Top 10 Healing Essential Oils

This overview of the top healing essential oils will give you a good base to get started with using aromatherapy for healing.

When you are just starting out, you do not want to dive headlong into aromatherapy. With literally hundreds of different oils and thousands of possible recipes to make unique blends, it can get overwhelming if you try to use them all right at the outset.

My advice would be to start slow and ease into aromatherapy gently. Start with just a few oils. Choose oils that are gentle and versatile. Of course, which ones you choose will depend on what you are using aromatherapy for.

You may want to explore the benefits of aromatherapy for better skin and hair while somebody else may be looking into aromatherapy for weight loss and still others will be researching aromatherapy for healing.

The essential oils listed below are the most highly recommended for beginners to aromatherapy. They are the most versatile and can be used to heal a variety of ailments. They are also easy to find and safe to use with a low risk of adverse side effects.

Many of the oils on the list can also be used in other ways, such as, to make natural cleaning products. For more details about each of these top healing essential oils, click on the links below.

Lavender

Lavender is one of the most popular oils in Aromatherapy. It is gentle, not toxic and has numerous health benefits and uses.

This essential oil is extracted from the flower tops of lavender plants and has a pleasant and calming fragrance.

Lavender essential oil is very versatile because it has both the ability to soothe and to energize. The effect you get depends on the amount of essential oil used. Its gentle fragrance induces sleep when used in small amounts, while larger doses work to boost mental stamina.

It is great for use in recipes that include other floral and citrus oils.

Lavender Oil Healing properties

• Antioxidant
• Astringent
• Regenerative
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antidepressant
• Sedative
• Analgesic
• Antiviral
• Antibacterial
• Antifungal

Healing Uses of Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender oil works very well to ease:

• Anxiety
• Headaches and migraines
• Insomnia
• Pain, particularly muscle and joint pain
• Colds, flu and chest congestion
• Coughs
• Sinus congestion
• Asthma symptoms
• Fatigue

Lavender also helps boost

• Mental stamina
• Energy after a tiring day
• Blood circulation
• Digestion by stimulating production of gastric juices

Tea Tree

Tea tree essential oil is extracted from the leaves and twigs of the Tea Tree. This oil blends well with spicy oils and also with lavender, clary sage and rosemary essential oils.

Tea Tree Oil Healing Properties

• Anti-bacterial
• Anti-microbial
• Anti-septic
• Anti-viral

These four properties make Tea Tree a cure-all type of oil that helps ward off a wide range of diseases and germs.

Tea tree essential oil is known to calm acne flare-ups and prevent acne break-outs. It does this by opening the pores and expelling toxins from the skin.

Healing Uses of Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea tree oil works very well to treat:

• Acne
• Wounds
• Coughs
• Colds
• Congestion
• Bronchitis
• Dermatitis
• Athlete’s Foot
• Boost Immunity

Bergamot

Bergamot oil is derived from the bergamot fruit. It has a very fresh, fruity and lively aroma that has a sweetness to it. Bergamot is what makes regular black tea Earl Grey.

Bergamot Healing Properties

• Deodorant
• Vulnerary
• Antibiotic
• Antiseptic
• Antispasmodic
• Sedative
• Analgesic
• Antidepressant

Healing Uses of Bergamot Essential Oil

Bergamot oil works in many different ways, including:

• Acts as an effective antidepressant and stimulant by inducing feelings of energy and joy, which help overcome depression.
• Increases metabolic functions by stimulating hormonal secretions.
• Antibiotic and disinfectant that inhibits the growth of germs, viruses and fungi. Can help with healing of colon, intestinal, urinary tract and kidney infections.
• Works great as a gentle but effective pain reliever for headaches, sprains, muscle pain and other ailments that typically call for pain pills.
• Relaxant and sedative properties in bergamot stimulate dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain and that helps soothe nerves and anxiety, induce sleep and manage high blood pressure.
• The oil stimulates the production of digestive acids, enzymes and stomach bile, which improves digestion and staves off gastrointestinal complications such as colorectal cancer and other related conditions.

Peppermint

Peppermint is a great oil that was once used by the Egyptians in 100 BC, as well as in Japan and China in ancient times to treat various health conditions.

Peppermint blends well with mint herbs and plants, such as, eucalyptus, rosemary and lavender.

Scientific research has proven that peppermint indeed has multiple health benefits and so it is also available in pill form.

Fresh peppermint leaf can be chewed to refresh the breath throughout the day

The oil is rich in minerals and nutrients, including Vitamins A and C, iron, calcium, magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids, all of which give it its powerful healing properties.

Healing Uses of Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint oil works very well to treat:

• Nasal and lung congestion
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Depression
• Stress
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• In skin care products it helps remove oils and brighten dull skin

Chamomile

The essential oil extracted from the chamomile plant is another very popular oil used in Aromatherapy. In fact, chamomile has been used as a natural healer in Europe for more than 2000 years.

