Essential Oils feel something like magic: these little vials of, generally, nice smelling oils that go to work pretty much immediately on just about anything that ails you. Though I have been using oils for years now, it wasn’t until a month or so ago that it really hit home just how blessed I am by that big box of 100 or so oils sitting in the massage room.
It’s a silly story really, but here’s how it went...I had an upset stomach, nothing horrible but annoying, especially because my guts almost never complain about anything. I’m just not used to it. And then I said to myself (probably out loud), “I have an oil for that!” And I rubbed a bit of Digestzen on my belly and the problem was relieved. And I looked at that box of oils and said to myself (again, probably out loud) “I never have to suffer again.” And while, clearly, that isn’t strictly true, for the large part it is. Icky tummy or bad taste in my mouth? Peppermint! Occasional intestinal distress of pretty much any type? Digestzen! Feel that winter cold trying to take hold? OnGuard! Melaleuca! Can’t sleep? Vetiver! (okay...maybe lavender but I go for the big guns) Feeling a bit tight in the lungs? Breathe! White Fir! Feeling anxious and disconnected? Balance! Feeling like you’re about to come out of your skin? Serenity! And on and on and on...AMAZING. There is a lot of science to what many might see as “woo-woo.” And there is some nuance to how they should be used safely and most effectively.
As part of Eliza’s Favorite Things, I will be highlighting the eight oils that I think should be in pretty much every home.* We will also be hosting an introduction to oils class with the wonderful Kara Schrinner of Bless and Nourish. She is an amazing educator and I am so pleased to have her as our presenter! *Disclaimer: Oils are real. They affect the body. As such some people have reactions or can find them too powerful. Listen to your body. Consult with trained practitioners. Talk to your doctor.
Melaleuca Commonly known as tea tree oil, melaleuca is a powerful antiseptic. Excellent for disinfecting cuts and scrapes. I also use it around my eye sockets and sinuses when I feel a head cold/sinus cold coming on. Used along with lavender, it can help relieve minor ear aches as well. Lavender Most known for aiding in relaxation and sleep, it does so much more! Lavender is an antiseptic and helps skin to regenerate. So it is great on cuts, scrapes and burns. Additionally, it is an analgesic - so it dulls the pain. This makes it good all around, but AMAZING for minor burns. Burning my fingers is just about my favorite way to hurt myself. Pro Tip: put a couple drops in a spray bottle of water and spritz sunburned skin. Takes away the sting and begins immediately healing the damaged tissue. Love this stuff. Peppermint Peppermint is truly the Swiss army knife of the essential oils world. It’s good for digestion; soothing occasional stomach upset, indigestion and heartburn. It’s good for headaches; just dab a little on the back of the neck, your temples (careful! Your eyes are very close to your temples) or along your forehead. Hot? Put a couple drops in a spray bottle and spritz yourself to cool down and refresh. Still hot? Hot flashes? Dab a little on the back of your neck. Fever? Apply to the bottom of your feet and/or along your spine. Sore muscles? Add to a carrier oil and massage into the area. (I’ve probably forgotten five more things it does. Did I tell you yet about the “oil bible?”)
Lemon
Lemon oil is a versatile oil. Citrus oils, in general, are uplifting. Think sunshine and Vitamin C. Lemon is also an excellent detoxifier. I add it to water (though be careful here, oils and water do not actually mix so you want to go easy - just one drop and keep agitating your water to help disperse. I also cook with this oil. It’s easier to keep it on hand for asparagus or shrimp or whatever you generally like to lace with lemon, than actual lemons are. It’s also one of the three ingredients in the allergy bomb...lemon, lavender and peppermint. Combined these oils make an antihistamine. I don’t generally struggle with allergies, but others have told me it works better for them than the store bought versions. And...It’s great to get sticky stuff off...use it to remove residue from price tags and the like!
Respiratory blend A blend of Laurel Leaf, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Melaleuca, Lemon, Ravensara, and Cardamom. And it does pretty much exactly what you would imagine it does. Lovely support for your lungs when you have a cold or allergies. It also comes in a vapor stick, which is very handy. Protective blend A blend of Wild Orange Peel, Clove Bud, Cinnamon Bark/Leaf, Eucalyptus Leaf, and Rosemary Leaf/Flower essential oils. Love this stuff so much. I used to get an annual cold that would descend into the bottom of my lungs and hang out for a month as a hacking cough of pain and death. Seriously. Horrible. It’s been 4 or so years since I’ve gotten that annual cold. I’ll feel it coming on and I start my protocol. Protective blend on the chest and under my nose so I can breathe it in. If I feel it is in my head, I’ll add Melaleuca to the mix, rubbing it on my eye socket, the bridge of my nose and across my cheek bone. I’d use the protective blend on my face too, but it is HOT so that would not be enjoyable. And 'cause I’m fancy these days, I pop a beadlet or softgel of it as well just to ensure success. I’m telling you. Good stuff. Digestive blend A blend of Ginger Rhizome/Root, Peppermint Plant, Caraway Seed, Coriander Seed, Anise Seed, Tarragon Plant, and Fennel Seed essential oils, it is often called the gateway oil for oil non-believers. I think that’s because, generally, the effect is so immediate and measurable. Upset stomach, indigestion and heartburn are relieved in a matter of minutes. It will also aid in intestinal tract distress - in either direction - pretty darn quickly. It’s a good hangover cure as well - not that any of us ever accidentally go overboard. But you CAN be someone else’s HERO! Grounding blend A blend of Spruce Needle/Leaf, Ho Wood, Frankincense Resin, Blue Tansy Flower, and Blue Chamomile Flower essential oils, it is an emotional blend. It’s a bit harder to prove the benefits of emotional support oils. However, I have seen them work on dogs - which is always fun because, you know they don’t experience placebo. When you are feeling anxious, it can help soothe your nerves. Also good for that cloud in the head feeling. Plus, I find the scent to be heavenly. Use in combination with Serenity Blend for a powerhouse of calm.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.
We offer a keychain of samples of these essential oils. Purchase online here.
