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This list of essential oils and their uses covers some of the more commonly-used oils and a snapshot of their benefits and uses.
There are so many different essential oils, each with its own uses and benefits. This list of essential oils and their uses focuses on some of the more popular oils.
Here’s the list of essential oils covered in this article. The write-ups are listed in the same order to make it easier for you to find what you are looking for.
Lavender
Tea Tree
Peppermint
Chamomile
Lemon
Ylang-ylang
Rosemary
Jasmine
Geranium
Cedarwood
Marjoram
Sandalwood
If you want to see any other oil featured here in this list of essential oils and uses, do let me know in the comments below.
Lavender Essential Oil
Wonderfully aromatic, lavender essential oil is the most widely used oil in aromatherapy. It is commonly used to relieve anxiety, reduce stress levels, unwind, relax, and get better sleep.
To unwind and relax when you are feeling particularly anxious or stressed, add a few drops of lavender oil to a warm bath. As you inhale the aroma of lavender, you will begin to feel the stress leave your body and you will feel increasingly more relaxed. Read more about how to use essential oils in the bath.
In order to get a good night’s sleep, you can either add a few drops to an aromatherapy diffuser that is placed on your bedside table or add a few drops directly onto your pillow. Inhaling the soothing lavender aroma will lull you to sleep gently and also help you stay asleep longer.
Lavender oil is also great for fighting the flu, migraines, and colds and soothing insect bites. Put a few drops on a handkerchief and inhale to get the flu-fighting benefits of the oil.
For soothing insect bites, gently rub the area with a few drops of lavender mixed with a carrier oil such as coconut or jojoba oil.
Blending a drop of lavender oil with your regular skin cream or lotion before application acts as a natural deodorant while at the same time allowing you to enjoy the many benefits of lavender essential oil.
Awesome Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil
Tea Tree Essential Oil
If you had to choose just one essential oil from the numerous options available, tea tree oil would be a great choice. It is just as popular and useful as lavender essential oil.
Tea tree essential oil is best known for fighting infections and is the best essential oil for managing acne outbreaks and acne scars. My teenage son used tea tree oil for his acne and it helped tremendously. Not only did he have fewer outbreaks but he is now totally scar-free, thanks to tea tree oil. It works! Try it.
Of course, there are numerous other healing properties of tea tree oil. It works very well to soothe itchy skin, cuts, and burns. Remember to never apply any essential oil directly to the skin. Always blend with a carrier oil before topical application.
Caution: Never use tea tree or any other essential oil for deep cuts or gaping wounds. These should be attended to by a qualified doctor to minimize the risk of infection.
Tea tree oil also helps boosts the immune system and treats cold sores and muscle aches.
Adding a few drops of the oil to a warm bath can help ease respiratory conditions.
Although tea tree essential oil is not toxic, it is very strong. Do not use it around the nose and eyes and definitely do not consume it internally.
Peppermint Essential Oil
Packed with health benefits, peppermint essential oil is the most widely used of the mint oil varieties.
This is the best essential oil to stay more focused and alert. Whenever you feel that you’re starting to lose focus, just a whiff of peppermint can get you back on track. There’s a good reason why most chewing gums have a peppermint flavor. The strong minty aroma of peppermint instantly refreshes and reenergizes you making it easier to stay focused.
This oil is also excellent for the digestive system. It is often used to combat irritation and allergies and to aid digestion.
Oh, peppermint is also the best essential oil for hangovers. When you’ve partied hard the night before and have to be at work the next morning, this is the essential oil you want to reach out for, to soothe that nasty headache and nausea.
My favorite way to use peppermint oil during the Holidays is in this Peppermint Candy Cane diffuser blend.
Be careful when applying peppermint oil and avoid applying anywhere your eyes.
Read more: Health Benefits of Peppermint Essential Oil.
Chamomile Essential Oil
Chamomile essential oil is well-known for its relaxing and sedative properties. It is one of the best essential oils for calm and relaxation second only to lavender.
This essential oil is used as an antidepressant, antiseptic, antibiotic, and mood lifter.
There are many different ways to use chamomile oil. Add a few drops to your diffuser, in a bath, or on a pillow. Adding a few drops to an essential oil necklace or bracelet will allow you to get the benefits of chamomile even when you’re out of the house.
Blend it with carrier oil for a soothing, relaxing massage.
Caution about using chamomile essential oil – This oil should not be used if you are allergic to ragweed. If you are in the first trimester of pregnancy, make sure to ask your doctor before you use chamomile oil for any purpose.
Lemon Essential Oil
The clean, fresh aroma of lemon essential oil is invigorating, energizing, and refreshing. To feel more energized throughout the day, simply add a few drops of lemon oil to your diffuser, vaporizer, or essential oil necklace and you’ll notice the difference.
Lemon essential oil also helps with digestion, improves concentration, and eases the symptoms of arthritis and acne. It’s important to blend a few drops with carrier oil before topical application.
It is also a powerful natural immunity booster. To boost your immune system, include a few drops in your bath water and soak it in for a few minutes.
Caution when using lemon essential oil – You should not use this oil just before going out in the sun as the sun’s rays react with all citrus oils causing discoloration and irritation.
