Saddle up, this is going to be a long one!
As part of my course I am also studying essential oils and all the amazing healing properties that they have. This post is going to be about some of the most common essential oils and the different amazing things they can do for the body.
Please understand that this is meant to be taken as a GUIDE ONLY, and that further independent research should be done if you want to start healing with essential oils. Secondly, essential oils are not meant to be placed directly on the skin without being diluted in a carrier oil; as they penetrate into the blood stream and can have the opposite effect of what you want. You also have to be very careful about using essential oils on the skin when you are pregnant as some oils can cause harm to the fetus. Lastly you must use ALL NATURAL essential oils, synthetic essential oils can make you very sick and will often have the opposite to desired effect on your body.
I am going to break the oils down into 3 different categories soothing, grounding, and stimulating.
Soothing
Lavender
Properties
Fresh herbaceous- floral, balsamic undertones
Native to the high mountains of southern France
bathing, soothing, disenfecting
soothing to the nervous and digestive systems
Therapeutic Uses
1 drop of oil to 1 cup of water as an antiseptic
Lavender, chamomile, bergamot, neroli, into a carrier oil helps with eczema, psoriasis
Lavender and rosemary for healthy hair
Up to 20 drops in the tub for soothing bath
Lavender and geranium or eucalyptus to stimulate the immune system
A few drops placed on a warmer before bed to sooth/calm
Chamomile
Properties
Sweet, fruity, herbaceous
Native to Hungary & Egypt
Over 100 uses (national institute of health)
Calming, soothing
Helps sooth headaches & migraines
Good for allergies and sensitive skin
Therapeutic Uses
Used with lemon or honey for sleep
helps with ear aches/infections
Chamomile, honey, rose, sandalwood, geranium in distilled water for sensitive skin
Blends well with bergamot, clary, sage, lavender, jasmine, geranium, grapefruit, tea tree, rose, lemon, lime and yang-ylang oil.
Jasmine
Properties
Powerful, warm, floral, herbaceous-fruity undertones
Native to Egypt & Turkey
Vines are from the olive family
Considered an aphrodisiac
Therapeutic Uses
Can be used in wound healing
Acts as an antidepressant
Considered an antiseptic
Blends well with bergamot, sandalwood, rose
Also blends with citrus fruits such as orange, lemon, lime and grapefruit
Ylang-Ylang
Properties
Powerful, sweet, floral
Native to Commores, Indonesia, & Philippines
Oils derived from flowers of a tropical tree
Therapeutic Uses
Can be used as a sedative
Considered to be an aphrodisiac
Soothes insect bites
Blends well with bergamot, grapefruit, lavender and sandalwood
Grounding Oils
Geranium
Properties
Powerful, green-leafy, rosy with fruity undertones
Native to southern Africa
AKA Cranesbill, storkesbill
Calming, balancing, uplifting
Antioxidant, Antiseptic, Astringent
Therapeutic Uses
Refreshing bath oil
Blends well with rose, citrus, basil
Commonly found in cosmetics as an astringent
Good for oily/dry skin
1 drop in 1 cup of water can be used to treat sores around the mouth and eyes
Can be used on a warmer to cleanse the air
Cypress
Properties
Sweet, balsamic, reminiscent of pine needles
Native to Cypress Island
Considered a "supportive oil"
Therapeutic Uses
Astringent and contractions good for teeth, skin and muscles
Cypress/ Hyssop for relief of hay fever
Antiseptic for internal and external wounds
Good for oily skin
Best in a warmer in the winter
Sandalwood
Properties
Soft, woody, persistent
Native to India
Used for everyday religious rituals
Used for embalming (believed to carry the soul into the next life)
Therapeutic Uses
Grounding
Acts as a memory booster
Used in sensitive skin care
Used in eczema treatments
Can help with over exposure to sun
Used to help with fever, burns, and to reduce sweating
Blends well with bergamot, black pepper, geranium, lavender, myrrh, rose, vetiver and ylang-ylang
Stimulating
Eucalyptus
Properties
Pungent, camphoraceous, spicy
Native to Australia
Worlds fastest growing trees
Cough,cold and sinus remedy
Therapeutic Uses
Can be inhaled or rubbed on the chest as a respiratory aid
Blends well with juniper and lavender
Effective rub for joints and muscles
Can be used as an antiseptic bath
1 drop with honey, or on a sugar cube can be used as an antiseptic / diuretic
Can be used on a warmer during flu season
Rosemary
Properties
Fresh, herbaceous, woody
Native to Mediterranean region
Associated with mind, body, adrenals, and memory
Therapeutic Uses
**CAUTION** NOT DURING PREGNANCY (Seizures and high blood pressure)
Blend with lavender for hair conditioner
1 drop on top of the head in the shower as a stimulant
on a warmer in the morning
Very strong stimulant
Brain and nerve tonic
Blends well with frankincense, lavender, clary, sage, cedarwood, basil, thyme, citronella, lemongrass, elemi, geranium, chamomile, peppermint and cardamom
Lemon
Properties
Fresh, sweet, reminiscent of the peel
Native to Asia
Stimulates the nervous system
Therapeutic Uses
Antiseptic, bactericidal
Detoxification and purification for the body
Astringent for infectious diseases
Treats wrinkles and brown spots
Lemon with olive oil or honey in water speeds up the digestive system
Lemon and water for detoxification
On a warmer to stimulate
Blends well with lavender, rose oil, neroli, sandalwood, geranium, ylang-ylang, tea tree oil
Peppermint
Properties
Powerful, minty, herbaceous, balsamic, sweet undertones
Native to Europe and Asia
Referred to as the worlds oldest medicine
Therapeutic Uses
Good for respiratory system
Antiseptic, sedative and cooling properties
Contains mineral nutrients
Good for indigestion and upset stomach
Blends well with eucalyptus, rosemary, lemon and marjoram
Tea Tree
Properties
Warm-spicy, fresh, camphoraceous
Native to Australia
Therapeutic Uses
Antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral, fungicide
Zit zapper
Can be added to laundry to remove odours
Added to shampoo to prevent head lice
blends well with cinnamon, clary sage, clove, geranium, lavender, lemon, myrrh, nutmeg, rosewood, rosemary, and thyme
Hope this was helpful
Thanks for reading beauties
Danielle
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