Essential Oils

their therapeutic uses + 9 recipes to implement

Helllooo friends! I am currently traveling to New York, sipping on some spring water with some minerals + electrolytes added to it. I always get so dehydrated on flights so I end up bringing so much water just in case. Another one of my essentials that I have in my travel bag are essential oils. Essential oils, are essential. I love them for their scents and also for the therapeutic uses. 

I have always had a fascination with Traditional Chinese Medicine and Aryuveda’s holistic systems of medicine. Similarly, both of these modalities base their theories on a flow and balance between the mind, body and spirit. They also both use essential oils for therapeutic uses!

Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that capture the essence of a plant’s fragrance, flavor and therapeutic properties. They are derived from various parts of plants, including flowers, leaves, bark, roots, and seeds.

Essential oils have long been used in both of these holistic systems of medicine for different healing properties. Essential oils contain incredible and powerful compounds that have amazing effects on the body, mind and spirit. The therapeutic uses of essential oils are vast, ranging from physical healing, emotional balancing, spiritual upliftment and mood support, digestion, detoxification, respiratory health and immunity. 

Some can be inhaled, diffused, applied topically, ingested, or used in conjunction with other holistic practices. Super important to be using quality essential oils that are pure, organic, therapeutic-grade and even better if they are also indigenously sourced.

What to look for:

• 100% Pure Essential Oil (non-dilulted, no chemical solvents, without any additives, fillers, or synthetic ingredients)

• Latin Botanical Name (ex. vanilla is Vanilla planifolia)

• Extraction Method: Steam distillation and cold pressing are the most common methods for high-quality oils

• Organic and/or Wildcrafted

• Ethical and Sustainable Harvesting Methods (brand should be transparent about sourcing)

• Therapeutic Grade

• Dark Glass Packaging

• If ingesting: safe to be ingested

I am going to share a few of my favorites that I use most often, my favorite uses for them (outside of diffusion) and 9 recipes that I love to use for everything from treating acne and scarring to reducing headaches and promoting relaxation!

Disclaimer: Please consult a doctor before implementing essential oils into your routine. I am not a doctor and none of this is medical advice. I am also not an expert in this field! Some of these oils may counteract with health, and should not be consumed or used topically. Please refer to an expert for more info! 

I love love love the book Ancient Remedies for Modern Life. Been learning so much about essential oils from him! These are the ones I use most commonly, but I am trying to incorporate more others for different modalities and learn more about them. 

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My Favorite Oils + Their Benefits

Peppermint. I love the smell of peppermint, it is fresh and soothing, and immediately when I inhale peppermint essential oil my sinuses feel cleared. Peppermint has a cooling effect that can help to relieve headaches, muscle pain and inflammation. It can be used to ease digestive issues and calm irritated digestion, bloating and gas. It can work to clear the respiratory tract and relieve cold and congestion symptoms. Plus it’s very energizing, it can promote mental clarity and focus, and reduce fatigue.

My Favorite uses*:

• Sinus Congestion: I add a drop or two into my favorite moisturizer and do a lymphatic facial/sinus clearing massage. Immediately after I notice a difference when I am stuffed up. 

• Irritated Digestion and Bloating: I add one drop in some warm water and sip it to help ease any symptoms.

• Energy and Focus: I love to sniff a little when I wake up or before starting an important task. 

• Headaches: I rub a diluted with a carrier oil or a couple drops of pure on my temples, the back of my ears and neck. And take a deeeep breath.

*The recipes and directions for my favorite uses are below.

Lemon. I love lemon, I pretty much add lemon juice into all of my bevs, and lemon essential oil has so many of the wonderful benefits lemon carries. It is bright and refreshing, and can help to boost mood and energy. It is cleansing and detoxifying, and can help to promote lymphatic drainage. It also has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that support immunity. Plus it helps so much with nausea. I always bring lemon oil with me when I am on a car ride. 

My Favorite uses:

• Nausea: When I am nauseas or feeling car sick, I will just inhale some of the lemon essential oil. 

Lavender. The most calming and relaxing of scents in my opinion. So so soothing. Lavender can put me to sleep, I think I correlate it with rest so much now because I am always sniffing it before bed. Lavender is best known for its ability to reduce anxiety, stress, and promote relaxation. It is frequently used to improve sleep quality and treat insomnia. Lavender has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which can help treat burns, cuts, and other skin irritations. It also can be used to relieve headaches, muscle aches, and joint pain.

My Favorite uses:

• Sleep Aid and Relaxation: I love inhaling a little bit while I am getting ready for bed. Cymbiotika also has a magnesium spray I like a lot that has a hint of lavender. 

A wonderful substitute for lavender and it’s calming relaxation benefits is Roman Chamomile! I love it and use it in the same way. 

