Essential oils are concentrated liquids extracted from plants or a plants’ “essence.” Their uses are plentiful and have been in use since 4500 BC. Their creation began in Ancient Egypt as the soil around the Nile River was incredibly fertile, and became a source of life throughout Africa. Egypt helped the culture progress through innovation of herbal medicine. Egyptians would also use these botanicals for mummification. An essential oils’ purpose was intended for cosmetics and ointments, which is still in practice today.
This post will cover 20 of the most common essential oils — make them a staple in your home and routine.
1. Lavender
Lavender and its sweet smell is one of the most well known and recognized oils as it’s been in use for thousands of years by cultures all around the globe. Its earliest recorded use was by Greeks and Romans.
Lavender has the following benefits:
– Stress reduction by inhalation.
– Insomnia reduction by topical use and inhalation.
– Lower blood pressure by inhalation.
– Bug repellent by topical use.
– Reduces swelling in mild burns by topical use.
– Minimizes effects of nausea by topical use behind the ears or by drinking a few drops in water.
– Reduces acne by topical use.
– Pain reliever by topical use and massage.
– Hair growth by topical use on scalp or adding to your shampoos.
– Digestion by topical use on the stomach or drinking with water.
Lavender blends well with Clove and Rosemary.
2. Rosemary
Another common and well known oil and scent. Often grown in gardens.
Rosemary has the following benefits:
– Increases memory by inhalation.
– Hair growth by topical use on scalp.
– Aids in Respiratory Infections by inhalation and herbal mixtures
– Reduces muscle spams by topical use and massage.
Rosemary blends well with Lavender and Peppermint.
3. Tea Tree
Extracted from leaves of the Melaleuca tree and carries its fresh scent.
Tea Tree has the following benefits:
– Antifungal properties by topical use to area and bottom of the feet.
– Antibacterial properties by inhalation.
– Wound healing by topical use to area.
– Controls dandruff by topical use to scalp.
– Bug repellent by topical use.
Tea Tree blends well with Lavender and Myrrh.
4. Lemon
A familiar sweet and sour scent and well-known oil.
Lemon has the following benefits:
– Reduces indigestion by drinking with water.
– Bug repellent by topical use.
– Disinfectant by mixing and diluting with water or chemicals.
– Aids in sore throat by drinking with water.
– Skincare by mixing with coconut oil and topical use.
Lemon blends well with Eucalyptus.
5. Peppermint
Another well-known herb with its water/spearmint scent. Often used for flavoring gum.
Peppermint has the following benefits:
– Relieves IBS symptoms by drinking with water or topical use.
– Relieves headaches by topical use or drinking with water.
– Protects against skin infections by topical use.
– Aids in Respiratory Infection by inhalation and herbal mixtures.
– Relieves itchiness by topical use to area.
– Reduces Eczema by topical use to area.
– Hair growth by topical use to scalp.
Peppermint blends well with Lavender, Rosemary, and Eucalyptus.
6. Eucalyptus
Native to Australia and has aided in sinus and respiratory infections for thousands of years.
Eucalyptus has the following benefits:
– Aids in Respiratory Infections by inhalation and herbal mixtures.
– Antibacterial properties by topical use to area.
– Antifungal properties by topical use to area.
– Natural deodorant by topical use.
Eucalyptus blends well with Lavender and Lemon.
7. Clove
Extracted from clove trees. Comes from Southeast Asia.
Clove has the following benefits:
– Antibacterial properties by topical use to area.
– Pain reliever by topical use and massage.
– Relieves toothaches by topical use and drinking with water.
– Bug repellent by topical use.
– Relieves oral thrush by topical use and drinking with water.
Clove blends well with Eucalyptus.
8. Chamomile
Commonly used for herbal teas and has a sweet and fruity smell. C
Chamomile has the following benefits:
– Calms anxiety by inhalation.
– Anti-depressive properties by inhalation.
– Minimizes allergy and asthma by inhalation and drinking with water.
– Wound healing properties by topical use.
– Aids in insomnia by inhalation.
– Reduces Eczema by topical use.
– Minimizes muscle spasms by topical use and massage.
Chamomile blends well with Jasmine and Rose.
9. Frankincense
Known as one of the gifts given by the Three Wise Men. Has a woodsy aroma. Used commonly in religious rituals and ceremonies.
Frankincense has the following benefits:
– Prevents yeast infections by topical use and drinking with water.
– Calming effects by inhalation.
– Aids in joint pain by topical use and massage.
– Reduces asthma by inhalation.
Frankincense blends well with Lavender and Rose.
10. Myrrh
Another gift given by the Three Wise Men and is mentioned throughout the Bible. Comes from India.
