Hi, my honeys! In this blog post, I'll share with you my favorite essential oils, what I use them for, and how I use them. I am not an expert on essential oils, nor do I sell for an essential oils company, but I will share what has worked for me personally! I want to express to you that essential oils are not a cure-all and should not be used in place of traditional medicine, especially if you have health concerns. I like to think of them as supplemental to my overall health and well being.
They can, however, offer some great benefits when used properly. Not all essential oils are created equally as well, so make sure you read labels and check for potency. There are some really expensive essential oil brands out there, and I'll admit I own a few of their oils, but I don't think you need to spend a fortune to get the benefits of essential oils. Reading labels is your best bet. Also, if you have pets or children in your home, be careful when using them and do not leave them unattended. I am not going to go into all the details on each oil because there are a litany of things essential oils are said to help treat. I will just share the main uses I have for some of my favorite essential oils!
My Favorite Essential Oils:
Lavender
What I use it for:
Relaxation, migraines, sleep, laundry
How I use it: I probably use this oil the most! I love the scent, but it also serves many purposes. One of those purposes is to make my laundry smell great! I purchased some wool dryer balls and add a couple drops to them and throw them in the dryer with my clothes for a natural, lovely scent. I also add a couple drops with a carrier oil to my baths for relaxation. I will also take the bottle if I'm having a migraine and inhale the fumes deeply a couple times. Additionally, I will dilute this with fresh water in my diffuser and leave it running all night while we sleep during stressful weeks. Another great way to use lavender oil is to add a few drops to a wool dryer ball to toss in your dryer. Your clothes will dry faster, and your laundry will smell wonderful! Lastly, I will dilute lavender oil with pure water in a spray bottle (a few drops in a full spray bottle) and spray my pillowcase with the mixture to aid in better sleep.
Peppermint
What I use it for:
Headaches, alertness
How I use it: I will add a couple drops with a carrier oil to my baths to help wake me up in the morning or if I am dealing with a headache. I also use a roll on container with a few drops of peppermint oil and the rest filled with a carrier oil and rub it on my temples during a migraine or bad headache.
Eucalyptus
What I use it for:
Relaxation and as an antiseptic for treating wounds, minor cuts, acne
How I use it: I will mix a few drops into a carrier oil and apply it on razor cuts, small cuts on my cuticles, etc. I will also add a few drops of it mixed with lavender and tea tree oil for my favorite relaxing bathtime blend!
Tea Tree
What I use it for:
Treating pimples, relaxation, skin rash or razor bumps
How I use it: I will add a couple drops with a carrier oil to my baths for relaxation and to clear up any body skin issues like rashes or razor bumps. I also will mix it with a carrier oil and spot treat any active pimples with it. I usually see a difference overnight in the size and redness of the blemish.
Lemongrass
What I use it for:
Sore muscles
How I use it:
I will add a couple drops with a carrier oil to a very hot bath when I'm experiencing muscle aches and pains. In some cases, I will mix a few drops in with a carrier oil and rub directly onto the area where my muscle aches. It's great for calming inflammation and soothing muscle aches after workouts or during the flu.
Thieves Blend (Cinnamon, Clove, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, and Lemon)
What I use it for:
Immunity, cleaning
How I use it:
I will use a capful of thieves oil mixed with fresh water in a spray bottle as a cleaner throughout my home. I use it on kitchen and bathroom countertops, my wood floors, and if you add a little white vinegar to the mix, you can use it for clean, streak-free windows! I also have this diluted in a carrier oil in a rollerball container, and I apply it to the bottoms of my feet before bed every night to boost my immune system. It really does help stave off colds!
PMS Relief Blend
What I use it for:
Hormonal issues, menstrual cramps
How I use it: I will add a couple drops with a carrier oil to a very hot bath during my period, especially during the heavy cramping days. I have Endometriosis and need all the help I can get trying to relieve extreme menstrual pain. In some cases, I will mix a few drops in with a carrier oil and rub directly onto my lower stomach and my back to help relieve menstrual pain. I don't think I could survive having Endo without this oil. Birth control helps too, FYI! HERE is the one I use.
Good Sleep Blend
What I use it for:
Falling asleep, deeper sleep
How I use it: I really should say how we use it because my husband is just as obsessed with this oil as I am! He calls this oil his "smells," and he will apply a small amount with a carrier oil to his wrists every night before bed. It's strong enough that I will smell it enough when it's on him that it also helps me fall asleep too. We also will use this in a diffuser diluted with fresh water during weeks we are both having lots of trouble sleeping. The scent is rather intoxicating, too!
Carrier Oil
I recommend you use a carrier oil to apply your essential oils to your skin. A carrier oil is another oil like avocado, jojoba, almond, or coconut that you use to mix in with a few drops of your concentrated essential oils. That way, you don't cause any irritation to your skin. Mix in your essential oils with a carrier oil when putting drops in your bath, too. Peppermint oil is one of the essential oils you'll definitely want to significantly dilute in the bath...unless you feel like burning where the sun don't shine! LOL HERE is the carrier oil I use and love. It is jojoba oil, which is most like your skin's natural oil.
Here are some links to some essential oil supplies that I use:
There is a local company in the Cleveland area that I'd like to support on here as well. They sell a whole host of great diffusers, essential oils, and accessories. Check them out! They're called the Spa Room! Head over to my Instagram account @peonyandhoney for a special giveaway with them going on right now! As always, I am disclosing to you that some of the links provided in this blog post are affiliate links. By purchasing an item using one of my affiliate links, I earn a small commission. This helps me keep this blog running and providing you with quality content, so I thank you in advance for any purchases you make using my links! Your support is everything to me! I hope this blog post was helpful to you, and I hope that essential oils work for you like they do for me. I consider them to be a great aid in my overall health. Thanks for reading, and I'll talk to y'all soon! Hugs!