Handy Guide to Essential Oils

Posted on September 29, 2009 by Becky Striepe in Health+Beauty, Living

Whether you’re making your own deodorant, bath products, or home made cleaning supplies, essential oils are…well…essential! Have you ever stumbled upon a recipe that called for “your favorite essential oil” and been a little stumped? Never fear! Here are some common essential oils that home brewed recipes call for and their properties.

Blue Lotus Oil is a bit on the pricey side, but a vial lasts a really long time. I’ve had the same vial for years. It’s great for stress relief. Just apply a drop or two to your pulse points and take a few deep breaths for instant relaxation.

Clary Sage Oil is great in home made deodorants. It’s antiseptic and antibacterial. It can also help boost your spirits if you’re feeling blue.

Chamomile Oil helps promote good digestion. Chamomile also has stimulant and antidepressant properties.

Grapefruit Oil is rich in antioxidants. It works as a disinfectant and is great for your skin, too!

Lavender Oil is a relaxing scent and also has antiseptic/antifunglal qualities. It’s also sometimes recommended to help fight insomnia.

Peppermint Oil has a cooling effect on skin, which makes it wonderful for bath products. You can also use it as a home remedy for nausea or a headache by diluting the oil a bit and massaging the mixture into your forehead.

Rosemary Oil works really well in hair care recipes. You can also use a few drops mixed with a carrier oil like olive or sweet almond and apply directly to help relieve dry skin.

Sandalwood Oil has a soothing, earthy smell. It’s great in bath products for a relaxing experience. Its scent is also thought to have anti-depressant and aphrodisiac qualities.

Tea Tree or Melaleuca Oil has antiseptic and antibacterial properties, which makes it great for fighting smells caused by bacteria. It’s also helpful in treating acne, dandruff, and itchy bug bites.

With a little bit of knowledge and experimentation, you can not only find your favorites but even adapt recipes for home and beauty products to suit your specific needs.

Please be cautious when using essential oils. You never know how your body is going to react to anything new like this. You do not want to ingest essential oils unless the bottle you buy has specific instructions about that. Otherwise, they’re for topical use only. You also rarely want to use them in an undiluted form. These oils are usually meant to be added to larger recipes or applied by adding a few drops to a carrier oil, like olive or sweet almond.

If you’re pregnant or nursing, talk to your doctor before incorporating any essential oils into your routine. You also want to be careful using them around your pets. Certain essential oils can be toxic to cats.

That said, essential oils are full of benefits from the antibacterial to helping with sleep problems and depression. The best way to find the sort that works for you is to experiment! Do you have a favorite essential oil? What do you use it for?

Image Credit: Creative Commons photo by ajawin

aromatherapy, DIY, essential oils, tips