geranium, myrrh, helichrysum, rosemary and clary sage.
9. Reduce Toxicity
Essential oils may help to reduce toxicity by promoting the detoxification of your home and body. These days, we are all inhaling and ingesting a number of chemicals and environmental toxins that can be dangerous for our health. Some work as mild diuretics, thereby increasing urine production and improving detoxification. And some oils aid digestion and promote the detoxification of toxins that buildup in the body. (18)
Oils that help to promote internal detoxification include lemon, grapefruit, parsley, funnel, lemongrass, peppermint and ginger.
Using detoxifying oils can help your body to flush out these toxins and it can clean the air of your home, too. In fact, unlike most home cleaning products that are loaded with chemicals, essential oils can naturally clean your home by destroying harmful pathogens and pollutants.
The best oils for reducing toxicity in your home or place of work include grapefruit, orange, lemon, lemongrass, eucalyptus, cinnamon, peppermint and tea tree.
10. Relieve Headaches and Migraines
Essential oils may work as natural headache and migraine relievers because they effectively treat the trigger, addressing the root of the problem instead of masking it, like painkillers do. Essential oils for headaches provide pain relief, improve circulation and reduce stress, which can be a major cause of both headaches and migraines.
A placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted in 2012 evaluated the efficacy of inhaling lavender oil for the treatment of migraine headaches. Forty-seven patients with migraines were divided into two groups — one that inhaled lavender oil for 15 minutes and one that used a color and odorless liquid.
After asking the patients to record their headache severity and associated symptoms every 30 minutes for a total of 2 hours, researchers found that the difference between the controls and treated patients was statistically significant. From 129 headache attacks in the treatment group, 92 responded entirely or partially to lavender. In the control group, 32 out of 68 headache attacks responded to the placebo. (19)
Aside from lavender, some other oils that can help to relieve headache pain include peppermint, which has a cooling effect and stimulates blood flow, eucalyptus, which relieves sinus pressure by opening the nasal airways, and rosemary, which reduces inflammation, promotes circulation and has a calming effect.
11. Promote Restful Sleep
Some essential oils have sedative properties, which can be helpful for people who are having trouble falling asleep or sleeping through the night. Lavender oil, in particular, is known to be an effective sleep aid because of its ability to leave you feeling relaxed and calm. Some other oils that can be used to promote restful sleep include Roman chamomile, ylang ylang, bergamot and vetiver.
A 2014 systematic review conducted at the University of Minnesota evaluated 15 quantitative studies, including 11 randomized controlled trials that examined the effects of essential oils on sleep. Researchers found that a majority of the study findings suggest a positive effect of oils on sleep deprivation and disturbances. Lavender oil was the most frequently studied oil and of all evaluated studies, no adverse events were reported. (20)
Another recent study, this one published in Nursing in Critical Care, investigated the effects of lavender oil on sleep quality among patients in the coronary intensive care unit (ICU). Sixty patients participated in the study and they were divided into the intervention group or the control group.
The intervention group inhaled lavender oil for 15 days and researchers found that they showed significantly significant differences in their sleep quality compared to the control group that received no form of therapy. Researchers pointed out that lavender oil is a non-invasive, inexpensive and easily applicable intervention for hospital patients who are having trouble sleeping and experiencing anxiety. (21)
Essential Oils for Body, Oral, Hair and Skin Care
- Acne face wash: To get rid of acne, make a homemade face wash by mixing tea tree oil (melaleuca) with raw honey and rub on your face. Then rinse off with water.
- Age spot reducer: Put on frankincense essential oil three times daily directly on skin to improve sun spots and age spots.
- Blistered skin healer: Mixing two drops of tea tree oil with two drops of unscented oil makes for a skin healing ointment. Apply to the blistered area up to five times per day.
- Body butter: Mix coconut oil, shea butter, magnesium oil and essential oils for moisturizing body lotion.
- Body spray: Add 5–10 drops to four ounces of water for a fragrant body spray.
- Breath freshener: Use a drop of peppermint essential oil (or Mentha piperita) for a natural way to freshen breath.
- Bruise healer: Using essential oils makes for a hot compress to treat bruises or other wounds. Add five drops of lavender oil and five drops of frankincense oil to four ounces of hot water and soak. Apply to affected area.
