You probably know (or at least you've heard) that there are many potential benefits of harnessing and using the natural potent goodness inherent in botanics.
But at the same time it can feel like yiou are entering a minefield, especially when you are first starting out. Is it really possible you can 'smell to get well'?
What oils are for what? How much should you use? I've got a pet is it safe? I've got a baby is it safe? I'm pregnant is it safe?
This article will address all of the above for the 7 oils that are in our Everyday Essentials Kit. But for more general info that answers these and some of the other most Frequently Asked Questions the blog post here may be of interest.
The first thing to remember is that do what feels right for you, there's no right or wrong way, smell is a very powerful and personal thing and different scents can trigger different reactions in people based on previous memories/experiences.
Our Aromatherapy Everyday Essentials Starter Kit is perfect (although obviously we're a bit biased!), as it has the 6 most useful, all round and versatile essential oils that you can start with.
They also complement each other and you can immediately start to create your own blends and recipes. There are a couple to get you started at the end of this post.
LAVENDER
Key Benefits - Relaxing, Calming, Focusing, Grounding
Sourced from France, the flowering tips of the plant are steam distilled.
Fragrance
Blends well with
If I could only ever use one essential oil every again, it would have to be Lavender. The workhorse of Essential Oils, it works on a physicological and emotional level. Which is why it can be both used for relaxing and for .....
In fact there have been several research studies conducted over the years that show that amongst other things, Lavender can help to reduce stress levels, calm nerves, improve sleep quality, reduce inflammation and soothe irritated skin.
Practical Uses of your Lavender Essential Oil include
Having trouble sleeping? -
- Diffuse before going to bed.
- Add to your bath for an extra relaxing session
- Use it to make your own natural beauty products and potions.
Having a stressful day?
- Diffuse some lavender and just take 10 minutes to enjoy the relaxing, calming aroma.
- Make your own salt soaks by adding to a cup of epsom salts.
Lavender Essential Oil also makes for a fantastic natural linen and fabric freshener, simply add some water in a spray bottle (preferably glass) and about 10-20 drops of Lavender oil and use as a room mist and linen, fabric and pillow spray for an instant freshener.
PEPPERMINT - Mentha Piperita
Key Benefits - Stimulating, Refreshing,
Sourced from India, the flowering herbs of the plant are steam distilled.
Fragrance
Blends well with lime, lavender and lemon
Whenever I even begin to feel sick or have a headache I grab my peppermint and sniff for about a minute. I also have a roller ball diffuser that's just peppermint with white quartz chips. I use it on my temples when I have a headache.
It mostly works and I just reapply and sleep as needed.
Peppermint Essential Oil is said to be good for ailments like asthma, colic, fever, flatulence, headache, nausea, chest congestion and vertigo.
This oil is supposed to be excellent for mental fatigue and depression, refreshing and stimulating with its menthol content.
Practical Uses of your Peppermint Essential Oil include
When used in an oil burner it is not only therapeutic it also keeps away mosquitoes and other insects.
It helps fight bad breath and gum infections when used in mouthwashes.
It is good for the skin and is used in lotions to treat sunburn, itchiness or inflamed skin.
ORANGE (Sweet) - Citrus Sinensis
Key Benefits - Stimulating, Refreshing,
Sourced from Brazil, the fruit peel is cold pressed.
Fragrance
Blends well with
REFRESHINGI
nvigorating and calm somehow at the same time, it literally smells like the you've just peeled an orange. This is a versatile, gentle citrus essential oil that blends well with most essential oils, adding a sweet note to the blend.
Benefits - Research has shown that it may help to reduce anxiety and feelings of depression, so its great to have on hand and have a sniff when you're feeling a bit tense and anxious, or just feeling a bit down. In fact research has shown that just sniffing sweet orange Essential oil can have a pain relieving effect.
Not a big fan of creepy crawlies? Sweet orange essential oil has been proven to repel household insects and pets.
