Oils for Eczema

from http://beautymunsta.com/15-essential-oils-for-eczema-treatment-recipes/

15 Essential Oils for Eczema Treatment

1. Lavender Essential Oil

For hundreds of years, lavender has been used as a skin soothing remedy. It’s a powerful anti-inflammatory which helps reduce skin inflammation & redness. Lavender essential oil also has moisturizing properties which help lock in moisture into dry peeling skin associated with eczema.

2. Tea Tree Essential Oil

Known for its powerful antiseptic properties, tea tree essential oil is also known as melaleuca, is one of the best essential oils for eczema treatment. It helps reduce the itching caused by eczema and also staves off infection resulting from wounds due to excessive scratching.

3. Frankincense Essential Oil

Frankincense essential oil is one of my fav essential oils and is very powerful for healing all sorts of scars! It’s strong anti-inflammatory properties calm inflammation brought about by eczema and it also helps increase the potency of the other oils it is blended with.

4. Helichrysum Essential Oil

Just like frankincense, helichrysum essential oil is also very good for healing scars especially acne scars and it is great for treating eczema. It has strong anti-inflammatory properties and also helps reduce itchiness & painful skin caused by eczema.

5. Chamomile Essential Oil

For dry itchy patches of eczema skin, chamomile essential oil is the best soother. Its anti-inflammatory properties help heal inflammation and reduce skin redness. Chamomile essential oil is also good for treating irritated skin and allergies such as poison ivy.

6. Geranium Essential Oil

Being a non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing essential oil, geranium essential oil is one of the most popular essential oils for skin. It’s effective in treating many skin conditions including acne, blackheads, psoriasis, dry skin, cellulite and eczema.

7. Neroli Essential Oil

Neroli essential oil extracted from the delicate white neroli flowers is among the best essential oils for eczema treatment. It helps heal inflamed skin and soothe itchiness. It has such an amazing scent as well!

8. Bergamot Essential Oil

Extracted from the bergamia tree, bergamot essential oil is especially effective in treating dry eczema. It promotes healthy and clear skin. Please apply bergamot essential oil only at night time because it is a photosensitive essential oil that can negatively affect skin when you wear it and go out in the sun.

9. Juniper Essential Oil

Extracted from the berries of Juniperus communi, juniper essential oil is great for clearing cellulite and reducing under eye bags but it also helps naturally treat and soothe weeping eczema.

10. Patchouli Essential Oil

Known for its ability to calm the mind and reduce stress, anxiety and depression, patchouli essential oil originated in South East Asia, where it has been used for a wide variety of healing properties. For eczema, patchouli essential oil soothes inflammation, locks in moisture and calms irritation.

11. Benzoin Essential Oil

Originating from East Asia, benzoin is also known as gum Benjamin and was popularly used for incense & fumigation in ancient times. In skin care, it is used as a good remedy for dry parched skin, healing sores and wounds and also soothing eczema by reducing irritation and inflammation.

12. Thyme Essential Oil

An effective antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and antimicrobial, thyme essential oil helps disinfect eczema affected skin and also reduces inflammation and redness.

13. Birch Essential Oil

Cleansing and purifying, birch essential oil has many beauty benefits – it helps clear congested skin, rejuvenates dull skin and effectively treats psoriasis, dermatitis and eczema.

14. Hyssop Essential Oil

Hyssop essential oil is good for treating dry eczema. It helps seal moisture into the skin and reduces itching & irritation as well as inflammation.

15. Marjoram Essential Oil

Sweet marjoram essential oil is a natural remedy for insect bites and skin irritations & discomfort. It is also anti-inflammatory and helps reduce skin inflammation.

Love my Frank!

from http://draxe.com/frankincense-oil-cancer/

Frankincense Oil: A Natural Treatment for Cancer?

Tradition tells us that the magi (three wise men) gave the infant King of Israel gifts of gold to honor his royalty, frankincense as a perfume and myrrh for anointing oil.

Although there probably is some truth to this, other sources claim that the wise men from the Far East were actually being more practical by giving the baby Jesus these precious, costly essential oils that could double up as potential medical remedies.