- Bug bite soother: Use lavender oil for bug bites and stings.
- Burn healer: Mix lavender essential oil with aloe vera to treat burns.
- Cellulite reducer: Mix five drops of grapefruit seed essential oil with 2 teaspoons of coconut oil and massage into dimpled areas.
- Dandruff remover: Mix five drops of rosemary and lavender oils with three tablespoons of an unscented carrier oil such as jojoba oil. Massage into your scalp and leave on for 10 minutes. Shampoo mixture out.
- Deodorant for women: Combining coconut oil, beeswax and your favorite oils such as lavender and tea tree oil makes for a perfect female deodorant.
- Deodorant for men: Combine coconut oil, beeswax and your favorite oils like cedarwood and clove oil for men.
- Detox bath: Mix lavender oil, Epsom salts and sea salt to a warm bath to cleanse and rejuvenate the body.
- Dry, cracked feet soother: Add three drops of lavender oil to two tablespoons of coconut oil. Apply to the feet at night and put on some socks.
- Eczema/psoriasis cream: To treat eczema, psoriasis or red dry skin, apply a mixture of lavender essential oil with shea butter.
- Facial scrub: Mix one-fourth cup yogurt, one-fourth cup cornmeal, and five drops of lavender, grapefruit and patchouli oils. Apply to face and wash off.
- Facial sugar scrub: Mix a few drops of an essential oil with almond oil and rock salt or sugar to make your own salt or sugar scrub.
- Foot bath: Add a few drops of lemon or eucalyptus oils to a large bowl of warm water to help soothe the feet.
- Hair conditioner: Mix 15 drops of rosewood oil with five drops of sandalwood and lavender oils into carrier oil. Place mixture in a small plastic bag and dunk into warm water to heat up. Apply to hair and wrap for 20 minutes. Shampoo as usual.
- Hair thickener: Add rosemary oil to shampoo to naturally thicken hair and increase volume.
- Itchy scalp helper: Adding lavender, cedarwood or basil essential oil makes for a shampoo that reduces itching.
- Lip balm: Combine coconut oil, beeswax and lavender oil for an amazing healing balm for chapped lips.
- Nail strengthener: Mix 10 drops of frankincense, myrrh and lemon oils into two tablespoons of vitamin E oil, then rub on cuticles.
- Oily hair reducer: Mix 10 drops each of ylang ylang, lime and rosemary oils with two ounces of a carrier oil. Massage it scalp 2–3 times per week. Wash out as usual.
- Perfume: Use 1–2 drops of jasmine essential oil on your wrist as a fresh natural fragrance. Lavender and vanilla oils also agree with most women, while cypress and clove oils work well for men’s cologne.
- Sauna therapy: Add two drops of your favorite essential oil into two cups of water in a sauna.
- Shampoo: To make homemade shampoo, mix lavender oil, rosemary oil, aloe vera gel and coconut milk. It lasts 2–4 weeks.
- Skin toner: Mix eight ounces of water with two drops of lavender, geranium and frankincense oils.
- Sore feet reliever: Adding 10 drops of peppermint oil with a tablespoon of Epsom salt makes for a warm-water foot bath.
- Stretch mark reducer: Mix five drops of frankincense, myrrh and grapefruit seed oils with coconut oil and apply to stretch marks.
- Sunburn soother: Combine lavender or chamomile oil with one tablespoon of coconut oil and apply to the skin with a cotton ball to reduce swelling and pain.
- Sunscreen: Mix coconut oil, zinc oxide, shea butter, helichrysum oil and lavender essential oil, then store in a squeeze bottle to make homemade toxic-free sunscreen.
- Teeth whitener: Combine lemon essential oil, coconut oil and fresh strawberries, then rub on your teeth. Rinse after two minutes.
- Toothpaste: Combine sea salt, baking soda, coconut oil and xylitol with peppermint essential oil to make homemade remineralizing toothpaste. Then brush.
- Wrinkle reducer: Mixing 3–5 drops of sandalwood, geranium, lavender and frankincense oils with an unscented lotion makes for a great wrinkle reducer. Apply to face (avoid contact with the eyes).
