Essential oils go hand in hand with herbal medicine, which has been used for centuries for not only treating disease and ailments, but for ritual purposes as well. We’ve gathered 10 of the best essential oils to use (in our opinion) for your knowledge: what they are, why they’re great, and how to use them.

Essential oils have had their renaissance the past five or so years: tinctures, diffusers, body lotions and balms, face creams, serums, hair products, bath bombs and more are everywhere we look. Shops like Saje and Escents have built their business on consumers’ love for aromatherapy. While it feels like a fairly recent phenomenon, essential oils have been around for centuries, dating all the way back to Ancient Egypt. The Egyptians used essential oils in beauty treatments, wore it as perfume, and even used it for embalming the dead to adorn the skin and protect it from the hot, dry climate. Essential oils go hand in hand with herbal medicine, which has been used for centuries for not only treating disease and ailments, but for ritual purposes as well. Plants have long been believed to be magical, and were (and still are) an integral part of religious and spiritual practices around the world.

Essential oils or ‘essences’, highly concentrated and powerful, are extracted from a wide variety of plants like rose, lavender, sandalwood, frankincense, sage, and so on. The oils are obtained by the process of distillation, and come from various parts of each plant including the seeds, flowers, leaves, and wood. They can be used for healing many different physical and mental conditions, and aid in overall wellness, vitality and spiritual connection. Essential oils are completely safe and a natural alternative to the synthetic products we use on our bodies and in our homes everyday.

We’ve gathered 10 of the best essential oils to use (in our opinion) for your knowledge: what they are, why they’re great, and how to use them. Get your diffusers ready!

1. Lavender

Lavender is one of the most well-known and used essential oils, and for good reason: it treats an impressive number of both physical and psychological ailments, and boosts the immune system.

Can help with these physical conditions & ailments:
Eczema, dermatitis, acne, arthritis pain, headaches, earaches, bites/stings, blisters, burns, cuts, swollen joints, dry skin, nosebleeds, cold sores

Can help with these psychological conditions & ailments:
Insomnia, fear, anxiety, paranoia, hysteria, impatience

Ways to use it:
Diffuse or burn it, apply topically to affected area, use in a warm bath, dilute with water and use as a body/room/linen spray. Especially good as a pillow spray if you’re having trouble sleeping.

2. Frankincense

Frankincense comes from the gum of a small tree in North Africa and has a warm, spicy scent. It’s been coveted for centuries due to its believed magical properties, and is a wonderful tool to use in your yoga, meditation, and/or spiritual practice.

Can help with these physical conditions & ailments:
Acne scarring, cracked/dry skin, hemorrhoids, nosebleeds

Can help with these psychological conditions & ailments:
Fear, anxiety, nerves, paranoia, panic attacks, claustrophobia, nightmares

Ways to use it:
Diffuse or burn it, apply topically, use in a warm bath, use as part of your meditation/spiritual practice.

3. Lemongrass

Apart from its sweet, bright, energizing scent, lemongrass is anti-microbial, and a natural anti-oxidant and astringent. It’s also said to have anti-cancerous properties.

Can help with these physical conditions & ailments:
Muscle aches and pains, athlete’s foot, heartburn, nausea, diarrhea, high blood sugar/cholesterol/blood pressure, headaches & migraines, fever

Can help with these psychological conditions & ailments:
Lethargy, restlessness, depression, stress, anxiety, burnout

Ways to use it:
Diffuse or burn it for a boost of energy, use in a warm bath, apply topically mixed with coconut oil to relieve heartburn and treat acne spots, or simply rub a few drops onto your temples at the first sign of a headache.

4.  Tea Tree

Tea Tree oil is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and boosts the immune system. It’s also great for your hair, skin, and nails and can even be used as a natural all-purpose cleaner for surfaces in your home.

Can help with these physical conditions & ailments:
Acne, dry skin & hair, dandruff, fungal nail infections, candida, thrush, mouth ulcers

Ways to use it:
Diffuse or burn it, mix a few drops with some coconut oil and apply topically to affected area, use in a warm bath, mix with water and apple cider vinegar to create an effective homemade surface cleaner

5. Clary Sage

Clary Sage is an effective muscle relaxant and is often used to treat PMS. It regulates hormones and is believed to help with depression by lowering cortisol levels and improving thyroid function. It also eliminates odours in the air.

