Lifestyle Enhancing Essential Oils
A Certified Nutritionist's guide to the top essential oils and how to use them.
Essential oils are meant as a natural way to enhance your health and well-being. Most can be used in a diffuser, directly inhaled, added to an oil carrier and massaged into skin, added to a bath or shower, used on a compress, or used in a sprayer or mister. Choose pure essential oils for optimum results and use only as directed.
These are some of the best essential oils to use in a practical and healthy way.
Clary Sage ~ Promotes balanced hormones and soothes menstrual discomforts
Add clary sage to almond, coconut, or jojoba oil for menstrual cramp relief – add 3 drops clary sage essential oil to 1 teaspoon oil of choice; apply to a washcloth or clean fingertips and massage gently onto abdomen area or other achy areas such as neck and shoulders.
Clove ~ Promotes healthy teeth and gums and supports cardiovascular health
Add one drop clove to clean fingertip and rub on sore tooth or gum for relief.
Eucalyptus ~ Promotes clear breathing and supports respiratory health
Add eucalyptus to a bath or shower for cold and respiratory relief – add 3 drops of eucalyptus essential oil in a bathtub or on a wet washcloth if taking a shower, to clear your airways.
Frankincense ~ Promotes wound healing and reduces scar and stretch mark appearance
Add frankincense to almond, coconut, or jojoba oil – add 3 drops of frankincense essential oil to 1 teaspoon oil of choice; apply to a cotton ball and dab on affected skin.
Helichrysum ~ Promotes skin recovery and supports blood flow
Add helichrysum to jojoba oil (or buy it preblended); apply two drops to a cotton ball to remove make-up; massage a few drops, 3- 4, to bottom of tired feet.
Lavender ~ Promotes skin recovery, calms nervous system, and reduces tension
Add lavender to witch hazel for a calming skin toner – add 3 drops lavender essential oil to 1 teaspoon witch hazel on a washcloth; pat face and neck, avoiding eyes, for a gentle skin toner. Add lavender to water for a soothing mist – add 15 drops lavender essential oil to 1- ounce water in a mister; spray face and neck, avoiding eyes, as needed for skin care and stress reducer. Add lavender to Epsom salts and soak feet in tub or foot bath.
Lemon ~ Promotes cleansing and uplifts mood
Add a few drops of lemon to citrus-infused white vinegar for a safe, non-toxic kitchen cleaner – save citrus slices and keep them in a glass jar; add white vinegar as the jar fills up and once the jar is filled, strain the juice from the fruits and throw out the rinds. This leaves you with a jar of citrus-infused vinegar; add 3-4 drops of lemon (or orange) essential oil and pour into a sprayer bottle.
Peppermint ~ Promotes respiratory function and alleviates headache, congestion, nausea, and stress
Add peppermint to almond, coconut, or jojoba oil – 3 drops of peppermint to 1 teaspoon oil of choice; apply to a cotton ball or clean fingertips and gently rub onto temples, forehead, bridge of nose, or neck for headache, congestion, nausea, or stress.
Rosemary ~ Promotes hair growth and soothes minor aches and pain
Add rosemary to jojoba oil – 6 drops of rosemary to 1 teaspoon jojoba oil; apply to scalp for hair growth or bottom of feet for minor body aches.
Tea Tree ~ Promotes healthy skin and offers anti-bacterial cleansing
Add tea tree to witch hazel for facial acne, redness, or inflammation – 3 drops tea tree to 1-ounce witch hazel on a washcloth or in a mister; pat or mist face as needed, 1-2 times a day.