A Gift of Essential Oils

This article is for information only. Do not use it as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment of any health condition. Always consult a qualified health practitioner.

E ssential oils (EOs) have been around for over 5,000 years and are a wonderful gift for everyone on your holiday list because there seems to be a perfect oil out there for almost every need.

EOs are highly concentrated organic compounds that are extracted from plants. The very small molecules in these oils can easily penetrate your cells and are used for healing. This practice is called Aromatherapy.

These oils can replace toxic cleaning supplies and harmful ingredients in beauty care products, and relax you during times of stress. Some other benefits claimed are: alleviate pain, heal skin conditions, balance hormones, and naturally support your immune system. They are now being used in various hospitals to treat both anxiety and infection in patients.

Some essential oils can be toxic when swallowed, so unless you are an expert (or consult with one), best not to use them internally. They are also best when combined with a carrier oil such as an almond or coconut oil.

We've been using essential oils for a couple of years now and can honestly say that we’ve benefitted from their healing properties. We use peppermint oil for help with digestion and rub it on our temples for headache relief.

We inhale eucalyptus oil when our sinuses feel stuffed up, and take oregano oil when we need to fight off colds and flu. We use orange or lemon oil in a diffuser when we need a pick-me-up and spray a lavender mist on pillows when we can’t sleep.

If you know which oils a person enjoys the most, consider giving them a gift set containing a few of their favorites.

Here are 10 popular essential oils, along with their potential health benefits:

Lavender:

Both antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, lavender oil helps with relaxation, can heal burns and cuts, and helps to relieve pain from sprains and headaches.

Peppermint:

This EO supports digestion, can help relieve headache and muscle pain, and its cooling scent can be inhaled to enhance relaxation.

Eucalyptus:
• Improve respiratory issues like bronchitis, sinusitis and seasonal allergies with this oil. Many over-the-counter cough medicines are made with this. It can also help alleviate the pain from earaches.

Lemon:
• This EO is made from the lemon peel, not the fruit. It is great in homemade cleaning products and is a natural antibacterial. It’s refreshing scent is said to boost energy.

Oregano:
• This has powerful antimicrobial properties and can help you cut down on the effects of a cold, fast. A few drops in water has been shown to help battle E.coli and even staph, so take it with you when traveling.

Rosemary:
• Great to use when working, reading or studying this EO has been said to improve brain function and memory. It can also help naturally thicken hair, so add it to your homemade shampoos.

Tea tree oil:
• An anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, it is one of the few oils that can be applied directly to the skin and has been known to help with skin conditions like acne and eczema. When used in a diffuser, it’s effective in clearing up nasal congestion and can help stimulate the immune system.

Frankincense:
• This oil helps strengthen immunity, can reduce inflammation, help to heal age spots, and supports normal brain function. There are even claims that it may help fight cancer.

Clove:
• In early dentistry, this oil was used as an aid for toothaches, and can relieve the pain if rubbed on the gums. It’s best known for its antibacterial and antioxidant protection.

Chamomile:
• There are two types of chamomile EOs — Roman and German. Both varieties have good antiseptic and antibiotic properties and are used often in skin care products. Mainly known for helping with relaxation and digestive complaints, most people use dried chamomile as a tea.

Blend essential oils together to create a special fragrance. They can also be blended with a carrier oil and used in body lotions, shower gels and for massage. It’s fun to experiment!

Diffusers Using a diffuser is one of the best ways to reap the many health benefits of your essential oils. Canada: amazon.ca USA: amazon.com

Storage Boxes & Cases
• Terramore’s Natural Pine Essential Oil Storage Box holds 87-100 total bottles. 75 (5-15ml) bottles in an upright position and 12 slanted spaces for roller bottles. You can find it at: USA: amazon.com