Myrrh has the following benefits:
– Antioxidant properties by inhalation.
– Antibacterial properties by inhalation.
– Antiviral protection by inhalation.
– Antifungal properties by inhalation.
Myrrh blends well with Frankincense, Geranium, and Clove.
11. Grapefruit
From Barbados. A hybrid of an orange and pomelo and is extracted from the fruit itself. China is currently its world leading producer.
Grapefruit has the following benefits:
– Reduces stress and anxiety by inhalation.
– Reduces acne and clears the complexion by topical use to area.
– Aids in wounds and burns by topical use to area.
Grapefruit blends well with Lemon.
12. Oregano
Extracted from the oregano plant in the Mediterranean.
Oregano has the following benefits:
– Anti-inflammatory properties by inhalation and topical use.
– Reduces heart disease and clogging by inhalation.
– Aids in digestion by topical use to stomach and drinking with water.
– Aids in a healthy gut barrier by drinking with water.
– Anti-parasitic properties by inhalation and drinking with water.
– Antifungal infection properties by inhalation and drinking with water.
Oregano blends well with Lemon and Orange.
13. Ginger
Ginger is an herb mostly used in foods but it’s also a wildly popular oil.
Ginger has the following benefits:
– Relieves nausea by inhalation and topical use to stomach.
– Pain reliever by topical use to area.
– Has a laxative effect by drinking with water.
Ginger blends well with Tea Tree.
14. Basil
Also commonly used in foods. A less popular oil. Has a sweet, licorice-like scent.
Basil has the following benefits:
– Antibacterial properties by inhalation.
– Fights colds and coughs by inhalation.
– Fights the flu by inhalation.
– Bug repellent by topical use.
– Bug bite relief by topical use to area.
– Relieves muscle aches by topical use and massage.
Basil blends well with Lemon and Eucalyptus.
15. Lemongrass
Lemongrass has a lemony smell but it tends to be more sweet and uplifting.
Lemongrass has the following benefits:
– Reduces muscular aches by topical use and massage.
– Aids in indigestion by topical use and drinking with water.
– Reduces acne by topical use.
– Bug repellent by topical use.
Lemongrass blends well with Grapefruit and Ginger.
16. Orange
Smells like an orange! An oil that isn’t distilled from the root, but rather extracted by cold pressing the rinds of the orange itself.
Orange has the following benefits:
– Fights against colds and coughs by inhalation and drinking with water.
– Improves the skin’s complexion and tone by little* topical use, inhalation, and drinking with water.
– Aids in healthy gums and mouth by topical use and drinking with water.
– Aids in slow digestion by topical use to stomach and drinking with water.
– Reduces stress by inhalation.
Blends well with Lemon, Grapefruit, and Eucalyptus.
17. Sage
Sage has a savory fresh aroma and its oil comes from steaming the plants’ leaves. Sage is also a common smudge.
Sage has the following benefits:
– Relieves muscular aches and spasms my topical use and massage.
– Relieves headaches by topical use and drinking with water.
– Relieves sore throat by inhalation and drinking with water.
– Relieves menstrual cramps by inhalation and topical use and massage.
– Aids in mental and emotional health by inhalation.
– Reduces acne by topical use.
Sage blends well with Peppermint, Pine, and Orange.
18. Pine
An oil known for its cleansing and clearing capabilities. Has been known to be helpful for clearing out bad energies, illnesses, and is a great tool for meditation.
Pine has the following benefits:
– Clears up colds and coughs by inhalation and topical use to area.
– Minimizes muscle pains and injury by topical use and massage.
– Fights fatigue by inhalation.
– Fights mental exhaustion by inhalation.
Pine blends well with Orange and Jasmine.
19. Jasmine
An uplifting oil and has been used as an anti-depressant. Has a florally aroma.
Jasmine has the following benefits:
– Anti-depressant by inhalation.
– Moisturizes the skin by little* topical use.
– Fights exhaustion by inhalation.
Jasmine blends well with Peppermint, Lemon and Sage.
20. Cypress
A woody aroma oil that has been known to help uplift spirits and even self-esteem and has been mentioned in the Bible.
Cypress has the following benefits:
– Uplifts spirits by inhalation.
– Confidence booster by inhalation.
– Aids in concentration and memory retainment by inhalation.
– Helps prevent oily skin by topical use.
– Prevents health issues by inhalation.
Cypress blends well with Grapefruit, Lemon, and Orange.
Each essential oil has a unique benefit and purpose and has been composed of certain chemicals and distillation methods. They’re great assets to have in your home and routines. They’re great healing tools for the body inside, and out. I highly recommend getting acquainted with them.
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