10 Essential Oils and their Benefits
Almost everyone has heard of essential oils, but how many of us really know what their uses are beyond just popular aromatherapy? Some of these oils are used in the processing of natural soaps and lotions, partly because of their scent or other benefits. Just the scent of a few essential oils can relax you or put you in a better mood. Here are 10 of the most popular oils and what their uses are. Read on, you might be surprised.
Lavender is a wonderful scent. Lavender essential oil is said to induce relaxation. Other topical uses include everything from soothing skin rashes to minor burns. Adding a few drops to a bath has been known to induce restful sleep and clear the sinuses. Lavender is great when used in the laundry to eliminate odors.
Tea tree oil is an essential oil that should be in every medicine cabinet. This is an oil that you should never take internally, but used topically it is amazing for eczema, acne, nail fungus, warts, and insect bites. Try putting a drop or two in your shampoo to treat dandruff and even lice. Keep fleas off pets by placing drops around your pet’s bedding.
Lemon oil is great for everything from polishing furniture to killing bad breath germs. This is another great stress relief oil and makes an effective hand sanitizer if mixed with aloe gel.
Peppermint oil is excellent in tea to ease an upset stomach. Try mixing a few drops with a little coconut oil and applying topically for cramp relief. A drop or two will push a tick back off the skin, cooling tired, hot feet. Use a little in your mop bucket to clean floors and leave a fresh scent. Put a drop where you see signs of rodents or spiders, they won’t come back.
Eucalyptus oil relieves shingles, asthma attacks, and fibromyalgia pain. Add some to an oil diffuser in your bathroom to kill germs and unpleasant odors.
Clove oil is very effective in relieving toothache. It has been used for many centuries for many pain related to the mouth. It’s also great for relieving athlete’s foot, rashes, earaches, mosquito repellent, and even bruises.
Chamomile is calming. As a tea, it is often prescribed to relax when the nerves are on edge. As an oil it is excellent for dry skin, dermatitis, bee stings and cuts or bruises. Try putting a few drops on doors to keep bugs out of your home.
Frankincense has been used for many years to keep the dead safe, it is also a great remedy for acne, warts, scar tissue, and even stress or migraines. Keep bugs away and ease a panic attack.
Grapefruit is not only a healthy and tasty fruit, it is also a great essential oil. Used topically, it is excellent for cellulite, swollen lymph nodes, and migraines. Mixed with baking soda it also makes a refreshing deodorant. Like lemon oil, citrus oil is an excellent antibacterial used to clean and freshen the entire house.
Oregano oil is gaining popularity as an anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, and antifungal. It can also relieve pain from fibromyalgia, cysts, and tendonitis. At home, use diluted as an antibacterial spray for any germy surfaces. It also repels insects.
There are many more great essential oils that will soothe many aches, pains, and even kill germs. The oils have been used for centuries to cure ailments, many years before modern medicine. Most are just as or more effective at curing disease and killing germs.