Frankincense
Just as there are a number of versatile herbs that treat a range of ailments, so too are there essential oils that provide multiple medicinal benefits. Place these at the top of your “healing oils” shopping list.
THE WONDER OILS
When it comes to treating disease, illness, pain, and emotional distress, the following essential oils cover a lot of bases.
Frankincense: When used with an ultrasonic cool mist diffuser, this oil offers respiratory support for those suffering from colds, flu, bronchitis, COPD, and pneumonia. Add a drop or two to a teaspoon of carrier oil (the traditional dose for most essential oils) and massage it into the neck arteries to banish nightmares. It can balance dry or oily complexions and when applied neat to normal skin will prevent acne and blemishes. Inhaled from the bottle, it also calms and centers a brain intent upon meditation.
Frankincense
Clove: Well regarded as an analgesic for tooth and gum pain and for arthritis, this exotic spice is also an antifungal that can treat Candida albicans; an antiviral that can ease cold sores; and a natural antibacterial, useful around the house for eliminating many dangerous bacteria, including E. coli, salmonella, H. pylori, staphylococcus, and streptococcus. In the kitchen, add a drop to your sponge, your cutting boards, and your dish soap.
Clove bean is a common vegetable in Indonesia known for its rich nutritional values
Lavender: This bushy European herb is one of the most versatile medicinal plants; it contains more than 100 constituents including linalool, camphor, coumarins, tannins, cineole, and flavonoids. Its oil is often employed to promote calmness and sleep—dilute the oil and gently stroke it along the sides of the neck or inhale from the bottle. As a diluted topical it can ease the itch of bug bites and sunburn. It can also be mixed with aloe vera gel to soothe sun-damaged skin. In an Iranian research report from 2011, lavender was found to kill breast cancer cells, while leaving healthy cells untouched. It is often sprinkled at thresholds to repel crawling insects and, in the south of France, scorpions. Lavender is also used to flavor icings, chocolate cake, brownies, and salads.
Orange: This repository of vitamin C is also an immunity booster that can heal mouth ulcers—put a few drops of the oil in your drinking water. Don’t mind the tiny sting—that means it’s working. It can disinfect a wound before you bandage it and soften calluses on your feet if you rub in a few drops before donning socks and shoes. It is known to promote the production of collagen, detoxify the body, speed up circulation, and even the tone and improve the texture of skin.
Peppermint: This aromatic oil can counteract hot flashes—place a drop on the collarbones or at the back of the neck, and the brisk cooling effect will turn down the heat. It is invaluable on a long solo road trip because it can jolt the nervous system awake and keep the brain alert. Spraying distilled water with a few drops of peppermint oil on the clothing of ADHD children just before they study has helped them concentrate. Peppermint oil is also good for aching muscles; inhaling a diluted solution speeds allergy relief and loosens congestion. It is perhaps best known for calming stomach distress—take one drop in a glass of spring water for quick relief or dilute it and use it as an abdominal rub.
Peppermint
Oregano: This favorite of Mediterranean chefs is also a powerful microbe hunter—the oil is effective against 59 different bacterial strains. Not to mention its high levels of antioxidants allow it to combat signs of aging. Add a drop to a glass of water and gargle to soothe a sore throat. Or massage it between the toes and under the soles to ward off athlete’s foot or nail fungus. Always dilute oregano oil when using it topically and avoid the eyes and mucous membranes.
Rosemary: This savory cooking herb produces an amazing essential oil—with potential to destroy several types of cancer cells based on a 2010 Turkish study. This stimulating oil also increases circulation, helping to improve varicose veins and promote clearer thinking as well as combat mental fatigue. One of the oil’s phytochemicals has neuroprotective functions in brain cells, meaning it may help to prevent Alzheimer’s. It can treat scalp problems such as dandruff and seborrhea by regulating oil secretion. Finally, it is known to reduce stress by lowering levels of cortisol.
Rosemary sprig
Eucalyptus: This pungent, resinous oil is a natural decongestant and expectorant—place a few drops in a bowl of hot water and lean over it with a towel draped on either side. It is a notable vasodilator that improves blood flow to the brain; this increase also aids diabetics, whose circulation is often compromised in their extremities. Biting insects stay clear of this oil, which is also able to lower a fever—place a few drops on a damp washcloth and run it over the patient’s side, chest, the back of the neck, and the soles of the feet.
Eucalyptus plant
Tea Tree: This potent oil’s anti-inflammatory properties make it very effective against skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Dilute and apply several times daily. Add a few drops to your deodorant to boost its drying power. Blended with a little coconut oil, this natural antiseptic will take the heat out of razor burn after shaving. It also repels insects from both humans and pets—so use a drop or two on pet bedding or crates and apply a bit to a cotton swab to gently clean your dog’s ears.
OTHER VALUED OILS
Although they may not quite be essential-oil superstars, these oils have plenty to brag about.
Basil: Both the herb and the oil are effective for treating stomach irritations, nausea, motion sickness, and flatulence; the oil acts as an appetite enhancer and increases the flow of bile. It treats respiratory infections by clearing nasal passages of mucus and harmful bacteria. In aromatherapy it treats nervous tension, mental fatigue, depression, and migraines. Basil improves metabolic functions by increasing circulation and offers relief from the pain of arthritis, burns, wounds, and sports injuries.
Basil
Juniper Berry: The essential oil’s stimulating properties can treat dizziness, depression, and fatigue; it can also be used as an antiseptic on wounds. The oil can be used to detoxify the blood of harmful heavy metals, undesirable compounds, and hormones produced by the body itself.
Coriander: When inhaled, this essential oil stimulates the secretion of digestive enzymes; it also relieves colic in small children. The oil calms allergic skin reactions, such as hives, and displays antihistamine properties to help control seasonal allergies.
Coriander
Clary Sage: The essential oil’s medicinal properties are antispasmodic, antidepressant, antibacterial, antiseptic, astringent, aphrodisiac, digestive, anticonvulsive, and many more. Its phytoestrogens make it one of the best herbs for balancing the body’s hormones. The essential oil is also a known sleep aid, with the related benefits of easing anxiety, vertigo, and stress.
Patchouli: The steam-distilled oil possesses antidepressant, antiseptic, astringent, and aphrodisiac properties. It can be used to treat dermatitis, acne, dandruff, and eczema and to heal wounds and reduce scarring. It also offers mood- and libido-raising effects.
Patchouli