Almond - Sweet almond extract skin benefits are surprisingly abundant! It helps to moisturize and lubricate, thereby preventing further skin damage. It makes it easier for new cells to generate and the smell is sweet and pleasing. It is also very mild, perfect for sensitive skin types. Cedarwood has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antifungal, tonic, astringent, diuretic, sedative and insecticidal properties. WHEW! This oil has been a key component in my “sleepy time ritual” for years now! It can also be useful for a wide range of skin problems including hair loss, infections, stress and more. Definitely worth a try if you’ve never used it before. Chamomile has long been used to soothe both the tummy (chamomile tea) AND the skin. It has wonderful soothing, healing, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and can actually promote wound healing. Cinnamon grows abundantly in many parts of Asia, and has been used for centuries in various medicinal applications. It is not only flavorful for the taste palette, but is proven to cure many infections and diseases. And that smell! It is a key aroma in some of the soaps I love and create. Clove oil is another of the EO scents I love to use for soaps, but if you aren’t already aware, it is a powerful natural pain killer for dental woes. DEFINITELY worth a place in your “natural medicine chest” if you don’t already have it! It helps with the health of your teeth, gums and mouth, which is why I continue to use it in my homemade toothpaste (another item you should be making at home – easy, less expensive and much healthier than store bought!) Eucalyptus oil is derived from the leaves of eucalyptus trees. 🐨 It should count considerably that it is eaten and thereby endorsed by such an adorable creature, no? There is an abundance of anecdotal evidence surrounding the benefits of this particular oil. It has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and pain killing qualities: it is used widely medicinally for analgesic, expectorant, antispasmodic and antiviral properties. It can be effective in treating cuts, wounds and insect bites and is an effective natural moisturizer. Have you checked out that adorable animal yet? 💗 Frankincense has long been revered and treasured and was part of the trio of sacred gifts (check out his astonishing cousin, myrrh) presented to someone very special for good reason. It is a powerful astringent, thereby protecting skin cells. It helps to reduce the appearance of large pores, age spots, scars, stretch marks and wrinkles, for those that care about such things. 🤣 It has long been revered for many purposes and it seems some in the medical community are just now becoming aware of what a powerful tool this can be in a health arsenal. DO check it out. The uses of this oil are seemingly endless. I am just now becoming aware of the amazing pain relieving properties of this oil. Lavender is yet another EO that is widely used for aromatherapy, and if you’re a fan, you understand the allure. It also has a great many benefits for your health and skin that many are not aware of. It is used to treat acne, boils and abscesses (antibacterial and anti-inflammatory) and can be diluted in water to apply directly to the skin to detoxify and refresh. I use it almost exclusively on my wool dryer balls. (just get RID of those horrific, chemically laden dryer sheets, will ya?) It soothes eczema and dry skin and can reduce redness and itchiness. It’s past time for me to plant some in my yard, I’d say. Lemon is especially helpful to those who are most prone to skin issues such as acne. It is a powerful astringent and antimicrobial, which can potentially reduce inflammation and scarring. It helps get rid of dead skin cells that can clog pores and reduce hyperpigmentation. I love it for a whole bunch of reasons, but use it most in my home-made cleaners and around the house in my reed diffusers. I DO love me some happy citrus scents. 🍋 Lemongrass is a native herb in Sri Lanka and India and has a plethora of uses worldwide. It is a great mosquito repellent, reason enough to have a plant around outside if you like to enjoy your yard in nice weather. It reduces excess oils, treats fungal infections, fights acne and other skin issues, helps eliminate blackheads, can tone and refresh the skin and the scent itself will elevate your mood. Lime is another wonderful citrus oil, most of which have similar common benefits. It is a powerful antiseptic, antioxidant and astringent, reduces overproduction of oils, can lead to reduced scarring and will brighten both your skin AND your mood. 😊 Myrrh is the aforementioned powerhouse cousin of frankincense. It has long been used as an antiseptic, toothpaste, gargle and mouthwash. It also contains liniment and healing properties and is proven effective in wound healing. It is very helpful for many diseases and skin issues, including acne and wrinkles. Used as part of a daily regimen you may be amazed at what it can do to restore healthy skin. (check out the nutra cream ingredients!) This is truly one of those “miracle tools” that everyone should have – or add – to their “natural health tool kits”. Orange is another of the “happy citrus” oils that are a personal favorite in my house. I save our orange peels and add vinegar and steep in a jar to make an all-natural, CHEMICAL FREE, basic household cleaner. (LOOK THIS UP). Here is one way. Throughout history, it has been used to treat MANY conditions, including poor digestion, chronic fatigue, depression, oral and skin infections, colds and flu. It can actually help to brighten your skin, reduce oil production, help with healing of cuts and did I mention that heavenly smell? Sunshine 🌞 in a jar! 