Practical Uses - The antimicrobial properties in Sweet orange oil make it great to use around the house. Smelly bin? Add a couple of drops to the bottom of the bin, this will not only improve the smell but also discourage insects and bugs. Stubborn stains on your tiles? - Add a couple of drops, leave for a couple of minutes then just wipe away. Got a moody teenager? - Get them a diffuser and let the 'happy aroma' work it's magic! Plant lover but the pests are annoying? - Add to water to create a spray for your houseplants that will discourage the pests. Want to deep clean your chopping boards? - Add to salt, rub on to the boards leave for a couple of minutes then rinse with hot water. Ant invasion? - Make your own natural pest deterrent - add to washing up liquid/liquid soap and water and spray where ever you see ants.
LEMON - Citrus Limon
Key Benefits - ENERGISING AND DESTRESSING -
CITRUS FAMILY OF 'HAPPY OILS'
Sourced from Italy, the fruit peel is cold pressed.
Fragance
Blends well with
Lemon essential oil is a natural mood booster and has a fantastic refreshing citrus scent.
Benefits - Research has found that lemon essential oil can energize and destress your mind and body, it reduces morning sickness and is great for eliminating germs as well as boosting your immunity.
Practical Uses
TEA TREE - Melaleuca Alternifolia.
Key Benefits - Antibacterial
Sourced from Australia, the wood and twigs are steam distilled.
Fragance -
Blends well with
Tea tree exploded onto the market a while back and it seemed like every other personal care product, cream or lotion contained tea tree. I was sceptical.
But I can attest first hand to it's ability to literally zap boils and cold sores into oblivion, never to return (so far!).
Due to a large number of what are called terpenoids, Tea Tree oil has valuable antiseptic and anti-fungal properties.
It can help to relieve congestion, colds, coughs and the flu. It can be used to help heal acne, fungal infections, dandruff, vaginal infections, haemorrhoids, athlete's foot. It's also a great muscle soother
Practical Uses
Make a compress and apply to aching muscles and joint injuries for temporary relief
Add to bath water to help control bacteria.
NB - Tea tree oil is not to be taken internally. It is usually used only on adults and must be kept away from children and pets. Don't use it if you're pregnant or lactating.
EUCALYPTUS - Eucalyptus Globulus.
Key Benefits - vitality, and energy.,
Sourced from China, the wood and twigs are steam distilled.
Fragrance | Minty, fresh and herbaceous scent
Blends well with Bergamot, Clary Sage & Geranium
A Winter favourite and must have in our house, Eucalyptus essential oil is helpful when the lergies are close. The antibacterial, disinfectant and analgesic properties containted in Eucalyptus essential oil helps to relieve coughs, colds, and other respiratory conditions.
It can also soothe muscle and joint pain, help to heal wounds, burns and insect bites.
Practical Uses
Great for treating cold sores.
Soak your sore feet in a basin of warm water with 4-5 drops of this oil for relief.
A few drops of oil in a diffuser is said to kill germs and airborne bacteria, a good idea for a sickroom.
It is applied directly on sores, rashes and insect
bites. Add a few drops to your bath water to feel invigorated and
refreshed.
For respiratory troubles, a few drops of this oil placed on a cloth can be inhaled through the mouth and exhaled through the nose for half a minute.
ROSEMARY
Key Benefits - Stimulating, Refreshing,
Sourced from , the flowering tips of the plant are steam distilled.
Fragance
Blends well with
Practical Uses
And there you have it, the best (in our opinion) 6, I mean 7, essential oils to get you started on your aromatherapy journey. There were a few contenders that almost made it in - worthy of mention include Ginger, Citronella, Cedarwood & Geranium.
Also worthy of mention are our other two Soul Scents Solutions Sets - Take Me Travelling - perfect to have close by when you're on holiday, covering most of the usual ailments and conditions associated with travel - Lavender, Ginger, Bergamot, Citronella, Ginger & Peppermint.
and Serious Studies - Rosemary,
Starter Kit Blends
If you are planning on making your own blends, check out our Aromatherapy DIY collection for your bottles, pippettes, crystal chips and blending oils.
Here are a few recipes to get you started, these can all be made using just the 6 oils in your kit.
ENERGY
4-5 drops of lemon essential oil + 4-5 drops of peppermint oil for an energizing diffuser blend.