Mother Nature's Remedies.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Mother Nature provides!
This week, I'm gonna ramble on at you about essential oils. They are abundant in my home and used daily, in a variety of ways. They go in my baths, burners, room infusers and on my skin. I have even made my own perfumes and added them to a few of my lotions.
For thousands of years, oils have been extracted from trees, plants, flowers and herbs. Long before the birth of major pharmaceutical companies and modern medicine, they were all we had to treat mental and physical health conditions, wounds and injuries. Stimulating the body's natural healing, they leave behind no known toxins and exit your system after about 6-14hrs.
The two most effective ways to use oils in healing are inhaling with steam and on the skin, but can be used around the home to calm energies, aid in warding off colds and flu, just to make it smell nice or to help keep away those nasty bad 8-legged intruders! So many wonderful uses.
Base oils
Pure essential oils can't be put on the skin directly, so we dilute them with a base oil. There are several you can use, but I just stick to two. Sweet Almond oil is my go to base, as it's suitable for all skin types, all areas of the body and is rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. Olive oil also makes a good base and the majority of us already use it in our cooking. There are two lil beauties that can be applied directly and don't need a base oil. Lavender and Tea tree can be applied undiluted and are two of the most versatile oils you can have.
Basic care kit
| Lavender |
Natural antibiotic, antiseptic, ant-viral, anti-depressant, sedative, detoxifier. |
Burns and scolds, wound regeneration, promotes healing and prevents scarring, circulatory stimulant, calming of the mind, menstrual cramping. |
| Tea Tree |
Antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory. |
Infections, ringworm, sunburn, acne, athlete's foot, toothache, gum & disease, cuts. |
| Peppermint |
Antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral |
Varicose veins, indigestion, bad breath, flu, headaches & migraines, fatigue, spider repellent. |
| Chamomile | Anti-inflammatory, sedative, disinfectant. | Rheumatism, inflammation, teething, burns, eczema, asthma, sprains & strains, nausea, destress. |
| Eucalyptus | Anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, decongestant, deodorant, antiseptic, diuretic. | Cools body, coughs, colds, cystitis, candida, sunburn, insect repellent. |
| Geranium | Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic. | Emotional re-balancing, chilblains, endometriosis, menopausal symptoms, throat infections, relaxation. |
| Rosemary | Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, anti-tumorigenic, antinociceptive, neuroprotective. | Physical & Mental stimulant, sprains, arthritis, depression, fatigue, memory troubles, migraine & headaches, colds & flu, acne, hair care, cellulite. |
| Thyme | Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral. | Flu, detoxifier, whooping cough, warts, acne, rheumatism, fatigue, hair care. |
| Lemon | Antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory. | Water purification, insect bites, tension headaches, digestion, cellulite. |
| Clove | Anti-fungal, insecticidal, antibacterial, antioxidant, analgesic. | Toothache, infections, digestion, muscle pain, asthma, nausea, sinusitis, sedative, sterilisation. |
| Frankincense | Anti-inflammatory, expectorant, antiseptic. | Mood enhancing, fevers, stress, skin care, joint pain, improves memory & concentration, sedative. |
CAUTION: The lavender plant contains a compound called linalool. This can be toxic to pets. Problems only tend to arise when large amounts are ingested, but still be cautious with the oil in your home and try to keep any pets away from the area you use it. Also, use Thyme in moderation, as it has been known to stimulate the Thyroid gland and Lymphatic system. It should not be used on children, either.
Ok, that was a lot of info! It was necessary, though. I may have missed out a few properties and uses, but I've included what I know and done a little research, just to make sure tis all correct. I know there's a lot of info about only 10 oils, but I'm gonna leave you with a special lil potion that I use daily. I use it as part of my pain management and it really does help, while smelling bloody gorgeous.
Sweet Almond oil - 30mls
Frankincense - 4 drops.
Lavender - 8 drops.
Peppermint - 9 drops.
Gently spread over the area or massage, whichever is most comfortable for you. It can be used for muscle aches, joint pains, sprains and menstrual cramping. Apply as much as you feel the need, but I would recommend 3-4 times per day. I swear by this and use it on several areas to help my Fibromyalgia pain and for the last couple of weeks, I've been using it to help my ankle injury. Handy lil tip: Warm the oil before application.
Take care, my darlings. Love and light to you all xx