🍊 Patchouli has a variety of uses including skin treatments of dermatitis, acne and just plain 'ole dry, cracked skin. It can help control oily hair and dandruff and is used as an insecticide, antifungal and antibacterial agent. Aromatically it is useful for colds, headache and depression. A very useful EO that I had been completely unaware of until recently. Peppermint is one of THE most versatile of all the oils you’ll find. It can be used aromatically, topically and internally for a host of health issues. It comes in several forms, (the tea is amazing, in my opinion) and menthol is the most active ingredient. It is commonly used ALL OVER the world in balms, creams and shampoos with good reason. (Reminder that it is a “hot” oil and should be diluted if used topically). Topically is has amazing pain relief and benefits and the roller that I make is very helpful in relieving basic headaches. It helps clear sinuses and airways and I have used it in my diffuser when my allergies act up. Another “must have” in my personal “natural health arsenal”. Rose oil typically comes from the damask rose plant and takes thousands of rose petals to make one ounce of oil, making it one of the most expensive of all essential oils. But oh, that aroma 💗 Now, some surprising facts: It has MANY beneficial properties including antidepressant, antiphlogistic (Reducing inflammation or fever; anti-inflammatory – yeah, new to me also), antiseptic, antispasmodic and antiviral. Anecdotally shown to reduce breathing rate and blood pressure. It reduces inflammation, treats wounds by staving off infection, may relieve spasms and protect against viruses and eliminate bacteria. It tones, tightens, moisturizes, and promotes even skin tone. It is truly worth its weight in, well, rose petals. 🌹🌹🌹 Rosemary has long been used to improve memory and concentration (in my roller bottle for “Focus”, along with vetiver and lemon) but the benefits to skin are now being heralded as well. Sandalwood is the other half of my nightly EO topical “sleeping elixir”. Seriously. I apply this along with Cedarwood to the occipital triangle posterior every single night and I’ll relate that for me, the stuff is miraculous. Placebo effect? Who knows, but I’m not going to complain, and for the cost savings, effective possibility of a good night’s rest SANS pharmaceuticals, why would you not want to at least try it? It is one of the best oils for “topical anti-aging effects” (if you’re into that kinda thing) and it soothes and relieves both inflammation and irritation, helping to speed healing. Trust me – TRY THIS STUFF. Spearmint is definitely a mood lifter and I love it in my lip balm. I also recently made soap with it (paired with eucalyptus) and yep, smells amazing. A great wake-me-up, happy kind of scent in the shower. Definitely a 🧼 soap to try if you like that minty fresh feeling and aroma. Tea Tree is a powerhouse in the family of essential oils. It is a time proven remedy dating back (at least) hundreds of years. It is recently resurging as a go-to in many skin care products but beware – not all EO’s are created equal. Be very sure of what you are applying to your skin. It is rich in anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiseptic and antimicrobial properties, all of which can be utilized to treat many common skin issues, from reducing the severity and duration of acne, psoriasis and eczema outbreaks, to healing wounds caused by bacteria. It is an ingredient in the “Activated Charcoal and Tea Tree Soap” I offer and that is one soap you most definitely want to give a try. It feels amazing on your skin. 😁 Turmeric is renowned as a medicinal herb for thousands of years and is regaining popularity as it has been “rediscovered” for the many amazing health benefits it provides. It is antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and even improves skin texture. It also lends itself as an all-natural colorant which is SUPER important to me, as I don’t use any artificial fragrance or colors in anything I make. This is another of those powerhouse “tools” you’ve just GOT to try. (turmeric bombs, anyone?) Vanilla is a climbing vine which requires a support for growth. It bears beautiful trumpet-shaped flowers which are naturally pollinated by bees 🐝 and humming birds <LOVELY image> (can also be hand pollinated). Once harvested, the white crystalline essence known as vanillin is extracted from superior quality beans. Sweet nectar that I love SO very much. 💗 Along with the undeniable benefits of both aroma and taste, it is rich in antioxidants which both prevent and reverse skin damage caused by free radicals. Beauty and benefits. I could literally write an entire chapter on my love of this stuff, but suffice to say, you WANT this in your tool kit (and tummy!) I can’t wait for vanilla beans to become plentiful again so I can incorporate it into my creams and soaps. Wintergreen is also a very useful oil that helps in a multitude of ways. It is an “analgesic, anodyne, antirheumatic, antiarthritic, antispasmodic, antiseptic, aromatic, astringent, carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue and stimulating substance”. WHEW! Get more info here, but just know that you most definitely want this in that “tool kit” as well. Ylang Ylang is well known for encouraging blood flow and fighting inflammation and well, it just smells good. 😎 It promotes good circulation, can boost your mood and heal your skin. Definitely a nourishing oil that you should check out if you haven’t already.
