The scent of lavender is widely recognized by people around the world as a sweet floral present in many perfumes and bath products to aid in relaxation. Not as commonly known are its other characteristics that make lavender essential oil a must have around the house for anyone interested in aromatherapy and/or the healing powers of natural herbs.
Fragrances – When lavender is included in a perfume or other fragrance product, it is most often the top or middle note. It has a very pleasant (to many) but strong fragrance, that is not easily overpowered.
Aromatherapy – Lavender is known to have a soothing and calming effect on people who are exposed to it. It promotes balance and healing and can help with depression and anxiety. For this reason, lavender is a popular scent for bath products, candles, incense, and air fresheners, as well as a plethora of other products designed for aromatherapy.
Pain Relief – There are a few types of pain that lavender can help alleviate. When combined with massage oils or lotions and rubbed on it can help with rheumatism and other joint and muscle pains. A few drops added to the bath or diffuser can also help clear up headaches and migraines.
Skin Care – Lavender essential oil added to lotions, oils, ointments, and baths. It can be a powerful skin care tool due to its antiseptic and antimicrobial properties. Not only can lavender help combat oily skin and acne, but it has also been known to help athlete’s foot, scars, stretch marks, burns and insect bites.
Respiratory Ailments – Lavender is also a known decongestant, and as such helps with asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory problems such as allergies. Diffusers and vaporizers can be helpful in getting the essential oil into the air, or it can be added to a hot bath or pot full of boiling water.
Lavender essential oil can be such an invaluable answer to everyday aches, complaints, and illnesses, it is no wonder it is so widely used around the world. I’m sure if everyone was aware of the effects it can have on the body other than relaxation, it would be considered a household staple by all. To many of you, I know that it probably already is. I hope this post has given you a few more ways to use lavender essential oil for the benefit of you and your family.
Eucalyptus essential oil has a fresh, woodsy, medicinal scent that most people associate with cough drops. Eucalyptus is not only useful for coughs, however, but has numerous other uses around the home as well. Included in its many helpful properties is that it is an antiseptic, astringent, analgesic, anti-bacterial and anti-septic. Let’s investigate some of the ways that this can be utilized.
Respiratory Ailments – As stated above, the most commonly known use for eucalyptus is in cough drops. This is because it can be a powerful decongestant and relieve some of the throat pain associated with coughing. It can help people with colds, sinusitis, hay fever and bronchitis. In addition to using cough drops, a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil can be added to a vaporizer, put in a chest rub, or it can be used in a gargle. To gargle, make sure the eucalyptus is VERY diluted, as it can cause irritation if it is too strong, 5 drops in an 8 oz. glass of water should do it.
Muscular Pain – Eucalyptus essential oil’s analgesic properties make it very useful as a compress, in baths, massage oils, and lotions to relieve the muscle and joint pain associated with problems such as rheumatism, fever, and arthritis, as well as the everyday aches and pains associated with busy lives.
Skin Ailments – Bburns, blisters, cuts, wounds, and infections can benefit from the anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties of eucalyptus essential oil. To treat these, soak a compress pad in a eucalyptus and water solution of 5 drops to 8 ozs of water and apply directly to the affected area.
Boost Immunity – Eucalyptus is not only useful for respiratory infections, but in infections of the immune system in general. People with ailments such as fever, the common cold, influenza and the measles can also benefit from eucalyptus.
Aromatherapy – The fresh, sharp scent of eucalyptus is invigorating and purifying to those who come into contact with it, and is added to lotions and candles for this reason as well.
A note of caution: Eucalyptus should be not be used by individuals with high blood pressure and/or epilepsy, as it can exacerbate these problems. It can also lower blood sugar; therefore, diabetics should be cautious as well.
That being said, eucalyptus really is a versatile little essential oil, and is a staple in my house. I have used it for ages in my baths and vaporizer when my asthma is acting up for almost instant relief. I am sure there has been some hospital trips avoided because of this wonderful little herb. I hope this article has helped you find some more ways eucalyptus can be of use around your home!
Lemons really are an amazing fruit…not only do they add flavor and dimension to so many foods and beverages, but they, and the essential oil made from them, also have many therapeutic effects on the body. Lemon oil has anti-bacterial, antiseptic, and anti-rheumatic properties, as well as being a diuretic and an anti-inflammatory. This makes its uses around the home practically limitless.
Circulatory Aid – Lemon essential oil can help with circulatory woes. It helps stimulate blood flow. It can also help reduce high blood pressure, and help stop nose bleeds.
Digestion – Lemon is very cleansing to the digestion system. It can help ease constipation and dyspepsia. It has also been known to reduce nausea, and is very useful to many pregnant women with morning sickness. Some report that even just the smell will help them feel better.
Fight Infection – Lemon essential oil can be used to boost immunity as well. Since lemon is anti-bacterial and antiseptic, it is also used to help fight common infections such as the common cold and influenza. This, plus its anti-inflammatory power makes lemon essential oil especially helpful, when consumed in a drink, for throat infections. Lemon also helps reduce fever.
Skin Care – There is a lot of roles that lemon essential oil can play in skin care as well, as long as it is diluted enough, as it can irritate the skin in strong doses. It is a great tool for exfoliation, acne, and greasy skin and hair, and helps with problems such as insect bites, varicose veins, and warts as well.
Cleaning Products – With all the virtues listed above, it’s no wonder that lemon essential oil would be a good addition to cleaning products as well. People have been cleaning with lemon for centuries, and for good reason. It disinfects without being too harsh, and combined with a few other simple kitchen products, can help make a great natural multi-purpose cleanser that is also safe to use around children.
Lemon essential oil is a must have for any essential oil enthusiast’s cupboard. It is a very well-rounded oil, and has uses in virtually every household arena. Whether you use it cosmetically, to help your circulatory and/or digestive systems, to fight infection, or to clean with, or all of the above, chances are that it’s already an indispensable part of your household.
