TOP 5 ESSENTIAL OILS FOR HEALING AND DAILY USES

There are hundreds of essential oils and blends available for your DIY needs, but knowing which one suits your needs can take a little research. If you’re interested in making your own nontoxic baby lotions, for example, you need to know which oils are safe for infants (lavender and dill, for instance) and, more importantly, which are not (rosemary, eucalyptus).
Just as you wouldn’t treat a headache with a spoon of cough syrup, it makes sense to focus on the oils that fit the specific requirement of your project—whether it’s making an antiseptic salve, a nourishing eye cream, or a disinfectant spray to remove pet odors.

1- BASIL

SCENT: HERBACEOUS/SPICY NOTE: TOP

Native to India, where it is considered sacred, basil is widely used in
Ayurvedic medicine. The herb has also been used in funerary rites since ancient times and is commonly planted on graves in ancient Persia, Malaysia, and Greece. Egyptians believed the leaves opened the gates of heaven and in ancient India, sprigs of the herb were placed in the hands of the dead to ease their passage to the next world. The Romans used it to treat wounds, mixing it with honey to make an antiseptic salve.

PROPERTIES

Antibacterial, Antidepressant, Anti-inflammatory, Antiseptic, Antispasmodic

POTENTIAL USES

Abrasions, Acne, Brain fog, Cleaning products, Digestive issues, Gout, Insect bites and stings, Loss of
appetite, Menstrual cramps, Muscle aches, Respiratory problems

BLENDS WELL WITH

Citrus: lemon, lemongrass, lime, grapefruit, orange, neroli
Herbal: thyme, parsley
Floral: lavender, clary sage, chamomile

CAN BE SUBSTITUTED WITH

Oregano Thyme

PRECAUTIONS

Avoid use while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Avoid use if you suffer from epilepsy.

2- BERGAMOT

SCENT: CITRUS/FLORAL NOTE: TOP

Bergamot oil is used both in food preparation and perfumery. It is the oil that gives Earl Grey tea its distinctive taste. It has also been used to flavor pipe tobacco. The best bergamot oil is sourced from Italy, although the plant also grows in Africa, southern France, and parts of Turkey, where it is primarily used to flavor marmalade. It is sometimes adulterated with the essential oil of bergamot mint.

PROPERTIES

Antidepressant, Antifungal, Antiseptic, Deodorant, Digestive tonic, Febrifuge, Immune booster, Insect repellant, Sedative

POTENTIAL USES

Acne, Anxiety, Body odor, Colds and flu, Cold sores, Cough, Depression, Digestive problems, Dry Skin, Eczema, Fever, Insomnia, Laryngitis, Mood disorders, Nerve pain, Psoriasis, Scabies, Seborrhea, Skin infection, Skin irritation, Stress and tension, Urinary tract infections, wound healing

BLENDS WELL WITH

Citrus: grapefruit, orange, bergamot
Floral: lavender, geranium, palmarosa, ylang ylang
Oriental: patchouli
Spicy: cinnamon, clove, nutmeg

CAN BE SUBSTITUTED WITH

Bitter Orange
Grapefruit

PRECAUTIONS

Never use more than 1 drop per 2 teaspoons of carrier oil.
Do not spend time in the sun after using this essential oil.

3- CHAMOMILE

SCENT: FLORAL NOTE: TOP

Chamomile is moderately priced, but it’s well worth the few extra dollars it costs for this versatile and gentle essential oil. Typically, you’ll find two varieties of chamomile: Roman and German. You can use these two oils interchangeably in preparations and recipes. Chamomile is related to ragweed, so people with a ragweed allergy may be sensitive to topical application of chamomile.

PROPERTIES

Antibacterial, Antifungal, Anti-inflammatory, Calming, Digestive tonic, Numbs nerve pain, Stimulates bile production, Stimulates urine flow

POTENTIAL USES

Abrasions, Arthritis, Cold sores, Colic, Dermatitis, Diarrhea, Digestive upset, Dry skin, Eczema, Fungal infections, Gas, Headache, Hives, Inflammation, Insect bites, Insomnia, Menstrual problems, Migraine, Nerve pain, Premenstrual symptoms, Sprains and strains, Stomach upset, Stress, Teething, Toothache, Urinary tract infection, Wound healing

BLENDS WELL WITH

Floral: geranium, rose, lavender
Oriental: patchouli

CAN BE SUBSTITUTED WITH

Lavender

PRECAUTIONS

May interact with certain drugs. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about potential interactions.

4- EUCALYPTUS

SCENT: WOODY/MEDICINAL NOTE: TOP

Eucalyptus leaves are a koala bear’s favorite food. There are more than 700 species of the plant, most of them native to Australia where the indigenous people have used the plant in their medicines for centuries. It is now widely used as an inhalant to treat colds and other respiratory illnesses, and topically for muscle aches and pains. It is also used to flavor cough drops.

PROPERTIES

Antibacterial, Antiseptic, Antiviral, Calming, Decongestant, Expectorant, Febrifuge, Insecticide, Numbs nerves, Stain remover

POTENTIAL USES

Abrasions, Aches and pains, Arthritis, Bacterial infection, Blisters, Bronchitis, Bug spray, Burns, Cleaning products, Cold/flu, Congestion, Coughs, Fever, Urinary tract infection

BLENDS WELL WITH

Citrus: grapefruit
Floral: chamomile, geranium
Minty: peppermint
Woody: cedarwood, cypress, juniper

CAN BE SUBSTITUTED WITH

Niaouli Tea Tree

PRECAUTIONS

Avoid use with children 10 years old or younger.

5- GRAPEFRUIT

SCENT: CITRUS NOTE: TOP

Grapefruit is believed to have originated as a hybrid between the pomelo and sweet orange sometime in the 19th century. Energy workers believe the oil is cleansing to the aura. A grapefruit half is a prop in one of the most iconic scenes in Hollywood history, the moment in Public Enemy when James Cagney smashes the fruit into Mae Clarke’s face. Both pink and white grapefruit are used in perfumery.

PROPERTIES

Antidepressant, Antiseptic, Detoxifying, Disinfectant, Diuretic, Stimulant, Tonic

POTENTIAL USES

Acne, Brain fog, Cleaning products, Exhaustion, Memory problems, Muscle fatigue, Muscle stiffness, Oily skin

BLENDS WELL WITH

Citrus: bergamot, orange, lemon, lime
Floral: palmarosa, ylang ylang
Herbal: rosemary
Medicinal: eucalyptus
Oriental: patchouli
Spicy: black pepper, cardamom, clove, ginger

CAN BE SUBSTITUTED WITH

Bergamot
Lemon

PRECAUTIONS

Mildly phototoxic, though the least phototoxic of the citrus oil