Aromatherapy Essential Oils for WELLNESS

By Lee-Anne Willats

Using essential oils for wellness is all about supporting you naturally to help you feel better overall and live a healthy, pain free life. Aromatherapy uses 100% pure essential oils (EOs) to provide natural relief. They are plant based and usually steam distilled. 

Essential oils can be used in several different ways:

• Diffuse by adding a few drops of your favourite essential oil to a diffuser filled with water

• Apply a few drops topically to the skin

• Receive a therapeutic massage using a layering of essential oils

• Inhale the aroma directly

• Add to a salve or cream

Health issues involving respiratory, insomnia, skin ailments or outbreaks, mood swings, arthritic and joint pain, muscle soreness, lack of energy and fatigue will benefit from aromatherapy treatment.

Here are my six favourite essential oils, plus treatment and precautions for each:

1. Eucalyptus Radiata (Eucalyptus radiata)

The main chemical components of Eucalyptus radiata are eucalyptol and alpha-terpineol, making it an ideal oil to promote feelings of clear breathing and for creating a soothing massage experience. Eucalyptus has purifying properties that can be beneficial for the skin and for cleansing surfaces and the air. Studies have shown that Eucalyptus is effective in helping to lessen tension.

Primary Benefits:

• Provides a relaxing aroma.

• Promotes oral health and freshens breath.

• Promotes the feelings of breathing easy.

Aromatic Description:

• Camphoraceous, airy.

Uses:

• Add one drop to a moisturiser of your choice and apply to the skin in circular motions.

• Place three drops of Eucalyptus in the bottom of the shower to invigorate senses.

• During menstruation, massage daily into the lower abdomen for soothing support.

• Add one drop to a cotton ball and place it in shoes, garment drawers, or other places that accumulate unpleasant odours.

• Diffuse with Lemon and Peppermint essential oils for a revitalizing scent.

Directions for Use:

• Diffusion: Use three to four drops in the diffuser of choice.

• Topical use: Apply one to two drops to desired area. Dilute with a carrier oil to minimize any skin sensitivity. See additional precautions below.

Cautions:

• Possible skin sensitivity.

• Keep out of reach of children.

• If you are pregnant, nursing, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician.

• Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas.

2. Frankincense (Boswellia carterii)

Renowned as one of the most prized and precious essential oils, Frankincense has extraordinary benefits. In addition to its notoriety in the New Testament, the Babylonians and Assyrians would burn Frankincense in religious ceremonies and the ancient Egyptians used Frankincense resin for everything from perfume to salves for soothing skin. Its soothing and beautifying properties are used to rejuvenate skin and help reduce the appearance of imperfections when applied topically. When inhaled or diffused, Frankincense promotes feelings of peace, relaxation, satisfaction, and overall wellness.

Primary Benefits:

• Soothes Skin.

• Reduces the appearance of skin imperfections when applied topically.

• Creates a peaceful environment.

Aromatic Description:

• Warm, spicy, clean.

Uses:

• Add two drops to moisturiser to reduce the appearance of blemishes and rejuvenate skin.

• Massage Frankincense into hands and feet for a warm, soothing effect after strenuous activity.

• Combine Frankincense with a carrier oil in a small spray bottle and use it as a daily perfume.

• Apply to pulse points to unwind and relax.

Directions for Use:

• Diffusion: Use three to four drops in the diffuser of choice.

• Topical use: Apply one to two drops to desired area. Dilute with a carrier oil to minimize any skin sensitivity. See additional precautions below.

Cautions:

• Possible skin sensitivity.

• Keep out of reach of children.

• If you are pregnant, nursing, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician.

• Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas.

3. Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

The peppermint plant is a hybrid of water mint and spearmint and was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. A high menthol content—like that found in the ELEMENTAL Peppermint essential oil—distinguishes the best quality Peppermint oil from other products. Consistently one of ELEMENTAL's best sellers. Peppermint essential oil has a wide range of benefits such as flavouring desserts and entrees to freshening breath.

Primary Benefits:

• Formulated to help promote feelings of confidence, courage, and belief.

• An uplifting and positive aroma ideal to use in times when negative emotions are present.

Aromatic Description:

• Balsamic, green, fruity, woody.

Uses:

• Use a drop of Peppermint with Lemon oil in water for a refreshing mouth rinse.

• Add a drop to a cup of warm tea and drink slowly to soothe an upset stomach.

Directions for Use:

• Diffusion: Use three to four drops in the diffuser of your choice.

• Food flavour use: Add 1 or 2 drops to food.

Cautions:

• Possible skin sensitivity.

• Keep out of reach of children.

• If you are pregnant, nursing, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician.

• Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas.

4. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

The floral, airy scent of Lavender essential oil can produce calming, soothing and relaxing benefits. Lavender is frequently applied topically, to reduce the appearance of skin imperfections. Add to bath water to soak away stress or apply to the temples and the back of the neck. Add a few drops of Lavender to pillows, bedding, or bottoms of feet to relax and prepare for a restful night’s sleep. Due to Lavender’s versatile properties, it is considered the must-have oil to always have on hand.

Primary Benefits:

• Soothes occasional skin irritations.

• Reduces the appearance of skin imperfections.

• Provides relaxing qualities that can help promote a peaceful setting. 

Aromatic Description:

• Powdery, floral, light.

Uses:

• Add a few drops of Lavender to pillows, bedding, or bottoms of feet at bedtime. 

• Keep a bottle of Lavender on hand to soothe occasional skin irritations. 

• Freshen your linen closet, mattress, car, or the air by combining Lavender with water in a spray bottle.

Directions for Use:

• Diffusion: Use three to four drops in the diffuser of choice.

• Topical use: Apply one to two drops to desired area. Dilute with a carrier oil to minimize any skin sensitivity. See additional precautions below.

Cautions:

• Possible skin sensitivity.

• Keep out of reach of children.

• If you are pregnant, nursing, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician.

• Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas. 

5. Lemon (Citrus limonum)

As the top-selling ELEMENTAL essential oil, Lemon has multiple benefits and uses. Lemon is a powerful cleansing agent that purifies the air and surfaces and can be used as a non-toxic cleaner throughout the home. When diffused, Lemon is very uplifting and energizing and has been shown to help improve mood.

Primary Benefits:

• Cleanses and purifies the air and surfaces.

• Uplifting, positive aroma.

Aromatic Description:

• Clean, fresh, citrus, bright.

Uses:

• Diffuse to create an uplifting environment.

• Lemon oil is a great remedy for the early stages of tarnish on silver and other metals.

• Use a cloth soaked in Lemon oil to preserve and protect your leather furniture and other leather surfaces or garments.

• Add Lemon oil to a spray bottle of water to clean tables, countertops, and other surfaces. Lemon oil also makes a great furniture polish; simply add a few drops to olive oil to clean, protect, and shine wood finishes.

Directions for Use:

• Diffusion: Use three to four drops in the diffuser of choice. 

• Topical use: Apply one to two drops to desired area. Dilute with a carrier oil to minimize any skin sensitivity. See additional precautions below.

Cautions:

• Possible skin sensitivity.

• Keep out of reach of children.

• If you are pregnant, nursing, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician.

• Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas.

6. Sandalwood (Santalum album)

ELEMENTAL’s amazing Sandalwood essential oil delivers a variety of benefits, including smoothing skin. The oil has a rich, sweet, woody aroma, making it a perfect oil to incorporate into massage or aromatherapy. Research suggests Sandalwood helps with the appearance of skin imperfections, it also provides these same effects to the atmosphere of a room, creating a positive environment for meditation or personal interaction.

Primary Benefits:

• Promotes healthy-looking, smooth skin.

• Creates a positive environment.

• Frequently used in meditation for its grounding aroma.

Aromatic Description:

• Rich, honey, sweet, woody.

Uses:

• Diffuse or apply to the neck and shoulders at bedtime to prepare for a restful night’s sleep.

• Add one to two drops to your favourite moisturizer or night cream for smooth, glowing skin.

• Add one to two drops to a hot bath to promote relaxation and lessen tension.

Directions for Use:

• Diffusion: Use three to four drops in the diffuser of your choice.

• Topical use: Apply one to two drops to desired area. Dilute with ELEMENTAL Fractionated Coconut Oil to minimize any skin sensitivity.

Cautions:

• Possible skin sensitivity.

• Keep out of reach of children.

• If you are pregnant, nursing, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician.

• Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas.

The above six essential oils are only a few of my favourites. I also use Basil, Bergamot, Black Pepper, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Clary Sage, Clove, Copaiba, Geranium, Marjoram, Tea Tree, Ylang Ylang in many treatments and blends for clients.

I personally do not use any essential oils for clients that may be pregnant or breast feeding.

Education is the number one key to using essential oils properly. Secondly, the quality of the oils is very important in avoiding adverse reactions.

An indicator that the essential oil may not be 100% pure is the price. If the price is too good, be wary of what the actual components and the country of origin are as they may not be 100% essential oil but blended with other components. Another way is to smell the oil, you will know right away with a little experience.

This is not a career that will make me a millionaire, but the giving of my heart felt compassion to help relieve discomfort and pain, to teach and share my knowledge of essential oils and see wondrous results, tells me I am on the right path.

Blessings to everyone and may your journey be as satisfying and fulfilling as mine has been and will continue to be for years to come.

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