Rosemary. I love the smell of rosemary because it reminds me of a fresh baked loaf of focaccia. This gorgeous herb has so many wonderful benefits. It helps to enhance memory, focus, and cognitive function. It is commonly used to promote healthy hair, hair growth, reduce dandruff, and improve scalp health. Rosemary can help clear the respiratory tract and relieve symptoms of colds and allergies. It also has analgesic properties, making it useful for treating headaches, muscle pain, and arthritis.

My Favorite Uses:

• Mental Clarity: I try to sniff rosemary oil every morning, and throughout the day when I can remember (lol). It is said that sniffing rosemary daily can help with memory! 

• Hair Health: I use a rosemary hair oil mask about once a week. I do a scalp massage and massage it in, leaving it in for a couple hours before washing out. Leaves my hair so healthy and soft, and is wonderful for hair growth!

Tea Tree. Tea tree is a powerful oil, it is antimicrobial and antiseptic, known for its ability to kill bacteria, fungi, and viruses, making it a popular choice for treating infections. It is effective in treating acne, dandruff, and other skin conditions. It can also help to support overall immunity and fight infection.

My Favorite Uses:

• Stye Relief: Whenever I get a stye, I dab a little tea tree oil onto a clean Q-tip or cotton pad and gently pat it on the affected area. Helps me to get rid of it faster. 

• Acne: A drop of tea tree oil mixed in with some Manuka honey makes a great spot treatment.

• Immunity: When I am feeling sick I like to inhale tea tree oil.

Vanilla. MY FAVORITE SCENT. EVER. It immediately boosts my mood. The sweet aroma is known for its calming and uplifting effects, helping to reduce stress and anxiety. It has antioxidant properties and is often used to promote relaxation and improve sleep!

My Favorite Uses:

• Mood + Perfume: Vanilla always makes me happy, so sniffing it throughout the day for calm and uplifting is something I love. I also make a “perfume” roller ball out of it with a carrier oil, and keep it in my purse to rub on my neck and wrists throughout the day. 

Oregano. Nature’s antibiotic! Oregano oil is a powerful antimicrobial, effective against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. It is often used to support the immune system and protect against infections. It has strong anti-inflammatory properties, and can support digestive health by alleviating bloating, indigestion, and promoting a healthy gut microbiome. This is not something to use/take daily. 

My Favorite Uses:

• Immunity: When I am feeling sick, a few drops of oregano oil diluted in extra virgin olive oil does wonders. I usually prefer to take it in pill form though because the oil itself is so so strong. I also like to sniff the oil! 

• Digestion: When my stomach is upset from something food or travel related, I love taking oregano oil to kill any potential bacteria, fungi or virus I may have gotten. It is a must have when I am traveling in case. 

Helichrysum. Helichrysum oil is known for its powerful healing properties, especially in treating cuts, burns, and bruises. It can reduce inflammation, and reduce the appearance of scars, wrinkles, and age spots. This oil is also believed to help with emotional well-being.

My Favorite Uses:

• Skin: I like to dab a little of this oil on a Q-tip and use it on acne or scarring.

Eucalyptus. Eucalyptus is a powerful antioxidant and can have anti-inflammatory benefits which can aid in pain relief. It is also known to help with respiratory issues and immunity.

My Favorite Uses:

• Cough + Congestion: I like adding a few drops to the back of my neck and chest.

• Sore Throat: I add a couple of drops onto neck and throat area

• Headaches: I rub a couple drops on my temples, the back of my ears and neck.

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Essential Oil Recipes

Essential oils have so many incredible wide-ranging benefits. They have supported me in reducing my congestion symptoms, supporting quicker recovery and healing, growing thick healthy hair, reducing acne and scarring, promoting relaxation and more. Outside of therapeutic methods, I love to use them is as perfume.

When I was dealing with bad issues with gut and hormone health I stopped using perfume as often, and now when I smell most conventional perfumes I get a bad headache and nausea. But I obviously still like to smell delicious, so I have found a way to dilute essential oils into carrier oils and carry around lil roller balls in my purse. Sharing that recipe + 8 more that have benefitted me below!

On The Menu:

• Essential Oil ‘Perfume’

• Nature’s Antibiotic Elixir

• Acne Spot Treatment

• Rosemary Hair Mask

• Sinus De-Congestion Massage

• Soothing Sleep Spray

• Skin Healing Salve

• Immune-Supporting Roller Blend

• Detox & Relax Bath Soak

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Essential Oil Perfume

What you need:

• Pure Essential Oil(s) of Choice (I LOVE Vanilla)

• Carrier Oil

Method: To make the perfume, the ratio is typically 1:3 essential oil to carrier oil. I like to use these little roller balls, but spray bottles work good as well. The carrier oil I usually use is Jojoba Oil. These roller balls can also be used for therapeutic methods just as much as they can scent!

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Nature’s Antibiotic