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Frankincense Benefits

For over 5,000 years, frankincense has had many vital uses that go well beyond just being an anointing oil. It was used to support the immune system, fight infection and cure disease, even as a potential natural treatment for cancer. Today, the most common frankincense benefits include:

• Reduces inflammation
• Cancer-fighting properties
• Spiritual awareness
• Boosts immunity
• Fights infections
• Improves anxiety
• Heals skin and reduces acne and scarring

Research conducted by the University of Leicester in the U.K. has rekindled the theory that the “wise men” weren’t just bringing wealth to Jesus, but medicine — for it “demonstrated the potential of treating ovarian cancer using the Christmas gift frankincense.” (1)

Using the compound AKBA (acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid), the Omani government-funded research has for the first time shown frankincense’s ability to target cancer cells in late-stage ovarian cancer patients. Lead researcher Kamla Al-Salmani explained:

After a year of studying the AKBA compound with ovarian cancer cell lines in vitro, we have been able to show it is effective at killing the cancer cells. Frankincense is taken by many people with no known side effects. This finding has enormous potential to be taken to a clinical trial in the future and developed into an additional treatment for ovarian cancer.

Bear in mind that this research concerned Boswellic acid — a water soluble compound that is only found in the powder form of frankincense. However, there are other compounds found in frankincense oil that have been show to be beneficial in test tubes when treating cancer cells.

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Potential Cancer-Killing Properties of Frankincense

Used because of its anti-inflammatory properties, frankincense, also known as Boswellia serrata, has been a favorite folk medicine for several health concerns, including asthma, gastroenteritis and skin conditions.

New research, like the University of Leicester study, has recently suggested that frankincense’s disease-targeting power may be even more encompassing than previously suspected. Successfully linking AKBA as a potential treatment for brain, breast, colon, pancreatic, prostate and stomach cancers, research trials are filling medical journals like Carcinogenesis and PLoS One about boswellia serrata’s cancer-targeting prowess. (2, 3)

According to researchers out of Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, the potential cancer-killing properties of frankincense are due in part to it regulating cellular epigenetic machinery, which highlights its ability to influence genes to promote healing.

Baylor cancer scientists emphasize that this potency makes Boswellia a viable candidate for both cancer prevention and treatment.

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Natural Treatment of Cancer with Frankincense Oil 

People who have added Boswellia serrata into their natural health cancer care plan may find themselves experiencing double-benefits from this amazing essential oil.

For many cancer patients, there’s a time when the treatment becomes worse than the cancer itself. It is as this point that quality of life and symptom suppression is the focal point for many diagnosed with this deadly disease. Debilitating in-and-of itself, often the cancer treatment side effects can make having cancer absolutely miserable.

Take, for instance, brain cancer patients who experience cerebral edema (swelling in the head) after having their tumors irradiated. Typically, these people are treated withdexamethasone and other corticosteroids to control the swelling, but this is done at a great cost because the deadly complications of steroids are limitless.

Unfortunately, these people suffer toxic overload from the drugs that are supposed to help them in the first place and get headaches, migraines, and may even deal with blurred vision because of the steroid treatments.

Thankfully, frankincense offers a natural, viable solution to this horrible issue. Back in 2011, the journal Cancer published the results of a 44 person clinical trial evaluating how brain swelling was effected by frankincense. (4)

Astoundingly, 60 percent of the patients displayed 75 percent reduction or greater in cerebral swelling after being treated with 4,200 milligrams per day of frankincense. 

These results are so significant that scientists are urging the medical community to consider prescribing this potent essential oil instead of steroids for cancer patients assigned to radiation treatment.

We hope this spreads like wildfire within cancer treatment circles. Who knows what could happen if more people utilized this frankincense oil as a cancer natural treatmentapproach. As we’ve seen above, if Boswellia serrata can kill cancer cells and prevent tumors from growing, the sky’s the limit for folks who follow natural health guidelines.

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Frankincense Benefits Immune Function

A growing body of research has recently unlocked the doors to our understanding of why frankincense benefits our health. In a study published by Phytotherapy Research, for instance, when mice took 1–10 milligrams of Boswellia serrata orally, it was discovered that multiple levels of their immune systems were stimulated including (5):

• Delayed hypersensitivity reaction (early 24 hours, delayed 48 hours)
• IgG
• IgM
• Cytokines (interferon gamma, interleukin-4, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha)
• T-cell interactions (i.e. CD4/CD8, which are generally low in AIDS patients)

In layman’s terms, frankincense can significantly boost the immune system. Two fundamental ways this is accomplished is by proliferating lymphocytes (white blood cells, which are the body’s primary defense team) and by keeping inflammation at bay (which is arguably the primary risk factor for most chronic diseases).

