The Essential Essential Oils Start Here

Start here to learn about the key essential oils every family can use.

There are five essential oils to start with that will have you ready for most basic situations. You can build from there. These five oils (lavender, (lavender, lemon, peppermint, frankincense and eucalyptus or ylang ylang) are inexpensive, extremely useful and easy to find (some can be found at Walmart or grocery stores). Of course, quality and sustainability are important, too, so I can let you know of some companies that take special care to create amazing, organic sustainable oils.

The top, most important oil you really should have is lavender. This plant grows like a weed, so if you are so inclined, you could certainly have this growing in your garden easily (though, as I am not a gardener, I have to admit I have personally killed 3 lavender plants...this is not foolproof!) Lavender is as close to a panacea as you're liable to get...

Next, I'll go with Lemon oil. This one has been heavily researched and is now in use in hospitals as a disinfectant. It can be safely used to clean your home, to diffuse through the home to create an uplifting mood, and in skin care, to lighten skin and reduce acne.

Third, I'm choosing peppermint oil. . Peppermint is a great all purpose oil, the only drawback being that it can be very irritating and so should be used sparingly. But check this out: it certainly is uplifting, and can be used in a diffuser to create lighter mood in your home, but it can also induce sleep...Peppermint is great for bronchial infections, and also good an upset stomach...read on for more of its great therapeutic benefits!

Fourth, I'll suggest the often forgotten frankincense. This oil is the same oil the wise men brought to Bethlehem all those years ago, so it has a bit of a mystical cache for me. And the smell is a sort of exotic, woodsy smell that works very well with lavender.As far as benefits of this oil are concerned...this one is a hidden gem: it is a wonderful oil for mature skin, may even reverse wrinkles (I'm trying it out on myself now!) and is great for bronchial infections. It also has a sedative effect, which can work great when used with lavender. According to Robert B. Tisserand in The Art of Aromatherapy: it has an "elevating, warming, soothing effect on the mind and emotions."

Last, I'll go one of two ways: if you are more in need of an all around remedy for the entire family, add in eucalyptus If, however, you'd like to round out your essential oils with a distinctly feminine, slightly aphrodisiac oil...go with one of my favorites: ylang ylang. This oil reminds me of the much more expensive jasmine, but has an even more feminine scent. It *is* an aphrodisiac, as well as being wonderful for elevating the mood. It is relaxing and euphoric, and is a great treatment for anxiety. This is definitely the sexy choice...but eucalyptus is extremely practical...in the end, you may want both!

Why not sandalwood? In case you're wondering why I have not included sandalwood, it's simple: it is way, way too expensive right now! There are lots of other oils that can do the same job much more inexpensively. Sandalwood is an amazing oil, useful as a perfume, aphrodisiac, staph and strep infections, and to elevate the mood...but not necessary unless you are really invested in essential oils! Return from essential oils to Home