Essential Oils for General Health
- Achy muscle rub: Mix eucalyptus, wintergreen and cypress oils with an unscented lotion or coconut oil and apply to muscles.
- Allergy fighter: Rub frankincense and lavender oils on your palms and inhale deeply to relieve itchy eyes and throat.
- Anxiety reducer: Diffuse lavender essential oil around your home to reduce feelings of stress and tension.
- Arthritis reliever: Mix two drops of wintergreen, cypress and lemongrass oils into an unscented lotion. Massage into affected areas.
- Asthma remedy: Make a homemade vapor rub by combining eucalyptus, peppermint and coconut oil. Rub on your chest and neck.
- Back/neck pain reducer: Combine peppermint, cypress and ginger oils with cayenne pepper and coconut oil for a homemade muscle rub.
- Broken bones helper: To support the healing of broken bones, apply helichrysum, fir and cypress oils.
- Circulation improver: Add 8–10 drops of grapefruit essential oil to warm bath water.
- Cold reliever: Take three drops of oil of oregano and frankincense oils three daily for one week.
- Concentration helper: Inhale bergamot, peppermint or grapefruit seed oils to increase concentration during the day.
- Cough reducer: Eucalyptus essential oil is known for its powerful ability to fight coughs and open airways. Add a few drops into steaming hot water or diffuser. Inhale to help clear nasal passage.
- Depression reliever: To boost mood and relieve depression, add rose essential oil to baths, inhalations and diffusers to improve mood.
- Digestion helper: Take ginger, peppermint and fennel oils to support digestion and healing leaky gut.
- Fever reducer: Add 1–3 drops of eucalyptus, peppermint and lavender oils to a cool cloth and sponge the body.
- Food cravings curber: Inhale peppermint and cinnamon oils to reduce your appetite and balance blood sugar.
- Hangover reliever: Add six drops each of juniper berry, cedarwood, grapefruit, lavender, rosemary and lemon oil into a warm bath.
- Head lice remedy: Mix three drops of thyme, lavender and eucalyptus oils with carrier oil and apply to scalp. Cover head with a shower cap and leave on for 30 minutes. Shampoo out.
- Immune system booster: Mix one drop of oregano oil with four drops of carrier oil and rub on the bottom of your feet before flying on a plane.
- Love potion: For a cute bridal shower gift or for you and your partner, create a “love potion” with essential oils. Add 20 drops of sandalwood essential oil, and four drops of cocoa, vanilla and rose oil to unscented lotion.
- Massage therapy: Use a few drops of cedarwood or lavender oil, mixed with an unscented lotion during a relaxation massage.
- Migraine/headache reliever: Try combining a few drops of lavender oil and peppermint oil and apply to temples to help with headaches and migraines.
- Morning sickness reducer: Add a few drops of wild orange, lemon or ginger oil to a handkerchief and inhale.
- Motion sickness reliever: Peppermint, lavender and ginger oils can help reduce motion sickness.
- Nausea reliever: Breathe in peppermint oil through your nose to get rid of nausea, plus apply to your neck and upper chest. Ginger and lavender may help, too.
- PMS reliever: Mix two drops of sage, basil and rosemary oils, then apply to a warm, moist hand towel and apply to abdomen.
- Poison ivy/poison oak remedy: Mix three drops of peppermint oil with carrier oil and apply to affected area.
- Relaxation mixture: Apply 2–4 drops of chamomile, lavender and peppermint essential oil to your temples for a cooling effect and immediate relaxation.
- Ringworm remedy: Combine three drops of tea tree oil with coconut oil and massage over the affected area twice a day.
- Sleep aid: Lavender oil can alleviate insomnia. Sprinkle a few drops on your pillow to help you fall asleep.
- Spiritual enlightenment: Diffuse frankincense essential oil while praying, meditating or reading to increase spiritual awareness.
- Teeth grinding stopper: Massage 1–3 drops of lavender on the bottom of the feet and behind ears before bed.
- Tension reliever: Help to relieve anxiety by using a single drop of lavender oil on your hands, rub together, and cup your hands to your nose and let the smell flood your senses.
- Upset child smoother: Help soothe and calm children by adding lavender or chamomile oils to their stuffed animals.
- Weight loss: Combine grapefruit, ginger and cinnamon oil and take as a supplement three times daily to support metabolism.