This may also explain why frankincense is so effective in treating autoimmune conditions like bronchial asthma, Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis.

Implement frankincense into your natural health regimen today and see how frankincense benefits your immune function. This essential oil can be used in diffusers with ease to treat respiratory conditions, or you can use it as an essential oil or salve directly on your skin.

Finally, you can also take frankincense (Boswellia) as a supplement with a few essential oil drops placed under your tongue, on the roof of your mouth or in powdered capsule form for treatment of many health conditions.


from http://www.davidwolfe.com/essential-oils-brain-injuries-what-not-being-told/

ESSENTIAL OILS AND BRAIN INJURIES: WHAT YOU ARE NOT BEING TOLD!

Have you ever walked into a store or house and instantly felt relaxed? This happens to me whenever I walk into any health food store. I get an immediate feeling of calm and happiness. The smell evokes memories from childhood and visiting the health food store with my parents.

The sense of smell is a very powerful one. Smell is the only sense that is directly linked to the limbic system. The limbic center is the part of the brain that controls emotional, physical, and psychological responses. Whenessential oils are used to heal, their aroma plays a big part in that healing.

In studies performed in Vienna and Berlin Universities, researchers discovered that sesquiterpenes, a natural compound found in essential oils of Vetiver, Patchouli, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, and Frankincense, can increase levels of oxygen in the brain by up to 28 percent. This increase in oxygen to helps the brain heal and resolve many issues. It can improve learning and concentration while also helping to support immune and hormonal balances. An added bonus is that is can also lead to higher energy levels.

A study performed on students with ADHD ages 11-12 showed positive results when essential oils were used. It was very noticeable that both the oils and the relaxation improved concentration. Students definitely stayed calmer, longer, and recovered quickly from upsets. There were fewer disruptions to lessons. In the same study, a blend of frankincense, chamomile Roman, lavender, bergamot, and mandarin was made. This combination helped ease panic attacks and feelings of anxiety in an ADHD client.

It was discovered in the late 80s that the amygdala plays a role in storing and releasing emotional trauma. Essential oils and therapy can now be used to help repair emotional trauma. They have little side effects, compared to their pharmaceutical counterparts, which means they may be safer for healing trauma.

Any head trauma or injury is taken very seriously, and for good reasons. Whether it is a mild concussion or surgery, the healing process is usually very long. Frankincense essential oil can gently aid in the healing of the brain because it increases the amount of oxygen that flows to the brain. With more oxygen, comes quicker and better healing.

When essential oils increase oxygen in the brain, the pineal and pituitary glands also benefit greatly. The extra oxygen promotes better memory and emotional releases.

Jasmine essential oil is one of the most popular oil used in aromatherapy. Its effects have been shown with great promise when treating depression. One study showed that it soothed nerves, increased confidence, and promoted optimism. It also restored energy and improved memory.

These Essential Oils Are Great for Anxiety:

• Lavender
• Basil
• Clary Sage
• Frankincense
• Ylang-Ylang

These Essential Oils Are Great for Treating Depression:

• Bergamot
• Clary Sage
• Jasmine
• Lemon
• Mandarin

These Essential Oils Help With Stress Relief

• Geranium
• Lemon
• Sandalwood
• Roman Chamomile

When diffusing add a few drops to a cold diffuser and breathe in the vapor. You can also put a drop on your hands, warm and inhale the fumes.

It is important to use 100% Therapeutic grade essential oils. The oils are laboratory tested and free from impurities. Only 100% Therapeutic essential oils should be used for healing purposes. Also, remember a little bit goes a long way. Consult a doctor if problems become more severe.

from http://naturesnurtureblog.com/essential-oils-for-camping-first-aid/

Essential Oils for Camping & First Aid

Camping season is here! Whether you’ll actually be camping this summer or just spending a lot of time outdoors, essential oils can really come in handy for first aid treatment. We’re on vacation next week and will be road tripping in an RV for a week, so as I’ve been preparing our packing list I also wanted to bring along some essential oils for camping and first aid treatment.

Essential Oils for Camping

This is a basic list of my favorite essential oils to keep on hand on a camping trip. Their properties are listed first, followed by their most relevant uses for camping. For suggestions on where to buy essential oils, scroll down towards the end of this post for some tips.