Read more: Amazing Lemon Essential Oil Benefits for Health & Home
Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil
Ylang-Ylang essential oil is wonderful for reducing stress and anxiety, soothing headaches, and alleviating nausea. To get the health benefits of ylang-ylang for any of the above purposes, simply add a few drops into your diffuser and inhale the dispersed vapors.
The strong, unmistakable scent of ylang-ylang essential oil serves as a potent aphrodisiac. If you’re planning a romantic bath with your significant other, adding a few drops of ylang-ylang oil into your bath will arouse and enhance sensual feelings.
Another way to enjoy the aphrodisiac properties of ylang-ylang is by giving your partner a sensual massage using a carrier oil blended with a few drops of ylang-ylang.
Read:
Aphrodisiac Essential Oils to Set the Mood in the Bedroom
Romantic Essential Oil Blends & How to Use Them
Benefits & Uses of Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
Rosemary Essential Oil
If you’re feeling stressed out and finding it difficult to stay focused, adding a few drops of rosemary essential oil to your bath or diffuser will help you relax and focus. This essential oil can enhance memory and improve overall brain performance.
You can also use rosemary essential oil topically to soothe sore muscles or inhale the aroma to alleviate migraines and headaches.
Caution when using rosemary essential oil – Rosemary oil is noted for being one of the strongest essential oils, which is why pregnant women, as well as individuals with high blood pressure or epilepsy, should avoid using it.
Read: Best Essential Oils To Soothe Sore Muscles & How To Use Them
Jasmine Essential Oil
With its soothing and pleasant, it comes as no surprise that jasmine essential oil is best known for its relaxing properties. It requires a lot of jasmine flowers to extract a few drops of the oil, which is the main reason why it’s one of the most expensive oils available.
Jasmine essential oil can be used to relieve mild depression, reduce tension and ease respiratory problems. It is often combined with lavender, geranium, and rose essential oils to reduce its heady aroma.
This oil is also often used as a great home air freshener.
Caution when using jasmine oil – Pregnant women should avoid using this essential oil.
Read: DIY Scented Body Butter with Jasmine Essential Oil
Geranium Essential Oil
Geranium is another excellent essential oil you can use on a regular basis.
Geranium essential oil has excellent anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.
Inhaling its aroma promotes calm, relaxation, and sleep. Geranium can be used as an aromatherapy oil in a diffuser, in the bath, or added to different body products to get the benefits.
Read more about the Health Benefits of Geranium Essential Oil
Cedarwood Essential Oil
Cedarwood is an essential oil made from the Juniperus Virginiana tree that’s been around since the time of ancient Egyptians. In fact, this is believed to be one of the first essential oils ever extracted.
You can mix Cedarwood essential oil with facial creams or massage oil or add a few drops to your diffuser or vaporizer to get the benefits of this essential oil.
Cedarwood is best known for helping alleviate anxiety and stress.
It can also help ease respiratory problems by opening up the nasal passages.
Note that this oil is a skin irritant and must be diluted with a carrier oil, like almond, jojoba, or avocado oil before applying to the skin.
Marjoram Essential Oil
If you’re suffering from anxiety, adding a few drops of marjoram essential oil to your diffuser will help you feel less anxious and more relaxed.
In addition to reducing stress and anxiety, this marjoram essential oil also helps combat depression and fatigue. It soothes circulatory and respiratory issues as well
Sandalwood Essential Oil
Best known for its calming properties, Sandalwood essential oil is excellent for relieving anxiety and tension.
The oil is very cooling and has strong anti-inflammatory properties.
Due to its particularly woody fragrance, it’s incredibly easy to recognize the smell of sandalwood. This is one of the more expensive essential oils because it is extracted only when a tree reaches maturity.
Only the more popular oils feature in this list of essential oils and their uses. There are several more essential oils and even more ways that you can use them.
The best way to maximize the benefits of different essential oils is to experiment with your own blends in a diffuser.
Best Essential Oil Starter Sets
If you’re just getting started with aromatherapy, you may find this helpful – Ultimate Guide to Buying Essential Oils – 10 Things To Look For
Buying individual oils and diffusers can get expensive very quickly. Unfortunately, that’s one reason many people either give up using essential oils or don’t get started at all.
Buying an aromatherapy starter kit is a better way to get started. The best sets come with a set of the more widely-used essential oils. Some also include a diffuser and synergy blends. You’re sure to find a set that suits your budget in this round-up of Best Essential Oil Sets – Save Money On High-Quality Oils.
My favorite essential oil set is this Top 14 Essential Oil Set from Plant Therapy. Plant Therapy is a highly reputed brand and their essential oils are of the highest quality. This Top 14 set includes a nice selection of oils that you use for their therapeutic benefits or in your DIY projects.
Learn more about using essential oils
These articles will help you maximize the benefits of essential oils while ensuring that you are using your oils correctly:
Best Essential Oil Books Written By Experts In The Field
List Of Essential Oils And Their Benefits: Handy Reference Guide
How To Store Essential Oils Correctly to Maximize Their Shelf Life
Essential Oil Safety – How To Use Essential Oils Safely
Using Essential Oils: Cautions & Concerns
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to serve as medical advice. Please consult your doctor before using any natural medication or if you experience any unusual symptoms. See Full Disclaimer here.
