Essential Oils for Essential Health

Essential oils, found at most health food stores and grocery stores like Whole Foods, can help with ailments from insomnia to the flu to psoriasis. Skip over-the-counter meds and try nature’s medicine by using essential oils to cure, relieve and cleanse. Just make sure to read labels carefully, as some of these oils are inhaled, some ingested, some applied along with a carrier oil and others applied directly to skin.

Lavender: This is practically the cure-all of essential oils. Lavender relieves insomnia, reduces stress, heals cuts, bug bites and bruises, and relieves burns. It is also a powerful antihistamine. It’s great for soothing earaches, skin irritations and alleviating depression. Need to relax? Spray lavender in your room before bed.

Lemon: Known for its cleansing properties, lemon treats intestinal parasites and dissolves petrochemicals in your body. This amazing antiseptic essential oil is a must-have when dealing with colds and flu. It also treats gout and improves the digestive system and liver.

Peppermint: This oil is effective when treating digestive issues, menstrual problems, allergies, nausea and fever. Peppermint can also help when it comes to increasing alertness and focus.

Oregano: Oregano is effective for treating yeast and bacterial infections, relieving joint and back pain, muscle inflammation, and the flu/cold. For skin care, it removes skin tags and warts, and gets rid of athlete’s foot. This oil is also great for gastrointestinal health.

Melaleuca: This plant-oil can be used as a first aid ointment but it also very useful against bug bites, skin irritations, athlete’s foot, eczema and psoriasis. Melaleuca can help with slivers in the skin and aids in immune function and support against respiratory and throat pathogens.

Helichrysum: This kind of oil, which stems bleeding, can be used for painful bruising, sprains and swelling. It is also used for treating shock, helps with broken bones. It is beneficial against allergies, viruses and infections. Helichrysum is excellent for treating wounds because it reduces pain and speeds healing.

Myrrh: Good for pain relief, antiseptic needs and swelling, bruises or wounds caused by cuts. Myrrh can be applied directly onto open wounds. It also stimulates the whole immune system, circulation and promotes regeneration of the tissues. This plant has analgesic and astringent properties, eases tonsillitis/coughing and other types of infections.

Clove: With its analgesic and antibiotic properties, clove can help when it comes to relieving headaches, toothaches and other kinds of pain. It can be used to remove infections and toxins from the body. Clove can also relieve constipation and nausea.

Frankincense: This oil improves other essential oils’ effects, relieves headaches, reduces inflammation, supports recovery on the skin tissue, soothes hyperactivity, restlessness and facilitates focus of mind and clarity. With its regenerative properties, frankincense is important essential oil in every kind of emergency.