As any one essential oil can contain hundreds of different chemicals, each essential oil has multiple physical and emotional effects. This makes it easy to build a simple starter kit that can address a variety of wellness needs. Most essential oils have long shelf-lives as well, making them excellent for survival kits.
Some essential oils to have on hand for basic, daily needs are:
- Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
- Sweet Orange or Wild Orange (Citrus sinensis)
- Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) (not recommended for children under age 6)
How to Use Essential Oils
Essential oils are used three different ways: aromatically (by inhalation), topically, and internally. Internal use, or direct ingestion of essential oils, is a growing practice among new essential oil users. It carries the highest risk and should only be done under the guidance of someone specifically trained in the internal use of essential oils and how those oils behave in the body. Children under age 6 and pregnant women should not ingest essential oils. Aromatic and topical applications use are powerful and effective for daily health and wellness.
Aromatic use often employs use of a diffuser, but it also can be as simple as smelling directly from the bottle, putting a drop on a tissue or cotton ball and allowing the drop to diffuse, or inhaling directly from the tissue or cotton ball. For topical use, the essential oil is diluted in some kind of carrier, usually a vegetable oil (e.g. sweet almond oil, fractionated coconut oil, or jojoba oil), aloe vera gel, lotion, or cream; in a pinch, grab the olive oil from the kitchen to use as a carrier oil. As essential oils are highly concentrated, “neat” (undiluted) use on the skin increases the risk of a negative skin reaction and should be used only in a few rare circumstances.
Nourishing vital energy includes daily use or for chronic health challenges:
Uplift: Diffuse sweet orange essential oil to uplift emotions; mix three (3) drops each of lavender and sweet orange in one ounce (30ml) of unscented lotion for a skin-friendly, uplifting hand and face lotion.
Relaxation: Place a tissue with a drop of lavender on it next to your pillow to relax and fall asleep. Mix five (5) drops of lavender in one ounce (30ml) of Epsom salts or Himalayan pink salts for a relaxing bath before bedtime or after working out. Lavender can be added to other bath recipes as well, like this soothing oatmeal bath.
Protecting vital energy means protection from a direct health threat. Essential oils are excellent, non-toxic, green cleaning ingredients and many have antimicrobial properties:
Cleaning Spray: In a two ounce spray bottle, mix 1.5 ounces of water with a dash of white vinegar, along with five (5) drops each sweet orange, tea tree, and peppermint (or lavender.) Shake well before use.
Restoring wellness is necessary when there has been an injury or illness:.
Bee sting, bug bite, or burn: Apply lavender “neat” to soothe the itch or pain and speed healing. Or try one of these recipes for natural bug repellents.
Itch relief: Blend 5-6 drops of lavender in one (1) ounce (30 ml) unscented lotion, aloe vera gel, or a carrier oil and apply to skin to ease itchiness.
Storage and Basic Safety
Essential oils are best stored in a closed bottle, out of direct sunlight in a cool place, and out of reach of children and pets. Never put an essential oil inside eyes, nose, or ears. Dilute the essential oils appropriately, according to recommended safety guidelines. For children ages five (5) and under, infused oils, hydrosols, and herbs are a better choice than essential oils for addressing health and wellness. Diffusing essential oils in the house is fairly safe for our furry friends, but more caution must be exercised around pet birds.
I highly recommend you check out the full article and explore the site Herbal Academy of New England.
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