I probably have close to 100 different essential oils in my personal collection. No joke. I don't use them all every day, heck, many of them I don't even think about until I have a specific issue I need to address! However, there are some oils that I reach for a lot.
The list of oils below is my list of what I think are some of the most common and useful oils in my collection and the ones I use most often. I love these oils so much that I have combined all of them into a starter kit for you! Honestly, this is a great way to get started with essential oils!
1) Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Properties: Anti-bacterial, Anti-fungal, Anti-infectious, Anti-microbial, Anti-septic, Anti-viral, Decongestant, Disinfectant, Immune support, Immuno-stimulant
Properties: Anti-bacterial, Anti-fungal, Anti-infectious, Anti-microbial, Anti-septic, Anti-viral, Decongestant, Disinfectant, Immune support, Immuno-stimulant
Active constituents: Terpinene-4-ol, Gamma-Terpinene, a-Terpinene, Terpinolene, 1,8-Cineole, a-Terpineol, p-Cymeme, and a-Pinene
Tea tree is one of my FAVORITE oils. I don’t love or hate the smell.* The aroma is medicinal smelling. This oil is such a powerhouse of goodness and has a laundry list of uses. It’s a well-rounded, useful oil. Because of it’s medicinal properties, this oil is ALWAYS in my medicine cabinet. I have knocked out more than one sinus infection using tea tree oil. Tea tree is great for treating acne, athlete's foot, candida, chicken pox, cold sores, colds, corns, cuts, flu, insect bites, itching, migraine, oily skin, ringworm, sinusitis, sores, spots, urethritis, warts, and whooping cough. * If you really hate the smell, you can sub Manuka, which is another of my favorite oils
2) Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Properties: Analgesic, Anti-anxiety, Anti-bacterial, Anti-convulsant, Anti-depressant, Anti-fungal, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-microbial, Anti-oxidant, Anti-spasmodic, Anti-viral, Calming, CNS depressant, Deodorant, Hypotensive, Immuno-stimulant, Sedative, Wound healing
Properties: Analgesic, Anti-anxiety, Anti-bacterial, Anti-convulsant, Anti-depressant, Anti-fungal, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-microbial, Anti-oxidant, Anti-spasmodic, Anti-viral, Calming, CNS depressant, Deodorant, Hypotensive, Immuno-stimulant, Sedative, Wound healing
Active Constituents: Linalyl acetate, Linalool, (Z)-B-Ocimene, Lavandulyl acetate, Terpinene-4-ol, B-Caryophyllene, (E)-B-Farnesene, (E)-B-Ocimene, and 3-Octanyl acetate
Lavender is EASILY a favorite oil of many people. It’s affectionately known as the “gateway oil” because so many people are introduced to essential oils through good old lavender. Not only is it soothing to many people emotionally, lavender has talents as a first-aid oil as well and got it’s start when a chemist used it to treat a burn and realized it’s capacity to heal! Lavender Oil has a beautiful, versatile aroma, and is even great for men when blended with citrus or conifer oils. Its calming and sedative properties make Lavender Essential Oil a wonderful oil to help relax, fight stress and to promote sleep. Lavender is great for acne, allergies, anxiety, asthma, athlete's foot, bruises, burns, chicken pox, colic, cuts, cystitis, depression, dermatitis, dysmenorrhea, earache, flatulence, headache, hypertension, insect bites, insect repellant, itching, labor pains, migrane, oily skin, rheumatism, scabies, scars, sores, sprains, strains, stress, stretch marks, vertigo, whooping cough.
3) Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis)
3) Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis)
Properties: Anti-anxiety, Anti-bacterial, Anti-depressant, Anti-septic, Anti-spasmodic, Anti-viral, Carminative, Digestive stimulant, Digestive tonic, Disinfectant, Energizing, Liver supporter, Stomachic, Tonic
Active Constituents: (+)-Limonine, B-Myrcene, and a-Pinene
It’s sweet, it’s refreshing, it’s uplifting, it’s versatile, it’s affordable…what else could you ask for!?! I love diffusing this oil with lavender during bath time or before bed. I’ve used it when making cleaning spray and hand soap too. Orange oil is great for colds, constipation, dull skin, flatulence, flatulence, flu, gums, mouth, slow digestion, and stress.
