Essential oils are everywhere these days; they aren’t just for hippies anymore, friends.
It seems that everyone, from Kerry Washington to the neighborhood mail carrier, is enjoying their benefits.
And why not?
They smell amazing, are fun to use, and have healing properties.
But both you and I know that the sheer amount of information on essential oils out there can be overwhelming, especially if you’re a beginner (if you are, I recommend you read how essential oils work).
In this post, I’ll demystify essential oils for you so you can start using them in your life.
- What oils should you always keep on hand?
- Which oils are good for common ailments?
I’ve broken down the top 10 essential oils that you can’t live without.
10 Most Popular Essential Oils
Disclaimer:
I’m not a doctor and don’t play one on the internet. If you’re pregnant or have a health condition, check with your doctor before using. If you have pets, check with a vet before diffusing oils.
1. Lavender Essential Oil
Even most beginners have heard that lavender essential oil is great for calming anxiety and promoting quality sleep. And of course, it smells divine!
Lavender oil is also an antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory, so it’s also great for:
- Skin conditions, from eczema to acne
- Soothing joint and muscle pain
- Digestion (diffuse it or use topically with a carrier oil, DON’T ingest essential oils)
- Wool dryer balls — replaces synthetic dryer sheets and makes the laundry smell fresh!
2. Bergamot Essential Oil
Bergamot gives Earl Grey tea its unique, flowery flavor, which is so yummy!
It’s great for stabilizing your mood and healing skin abrasions.
Bergamot Oil Uses:
- During stressful times – Pour a few drops of bergamot essential oil into a diffuser with a drop of lavender and frankincense oil.
- When cold season hits – Mix it with a few drops of eucalyptus oil and a carrier oil to make a homemade decongestant chest rub. Or place the bergamot-eucalyptus mixture in a diffuser.
3. Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense oil is one for all those with sore muscles and fibromyalgia!
Along with reducing stress and improving mood, frankincense has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties.
Frankincense also:
- Can improve digestion when diffused
- Is the perfect addition to DIY scar-reducing oil (for stretch marks or surgery scars)
- Helps reduce the swelling of bug bites when mixed with a carrier oil
4. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Imagine your home smelling like eucalyptus all winter long. Yum!
Eucalyptus essential oil is said to reduce the number of germs in your house and improve your family’s immunity. No kidding!
Its anti-microbial properties reduces the amount of germs in the air.
Simply add a few drops to a diffuser and voila… You’ll reap the benefits of eucalyptus’ immune-boosting properties!
Eucalyptus essential oil also:
- Boosts energy and mental clarity
- Is great to add to homemade cleaning products, as it kills bacteria, too
5. Clove Essential Oil
Clove is a smell that I adore.
I can remember my grandma adding clove to the ham she cooked on Sundays, and the house always smelled divine.
Cooking aside…
Clove essential oil is best known for its pain-relieving benefits.
You can use it for all types of pain, including toothaches, headaches, and muscle/joint pain. (It is also said to reduce the inflammation that often causes pain.)
Clove oil is a good choice for:
- Nausea. When someone in my house has a queasy stomach, I fire up the diffuser with clove oil, and in no time, the “patient” is feeling better.
- Supporting intuition. (Read: Clove Essential Oil – Your Spiritual Awakening BFF)
6. Lemon Essential Oil
I use lemon essential oil for all kinds of things, including my homemade cleaning sprays and detergents. I’ve even used it in my DIY facial beauty regiment!
Its anti-fungal properties are well-known, and I’ve seen success when using it with tea-tree oil to treat nail fungus (way better than the drugstore stuff).
Lemon oil is also wonderful for:
- Lifting your spirits and improving concentration. Try diffusing some in your home office while you work!
- Reducing nausea. Like eucalyptus oil, it’s also a good choice for nausea, including morning sickness… Just a few drops in a diffuser can be helpful (DO NOT take it orally).
Oh, and diffusing it is also said to aid in weight loss — high five!
7. Oregano Essential Oil
We’ve probably all put oregano in our meatballs — but to treat our skin? Oh, yes!
If you have eczema, grab some oregano oil and whip up a batch of salve to help with inflammation and itchiness.
Remember to use a carrier oil whenever you are using essential oils directly on the skin.
Oregano essential oil is also excellent for:
- Headaches caused by sinus congestion.
- Relief from colds (make a salve and rub it on your chest and bottoms of your feet).
My husband has also used a drop of oregano oil mixed in with his Neti pot solution.
8. Peppermint Essential Oil
Did you know peppermint oil has anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, antifungal, and anti-parasitic qualities? That makes it the perfect addition to our homemade products!
- Use it in homemade toothpaste blend and DIY cleaners.
- A few drops of peppermint oil in a foot soak is divine after a hike or standing on your feet all day.
- I use peppermint oil in a diffuser when I get migraines because it eases nausea and pain.
Oh, and if you need a little pick me up, skip the Red Bull, and pour a little peppermint oil in the diffuser instead. It will help keep you alert – without the jitters and sugar! Peppermint stimulates both body and mind.
9. Rosemary Essential Oil
Like many essential oils, rosemary is a great way to reduce stress and enhance mood. It’s also wonderful for providing mental clarity and even enhancing memory.
- When our kids were younger, we used to put rosemary essential oil in the diffuser when they were studying.
- Some say it also gives your immune system a boost and is great for tension headache because it lessens pain and increases circulation, which gives double the relief.
10. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil was one of the first essential oils to gain widespread notoriety and everyone should have a bottle in their home.
You’ll find tea tree oil in natural shampoos because of its effectiveness in dealing with dandruff, itchy scalp and preventing lice infestation.
When you become an essential oils addict like me, you’ll find that tea tree oil becomes your “go to” oil for cleaning cuts and scrapes.
- Because it has strong anti-fungal properties, it’s a great choice for athlete’s foot, toenail fungus and ringworm. It can irritate skin, so make sure you use it in a carrier oil.
- Tea tree oil is also great for insect bites (it reduces the inflammation). It even keeps mosquitoes, ants, and spiders away! And we’ve long used it to diminish acne and blemishes—yes, I have teenagers.
That’s about all I have for you, friends. I’m super excited that you’re on your way to becoming an essential oils enthusiast!