It has a fruity scent and mixes well with sage, jasmine, geranium and lavender.

Chamomile is very well known for its calming effects. Drinking chamomile tea at bed time helps you feel relaxed so you fall asleep easier and stay asleep longer.

Healing Uses of Chamomile Essential Oil

Chamomile oil helps to overcome:

• Nervous disorders
• Anxiety
• Migraines and other headaches
• Allergies
• Asthma
• Insomnia
• Symptoms of PMS

Clove

Clove oil, which is, derived from the clove plant has a powerful scent and many healing properties.

Clove oil must be used with caution as it can cause skin irritations, especially when used in its concentrated form. It must be very well diluted before use.  

Clove blends nicely with allspice, lavender, rose and sage. It has woody, spicy aroma that will remind one of holidays and Christmas around the fireplace.

Clove has been used for thousands of years in food, and in healing.

Healing Uses of Clove Essential Oil

Clove oil is used to ease:

• Stress
• Sore throat
• Asthma
• Cough
• Cold
• Headaches
• Bronchitis
• Nausea related to morning sickness from pregnancy
• Its germicidal properties are used in dental care to help with pain, soar gums and mouth ulcers.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is another hugely versatile essential oil with a powerful, piney, super fresh scent.

It is extracted from the leaves of the evergreen eucalyptus trees that grow in Australia.

Eucalyptus scented saunas that are just wonderful to sit in and relax, especially after a particularly tiring or depressing day. The cool, refreshing aroma of the oil is uplifting and re-energizing.

Eucalyptus Oil Healing Properties

• Anti-fungal
• Antibacterial
• Decongestant

Healing Uses of Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Eucalyptus oil works very well to treat:

• Respiratory problems
• Sinusitis
• Nasal congestion
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Coughs
• Colds
• Bronchitis

Geranium

Geranium essential oils are derived from the geranium plant. It blends well with lavender, orange lemon, jasmine and lavender.

It is not advised for those with hypoglycemia.

Geranium Oil Healing Properties

• Astringent
• Anti-bacterial
• Anti-microbial
• Cytophylactic

It has astringent properties and so it is great for use in acne treatment (diluted) and for general tightening skin muscles. It also has anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties so it works great to prevent and treat infections. As a cytophylactic it promotes cell growth.

Healing Uses of Geranium Essential Oil

Geranium oil works very well to reduce:

• Depression
• Anger
• PMS
• Anxiety
• Acne Flare-ups

Rosemary

Rosemary smells wonderful and its essential oils are energizing and uplifting.

Healing Uses of Rosemary Essential Oil

Rosemary oil is used for the following purposes and more:

• Increase brain activity and boost mental functions
• Overcome depression
• Boost memory
• Heal respiratory infections, including symptoms of colds, sore throats and coughs

Thyme

The thyme plant provides essential oils that not only smell great, but also offer useful and important healing properties. In fact, this plant was one of the first recorded plant that was used for healing.

Its fragrance is strong and spicy and it has strong anti-bacterial properties that works to prevent bacterial growth.

Healing Uses of Thyme Essential Oil

Thyme oil works very well for the following purposes:

• Safely cure infections of the lungs, larynx and pharynx
• Boost memory
• Overcome depression

Lemon

The essential oil from lemons smells so good. It is citrusy, fresh and energizing. Lemon is used in juicing, cooking, air fresheners and Aromatherapy for its powerful healing properties.

Essential lemon oil blends great with lavender, chamomile, fennel and sandalwood.

Healing Uses of Lemon Essential Oil

Lemon Oil is used for the following purposes:

• Boost energy and ease fatigue
• Relieve stress
• Alleviate anxiety
• Increase alertness and concentration
• Improve overall wellbeing and positivity
• Treat coughs and colds
• Ease symptoms of Asthma
• Boost immunity due to its high volume of Vitamin C

Of course, when it comes to using aromatherapy for healing, knowing which are the best healing, it is not enough to just know which are the best healing essential oils. It is equally important to know which oils are dangerous and are best avoided.

10 Dangerous Oils To Avoid

There are oils that are not appropriate for consumption or for topical use and can be dangerous in these instances because they can be poisonous and cause skin irritations.

• Bitter Almond
• Calamus
• Yellow Camphor
• Savin
• Southernwood
• Tansy
• Mugwort
• Mustard
• Rue
• Horseradish

Have you used any of these 11 top healing essential oils or have you tried any other? What did you use it for and how did it work out for you?

My go-to essential oil for healing is Lavender. I love its soothing aroma and find that it works gently to ease aches and pains. It is also great for when I am travelling.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to serve as medical advice. Please consult your physician before using essential oils. See Full Disclaimer here.