Three essential oils every home needs

Essential oils are only called oils, in fact they are very potent substances, essences extracted from plants. Essences are usually diluted in oils for use in massage (hence the name essential oils) and they are also alcohol soluble.

We dilute essences in carrier oil. I recommend almond oil for carrier oil. The proportion for adults is three drops Lavender in a soup spoon of oil. For children and the frail, use one drop essence instead of three. If more oil is used, we multiply the number of the drops to the number of spoons and we make sure one blend gets maximum ten drops of essential oil. (three for children). Basically, we make sure that the (adult) person receives maximum ten drops of essences per treatment. So, you can bravely prepare a blend of five spoons of carrier oil (almond oil) plus ten drops of essences in it for one full body massage (for an adult, and with three drops for a child over seven).

Here are the three essences which every home should stoke as they are helpful for the most popular conditions and are good for all seasons. They are affordable and you can buy them one by one in order not to overload your budget.

Lavender

This is the safest oil to use at home, it can be used neat on the skin, although this is not recommended in the UK, as it is done in France.

Lavender is very relaxing and it is used for anxiety and depression, irritability, insomnia, headaches, migraine, PMS, stress-related conditions, shock. It helps you sleep and this is why it is good to use in the evening. Can be used not only in a massage, diluted in oil, but also neat on a tissue to inhale in bed. I personally use it neat to make “the cross”: horizontally the line between the front of the shoulders, where some lung meridian points are situated, and vertically from throat to mid chest, following the trachea line – mid line of chest. This is my remedy for colds and coughs and believe you me, I should know, I seem to constantly have them.

Lavender is antiseptic, useful for acne, spots, boils, cuts, colds, flu, infections, abscesses, sore throat.

Lavender helps with pain and spasms so it is useful for intestinal cramps, period pain, asthma, diarrhoea, flatulence.

Lavender is suitable for conditions caused by inflammation such as:  eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, cystitis, bruises, toothache, earache, conjunctivitis, bronchitis, as well as muscular conditions like strains, sprains, muscular aches and pains, as well as arthritis and rheumatism.

Lavender is also anti-fungal, but as Tea tree is the best in for his, Lavender can be used in a blend with Tea tree.

Traditionally, Lavender Has been used for repelling moths. Prepare a cotton ball, put a few drops of Lavender on it, wrap it in cloth or paper  and hide it in your wardrobe.

When periods are irregular, treatments with Lavender helps normalising them.

Lavender is traditionally known to help superficial wounds heal. Can be applied neat, but some stinging will be felt. Could be put on the gauze, which is to cover the wound. In the UK neat use of essential oils is not prescribed, as it is in France.

Lavender lowers high blood pressure and this could make it a caution for people with extremely low blood pressure.

Blends well with all other essences and it is often use to “soften” the blend, as it is with Tea tree oil, for example.

Tea tree is extracted from the leaves of the tree, which grows in Australia. The essence can cause irritation on sensitive skin especially if applied neat (undiluted). The most important qualities of Tea tree (you can read T-tree or ti tree in some sources) being antiseptic, antiviral and anti-fungal make it such a necessity for every home. You can use T-tree to treat viral, bacterial or fungal infections, which in modern day are often guests to the house. Tea tree is used for dandruff, spots, acne, cold sores, abscesses, flu, colds, cuts, boils, warts, verrucae, cystitis, sinusitis, sore throat, bronchitis, insect bites, wounds, cuts, burns, eczema, psoriasis, muscle aches and pains, athlete’s foot, ringworm, thrush and other fungal infections. I have been using it personally and on my kids for gargling when the throat is sore. I also use gargling or in massage blend for prevention after a day among people with flu and cold.

Tea tree is good for PMT, anxiety, depression, stress-related conditions.

It is said to be helpful for healing the wounds.

Tea tree is insect repelling and this makes it a necessity in the back pack.

Tea tree blends best with Lavender, Eucalyptus, Rosemary.

Peppermint

To be avoided during pregnancy and on young children; may cause irritation in high doses.

Peppermint is useful in feverish conditions as it lowers temperature. For its cooling property I use it in the massage blend for hot tired feet. I use one spoon aloe vera gel for base and add some almond oil and two drops Peppermint for foot massage blend, but you can use any cream to add peppermint essence to it. Hand cream sold in Bulgaria is good for the purpose, as is the simple aqueous cream (basic cream).

Peppermint is useful as digestive help for indigestion, nausea, constipation, flatulence, irritable bowel syndrome and for traveling sickness. Traditionally in Bulgaria, peppermint has been used internally by swallowing capsules. It can be used neat on a tissue for inhaling when traveling.

Due to its antispasmodic quality, Peppermint helps colic, diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach pain, muscle spasm, cramps, intestinal cramps, period pains, asthma.

It also helps irregular or lack of periods.

Peppermint is useful for low blood pressure, poor circulation, varicous veins. It is a popular remedy for hot, achy feet.

Peppermint is a stimulant so it is useful for mental fatigue, stress, anxiety, poor memory, concentration, but it is not advisable to use it in the evening.

As it is analgesic, Peppermint is useful for migraine, headaches, toothache, sore throat, muscular pain.

Peppermint is anti-inflammatory, so it is useful for muscular aches and pains/sprains, sinusitis, dermatitis, eczema, bronchitis.

Peppermint is expectorant and it helps colds, flu, catarrh, coughs, bronchitis.