For many people, when they hear the words "essential oil" it conjures up an image in their mind of health and wellness. Many experience feelings of calmness and balance and carry the belief that plants can heal. I am one of those people! Having grown up on a farm in northern Minnesota plants and gardening were part of our daily life. I took a keen interest in natural healing as I grew up on the farm. Our lunch, as children, was whatever we scrounged from the garden! This meant dirt and all. We did not stop our outdoor fort building or horseback adventure to head inside and eat microwave mac and cheese! We ate vegetables and berries and dirt and scampered on. What we nourish our bodies with became a huge part of what led me down the path to a nursing career that has now spanned nearly 25 years! Man...I am getting OLD! The quote, "eat your food as medicine or you will have to eat medicine as your food" REALLY hit home to me! From a young age I was fascinated by the healing and restorative powers that plants offered. Today I have chosen ten common single note essential oils, will discuss their characteristics and leave you with some diffuser blends you can use at home! Links on where to purchase quality essential oils will be listed at the end as well!
The world of essential oils is complex and deep! There are top notes, middle notes and bottom notes to consider and ponder. Because essential oils are highly concentrated extracts from the aromatic parts of plants, herbs, grasses, flowers and trees they each carry their own special note! Essential oils have been used for thousands of years and can positively influence both body and mind when used safely and appropriately. So, let's look at a few of our single note essential oils!
1. Lavender: sweet, floral, herbaceous with a woody undertone. Lavender is very well known for calming, balancing, soothing and relaxing. Makes a great bedtime roll-on blend!
2. Peppermint: grassy, invigorating, uplifting, minty with a camphor scent. So beneficial to nausea and concentration.
3. Bergamot: One of my favorites! Fruity, floral, cheerful and uplifting. Often known to ease stress and anxiety and promote feelings of self confidence! It is my spirit booster and can generate a feeling of freshness, joy and energy! Did you know that the addition of bergamot essential oil in plain old black tea was dubbed a new name- Earl Gray!
4. Rosemary: My shampoo bar would not be complete without this oil! It is strong, fresh and very herbaceous! Known to stimulate memory, aid in concentration and ease tired muscles. Did you know it also is known to stimulate hair growth and increase circulation? There is a very specific reason this essential oil is in my shampoo bar!
5. Tangerine: Oh my goodness! Can you say heaven? This literally smells as lovely as it sounds. Sweet, floral and citrusy; known for being uplifting, cheerful and stress relieving. This is my favorite go to for my body wash! A great pick me up in the morning!
6. Tea Tree: Who doesn't know tea tree? Fresh, spicy, uplifting with a distinct medicinal camphor aroma. It carries anti-inflammatory properties the are often used to soothe itch and help heal infections.
7. Eucalyptus: Such a pleasant aroma! Fresh, purifying, cleansing with a slight camphor note. When used as a blend this is a nice oil for relieving pain and reducing inflammation.
8. Spearmint: Sweet, minty and invigorating. Similar to peppermint but much more gentle and without the bite! This oil is great for indigestion, nausea, headaches and fatigue. The menthol in this oil is gentle and very pleasant.
9. Patchouli: sweet, rich, sensuous and earthy! Often used in perfumes and skin care for its calming and sensual benefits! Often aids people suffering from depression and fills them with new hope. Very popular oil in diffuser blends.
10. Frankincense: Warm, rich and woody! Excellent for skin care and acne. It is also know to help relive chronic stress, anxiety, boost immunity and reduce pain and inflammation. This is a go to oil in many of my facial serums!
DIFFUSER BLENDS
Keep in mind that there are approx. 20 drops of essential oil in 1 ml ! NEVER apply undiluted essential oil to your skin ! Always seeks medical attention if rash or skin irritation develop.
Choose an open area to use your diffuser! Avoid placing your diffuser in direct sunlight or near a fan. Be extra cautious if placing your diffuser on a wood surface! Fill your diffuser to its water line, they all should have one! DO NOT OVERFILL or it may not run properly!
The diffusers I sell are all 100 ml diffusers (the usual amount) and the recommended essential oil usage is 3-5 drops! That is how much punch those oils can pack! Here are some of my favorite basic blends to diffuse! Your diffuser list will grow as you add more oils to your collection!
HERBAL POWER: 3 drops eucalyptus and 2 drops rosemary
UPLIFT: 3 drops lavender and 2 drops rosemary
STRESS LESS: 3 drops frankincense and 2 drops lavender
UNWIND: 3 drops lavender and 2 drops bergamot
WORRIES AWAY: 3 drops patchouli and 2 drops bergamot
RISE & SHINE: 3 drops spearmint and 2 drops tangerine
GOODNIGHT: 3 drops lavender and 2 drops bergamot
CALMING: 2 drops lavender and 2 drops bergamot and 1 drop frankincense
BREATHE EASY: 3 drops peppermint and 2 drops eucalyptus
Below are the two vendors I have had great experiences ordering my essential oils from:
Plant Therapy: www.planttherapy.com They often run a "spotlight of the week" and I highly recommend their Essential Oils 101 Blog!
New Directions Aromatics: www.newdirectionsaromatics.com They carry high quality essential oils at competitive prices! They are the world's largest supplier of Lavender Essential Oil! I love them because they also carry botanical extracts, butters, candle waxes, clays, mineral salts and muds! Oooooh all my favorites in one place !!!!
If you have a favorite essential oil or a really special diffuser blend that you absolutely love feel free to drop a note below and share it! We love hearing from our customers and friends about their favorite products and how they use them in their own home!
Let's chat soon.....
~Sonya
Disclaimer: I hope you have found my blog useful and helpful. I am a professional registered nurse of 23 years and my blog posts are intended for informational and educational purposes only. They should not be seen as health, nutritional or medical advice. I am not a doctor nor have I ever played one on TV. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. I recommend checking with your doctor before beginning any new treatment as I am unaware of your entire medical history.
View our entire legal disclaimer here.
Good stuff! Bergamot and lavender are relaxing.