Top 10 Essential Oils

When I first started looking at essential oils, I was only looking at them from the perspective that they smelt nice and created a nice atmosphere in the room. I hadn’t really thought of them for the healing properties and wasn’t aware of exactly what they were. So, this information below might help you if you’re interested in knowing a little bit more about essential oils.

Essential oils are also known as plant oils. They are concentrated hydrophobic liquids containing volatile chemical compounds that come from the leaves, flowers, stems or roots of plants. Some say that they are the life force or essence of nature, so they call them ‘essential’ oils. Yes, they create amazing aromas but the oils themselves have powerful healing properties. For centuries, humans have expressed these oils and used them for health, wellness, and cosmetics. They are obtained by distilling, cold compressing, tapping from resin or absolute extraction. They evaporate in the air so are precious and fragile in how we collect and store them. They vary greatly based upon the season and location where they are grown. It also takes A LOT of the plant to produce a small amount of nature’s precious oils.

Essential oils are more than just pleasant scents; they have complex active chemical constituents inside the plant.

When you inhale essential oils- the brain processes the smell immediately in the amygdale and limbic system. Smells are linked to memories- good and bad-- you don’t always know how your body will respond to a smell.

It is important to use good oils. The $2 bottle at the cheap shop is likely to be synthetic and not what you are after. There are many good brands other there. Check out if the oils are ethically sourced and if they have ‘profiles’ of the make-up of the oil. Look for 100% and organic if you can.

If you a pregnant, breastfeeding, have epilepsy or high blood pressure, not all essential oils can be used. Best to speak to somebody who knows about this just to make sure that you get it right. For example, Rosemary is not good if you have high Blood Pressure and Clary Sage is not recommended in pregnancy.

How do I use them?

Aromatic: The best safe method and great for emotions, immune support, hormonal support and cleansing air and energy.

You can inhale directly from the bottle, add drops to you hand and cup your hands and put them over your mouth and nose or use a diffuser (5 drops per 100 mls). Some people use a nebuliser- No water 30 drops- concentrated for asthma etc. You can drop them in a bath so that they are carried in the steam, but this does dilute them. I used to have one of the heat burners where there was a candle underneath but we now know that this can “burn” the oil so the mist diffusers are better.

Topical: Great for specific pain and use on reflexology points.

You can add directly to the thicker areas of skin (feet, hands) but do a test in other areas if you have skin sensitive.

They suggest adding it to the reflexology points is a good way to do it. Here are the maps of points on hands and feet. Some essential oils like clove, cinnamon, and lemongrass are hot on the skin, whereas others like peppermint are perceived as cold. If an essential oil is too hot or too cold on the skin, always add carrier oil. Carrier oils are fatty oils that ensure the application of essential oils is comfortable. I use Almond oil as it is affordable, but you can buy Fractionated coconut oil(it doesn’t smell), grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, hemp seed oil, argan oil, pomegranate oil, avocado or Rosehip oil (good for face). Best not to use a petroleum jelly. You can just add drops to a plain hand cream or lotion. I use a small roller bottle and have several mixes made up. Best not to store your oils in plastic.

You can also add drops to a small spray bottle to make a spritz.

Ingestion: To provide concentrated access to the bloodstream and cells.

Read the label well and go small and slow. Remember, not all oils can be ingested. They can be added as drops to food, placed under the tongue or put in a capsule.

Top Essential oils and their uses

I do need to say that you need to have a good organic oil as the cheap ones in the market may be chemical mixes made for the smell alone. In fact, some are toxic when they are heated. So, make a good investment. Oils last a long time if toy keep them in dark bottles, well-sealed in a cool place. You use so little, it is affordable to use the good stuff.

Different oils impact the brain in different ways. Here are some of the well-known oils and the areas where they are frequently used.

1. Orange oil- depression

2. Peppermint- Energy

3. Clary sage- decrease cortisol

4. Rosemary- memory

5. Lemon- Nausea

6. Neroli- Pain

7. Lavender- relaxation

8. Chamomile- natural antibiotic

9. Sandalwood- Inflammation

10. Bergamot- Balance

11. Eucalyptus- Respiration

12. Tea Tree- Antiseptic

13. Frankincense- Digestion/ Immunity

14. Clove- Anti Microbial

15. Oregano- Respiration

16. Lime- Anti viral

17. Wild Orange- Pain

18. Copaiba- Pain, infections

19. Patouchili- Stress

20. Vetiver- Stress, trauma

My Favourite Blends

My 20 Favourite Blends

You can buy oils pre blended. I tend to mix my own in a small glass bowl and store them on old oil bottles or small rollers. There is no real rule as to how you put your oils together but some say to mix a tree oils (grounding) with a flower (emotions) and, a fruit (energy) creates a good balance.

1. Allergy Blend – Lavender, lemon, and peppermint

2. Digestion Blend – Anise, caraway, fennel, ginger, lemon, tarragon

3. Focus Blend – Cedarwood, frankincense, sandalwood, and vetiver

4. Immune Boosting Blend – Cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, rosemary, orange, and lemon

5. Happiness Blend – Orange, lemon, bergamot, grapefruit, and vanilla absolute

6. Deep Breathing Blend – Cardamom, eucalyptus, lemon, peppermint, rosemary, tea tree

7. Bedtime Time Blend – Roman chamomile, lavender, and vetiver

8. Depression Blend-Clary Sage, Lavender, Lime

9. Anxiety Blend: Orange, Bergamot, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang

10. Morning routine: peppermint, sweet or wild orange/ any citrus works with peppermint, spear mint

11. Cleaning Blend- Orange, Lemon, cinnamon, cloves, eucalyptus, Rosemary or tea tree, lemon, lime, wild orange, lemongrass, clove

12. Hormone Blend- Clary sage, Lavender, geranium, Frankincense, Rosemary

13. Grounding- Vetiver, Patchouli, Frankincense, Sandalwood, Copaiba, Myrrh

14. Digestive support- Fennel, Peppermint, Ginger

15. Self Confidence-Bergamot, Frankincense, Clary Sage, Ginger, Pink Pepper,

16. Sensuality-Ylang Ylang, patchouli, Sandalwood, Cinnamon, Jasmin, Neroli, magnolia, Clary sage, Rose

17. Hair-Lavender, Geranium, Rosemary, Peppermint

18. Skin- Frankincense, -Lavendar, Geranium, Rose, Sandalwood, Tea tree, Palmarosa, Helichrysum, Myrrh, Roman Chamomile, Vetiver, Magnolia,

19. Motivation-Peppermint, Lemon, Lime, Tangerine, Ginger, Cinnamon

20. General health- Frankincense, Copaiba, lemon, Oregano, Rosemary, Thyme, Clove, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus

So, get started. Buy one or two of your favourites and a diffuser and you are set to go.

Good luck

Annie