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I can’t tell you enough about Essential Oils!
They are awesome! I actually keep more than six around the house, but you will learn that you end up using some more than others. I use them for headaches, body aches, relaxing baths, to keep my family and I alert and awake and to help naturally lull us to sleep. The possibilities and combinations are amazing. I am by no means a doctor and nothing should replace a doctor’s care in case of a medical emergency, essential oils help my family and I in a pinch so I highly recommend them! I have a list of the top six that I tend to run out of pretty quickly and their descriptions for here for you and you can CLICK HERE for the free printable!
Note: Carrier oils are oils used to dilute essential oils (I use coconut and almond oils mostly), as the essential oils are concentrated and can burn or seriously irritate your skin if used incorrectly.
Peppermint Essential Oil
This is my number one go to essential oil for headaches, upset stomach/nausea and staying awake and alert. Peppermint tends to bring a calming affect to the atmosphere. We actually used peppermint oil in the delivery room when I gave birth to my son. I opted for a completely natural birth and used things like aromatherapy to help me through the pain that is labor. Swipe some under your nose to calm upset stomach. Have a headache? Dab a little at your temples and on the back of your neck for sweet relief. I mix peppermint into my shampoo when I wash my hair and in my leave in condition because it stimulates the scalp to promote blood circulation which in turn helps your hair grow.
It also helps keep bugs, wasps and bees away. I mix it with a carrier oil and spray around the outside of the house where mosquitoes and wasp might gather.I don’t really prefer to spray chemicals where children and pets will be-so I always look for natural alternatives, In turn I use a mixture on our skin so as not to get bitten and be miserable all summer long.
Jasmine Essential Oil
Jasmine essential oil is great for helping you get to sleep at night. I actually put a couple drops on all of our pillows and then put the pillow cases on the pillows (it can be kind of strong, so if that bothers you , I don’t suggest using it this way!). If it has been an especially tiring day try putting 10 drops in a tub of warm water and take a nice soothing bath.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
If anyone has a cold eucalyptus works wonders. There are a few ways you can use this essential oil. You can mix 5 drops or so with a carrier oil and 3 drops of peppermint, then take it and rub it on your chest and the soles of your feet (or the kids or the husband) and that works wonderfully. Sinus pressure? Dab a bit under your nose.
Chamomile Essential Oil
Chamomile-another greater soother and bringing of sleep and happy places.I don’t care for tea (of any sort-not even sweet,,,I know…what planet am I from…) but I have heard that chamomile tea has great benefits. Well if it evokes the calm the oil brings, I can imagine it would be great.I put this in an oil diffuser when I sit and meditate or in my son’s room when it’s time for bed.
Lemongrass Essential Oil
Lemongrass essential oil is one of those oils that helps keep us awake. So when I’m burning the midnight oil writing or reading I’ll use the salt bowl trick (I’ll tell you about that in a sec) near my work space so as to help me stay awake. It usually works, unless I’m unusually tired!
Patchouli Essential Oil
A lot of people are not really familiar with this essential oil. It’s not really all that popular because of how strong the scent is, but that same scent is a turn off for pest as well-so I love it! When working with Patchouli you will want to make sure to dilute it and not spray it on to anything made of cloth because it will stain it and the smell will only come out after its faded over time-a log time. I use the little finger tip sprayer bottles and fill it up with a carrier oil and put about 20 drops of Patchouli in the bottle and shake it up. Normally I will add some peppermint to the mix to give it that extra oompf. (I don’t want no bugs in my TLC voice Lol!)
So, there’s my top list of 6!!
I normally keep Grapefruit, Cinnamon, Tea Tree and Jasmine on hand as well but we don’t use them quite as often as the others. I very often put them in baths for myself and my family. Oh and about the salt bowl trick…so if you don’t have a diffuser, but you do have some epsom salts, take a cup full of epsom salts and pour it into a bowl. Then take the essential oils that are appropriate for whatever mood you want to creat (ie work, sleep, getting well) and pour out 10 to 15 drops over the salt. Don’t mix it or anything just let it sit and place the bowl wherever you will be working, sleeping, etc. You can keep adding to this for at least 3-5 days.