Essential oil, by definition, is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid that is made with chemical compounds from plants. In other words, its an oil mixed with plant and flower extracts that smells amazing. However, essential oil is not just for smelling. It has many other properties that can be used for several purposes with awesome benefits.
If you are new to essential oils and don’t know where to begin, don’t worry. There are so many different kinds and types out there it can be a little overwhelming for beginners. It’s good to just start with the basics and build up your collection. With that, you’ll want the classics, the ones that are the most versatile and popular. Here are 10 essential oils that are must-haves.
Lavender is the queen of essential oils. It’s pretty much the OG for its versatile uses and how popular it is due to its amazing smell. Lavender promotes relaxation and calm, and it has been known to treat conditions such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia. On a more physical level, it even helps with things like allergies, eczema, upset stomachs, and menstrual cramps. As someone who has most of these issues, I can honestly say that putting a few drops my lavender essential oil in my defuser each night, has helped with all of these issues and made everything so much better for me.
Although you can use Lavender for many personal uses, it’s also such a popular and pleasing sent to most that it makes a great scent to have in the background of your home or office.
Think of tea tree oil as “the skin” oil. If you’re out of acne cream, disinfect for cuts, or hand sanitizer this is a great alternative. Tea tree essential oil is a natural antiseptic and most are made to be gentle enough for skin, but it is still recommended that you use sparingly. It helps with most skincare needs such as acne, but it is also anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. This can treat everything from athlete’s foot to nail fungus and much more.
This is a good one to have in your arsenal for almost any of your healing needs.
Another classic essential oil is Frankincense. You might have heard about it from the Biblical story as one of the gifts the Three Wise Men brought to baby Jesus to celebrate his birth. Like the story, the properties of Frankincense are quite powerful. It is known to have a high vibration of energy that can keep you in a clear and balanced state.
Other powerful benefits include being anti-inflammatory, in-turn, helping to reduce joint pain. It also improves gut function, asthma, oral health, and much more.
Think of it this way, if you’re feeling inflamed, whether, on an energetic or physical level, this is a good one to use.
Whenever I think of spearmint, I think of the crisp, clean, cool energy that you feel when you inhale this essential oil. This is also such a popular and versatile oil as well. Anything for the stomach, this is the essential oil you want to use. It is used to help treat gas, indigestion, upset stomach, and vomiting. It also is high in antioxidants, can improve memory, may lower blood pressure, and much more.
Spearmint is a big stress reliever as well. Just the smell can open up your sense and clear your lungs so you can breathe deeper and become calmer. It also kind of reminds me of Christmastime, who doesn’t want some of that throughout the day?
Like spearmint, eucalyptus essential oil is a refreshing, crisp, and clean smell. This is also another popular and versatile oil that you’ll love. Think of this as the respiratory (breathing) oil. Its many benefits include silencing a cough, help you breathe easier, and to clear your chest. It can also freshen your breathe and heal cold sores.
On top of being an amazing smell that you can have on at any time whether on your body or in your home or office, it also makes a great bug repellent which is nice!
I like to think of rosemary essential oil as one that does it all. It can lift your spirits as well as lower stress levels. It also can improve brain function and hair growth. Rosemary can also reduce joint inflammation as well as improve your circulation. You can also be used as a bug repellent.
Although the smell is not as popular as lavender or some of the other essential oils, it does smell very earthy and refreshing. It is a great go-to when you just want a little bit of everything!
Lemongrass is a great oil to mix with or add a drop or two to other oils. It compliments not only in smell, but adds something extra without overwhelming. If you’re unfamiliar with lemongrass, it is a fresh, leafy-lemon plant that has a great aroma.
Its benefits are simple but still powerful. It is uplifting, purifying, and cleansing. This is great in lotions and body cleansers but can also be good in defusers or a drop or two on the body.
Lemon essential oil smells just like you think it would smell; a lemon! It’s fruity, fresh, and very uplifting. Lemons, in general, have so many health benefits. It is very cleansing, promotes hydration, improves skin, is loaded with vitamin C, and much more. These benefits can still be obtained through essential oil. It can be used in defusers, lotions, cleansers, body mists, and much more. This would be nice to defuse while cooking or cleaning!
Just like tea, chamomile is very relaxing and can calm you during times of anxiety and stress. It is known as the best essential to use before bed as it reduces and relieves physical pain and emotional tension.
Release your worries with this oil. You’ll want this one in your collection, especially to include in your bedtime routine.
I know what you’re thinking, “Berga-what?” Bergamot is just like lemon or orange essential oil as it is very citrusy and bright. It can help with lots of emotional issues and can be overall very uplifting and relaxing. So, ease some tension in your body and get off that emotional roller coaster. Bergamot is here for you!
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