Properties: Anti-anxiety, Anti-fungal, Anti-infectious, Anti-rheumatic, Anti-viral, Decongestant, Diuretic, Expectorant, Febrifuge, Immune support, Mucolytic, Rubefacient
Active Constituents: 1,8-Cineole**, a-Pinene, (+)-Limonene, Globulol, and (E)-Pinocarveol
Eucalyptus Globulus is one of the world’s most familiar essential oils and is widely known to help with respiratory problems. Eucalyptus Globulus is also effective as a support to aching muscles and joints from occasional overuse such a strenuous gym workout or with normal joint changes associated with the aging process. Eucalyptus can stimulate healthy circulation, bringing a feeling of warmth to the body. It can also be effective in stimulating mental focus. Eucalyptus is great for arthritis, bronchitis, cold sores, colds, coughing, fever, flu, poor circulation, and sinusitis. * There are two different kinds of eucalyptus essential oil that are generally sold. I prefer Globulus over radiata. ** 1,8-Cineole can present breathing issues for small children (under age 3). If you are concerned or have any issues with eucalyptus you can sub Rosalina for this essential oil for similar benefits.
Properties: Analgesic, Anti-bacterial, Anti-fungal, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-oxidant, Anti-spasmodic, Anti-viral, Immuno-stimulant, Sedative
Active Constituents: a-Pinene, a-Phellandrene, (+)-Limonene, B-Myrcene, B-Pinene, B-Caryophyllene, p-Cymene, Terpinen-4-ol, Verbenone, Sabinene, and Linalool
Frankincense is a tree resin that has been used and valued since ancient times for its medicinal, cosmetic, aromatic and spiritual applications. Carterii, in particular, is an oil I love to use when I feel like I need comfort. It blends well with floral and citrus scents for a relaxing, grounding blend. Frankincense essential oil is high in monoterpenes. It’s also an oil I go to when I need my skin to heal, whether that be wrinkles or scars. In general monoterpene rich oils are mild antiseptics, decongestants for the respiratory and the muscular system (depends on the specific monoterpene). They are also rubefacients and many monoterpene rich oils provide an analgesic effect where muscle pain and stiffness are present, this particular monoterpene oil is anti inflammatory, have a mild antibacterial effect, all are highly lipophilic and therefore penetrate the tissues of the body easily aka penetration enhancers and they are effective airborne deodorizers and purifiers. The last thing I love about frankincense is that it gets better with age! * There are three different kinds of frankincense that are sold and each has slightly different properties.
Properties: Analgesic, Anti-depressant, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-septic, Anti-spasmodic, Carminative, Cephalic, Cooling, Decongestant, Digestive stimulant, Expectorant, Febrifuge, Immuno-stimulant, Liver supporter
Active Constituents: Menthol**, Menthone, Menthyl acetate, Neomenthol, 1,8-Cineole, and Menthofuran
The aroma is pleasant and familiar to most. It’s intense and it’s fresh, minty scent is uplifting. Smelling peppermint can help combat nausea and keep you alert (so it’s great for car rides). One of the main active constituents of peppermint is Menthol, which has cooling properties. This makes peppermint very handy when you get a fever or overheated. A mist with peppermint can help cool you down. Menthol is also known to help ease tension headaches and muscular aches. * The part of the world you source your peppermint oil from will affect the smell. US peppermint is sweet and peppermint from India is more mild and herbaceous. I prefer Indian peppermint because of this. ** For small children (under age 6), menthol can cause breathing issues. In this case, you can substitute spearmint.