Can help with these physical conditions & ailments:
Exhaustion, insomnia, PMS, flatulence, low libido, muscle spasms/convulsions

Can help with these psychological conditions & ailments:
Compulsiveness, claustrophobia, depression, hostility, stress, burnout

Ways to use it:
Diffuse or burn it to promote wellness and eliminate odours in the air, apply topically, inhale directly, use in a warm bath.

6. Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is a powerful antiseptic, and has a strong, distinct smell (ever used Vicks VapoRub?) It clears the sinuses, cleans the air, kills bacteria, and repels insects.

Can help with these physical conditions & ailments:
Asthma, bronchitis, head colds, congestion, sinus infections

Ways to use it:
Diffuse or burn it, steam your face with water and a few drops of the oil, inhale directly or apply topically to the chest to clear sinuses, use in a warm bath, mix with water to create natural insect repellant.

7. Sandalwood

Sandalwood is native to India and Indonesia and has a woody, sweet scent. It’s particularly useful for ailments in the throat area, and can be used in your spiritual practice when working with the throat chakra. Plus, sandalwood promotes healthy, smooth skin and hair.

Can help with these physical conditions & ailments:
Bronchitis, dry cough, sore throat, hoarseness, voice loss, sinus infections

Can help with these psychological conditions & ailments:
Anxiety, fear, paranoia, dread, listlessness, irritability

Ways to use it:
Diffuse or burn it, steam your face with boiling water and a few drops of the oil, inhale directly to ease tension and worry, apply topically to throat and neck, use in a warm bath, apply to wet hair, massage into skin mixed with coconut oil, use as part of your meditation/spiritual practice.

8. Rose

Rose oil is known for its excellent purification properties: physically, emotionally, and metaphysically. It’s anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and is believed to be an aphrodisiac (the rose is one of the most romantic flowers, after all!). It can also promote liver health, help depression and PMS and is also often used for healthy hair, skin, and nails.

Can help with these physical conditions & ailments:
Scarring, tired & ageing skin, fever, gout, arthritis, headaches & migraines, muscle spasms/convulsions, excessive bleeding/hemorrhages

Can help with these psychological conditions & ailments:
Fear, anxiety, nerves grief, terror, paranoia

Ways to use it:
Diffuse or burn it, use in a warm bath with rose petals for a luxurious experience, dilute with water and use as a face/hair/body mist, apply topically to face, neck, and décolletage.

9. Chamomile

Chamomile is incredibly soothing, a natural anti-histamine, and helps combats depression & anxiety, insomnia, and PMS. It’s great for the skin when used topically, promotes heart health, and, like lemongrass, has anti-cancerous properties. Chamomile is often the essential oil of choice for parents to young children, especially those with A.D.D./ADHD, due to its calming effects and mild scent/feel.

Can help with these physical conditions & ailments:
PMS, boils, dermatitis, eczema, arthritis, inflamed skin, swollen joints, sprains

Can help with these psychological conditions & ailments:
A.D.D./ADHD, depression, anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, impulsiveness

Ways to use it:
Diffuse or burn it, use in a warm bath, apply topically, add to your favourite face creams/shampoos for a youthful glow, add to tea or other hot drinks, dilute with water for spray that can be used on face or linens for a feeling of calm and peace.

10. Bergamot

Bergamot is extracted from the rind of a citrus-like fruit, similar to a lemon, native to Italy. It’s anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, aids digestion, is a natural deodorant, relieves depression & anxiety, and can even lower cholesterol. It has a light, uplifting scent similar to Lemongrass, and when diffused is a natural mood booster.

Can help with these physical conditions & ailments:
PMS, boils, wounds, scarring, herpes, psoriasis, travel sickness, high cholesterol, indigestion, fever

Can help with these psychological conditions & ailments:
Anxiety, depression, stress, lethargy, restlessness

Ways to use it:
Diffuse or burn it, use in a warm bath, inhale directly, apply topically, add a few drops to your regular deodorant or rub directly onto armpits, dilute with water for a natural, affordable room spray.

Categories: WELLNESS