Your Own Simple Essential Oil Toolkit

I recommend several essential oils that could be great additions to your medicine cabinet. They can be used for several conditions and purposes. Here’s a list:

1. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): burns, dry skin, relaxation, insomnia. True lavender can be applied to the skin neat (without diluting it in a carrier oil) which is especially effective on 1st or 2nd degree burns but be careful of sellers offering synthetic or adulterated lavender oils which could make a burn worse. Check the scientific name before buying. If the seller does not list the Latin binomial name, it may be adulterated or a different species.

2. Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia): fungal infections (candida, Athlete’s foot), antiviral (colds, flu), antimicrobial. This can also be applied neat to the skin. Researchers have shown it is a powerful antifungal agent.

3. Lemon (Citrus limon): good for most types of infections, stimulates white blood cell production and is great for depression and feeling “down.” Avoid sun for 12 hours if applied to exposed skin. Lemon essential oil can be cold-pressed or distilled. The distilled lemon oil does not have the photosensitizing effects of the cold-pressed oil.

4. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus radiata or E. globulus): congestion, colds, headaches, general aches and pains. Do not use with children. Contact me for "kid-friendly" essential oils for respiratory issues.

5. Orange (Citrus sinensis): insomnia, relaxation, dry skin, uplifting. Significant digestive support.

6. Peppermint (Mentha × piperita): indigestion, constipation, energizer, analgesic. Contraindicated for those with a history of cardiac fibrillation.

It’s always best to dilute essential oils in a carrier oil such as sesame, coconut, jojoba or even olive oil unless they are designated as safe for "neat" application. They are not recommended to be taken internally but topical and inhalation routes are very effective in getting the oils into the body. Note the scientific names given here to get the right essential oil(s).

They can also be blended together depending on which oils you use. A combination of 2 drops lavender and 2 drops orange in a tablespoon of jojoba oil would be a great blend for insomnia or relaxation and could be massaged over the tummy area. Or a drop of peppermint oil and lemon oil in a tablespoon of sesame oil, massaged over the tummy area could significantly help indigestion. For a cold or flu, consider 1 drop lemon oil, 2 drops tea tree oil and 1 drop peppermint oil in 1 teaspoon jojoba or olive oil and massage over tummy area. You can use a drop of lavender oil on a burn neat (directly, without a carrier oil), but make sure it is Lavandula angustifolia, since hybrids and synthetics abound labelled "Lavender." This is good for first degree burns.

These essential oils are not expensive but are best purchased from quality companies rather than the aromatherapy shelf at the grocery store. Let me know if I can help you with this. They have no contraindications except those listed.

For more recommendations or if you have questions, reply to this post.