Properties: Analgesic, Anti-bacterial, Anti-fungal, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-septic, Calming, Cicatrisant, Cooling, Decongestant, Expectorant, Immuno-stimulant
Active Constituents: B-Caryophyllene, a-Copaiene, delta-Cadinene, Gamma-Cadinene, and Cedrol
Copaiba Balsam is steam distilled from the gum/resin of Copaifera officinalis, a tree that is native to Brazil and parts of South America. It’s a lesser known oil but one that I love owning. Limited information about Copaiba Balsam is documented in reliable texts. However, GC/MS reports from reliable suppliers concur that Copaiba Balsam consists of at least 90% sesquiterpenes. Sequiterpenes tend to possess noteworthy antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Because Copaiba Balsam contains over 90% sesquiterpenes, the oil is said to be a powerful anti-inflammatory and may also exhibit anti-bacterial and antimicrobial properties. It’s a staple part of any blend I make for muscle or joint issues. It’s also been shown in studies to show promise in assisting with acne, bronchitis, colds, and stress. It’s sweet and woody, earthy and grounding.
Properties: Anti-anxiety, Anti-convulsant, Anti-depressant, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-septic, Anti-spasmodic, Aphrodisiac, Astringent, Calming, Carminative, Cephalic, CNS tonic, Digestive tonic, Emmenagogic, Estrogenic, Hormone balancer, Hypotensive, Nervine, Sedative, Stomachic, Tonic, Uterine tonic
Active Constituents: Linalyl acetate, Linalool, a-Terpineol, Germacrene D, and B-Caryophyllene
Clary Sage is a magical oil. It’s woody, bright, and herbaceous with a slight fruity note. It’s quite comforting. It’s known as a hormone balancer for women so it’s a great oil to use as needed during your menstrual cycle or to help balance hormones during menopause. A little goes a long way! You can add a drop or two to some carrier oil and rub on your tummy or your wrists so you can smell it as needed.
Properties: Anti-anxiety, Anti-bacterial, Anti-depressant, Anti-fungal, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-septic, Calming, Cicatrisant, Cooling, Deodorant, Insect repellent, Sedative, Tonic, Wound healing
Active Constituents: Patchouli alcohol, a-Bulnesene, a-Guaiene, Seychellen, Gamma-Patchoulene, and a-Patchoulene
With a rich, earthy, woody aroma with a nearly hidden fruity note, I find that people either love or hate patchouli. I like to think of it as an acquired taste, but I have always loved it so maybe I am biased. If you are on the fence about how this oil smells, try blending it with lavender and a citrus oil of your choice. Patchouli (from a “smell” standpoint) is a heavy base note. You can mellow this out with a nice floral or citrus top note. Patchouli Oil is remarkably versatile. Patchouli is great for acne, athlete's foot, chapped skin, dermatitis, eczema, fatigue, frigidity, hair care, insect repellant, mature skin, oily skin, stress. Unlike most essential oils that oxidize and diminish in therapeutic and aromatic quality over time, Patchouli Essential Oil improves with age like a fine wine. Made popular by the hippies of the 1960s, it is a very grounding oil and can act as an aphrodisiac. It’s also amazing in skin and hair care. It’s especially helpful for people with eczema, psoriasis, or dandruff.
Properties: Analgesic, Anti-anxiety, Anti-bacterial, Anti-depressant, Anti-fungal, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-septic, Anti-viral, CNS tonic, Cooling, Digestive tonic, Febrifuge, Insect repellent, and Tonic
Active Constituents: Geranial, Neral, Geranyl acetate, Geraniol, and (+)-Limonene
Lemongrass is a summer favorite of mine. It’s fresh, lemony smell is earthy and uplifting but it’s not just the smell. This oil is a great at repelling bugs! I use this oil and a few other to make a bug spray and to keep the fleas off my dog! It can also be added, well-diluted*, to a carrier oil to boost circulation, bringing warmth to overused muscles and joints. Combined with frankincense in a diffuser and it smells like fruit loops! * Lemongrass has a recommended dermal max of 0.7% and shouldn’t be used on children under the age of two.
I hope you find this list helpful! Let me know what questions you have about these oils! Which one is your favorite?!?
If you want to grab a starter kit with these oils and a nice storage bag you can get it here:
