The Holistic Road

Around 8 years ago, a friend introduced me to some of the best essential oils on the market. I even partook in the hype of getting others on board through the MLM business. Although I am no longer a part of that MLM, I still use oils daily. I learned a lot about their benefits & uses. I have seen that they work! And work well!!!

PLEASE NOTE!!There is no regulation on Essential Oils. I read a lot about how a company produces their oils, read reviews and claims on companies that sell them. Not all are made equal and I would never ingest an EO if I didn’t do my research. So be cautious on the brands you decide to use.

Now, there is a lot of info about the benefits of essential oils and their properties. For now, I’m going to share my top 5, their uses, what you can do with them and some tips. They aren’t in any special order. I really use these 5 the most tho.

#1 is Lavender. Not only is lavender great for sleep and reducing stress. But, it also can help with sunburn, fevers, dry skin, headaches, scrapes and cuts. I often apply a drop of lavender in with my face creams and body lotions. Especially before bedtime. I really enjoy the scent too. It has a calming aroma. I keep a bottle on my nightstand.

#2. Peppermint. Peppermint is Great! and I mean GREAT for upset stomachs and migraines. It also is great for fever, sunburn, indigestion, odors, flatulence, and muscle pain. It is considered a hot oil and should be used with a carrier oil when applying it directly on to the skin, unless you know that your skin isn’t sensitive to it. (I will discuss carrier oils at the end). If you are having a hot flash, or just hot, adding a drop to a touch of carrier oil and placing it on the back of your neck. This will definitely give you some temporary relief. I often will add a drop into black or green tea. Also, if you like chocolate mint, adding about 5-7 drops in brownie mix tastes marvelous. I keep a bottle of peppermint in my purse.

#3. Lemongrass. As we age, our joints can ache. Our feet sometimes swell. So Lemongrass to the rescue. I will rub it directly on my hands for instant relief. I also make a moisturizing bar with it. My parents love it and keep it next to the kitchen sink. Lemongrass is also great for bacterial infections, fungus, digestion, and circulation. It has a light citrusy aroma which is uplifting and promotes mental clarity.

#4. Lemon. Yup! Lemon isn’t only for tea or pie. The aroma of lemon alone, lifts your mood. It enhances mental clarity and is great as a household cleaner. Kind of funny typing that. But, the use of lemon is quite wonderful and diverse. It helps with anxiety, coughs brittle hair, nails and can also be applied to insect bites for instant relief. Lemon is also one of the least expensive EOs out there. I will add it to my teas, apply a couple drops to a cotton ball and tuck it in one of my cars vents.

#5. Although I have a few other favorites, and I will cover them another time. I am going with Cedarwood. Although it has a warm woodsy aroma. Some people don’t particularly care for it, honestly. It has great uses. It is great for acne, oily skin, other skin issues and sleep issues. AND, in my experience helps with hair growth. My mom had lost her hair a few years ago and had tried different products to get it to grow, to no avail. I had read that cedarwood was good for thinning hair. Some had success growing their hair and others didn’t. I had a bottle, so we thought what the heck. Mom gave it a try. And, sure enough, her hair came in quicker and thicker. She rubbed a couple drops into her scalp once or twice a day. She swears by it. It is important to note that everyones bodies are different.

Now the carrier oils that I had brought up earlier are oils that can be used to dilute the essential oils. This does a couple things. It makes your oils last longer, adds moisture to your skin, and also adds other benefits.

Now Olive Oil (I only use extra virgin cold pressed) and Coconut oil (Same here, cold pressed and unrefined) are great for hands and feet, arms and legs (unless you are prone to breakouts). Jojoba and Sesame oils are lighter oils that are better for the sensitive parts of the body. Jojoba is ok for the face, good for eczema, and has natural vitamins E & B. Sesame oil is great as an antioxidant and anti inflammatory oil. So depending on what you are using the EO for, some of these oils will give you an added benefit.

I shared this information because we must take care of ourselves in order to continue on our path of feeling our true self. I personally don’t use the pharmaceuticals of Western Medicine. Now, I do go to my annual physical exams, and visit the Medical Dr. when I’m sick. But, I take zero prescriptions. And, I rarely have any aches and pains. In saying that, I DO use Essential Oils on a daily basis.

I wish you all Love and Peace, Dawn