Lavender

Analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, antispasmodic.

Soothes bruises, burns, cuts, and scrapes; relieves itchiness from bee stings; treats allergies and asthma; eases headaches; combats mild bacterial and fungal infections; repels insects; soothes insomnia. 

Tea Tree

Antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral, insecticide.

Relieves colds and sinusitis; alleviates and disinfects skin irritations like cuts, scrapes, and bug bites. 

Peppermint

Analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, antispasmodic, antiviral, digestive.

Soothes aches, pains, and itchy skin; eases headaches; relieves nausea and upset stomach; combats viral and fungal infections; provides cooling sensation. 

Citronella

Analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, insecticide.

Repels insects; relieves muscle pain, fatigue, headaches, and migraines; alleviates cold and flu symptoms.

Chamomile

Analgesic, anesthetic, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic. 

Soothes itchy skin; relieves headaches and migraines.

Helichrysum

Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, astringent.

Speeds healing of bruises, burns, and minor wounds; alleviates muscle aches and pains; soothes sprains; slows/stops minor bleeding; reduces fevers; calms nerves.

First Aid Recipes

Below is a list of some easy ways to use these essential oils in preparing a first aid kit before your camping trip. Some of the recipes include additional ingredients or supplies, so I’ve linked to where you can purchase those items below as well. Most of the recipes include a carrier oil; examples of carrier oils include coconut oil, olive oil, sweet almond oil, avocado oil, etc.

Bumps and Bruises Salve

If you’ve bumped yourself and see a bruise developing, this salve can help soothe the pain and diminish the bruise’s appearance. 

• 8 drops lavender
• 8 drops helichrysum
• 2 oz carrier oil

Blend the essential oils. Add the oil blend to the carrier oil, and apply to the bruise once or twice a day. Can be stored in a roller bottle for easy application.

Natural Sunscreen

This simple sunscreen helps protect and moisturize the skin. For fairer skin, use more essential oils; for darker skin. use less.

• 5-10 drops essential oil (I use lavender and helichrysum)
• 1 ounce carrier oil (I love coconut oil for this!)

Mix the oils together and store in a glass bottle or jar. Apply often and after swimming, exercise. etc.

Soothing Sunburn Salve

If you do get a sunburn, apply this soothing salve for instant, cooling relief.

• 20 drops essential oil (I use lavender, chamomile, and peppermint)
• 2 teaspoons carrier oil (avocado oil is great here!)
• 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel

Blend the essential oils, then add to the carrier oil. Add the oil blend to the aloe vera gel. Apply generously to the affected areas. If making larger batches, it can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Insect Repellant

To repel insects such as mosquitoes, biting flies, and fleas, apply this natural insect repellant as described below. You can use any combination of oils, as long as it stays within about 50 drops of oils. Other great oils for repelling insects include cinnamon, eucalyptus, lemongrass, and rosemary.

• 50 drops essential oil (I use citronella, tea tree, and lavender)
• 4 tablespoons carrier oil

Blend the essential oils, then add to the carrier oil in a dark glass bottle or jar. Rub the oils on skin by dabbing it on your wrists, behind your ears, inside your elbows, behind your knees, and around your ankles. Reapply after an hour or after swimming, exercise, etc. You can try adding some aloe vera gel to change the consistency of the oil and make it more spreadable.

*You can also make this into a spray by substituting the carrier oil with either witch hazel or alcohol. Mix the essential oils with the witch hazel or alcohol and add to an 4 ozglass spray bottle. Then top off with distilled water. Shake well before use.

Bug Bite Salve

If you do get bit, apply this simple salve to the bite to help stop the itch, stop the venom, and reduce the chance of infection. You can use both oils or just one of them, just make sure the total ratio of essential oils to carrier oil is 50:50.

• 1 teaspoon essential oil (I use a mix of lavender and tea tree)
• 1 teaspoon carrier oil

Blend essential oils and mix with carrier oil. Add oil mixture to a roller bottle (my favorite choice!) or squeeze-top bottle. Apply very sparingly to bug bites for fast relief. 

*Both lavender and tea tree oil can be used neat (undiluted) on the skin, so if you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to mix up this recipe. you can apply a drop or two of either (or both) oil to help stop the itch. Use caution, as some people may be sensitive or experience irritation when using oils neat.

