The ten most versatile essential oils for your health

We spend so much time consuming chemicals in our daily life that we forget that there are organic alternative products available to us. Essential oils are so versatile and useful and do so (when used with caution) without harming our environment or our bodies. There are so many essential oils available with so many purposes so it can be a little overwhelming when choosing which ones to stock up on. Here are our favourite, most versatile essential oils that you should keep in your home.

Lavender

Lavender is one of the most commonly used essential oil that calms, relieves stress, heals wounds, and reduces pain. To use this calming essential oil, apply to temples to take away headaches and relieve stress, apply to burns and wounds to ease pain, and diffuse throughout your house for general relaxation

Peppermint

Peppermint helps to relieve nausea and migraines; however it is important to note that peppermint oil should never be used on children under three years old. Also, undiluted peppermint oil should not be applied to children under the age of 12. However, to safely use peppermint oil, add one or two drops to a glass of water for energy boost, apply topically to bug bites for pain relief, rub into your temples to relieve stress, apply on skin to reduce scars and add a few drops to a bath for extra relaxation.

Lemon

Lemon is great for cleaning the home, uplifting the environment and detoxing. Simply add a drop of lemon oil to honey to soothe a sore throat, diffuse throughout rooms to get rid of odours, add a few drops to dish water to remove grease and you can add a teaspoon to drinking water to detoxify internally.

Rosemary

Not only is rosemary essential oil useful in clearing the respiratory system and stimulating the circulatory system, it helps to clear the mind and energise the body. Similar to other common essential oils, this can be diffused in the house to relax the mind, and applied to the temples or the bottom of your feet for extra relaxation.

Chamomile

Chamomile is antispasmodic which is effective in the relief of cramps or general muscle pain. Alongside its ability to relieve stress and aid in sleeping, chamomile is great for children too. Massage one or two drops of chamomile oil to an area with muscle pain or diffuse it throughout your home to soothe the mind.

Eucalyptus

This medicinal and earthy essential oil helps to cool the body in summer and protect it in winter. It is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antibiotic, and deodorising. Disinfect and deodorise by diffusing it throughout your home, apply topically to disinfect skin grazes or wounds and add a few drops to a bowl of hot water for inhalation to relieve cold and flu symptoms.

Frankincense

Frankincense is known to strengthen the immune system, assist in cell regeneration and soothe inflamed skin conditions. You can apply it topically to minor cuts for pain relief, add a few drops to a bath for relaxation or massage into skin to relieve stress.

Oregano

Oregano is a great essential oil for enhancing the immune system. Add five drops to an empty gelatine capsule and swallow monthly for an immune boost. You can also apply oregano oil to the bottoms of the feet in conjunction with reflexology to assist in fighting illness.

Melaleuca (Tea tree oil)

Melaleuca, or more commonly known as tea tree oil, is a great antimicrobial essential oil that is great for a number of things. It can be dropped into ears to heal ear infections, diffused throughout your home to kill germs, applied topically to heal athlete’s foot and other fungal infections and it can be used for cleaning as a disinfectant.

Thyme

Thyme oil helps simulate the production of white blood cells and boosts the immune system. It has been used as an herbal remedy against fungal infections like athlete’s foot and as a remedy for thrush and other yeast infections. It is can also be used to kill skin parasites such as crabs or head lice by applying topically.

Essential oils can replace harsh chemicals and medications in your life in a healthy, organic way. Make sure to read any safety advice prior to using essential oils, as the high concentration of product can be harmful.

What is your favourite way to use essential oils?