Top 7 Essential Oils Every Home Should Have
29-Jan-2007


(BlackDoctor.org) -- The following are the top 7 essential oils that I believe every home should have.

Lavender

Lavender for everyday use is the most widely recommended oil for therapeutic benefits and for personal enjoyment. After a demanding day reach for the floral sweet smell that calms the nerves and relaxes the mind. This wonderful balancing oil will treat skin burns, soothe menstrual cramps and add to your overall sense of facing new challenges with anticipation and sensitivity. It can be used throughout the day to relieve stress and headaches.



Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is commonly used in remedies to treat coughs and the common cold. Because it helps loosen phlegm many herbal practitioners recommend inhaling eucalyptus vapors to help treat bronchitis. Eucalyptus oil is rich in cineole (a potent antiseptic that kills bacteria responsible for bad breath). Also, its camphoraceous smell in combination with lemon is often used as an insect repellent.


Rosemary

If you need to feel a little more energetic and purposeful, try rosemary oil in your morning bath or shower. It is a warming and invigorating oil that improves circulation and enhances concentration and is recommended for use during exercise classes to prevent soreness. Also, many aromatherapists find it excellent for scalp and hair treatments. It is antiseptic and unfriendly to colds and flu, as well as detoxifying oil. Many world-class chefs find it indispensable as a culinary herb.



Tea Tree

Tea Tree essential oil—more than any other antiseptic oil—is expected to do the therapeutic heavy lifting in aromatherapy. It is the most used first-aid oil in the practice of alternative medicine. It is anti-viral, anti-bacterial and used in the treatment of poor oral hygiene. Every home medicine cabinet should have a bottle. Tea tree tends to be extroverted and concentrated so be a little shy and careful with its application.



Orange

The scent of orange reduces anxiety and lightly lowers high blood pressure. Diffuse orange to help ease symptoms of bronchitis, colds, the flu, and to soothe stress and depression. A clockwise abdominal massage of orange may ease constipation and water retention. Orange makes an excellent body moisturizer, and when added to the bath has a calming effect. Orange has excellent de-greasing and cleaning properties.



Peppermint

Peppermint essential oil, as a massage oil over the abdomen, relaxes the muscles to help in the digestion of heavy meals and relieves flatulence, cramping, nausea and specific disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome. Peppermint oil relieves the itching of ringworm, blisters, poison oak and ivy and stimulates oil production in dry skin and hair. Many bacterial and viral infections are destroyed by it.



Ylang Ylang

The sound of ylang ylang sounds exotic, mischievous and playful—and scientific research on this unique flower, native to Indonesia, bears this out. Produced in Madagascar, this romantic mood setting oil is known to be a powerful aphrodisiac and sedates the nerves to give one a sense of well being. Restless nights are no longer tolerated as ylang ylang is now recognized as an alternative to lavender in helping to prevent insomnia.



Listed below are essential oils that are most problematic for certain conditions.



Pregnancy: cedarwood, chamomile, lavender,

peppermint, rose and rosemary



Photosensitizing: (reacts with sunlight)

angelica, bergamot, lemon, orange, grapefruit and mandarin



Epilepsy: fennel (sweet), hyssop, rosemary and sage (all types)

Aromatherapy Thymes magazine