Let’s face it: Alternative medicines and remedies have been given a bad rep. Tell any skeptic that an essential oil has cured your lifelong illness, and you are sure to receive a brow-raising response.
With so many skeptics out there, it’s hard not to look away from the natural healing remedies that are available to us. What we cannot look away from, however, is the fact that people have been using essential oils as healing agents for centuries.
Essential oils can be used to treat a multitude of conditions including (but definitely not limited to) aches and pains, allergies, burns, acne, cellulite, anemia, Lyme disease, and more.
Despite some pushback from naysayers in the past, professionals in the alternative medicine field have never had more support from the masses. Celebrities like Kerry Washington, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kelly Clarkson, and Gisele Bündchen all credit their well-being to the use of essential oils. Since we seem to follow their lead on everything else, why not take this essential oil thing for a test drive?
Here’s a list of 5 oils we recommend keeping in your travel bag this summer (and beyond)
Peppermint Oil
Properties: Antibacterial, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antiviral, antispasmodic, invigorating, pain relief (to name a few)
Uses: Allergies, asthma, bad breath, candida, carpal tunnel, cold sores, cramping, drowsiness, headache/migraine, fever, stomach ache, hot flashes, morning sickness, nausea, indigestion, itching (to name a few)
Application: Apply directly to the area of concern, apply to bottoms of the feet or hands (dilute with either lotion or coconut oil), inhale deeply, diffuse.
Tip: Rub a few drops of peppermint oil on your forehead when you have a headache to take away the pain. Keep this away from your eyes to avoid a burning sensation! You can also put a drop on the back of your neck to cool you off during the hot summer months.
Lavender Oil
Properties: Antidepressant, antifungal, antihistamine, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic, pain relief, regenerative, sedative (to name a few)
Uses: Acne, alertness, allergies, anxiety, burns, calming, chapped lips, concentration, depression, dry skin, gas, hair loss, high blood pressure, hives, itching, insect repellent, insomnia, mosquito bites, nausea, pain, poison ivy, scars, relaxing, stretch marks, sunburn, wrinkles (to name a few)
Application: Apply directly to the area of concern, apply to bottoms of the feet or hands (dilute with either lotion or coconut oil), inhale deeply, diffuse.
Tip: Can’t sleep? Rub some lavender oil into your neck and temples to calm yourself down and ease you into those well-deserved eight hours.
Grapefruit Oil
Properties: antidepressant, antiseptic, disinfectant, diuretic, stimulant, and tonic.
Uses: appetite suppressant, cellulite, hangover, indigestion, overeating, weight loss
Application: Apply directly to the area of concern, apply to bottoms of the feet or hands (diluted with either lotion or coconut oil), inhale deeply, diffuse.
Tip: We like to put a few drops into our water bottle for flavor or when we’re hungover (promise it helps).
Tea Tree Oil
Properties: Analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiparasitic, a strong antiseptic, antiviral, decongestant, digestive, expectorant, immune stimulant, insecticidal, neurotoxic, stimulant, tissue regenerative.
Uses: acne, allergies, cold sores, cooling, coughs, dandruff, deodorant, ear infection, flu, gum disease, rashes, sunburn, wounds (to name a few)
Application: Apply directly to the area of concern, apply to bottoms of the feet or hands (diluted with either lotion or coconut oil), diffuse.
Tip: Put a small amount of tea tree oil on pimples for an overnight quick-fix.
Eucalyptus
Properties: Analgesic, antibacterial, anti-infections, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antiviral, diuretic, expectorant, insect repellent, a stimulant (to name a few).
Uses: Asthma, bronchitis, congestion, cooling, coughs, deodorant, fever, high blood pressure, hypoglycemia, inflammation, kidney stones, migraine, pain, sore throat, strep throat, tennis elbow, tuberculosis. (to name a few)
Application: Apply directly to the area of concern, apply to bottoms of the feet or hands (diluted with either lotion or coconut oil), diffuse.
Tip: Apply a drop under and on either side of the nose for quick sinus relief.