Other Remedies

Nausea and Indigestion: Drip 3 drops peppermint oil onto a wash cloth. Hold it under your nose, and breathe slowly and deeply for 1-3 minutes. The menthol in peppermint oil improves circulation and stops nausea quickly.

Overheating: Apply diluted peppermint oil to the back of neck or soles of feet for fast, cooling relief. This is also great to do before hiking or long treks to keep the feet cool and comfortable.

Minor Burns: Apply 2-3 drops lavender oil directly on the site and gently spread over the affected area. This also works great for bee stings. For more bee sting remedies, check out my post natural bee sting remedies.

Headache: Apply diluted peppermint oil to the temples, brow line, and back of neck for quick relief.

from http://tipnut.com/homemade-mosquito-repellent/

Homemade Mosquito Repellent: {Recipes}

If you’re interested in experimenting with homemade mosquito repellents, here are a few different recipes that you can try.

Most of these have been sent in by readers and they’re all easy enough to make (thank you for sharing guys!). A few are made with assorted essential oils but there is one shared by Jennifer that uses simple ingredients (garlic cloves, mineral oil, water and lemon juice) so the expense is really minimal.

Here’s a tip sent in by Angela for her tried-and-true solution:

This is a recipe given to me by my aunt, I find that it stores well but should be used within the year.

1/4 cup vegetable oil mixed with these essential oils (mix and store in a spray bottle):

8 drops cedar
5 drops eucalyptus
4 drops lavender
2 drops rosemary
2 drops juniper
1 drop peppermint
1 drop cinnamon
1 drop clove

Here’s one from Mark:

I like this because it only needs a few items and it’s a breeze to put together. Make sure you shake it up for a few minutes each time before you use it. I hope your readers try it because it does work just as well as bought and it’s better to use on your body than those poisonous sprays that they try selling us in stores.

2 cups witch hazel
1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin
20 drops citronella essential oil
20 drops lemongrass essential oil

Instructions: Mix in a spray bottle and shake well before use.

Jennifer sent this one in:

Mosquitoes hate garlic and so when I saw this in a magazine a few years ago I clipped it, tried it and found that it did a good job keeping me bite free.

Directions: Mince a few cloves of garlic then cover with mineral oil. Allow it to sit for at least 24 hours. Next you take a teaspoon of *just the oil* and mix it with 2 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Strain through a cheesecloth if you have any floaties then pour into a spray bottle. Shake before each use.

motherearthnews.com

Here’s another one from Mother Earth News ^[1]:

Since the 1999 appearance of West Nile virus in North America, it’s more important than ever to keep these pests at bay. You can outsmart them with this homemade, Earth-friendly solution.

It couldn’t be easier to make, ingredients needed are any combination of these essential oils: basil, cedarwood, citronella, juniper, lemon, myrrh, palmarosa, pine, rose geranium and/or rosemary mixed with 190-proof grain alcohol (see article for suggested quantities).

herbmentor.com

Yarrow Bug Spray ^[2]: Here’s one that’s super easy to make and only requires a few items: fresh yarrow flowers and leaves (can also use dried), vodka (or other alcohol), catnip essential oil and spray bottles.

The yarrow is infused in the vodka for a week, strained then the catnip EO added before bottling.

There’s also this tip to try: Use plantain (the weed) by crushing it and applying to bite area (also mentioned in Tipnut’s big list of itch relief tips found on this page ^[3]).

Prefer something that you don’t apply to your body? Here’s a project from Positively Splendid for making DIY Bug-Banishing Candles ^[4]:

positivelysplendid.com

Since we spend a great deal of time outdoors in the evenings each summer, I am always on the lookout for natural insect-repelling solutions. When I discovered that most citronella candles sold in chain stores are a racket, I decided to try my hand at making my own! After doing a little research, I was happy to discover the process really is quite simple.

If you’ve lost faith in the effectiveness of commercial citronella candles, this tutorial for DIY candles promises to help keep them at bay by using Citronella essential oil (rather than citronella-scented oil found in many products). The containers used for the candles are pretty frosted glass jars (instructions for making these are included) and bits of colored crayons are mixed with the soy wax to tint the candles in a variety of colors.

