Practical Essential Oils for Daily Use
As I’m sure most of you have noticed, essential oils have picked up in popularity over the past few years. And truly it’s no secret - people have been using essential oils for thousands of years. When I first started using essential oils, it was mostly just in a diffuser to enjoy their scents, but over the past year I’ve incorporated them into my life in a lot of different ways. Here are a few of my favorite oils and how I use them.
Lemon:
Citrus oils might be my favorite, and lemon oil definitely is an all-star.
Internally: Drink a drop or two in a large glass of purified water first thing in the morning to alkalize the body, or any time of day as a nice alternative to plain water. (I also like doing this with peppermint oil for fresh breath and healthy digestion throughout the day)
Cleaning agent: on its own or combined with other oils lemon is a strong cleaning agent that also smells amazing and is non-toxic. My favorite blend is lemon and lavender to clean and disinfect surfaces as well as fabrics.
Diffuse: I love to diffuse this oil in my kitchen (as well as put a few drops in the sink/ down the garbage disposal) to keep everything smelling fresh.
Lavender:
Lavender is best known for its calming benefits, but it truly has so many uses!
Sleep aid: diffuse lavender in the bedroom to promote a restful night of sleep and try a few drops on the bottom of the feet for an even more powerful effect. Depending on the quality of your lavender oil, it can also be taken internally both as a sleep aid and to help ease anxious feelings.
Wound healing: lavender oil can help heal burns, scrapes/cuts, bug bites and stings, as well as irritated or dry skin (great after hair removal!). It can also be used to treat dandruff and eczema!
Flavoring: Lavender is a unique and tasty addition to many dishes, my favorite is to add it to coffee or any chocolate-y dessert!
Melaleuca:
Also known as Tea Tree, this oil is best known for its antibacterial properties. *this one is not safe for pets
Wound healing: dilute a few drops in a carrier oil to help heal cuts and scrapes. It can also be used topically to help heal acne and to soothe the skin and scalp.
Cleaning agent: because of its antibacterial properties this is a great oil to use for cleaning. You can mix it with other oils to improve the scent (not my favorite smell- but does help eliminate foul odors) or use it on its own. Try a few drops mixed with water and lavender oil to clean your yoga mat!
Wild Orange:
This citrus is almost interchangeable with lemon oil, but offers a slightly different scent.
Internally: just like lemon, this oil can be added to water for a refreshing flavor plus added immune benefits.
Uplift: try a few drops in a bath or in a diffuser for an instant uplift, or try diffusing it with peppermint oil.
Cleaning: just like lemon, this is a powerful cleaning agent that can be used on surfaces, fabrics, and in the air.
Oil blends:
Once blended, essential oils can become even more powerful. Many companies offer blends, here are my favorites from doTERRA:
OnGuard: whenever I get sick or start to feel under the weather this is my go-to essential oil. I put a few drops in a small spray bottle to keep on hand as a disinfectant both for my hands/ body but also for any fabrics or surfaces I come in contact with. I also diffuse it in my home for the same purpose. Don’t forget to spray down and clean your phone, too! This one also doubles as a great alternative for mouth wash. Try a few drops in water and swish!
Deep Blue: This was one of the first essential oil blends I ever tried. I was looking for a remedy for sore muscles and this is it! It can be applied directly or with a carrier oil for a soothing yet invigorating massage. If you have a body part that causes you pain, you can rub this oil on it in the morning/ before or after exercising.
A few things to keep in mind about essential oils.
Make sure you are buying quality essential oils that are intended for whatever purpose you plan on using them for. Some of the essential oils you will see are not intended for internal use.
Follow instructions and dilute when necessary. Some oils are very powerful when used topically and should be diluted with a carrier oil, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Less is more when taking them internally, literally one drop or two is often sufficient.
Also, I am not a doctor and these are solely my opinions.
These essential oils were gifted by doTERRA but I am not a sales rep for them, they are simply my favorite brand that I have found as far as quality goes. Do your research and make an educated purchase based on what makes the most sense for you!
What are your favorite essential oils and how do you use them?