- Workout energizer: Inhale peppermint oil before a workout to reduce fatigue.
- Yoga and Pilates: To relax during yoga or meditation, inhale lavender or sandalwood before class. In addition, mix clove and citrus essential oil to clean yoga mats.
Essential Oils for Home
- Air cleaner: Diffuse cinnamon essential oil in the air and enjoy its antimicrobial properties.
- Air detoxifier when painting: Add peppermint and eucalyptus oil to a gallon of paint to dispel fumes.
- All-purpose cleaner: Add three drops each of lemon oil and tea tree oil (melaleuca) to a few ounces of warm water, then spray countertops to naturally disinfect.
- Bathroom freshener: Put a cotton ball soaked in lime or lemon oil behind the toilet for a bathroom refresher.
- Bathtub scrub: Mix one-half cup of baking soda, one-half cup of vinegar and five drops of bergamot or lime oil; use as a scrub for a sink or bathtub.
- Burnt pans cleaner: A few drops of lemon oil and some boiling water can help remove burnt food from pots and pans.
- Carpet cleaner: Mix 20 drops of tea tree oil with Borax for homemade carpet powder.
- Christmas scent: Add a drop of pine, sandalwood or cedarwood oil on a fire log about 30 minutes before burning.
- Dishwasher fluid: Add a few drops of lemon oil to the dishwasher before washing for a spot-free rinse.
- House fragrance: Diffuse clove, rosemary and orange oils when guests come over, and they will talk about how amazing your house smells.
- Kitchen odor eliminator: Add a few drops of clove, cinnamon or citrus essential oil to a simmering pan of water to get rid of cooking odors.
- Medicine cabinet: Makeover your medicine cabinet and create a family physician kit with essential oils of lavender, lemon, peppermint, tea tree, oregano and frankincense.
- Mold killer: Add tea tree oil to your diffuser to kill mold and other pathogens in the air.
- Mosquito repellent: Combine one drop each of lemongrass oil, citronella oil and eucalyptus oil with one teaspoon of coconut oil to make natural bug spray and rub on exposed skin. Reapply as needed.
- Pest killer: Combine orange and clove oils and then spray to kill pests on contact.
- Produce washer: To clean fruit and vegetables, add two drops of lemon oil to a large bowl of water, then wash.
- Refrigerator cleaner: To freshen up the fridge or freezer when cleaning, add a few drops of lime, grapefruit or bergamot oil to the rinsing water.
- Shoe smell eliminator: To remove the smell from shoes, add a few drops of tea tree oil and lemon oil to freshen them up.
- Shower scum remover: Using a 16-ounce spray bottle, use four drops of eucalyptus essential oil and four drops of tea tree oil with warm water; spray onto your shower for natural mold-killing action.
- Smoke eliminator: To remove cigarette smoke, put four drops of rosemary, tea tree and eucalyptus oil in a spray bottle and spray around the house.
- Sports gear freshener: If your kids play sports, add two drops each of tea tree oil and lemon essential oil to one quart of warm water; next add four tablespoons of baking soda and mix. Use to clean ripe (!) jerseys, cleats and sports gear.
- Trash can freshener: Put a cotton ball with two drops each of lemon oil and tea tree oil at the bottom of the trashcan to help decrease the odor and detoxify.
- Vacuum cleaner freshener: Add 5–10 drops of your favorite oil in your vacuum bag or dust container.
- Washing machine freshener: Add 10–20 drops of your favorite scent per load.
Recipes
- Lavender cake: Mix coconut flour, raw honey, organic eggs and lavender essential oil and bake at 350 degrees.
- Lemon water: Use 2–3 drops of lemon essential oil in water for a delicious citrus flavor.
- Mint chocolate cocoa: Add 2–3 drops of peppermint essential oil to hot cocoa for instant minty chocolate!
- Mint tea: Use 1–2 drops of peppermint essential oil in your favorite tea for a hint of mint.
- Peppermint patties: Use peppermint essential oil, coconut oil, dark chocolate and raw honey to make real peppermint treats.
Because they are so concentrated, mixing your essential oils with a carrier oil is an important safeguard. When applied topically, they help “carry” the essential oil.
