Top 10 Best Essential Oils for Beginners and their Benefits
A History of Essential Oils
A brief word on Essential Oils
Essential Oils are considered to harness nature's power and affect the way we feel and can produce responses in the human body such as relaxation or revival. They are used very widely but most obviously in personal and household products. They are already present in most of the products we use on a daily basis so consider this before you use any; that your body might get mixed messages from a lavender soap, tea-tree hand cream, lemon zest tea and a ylang ylang bubble bath so consider the response you want as well as what you are using in harmony with your body. Here is a little guide to ten of the most popular essential oils and what they can do for you.
Lavender
Uses: healing, relaxation and aiding sleep if used in very small quantities. It has the opposite effects in medium to large quantities acting as a stimulant. It is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and anti-stress.
How it is extracted: Pressed or steam distilled from the flowers
Cost: Cheap in most forms
Be careful - there are widely varying degrees of concentration and quality as lavender is grown in so many countries. French and English are usually good quality.
Rose
Uses: Women’s problems, digestion, anxiety, depression, fatigue, circulation and much more
How it is extracted: Rose petals distilled in oil or water to create an otto
Cost: Actual essential oil is very expensive, many are diluted
Be careful of use during pregnancy and using large quantites.
Tea Tree
Uses: For relief from infection, boosting immunity, first aid and healing skin, anti-bacterial, anti-dandruff and anti-athletes foot- just about everything!
How it is extracted: From the leaves and stalks in oil
Cost: Very cheap
Be careful of getting in the eyes, nose or mouth. It may well burn on direct application to the skin.
Bergamot
Uses: Stress, depression and skin problems. Some also say it provides relief from fevers
How it is extracted: Cold extracted from the peel of the fruit
Cost: Cheap
Be careful of going into the sun when using this oil
Patchouli
Uses: Relaxing, colds, nausea, intestinal problems, bloating and diarrhoea, anti-anxiety
How it is extracted: Steam distilled from dried or young leaves
Cost: Not particularly expensive
Be careful of its strength!
Ylang Ylang
Uses: Headaches, skin conditions, relieve high-blood pressure, soothing insect bites and a reputed aphrodisiac
How it is extracted: Steam distillation from fresh flowers
Cost: Cheap
Be careful of using too much, it might cause headaches
Sandalwood
Uses: Anti-inflammatory and good for chest pain, stomach ache and vomiting, calming and anti-tension
How it is extracted: From the inner wood (not bark) and roots of a mature tree
Cost: Expensive
Lemon
Uses: Infections and cleansing, arthritis and rheumatism, acne and skin conditions, improving concentration, mood enhancer and digestion
How it is extracted: Cold expressing the outer peel
Cost: Very cheap
Be careful of an allergy to it and getting a rash
Rosemary
Uses: Anti-infection and cleansing, detoxifying, stimulant and memory, digestion and headaches, soothing
How it is extracted: Steam distillation of the flowers
Cost: Cheap
Be careful of using with high bloody pressure or when pregnant
Geranium
Uses: Soothing and reducing scars, skin diseases, PMS, cleansing and diuretic, cell health, anti-bacterial
How it is extracted: Steam distillation of leaves and stalks
Cost: Average price
Be careful of use during pregnancy and if you have circulation problems
Caution
With all essential oils you should use with extreme caution. In their pure essential oil form they are very strong and you should get an aromatherapist to blend these for you or buy a blend from a reputable seller. If you’re still planning to do it yourself you can either use one or two drops in a bath of water OR dilute it into an oil. Around 8-10 drops into 15ml of sweet almond oil or similar is average. This could be applied direct to skin in very small quantities on the affected area or somewhere else appropriate, especially arms/ legs/ abdomen/ pulse points. Avoid eye and intimate areas. If you are at all unsure, consult an aromatherapist. It is far far better to be safe than sorry with what is essentially powerful medicine.
