Beginner's Guide to Essential Oils

First off, congrats on clicking the link and welcome to the kickstart of a new practice you won’t be giving up on ;) There’s more to essential oils than just filling a room with a soothing and pleasant scent. Aromatherapy is a form of medicine and practice to help an individual’s health and well-being. This therapeutic practice has been around for centuries and can alleviate anxiety, depression, insomnia, just to name a few. With all that said and being so easy to implement into your lives, you can’t say no now. Here’s a brief guide about essential oils and how you can use them.

Where do they come from?

Essential oils are extracted from various plants and fruits. They are distilled with steam or water and each have it’s own specific characteristic to release their unique aroma.

How do you use them? 

Many, including myself, use essential oils as a form of aromatherapy with a diffuser. A couple of years ago, I received this diffuser and oil set, I absolutely love it (and as you can see a top product on Amazon #bomb). Other ways you can use essential oils is on your skin for massages. Before using it in a massage, you’ll want to mix it with a base oil as well as read the ingredients of that specific oil to triple-check it's okay on your skin. Something to note… Essentials are not meant for consumption!

How to find the right essential oils?

Like any product, it’s very important to pay attention to the ingredients. Whether you’re inhaling or massaging it into your skin, you’ll want to know what you are adding to your body. When purchasing oils, there are three characteristics to keep in mind: Purity, quality, and the reputation of the brand. You don’t want to invest in oils that have unnecessary ingredients and chemicals or have a bad rep. Smart shopping is important shopping! Fun fact: Oils are highly concentrated substances. With that said these should be in dark glass jars. If they are in a plastic bottle, it would melt the material so definitely toss that out of your cart if it’s there.

Your Recipe for Success

Each scent has its own different properties bringing something different to the table. When using essential oils, you can mix and match to better fit your needs. Below are some of the popular scents we all are pretty much familiar with:

Lavender (Lavandula angustofolia): This floral scent is most known for being mild and calming. 

Peppermint (Mentha piperita): Peppermint offers a minty scent that is known for giving boosts of energy, freshens the air, and giving a feeling of relief.

Lemon (Citrus Limonum): Another scent that smells so fresh and so clean clean(get it?💃🏽). Similar to peppermint, this helps with energy and uplifting moods. Lemon also promotes a healthy circulation.

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus radiata): This is known as a medicinal and minty scent. This is associated with eliminating headaches, relieving pain, and cooling off. They say eucalyptus is also good for stimulating the mind and body.

Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia): Another medicinal scent that is a little more potent. This oil is good for healing acne, treating some infections, and another fun fact, insect repellent. 

Orange (Citrus sinensis): My favorite! This scent is good for boosting your immune system, creating an uplifting mood and easing anxiety.

Feeling a little adventurous or need something else?

Check out these other scents if you’re looking to alleviate these specific concerns. Aromatherapy is a natural and healthy gift you can give yourself. Enjoy!

Help induce sleep: Lavender, rose, sage, chamomile, bergamot

For relaxation: Rose, clary, sage, lavender, orange, geranium, chamomile, sandalwood

Improving concentration: Rosemary, basil, peppermint, grapefruit. Pine, cedar

Energy booster: Lemon, orange, grapefruit, eucalyptus, cinnamon, peppermint, rosemary

Acne & skin irritations: Tea tree oil, lavender, rosemary

Muscle Inflammation: Peppermint, Eucalyptus, cayenne, rosemary

Sore throat: Peppermint, eucalyptus, ginger, lemon, tea tree, sage, rosemary

Stress relief: Lavender, lemongrass, sage, orange, chamomile