Some suggestions:
- Organic Argan
- Organic Rose Hip Seed Oils
- Organic Jojoba
Dr. Mercola’s diffusers provide continuous distribution of your essential oils in a way that is easy for your body to absorb, so you can experience their ultimate benefits.
Some suggestions:
- Dry Aroma Waterless Diffuser
- Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser
- Aromatherapy Starter Kit (includes diffuser and three essential oils)
Don’t Be Fooled by “Professional Grade” Fancy-Talk
Now here’s where things can get a bit tricky. When shopping for essential oils, you’re likely to see the words “professional grade” on certain products What exactly does that phrase mean? You may wonder… Does this mean they are a special grade or a higher quality reserved for professionals? Manufacturers may want you to believe that, but you need to know there is no official grading system for essential oils. Anyone can label their product “Therapeutic Grade” without meeting any special criteria.
Don’t take their word for it… It’s up to you to be the “grading system” for quality!
When evaluating essential oils, always look at these factors that indicate quality:
- Where are the plants grown? Plants grown in their indigenous regions tend to be healthier. Watch out for “unknown country of origin!”
- Is it the correct species of plant? Watch out for cheaper substitutions. Make sure you’re getting the correct species, especially with lavender. Avoid products that don’t label the botanical name of the plant!
- When is it harvested? When a plant is harvested influences the potency of the valuable constituents in its leaves, stems, and flowers.
- Is it a synthetic fragrance oil or perfume rather than an actual essential oil? There’s a big difference. For true benefits, you want a quality essential oil for its biologically active compounds, or the beneficial properties that make it work, not just for its scent!
- How much does it cost? If it seems like too good of a deal, you’re probably better off avoiding it. High-quality essential oils are responsibly grown and safely extracted without using harmful chemicals. They naturally will cost more.
- How is the essential oil extracted? Look for essential oils that are either cold-pressed or steam distilled rather than extracted with harsh solvents.
- Has it been diluted or mixed with anything else? For purity, look for a 100% essential oil. That’s the only way you know it hasn’t been diluted or adulterated. This is another way price can be a tipoff.
- Do they test their products for purity? Are the essential oils tested for their identity (or verification that the ingredients on the label are correct), purity, quality, and safety? Look for essential tests like Gas Chromatography (GC) and Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR).
- Has it been manufactured in a cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practices) facility? Is the manufacturer processing the oils to Food Grade standards? This is especially important for oils used in the kitchen; you want to ensure the manufacturer is adhering to the same strict GMP guidelines that are required for manufacturing the foods you eat.
Now that you know what to look for, let’s cover a few points that may not be so evident…
Beware of Essential Oils That Carry Unwanted, Hidden Surprises
As I’ve just shown you, the quality of essential oils varies widely. You must do your due diligence. In addition to the factors that indicate quality, check to make sure your essential oils don’t contain these hidden surprises:
- Synthetic ingredients – If you see the word “fragrance,” this almost always means, “hidden chemicals.” The fragrance industry uses over 3,100 chemical ingredients!
- GMOs – Beware of genetically modified ingredients. Eucalyptus is one essential oil that is sometimes genetically engineered.
- Chemicals – Harsh chemical solvents used in the extraction process can be potential neurotoxins and can cause skin irritation.
- Pesticides and herbicides – If they are used during growth or processing, they will most likely remain in the oil after steam distillation.
Look for the USDA Certified Organic seal! You’ll get a higher standard of product when you go with an organic essential oil.
What are the best essential oils to start with?
Some people ask for a list of essential oils before they realize how many essential oils exist. The most common essential oils that I believe everyone should have stored in their personal medicine cabinet include the following:
- Lavender: heals burns, cuts, rashes, stings, reduces anxiety and promotes restful sleep.
- Peppermint: improves joint and muscle pain, relieves digestive issues, reduces fevers, clears sinuses, improves asthma and bronchitis, and relieves headaches.
- Frankincense: reduces inflammation, heals bruising, reduces scars, boosts immunity and promotes emotional well-being.
- Tea tree: has antibacterial and antifungal properties, can be used to prevent and reduce infections, and cleans the air of pathogens and allergens.
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Related History:
Study Explains What Happens To The Brain When You Diffuse Essential Oils
