Tejomaya Wellness

  Hi again, Everyone!  As promised, I’m giving you part two of my series on essential oils that I wrote for Inner Child Magazine.  This article digs a little deeper and gets into some of the actual oils themselves.  I’ve put together a sort-of kit of essentials, if you will, that’s great for anyone just getting into this rewarding practice.  If you think of any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to ask by leaving me a comment!  Enjoy!

Wishing You Total Well-Being,

Jennifer

———————————————————————————————————————————————–

In the last article we covered some of the basics for introducing aromatherapy into your daily routine, and now it’s time to explore some of the essential oils you can use to begin naturally scenting yourself and your home. Because so many of us are on a budget these days, it’s smart to test the waters with oils that are excellent multi-taskers and the good news is, there are a few great ones that can get you started.

As mentioned in the previous article, quality should always trump price, but don’t fret! The top oils are tops because they won’t make you wrinkle your nose or empty your wallet. A half ounce bottle will last you a lot longer than you think, due to the highly concentrated nature of the oils, so don’t worry if you think your shopping bag seems small for what you’re spending. You’ll no doubt be using them for everything you can think of, so that initial small investment will pay off in the first few drops. Ready to sniff out something awesome?

Lavender – No essential oil list would be complete without mentioning Lavender, and with good reason. It’s so useful! You can use lavender oil for all kinds of skin issues, such as minor kitchen burns, rashes, acne, insect bites and as a disinfectant for cuts and scrapes. Lavender oil is typically noted as being okay to apply neat, or without the use of a carrier oil. This is because it soothes so many skin issues, but it’s still smart to exercise caution if you are already have sensitive skin. Another great thing about lavender oil is that the calming nature of the oil doesn’t just stop with the skin. It’s wonderful for soothing and balancing for your emotions and psyche as well. Inhaling lavender draws it into the amygdala, which can help quell sleep disturbances, anxiety, stress headaches and so much more. Make sure you look specifically for Lavandula angustifolia, though. There are variations such as Spike Lavender, and Lavandin which are still wonderful oils, but don’t cast as wide a net as far as uses. Apply a few drops to a tissue and tuck it inside your pillow case for sweet dreams and restful sleep.

Peppermint – Thanks to the natural occurrence of menthol in the peppermint plant, this little wonder provides a cooling effect that is fantastic for so many things. Use peppermint oil (Mentha piperita )for intestinal discomfort like heartburn, and upset stomach. Make it your go to for headaches, respiratory complaints, overworked muscles, and take a whiff for a quick pick-me-up during the midday slump. You can also add peppermint oil to a cotton ball and place it near any areas where you think pests like insects or mice may be getting inside your home. They can’t stand the scent and will run the other way, plus you get clean karma because no harm came to the little guys. The menthol may burn the skin, so always dilute peppermint, but it’s handy, refreshing and wonderful when added to a spritzer bottle full of filtered water for hot weather. Give it a good shake and get some of nature’s free air conditioning for your skin and a fresh smelling alternative to bug spray.

Tea Tree – Tea Tree oil is sometimes fondly referred to as a “medicine chest in a bottle” and boy, is it ever awesome. Aside from treating a variety of skin issues, like warts, dandruff, athlete’s foot and cold sores, Melaleuca alternifolia is an amazing disinfectant for countertops, door handles and more. This makes it super valuable to you during cold and flu season because it is both antibacterial and antiviral. Because it’s antifungal as well, if you forget to take your clothes out of the machine before mildew sets in, run the load again, this time adding a few drops of tea tree to the water and freshen your garments and your washer at the same time.

Orange – You could easily substitute any of the citrus oils in your go-to kit, but orange oil (Citrus sinensis ) usually carries the lowest price tag. D-limonene, which is found in the peels of citrus fruits, is a very powerful antioxidant that’s great for health and also has awesome cleaning power when added to household cleansers. You might also consider using it in skin preparations, as orange oil has been shown to promote collagen production, promote circulation and encourage detoxification. Keep in mind that it can increase the effects of the sun’s rays, so it’s best not to use it right before going outside. It’s great for the digestion and it’s praises have been sung by Chinese doctors since ancient times. Orange is wonderful for lifting the spirits and easing stress and anxiety. Diffuse it in your home whenever you need a happiness boost.

Eucalyptus – Originally prized by Australian aborigines, Eucalyptus oil (Eucalyptus Globulus) is another versatile oil with a long list of benefits. It’s phenomenal for a variety of respiratory complaints making it great in steam treatments or added to humidifiers. Because of it’s refreshing scent, it’s often used in stress blends because it stimulates the brain and rejuvenates the spirits. It’s often found in natural lice treatments, dental care and products that treat skin infections. It can be added to creams to soothe muscle and joint pain and is a fabulous deodorizer so it can be diffused in a room with particularly lingering smells to kill germs and bacteria. Because it is cooling, mix it with peppermint oil and apply it to a cool, wet cloth to draw out a fever.

These are just a few oils to help you begin your aromatherapy journey and will offer you the best bang for your buck. There are around a hundred to choose from, so spend some time in the beauty section of your natural foods store and start sniffing out a winner. You can also look for small sample kits from reputable companies that will allow you to start with a lot of the single oils I mentioned, and usually for very affordable price. Don’t be afraid to experiment with blending, as well. Many essential oil companies provide you with a list compatible oils, either on their bottles, printed materials or websites, that will help you create a great combination that are especially suited to your needs and nose. Aromatherapy is first a pleasurable experience so above all, have fun and enjoy your creations!