Whether you’re just getting into essential oils, or you have a favorite bottle handy at all times, we’ve compiled a list of the top three essential oils everyone should own and why!
1. Lavender
This tried and true essential oil hits the top of every list for an excellent reason. It’s incredibly versatile and has a bevy of scientific research to back up its many uses. Lavender oil is one of the few essential oils that doesn’t require a carrier oil to make it safe for topical use, too! Let’s list the many benefits:
- Helps with relaxation
- Can alleviate anxiety and depression
- Treats fungal infections
- Reduces allergies
- Fights eczema breakouts
- Alleviates nausea
- Lessens menstrual cramps
While this sounds too good to be true, we have one more to add, with science to back it up. Lavender can alleviate insomnia and help you sleep because it interacts with a neurotransmitter called GABA and lessens both the brain and nervous system’s activity levels.
2. Eucalyptus
If you’re someone who often uses bath bombs, Epsom salts, and muscle rubs, you already know eucalyptus is the main ingredient in many varieties on the market. What you might not know is that it’s excellent for arthritis and nasal congestion, too! Most shower tabs made for that stuffy nose have eucalyptus in them because it interacts with the nasal mucous membranes to reduce drainage. As an essential oil, it should never be used straight from the bottle. It requires a carrier oil or some type of dilution and should never be ingested. Other benefits of eucalyptus include:
- Cough reduction
- Bug repellent
- Wound disinfection
- Soothing of cold sores
- Reduction of joint pain
Although the essential oil shouldn’t be ingested, you can get tea leaves and infuse water to provide an antioxidant boost and possibly alleviate blood sugar issues in people with diabetes. Please consult your doctor before use.
3. Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree essential oil is one of the few that we don’t recommend for regular aromatherapy, simply because its scent is rather unpleasant. Thankfully, combining it with a second scent reduces the overall intensity. Still, it’s such a beneficial and versatile oil that it’s a crucial must-have. For one, it’s incredibly safe to use on nearly every part of your body, and for two, it’s got some seriously magical properties! Tea Tree oil can be used in household sprays as a disinfectant, in massage oils to reduce inflammation and boost immunity, in the bathtub to soothe tired muscles, and with a foot scrub to get rid of unwanted odors. Other uses include:
- Cleansing in cosmetics
- Removing excess oil from hair and skin
- Soothing chapped lips
- Reducing anxiety
- Fighting insomnia and cold symptoms
- Reducing scarring
Please note that Tea Tree needs a carrier oil or some combination of dilution to be safe. There are many recipes online for whatever results you desire, so do your research and unlock all the secrets that a bottle of Tea Tree essential oil is hiding!