Essential oils used to be something associated with hippies as herbal remedies for a variety of ailments, but today, many people are jumping on the bandwagon to reap the benefits and healing properties they contain.
If you’re still not sure what they are but know you want to give them a try, either based on a recommendation from a friend or indeed because you have heard on the grapevine that their promise to soothe your every malaise, you’ve come to the right place. Essential oils are normally extracted from natural sources such as plants, flowers, fruits and seeds and are often clinically proven to provide a whole host of remedies to minor and major health and wellbeing worries. There are three different extraction processes when it comes to essential oils, including cold pressing (mainly for fruits and plants where aromas are easily released), steam distilling which involves vaporising oils and solvent extracting whereby a chemical is added to the raw material and then the oil extracted afterwards. Typically, cold pressed essential oils are rated highly for their superior quality end result, promising to provide the strongest natural offering of all the oils, so if it's a cure you're looking for in your oils, these might be your best option.
Here in our round-up, you’ll find a list of some of the best essential oils for home use, whether it’s in the bath, in a diffuser to make the house smell nice, or even as a natural way to create homemade cleaning products. However, making sure you pick the right oils is imperative, as there are many low-quality, synthetic replicas of essential oils that won’t be packed full of all the same benefits as natural ones. We’ve only picked out 100% pure essential oils with no diluted alternatives, so all you have to do is decide what you want to use essential oil for and then pick your botanicals accordingly.
From Lavender to support deep sleep or help with anxiety, to Tee Tree Oil for keeping hair, skin and nails healthy (not to mention clearing a blocked nose!), to Eucalyptus oil for cold and flu relief; our round-up of the best essential oils covers a wide range of properties and uses. Just remember to check out the side effects before using any essential oil and, of course, always read the label.
Lavender has a range of health properties and is not only one of the best essential oils for sleep but also one of the best essential oils for anxiety. Its calming properties work wonders when you apply just a few small drops on your pillow when having trouble sleeping. It can also ease a number of other ailments such as anxiety, headaches and can be used in massage for easing aches and pains. Some say this essential oil is a little weak in scent, but if you’re looking for a natural sleep remedy that’s not too overpowering, this Lavender Essential Oil may just help you fall into a deep slumber.
Tee Tree Oil has been around for years and is highly praised for its many healing properties. If you’ve got a cold, then Tee Tree Oil should be your go-to for clearing your sinuses and helping you build up your immune system. It is quite strong smelling which some don’t like, but its potency also makes it great for treating spots and relieving acne. If cosmetic and skincare products aren’t working for you or if indeed you are looking for a natural alternative to harsh chemical skincare products, this is one of the best essential oil for skin, hair and nails.
If Tee Tree Oil alone wasn’t enough to get you through your cold, you can try the Immunity Synergy Blend. This is one of the best essential oils for treating common colds, so whether you have a fever or a cough, this is a great herbal remedy to try if over the counter medicines are not your bag. Because it is a blend of oils and also solvent extracted, it is technically not as pure as others in our list, but users have stated they feel the benefit of this oil after a few days of using it on a pillow at night or even in a diffuser, plus it smells pretty sweet too.
If you like your home to smell fresh, then nothing beats the pure smell of pine, especially in the winter. This is one of the best essential oils to diffuse, with some users purchasing pine essential oil to create an authentic smell for their synthetic Christmas tree, and others using it as a massage oil. This is a strong smelling essential oil, so only a few drops is necessary which also makes the essential great value for money. If you are looking for the best essential oil for achey muscles, pine oil is renowned for stimulating blood flow and decreasing tenderness and swelling, a great product to have in the bathroom cupboard in case of injury.
Lemon is a great source of Vitamin C, and many users have stated that this essential oil is a great supplement that can be ingested as a way to up your vitamin intake, although you should always read the label to ensure that the exact oil you are buying is indeed edible. Also, if you are looking for the best essential oils to diffuse in your home, but don’t like the smell of pine, you can achieve a fresh citrus scent with this oil, making it a great option for your home reed diffuser in Spring. For those with sensitive skin, this oil can be quite strong, so avoid applying directly to the skin and remember to ingest at your own discretion, always checking the labels before you use it.
Peppermint is another botanical that promises great healing properties for the body. Some users create homemade skincare products using this essential oil and others blend with different botanicals to create a beautiful scent that can be diffused in your home. Whilst general consensus among users is that the scent of this essential oil can be too strong and overpowering, if you’re a fan of fresh mint, this oil is a great all-rounder for anyone looking for a fresh home scent, a potent massage oil or zingy natural addition to homemade face masks.
If you practice meditation or simply like to create a peaceful atmosphere at home, then Sandalwood is a great botanical essential oil that can promote mindfulness and help you focus when feeling stressed. Use as part of any mindfulness routine and you may well feel the benefits of even quicker and deeper relaxation that meditating alone. Some users claim this essential oil smells quite faint, but it is also said to flourish when applied to the skin and provides a long-lasting scent. The best essential oil for meditating on our list.
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