The 5 essential oils I use most often

If you’ve ever looked into purchasing and using, you know there are dozens and dozens of different oils.

Some are single oils, such as lemon and peppermint, while others are blends. It really can be very confusing when just starting out, especially since quality oils are not exactly cheap.

I wanted to share with you the oils that my family uses most often, because we really do use our oils on a daily basis.

1.  Lavender

This is my #1 go-to oil. If Lavender can’t cure a problem, then we might be in trouble! Sometimes I apply it directly to mild burns if I accidentally touch a hot pan or on itchy skin. My daughter has used it from time to time on facial breakouts. It’s great in a diffuser or bathwater for creating a calm atmosphere, and I’ve even sprinkled a drop or two on my pillowcase before bedtime.  If the scent of lavender is too strong, it can be diluted with a carrier oil, such as olive or coconut oil.

Lavender is a natural antihistamine, so it can be very helpful during allergy season, especially in a diffuser.

2.  Peppermint

This was the second essential oil that I purchased a few years back. It’s hard to ignore the smell of peppermint, and for that reason, it’s a great energizing scent. My grandma used to tell me to suck on a peppermint candy when I had a stomach ache, and peppermint essential oil can also soothe tummies. Just dilute one drop in water and drink. This oil could be a lifesaver if you have kids who get carsick on road trips.

Even when I don’t have stomach issues, I like to add a drop of peppermint oil to my morning chocolate protein shake. Just love that flavor combination!

Peppermint oil is one of the more powerful oils, so before using it on the skin, dilute it with a carrier oil.

3.  Thieves

I have to confess that I first purchased Thieves oil just because it smelled like Christmas! The combination of clove, cinnamon bark, lemon, eucalyptus, and rosemary is a real treat.

The backstory of Thieves oil is one of four thieves in France who covered themselves with a similar herbal concoction while robbing plague victims. According to the story, they did not become sick, and this oil has become known as a powerful cleansing agent as well as one that supports the immune system.

I’ve diluted Thieves oil in distilled water and used it as a homemade air freshener in my home. We’ve also used it in our diffuser, and when it’s flu season, a drop of Thieves in a cup of drinking water or rubbed on the soles of the feet can help ward off unwanted flu bugs and help the body heal more quickly.

About rubbing essential oils on the soles of your feet — that sounded so weird to me until I learned that the pores on the soles are the largest pores on your body. This enables essential oils to be absorbed more quickly. Many moms swear by the effectiveness of applying Thieves to their kids feet during flu season and during the first few weeks of back-to-school when kids are exposed to any number of germs in their classrooms.

Thieves isn’t just for personal use. It can be used in homemade household cleaners to help kill microbes, and Young Living sells Thieves hand sanitizer, bar soap, household cleaner and other products with this powerful oil.

4.  Lemon

Nearly everyday I add a drop of lemon oil to my 32 ounce water bottle for a tiny dose of a purifying oil that contains antioxidants. This oil is another go-to oil with multiple uses. As with all therapeutic grade essential oils, a little goes a long way. In fact, it takes about 3,000 lemons to produce one kilo of oil.

This is another oil that can be diluted with distilled water (2-3 drops with 4 oz. water) and used as a cleaning and sanitizing spray.

If you’re cleaning your carpet, add 10-15 drops of lemon oil to a gallon of the carpet cleaning solution to help pull out stains, brighten the carpet itself, and leave the room smelling extra fresh. Lemon oil works great as an odor eliminator in the fridge (place a few drops on a cotton ball) and as a homemade furniture polish (1 t. oil and 1 c. mineral oil).

5.  Purification

A few years ago a good friend gave me a homemade mixture of an air freshener that I fell in love with. It was a simple concoction of Purification oil and distilled water, but it left the room smelling so clean.

Now we use Purification, an oil blend, in our diffuser several times a week. It has such a fresh, clean fragrance, and, in fact, can help cleanse the air of cigarette smoke and other unpleasant smells.

In addition, this oil can be used directly on the skin for insect bites, cuts, and scrapes. Purification is a blend from Young Living. There may be similar blends on the market.

Right now our healthcare system is chaotic, with hospitals, doctors, insurance company, and patients not sure what our healthcare will look like even a year or two from now. I’ve decided to take the proactive step of learning how to handle everyday illnesses and injuries on my own with education (first aid, CPR, wilderness first aid, CERT classes) and alternatives such as herbs and essential oils.

The day may come when a doctor’s appointment or quick access to a hospital or emergency room may be a luxury or just not available. It just makes sense to start learning more about health issues and equipping ourselves, rather than to remain passive and hope that we’ll remain healthy and strong. That attitude just isn’t part of a Survival Mom’s DNA!

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