If you’re just starting out in essential oils, there are a few great single oils to get you started. Each one of these oils is simple, versatile and can help with a wide range of issues.
Use them by themselves for their unique aromas and properties or try your hand at blending to create invigorating diffuser blends, citrusy cleaning recipes or soothing skin creams. The possibilities are endless! And as many essential oil enthusiasts already know, these are the oils you’ll reach for again and again.
Lavender
The unmistakable herbaceous and floral aroma of Lavender has become synonymous with rest and relaxation. So it should come as no surprise that Lavender is wonderful for helping you relax at the end of a long day, or ease into sleep at night. Try adding this oil to your diffuser to help promote relaxation and sleep, or try combining it with other soothing oils like Bergamot, Chamomile or Vetiver.
Lavender is also great to have on hand for a variety of skin concerns. It can help smooth wrinkles, reduce the appearance of scars and promote a healthy complexion. You can dilute Lavender in your favorite unscented lotion or carrier oil to 2-5% and apply it topically. It’s also unmatched in its ability to help soothe burns, whether it’s a minor cooking burn or a sunburn.
If you’re looking for some great recipes, check out our Top 5 DIYs with Lavender Essential Oil.
Lemon
The fresh, zesty, and juicy scent of Lemon essential oil is bright and refreshing. Lemon can be diffused to create an energizing atmosphere, and help clear the air. Try adding equal drops Lemon and Peppermint for a particularly invigorating blend. Lemon essential oil is also a wonderful addition to any DIY cleaning recipe. When you use Lemon for cleaning, its refreshing scent works as a nice pick-me-up while you clean. It’s a particularly good choice for cleaning the kitchen sink where odors tend to accumulate. You can also try adding a few drops to your laundry for an extra-fresh citrus boost.
Keep in mind that Lemon can cause a phototoxic reaction when applied topically. To avoid this, dilute to a maximum of 2% in a carrier oil.
Peppermint
Peppermint is another refreshing, invigorating oil that has a number of versatile uses. One of its unique benefits is that it has a cooling effect when it’s applied topically. This can be especially beneficial for helping to relieve head and neck tension. Try diluting Peppermint to 5% in a roll-on bottle so you can apply it to your temples or neck next time you feel a headache coming on. It’s also great for muscle aches and strains!
Another amazing benefit of Peppermint is that it helps with nausea, car sickness, and general stomach issues. It helps relax the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract so that you can start properly digesting again. Any time you’re feeling sick to your stomach or nauseated, you can dilute Peppermint in a carrier oil and apply it directly to your stomach. Or whip up our Tummy Troubles Inhaler Blend to have on your next plane, train or road trip.
You can also try combining Peppermint and Lemon in your cleaning DIYs. Not only is it effective against a wide range of germs at a dilution of 1%, but it also has an invigorating aroma that can give you a boost of energy.
Sweet Orange
Known as the “Happy Oil,” Sweet Orange has a juicy-fresh, light citrus scent that can help freshen stale rooms and reduce nervous tension. It is a wonderful oil you can enjoy all year long. In the spring, it reminds us of fresh new beginnings. In the summer, it is the quintessential sunshine scent. By fall, combined with Cinnamon and Clove Bud, it reminds us of the holidays. Finally, in the winter, it can be a bright scent during cold evenings.
Next time you’re feeling frazzled and need a little pick-me-up, add Sweet Orange to your diffuser for its fresh aroma and ability to help relieve nervous tension. One incredible way to use it is to combine Sweet Orange with Vanilla and use it in bath salts. This smells just like a creamsicle and is the yummiest smelling, restful bath experience! Try it and enjoy feeling emotionally uplifted and completely chill when you get out of the tub.
Tea Tree
Tea Tree is a go-to for tons of skincare needs. It has a fresh, medicinal, green wood scent. In addition to helping with skin blemishes and irritations, it’s also a great oil to use for cleaning because of its ability to fight odors and promote healthier air quality. Musty towels, gym bags, and stinky shoes don’t stand a chance against Tea Tree! For a quick and easy all-purpose cleaner, check out this DIY.
Another great use for Tea Tree is to help with congestion and sinus trouble. Combine Lemon and Tea Tree in a facial steam to help ease breathing. To learn more about how to use essential oils and steam, check out this post.
If you’re just getting started with essential oils, be sure to check out our Facebook group, Safe Essential Oil Recipes (SEOR) for tips, advice and of course, recipes.