Max Update #5

So... I am amazed at how far Max has come with his speech. He has so many words now. Only one problem though... he will copy what you say, but still doesn't speak spontaneously. Ugh ;)
I'm adding BIORAY Kids Calm supplement to the mix this week. Wish us luck!

19 Essential Oils for Beginners

from http://www.motherearthnews.com/natural-health/19-essential-oils-for-beginners-zbcz1504.aspx

19 Essential Oils For Beginners

Here are some essential oils that one may want to have in their home kit. For suggestions for a starter kit with four essential oils, see this Basic Essential Oils for Daily Living article.

Essential Oil	Scent	Therapeutic Properties
Bergamot	Light and citrusy	May help nervous tension
Chamomile (Roman)	Fruity, woody	May help relieve stress, tension and anxiety, improves digestion, reduces pain, heals skin
Citronella	Lemon - citrus	Insect repellant, may help with fevers and digestion
Clary Sage	Sweet and spicy	Calming, may help with muscle fatigue, improve sleep, uplifting, tension tamer and aphrodisiac
Cypress	Light and woodsy	Works to reduce cellulite, calming and uplifting
Eucalyptus	Camphorous	Helps relieve pain, improves mental clarity and reduces congestion
Frankincense	Warm, exotic, sweet and spicy	Calming, may help with aging skin
Geranium	Floral, spicy	Promotes emotional balance, helps reduce cellulite, relieves stress and tension
Ginger	Strong spicy scent	Stimulating, improves mental clarity, relieves pain and nausea
Grapefruit	Citrusy	Improves mental clarity and memory
Jasmine	Sweet, heavy floral smell	Helps with depression, may help improve skin elasticity, reduces stretch marks, aphrodisiac
Juniper	Fresh, Fruity, woody	Helps with mental exhaustion, obesity, water retention
Lavender	Floral	Reduces cellulite deposits, helps reduce pain and inflammation, promotes relaxation and restful sleep
Lemongrass	Lemony	Uplifting, improves mental clarity
Neroli	Heavy, floral	Calming and uplifting
Rose (otto)	Floral, damp, invigorating	Helps relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety
Rosemary	Menthol, earthy	Helps reduce cellulite, relieves mental fatigue, relaxes tight muscles
Sandalwood	Earthy, spicy, floral, woody	Calming, aphrodisiac, reduces stress
Tea Tree	Camphorous	Antibiotic, anti-fungal, antiviral

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils for healing. Essential oils are volatile substances extracted from plants typically by a distillation process. These properties are not released in any significant amount in typical herbal preparations. Essential oils are comprised of numerous chemical constituents, with each chemical having a particular signature and mode of action. The majority of the constituents in essential oils are produced by the plants either for their own protection, to attract pollinators, or to heal wounds. Their modes of action and therapeutic properties are also effective on humans, and we can use essential oils to affect our physical and emotional health in various ways.

There are over 100,000 aromas found in nature, but as humans we can recognize only about 300 of these. It is through receptors in our sinuses (the olfactory bulb) that lead to the limbic system of the brain that corresponds to our emotions and feelings. When we inhale aroma molecules, we have a direct path to our emotions and memories. That is why when you smell certain aromas, such as a cake baking in the oven or a soup pot on the stove it can bring you back to a different place and time. You have effectively experienced aromatherapy! This is a very simple example for a very complex healing art, but you get the point I’m sure.

Essential oils are most commonly administered aromatically via inhalation and topically via absorption through the skin. Rarely are essential oils taken internally, and never without the supervision of a professional health care provider with extensive knowledge in the practice of aromatherapy and its effects on the body. Safe use of essential oils is paramount! Learn more about safety guidelines for aromatic, internal, and topical use as well as dilution recommendations in the article Essential Oil Safety.

Many essential oils are antiviral and antibacterial and can be used in diffusers to help fight cold and flu infections as well as relieve congestion. Essential oils with nervine properties can be used to calm anxiety, release tension, soothe headaches, and alleviate sleeplessness. The stimulating effect of some essential oils can be used to energize the mind and body, improve mental focus and memory, and relieve mental fatigue.

Remember that our skin is our largest organ and is not to be ignored. However, essential oils are very potent and are usually mixed with carrier oils before using them on the skin. When essential oils are used in skin products, they can promote cell growth, improve circulation, and help rid the body of toxins. Essential oils can also be helpful for alleviating pain, swelling, and itching from bruises, bug bites, stings, and burns.