Essential oils are the fifth essence of the plant from which they are extracted: in fact, they maintain all the properties of the plant and the volatile parts that give the intense perfume that each one is characterized by. As well as for cosmetic or health use, you can keep them at hand for a thousand eventualities: from house cleaning to minor domestic accidents to disorders that can alter everyday life, their use and benefits are genuinely transversal. Below you will find four essential oils that you may already have at home and have already used several times: if you do not have them yet, take the opportunity to keep them at hand and use them a thousand different ways.
Lavender
If we could have only one essential oil at home, we could opt for Lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia ), which is the most versatile, and its use is genuinely transversal. It is one of the longest-used plants for therapeutic purposes. Thanks to this essential oil, studies on the health benefits of essential oils treated his hand burns with this essential oil, noting that the skin regenerates more quickly and with fewer noticeable scars.
Following this incident, he studied crucial oils, evaluating their therapeutic potential, thus becoming the father of modern aromatherapy. For topical use (it is perhaps the only essential oil that can also be used pure, without dilution in vegetable oil, and without exaggerating the quantities), it can be helpful to relieve:
- skin rashes,
- acne,
- insect bites,
- minor burns and burns,
- cuts and scratches.
But its use is not limited to skin problems: a few drops in an aromatic bath help relieve tense nerves and facilitate sleep. You can put a few drops in tissue to keep under or near the pillow to sleep through the night. It also relieves headaches and anxiety. It can be added to creams, shampoos, and other cosmetic products, to relieve skin marks and fatigue and give a pleasing scent to the hair. It is one of the most used essential oils as a lice repellent and tea tree essential oil in children.
A few drops in a neutral soap bar are placed in the closet, and drawers keep moths away for months. You can also add a few drops to the washing machine rinse cycle to get rid of odors from clothes and clothing. The only downside is that its scent will not be smelled once the wash is finished, and your laundry will not smell of Lavender because the smell of essential oils tends to evaporate quickly. There are various types of Lavender essential oil, depending on the species obtained. The most powerful and complete one is true Lavender, which has a very characteristic scent for therapeutic purposes.
Tea Tree
Tea tree oil or tea tree oil is also one of the essential oils that can be used for more or less everything. It is no coincidence that it is called a ‘ medicine cabinet in one bottle ‘in English-speaking countries, as it can alleviate many problems. For health problems, the most common on which it can act are:
- athlete’s foot,
- dermatitis and eczema,
- mycosis of the nails,
- warts,
- acne,
- cold sores,
- insect bites. But the list could go on and on.
For hair, the added shampoo helps balance dandruff and relieves psoriasis. It is one of the most popular anti- lice oils and Lavender. It can be poured into a spray container with water and alcohol to use at home to clean the countertops in the kitchen, refrigerator, bathroom, etc. Also great for disinfecting your four-legged friend’s kennel and using on his coat to keep fleas away.
Mint
Mint is of many types, but the essential oil of the peppermint variety( Mentha piperita ) is the one that proves to have more marked qualities. In case of nausea and stomach cramps, try diluting the drops in a massage or vegetable oil (almond, argan, grapeseed, or whatever you prefer), massaging the abdomen. It is also helpful to calm nausea typical of motion sickness or the sea: put 1-2 drops in tissue and smell it, or rub it on the inner wrist and smell (be careful not to touch the mucous membranes and eyes because it is very irritating ).
It also helps to regain mental clarity, especially if the mind is tired from studying or intense work: for the same reason, avoid spreading it in the evening because you risk staying awake like a cricket. During the cold season, mixed in a carrier oil with a few drops of Pine and Eucalyptus essential oil, it can be massaged on the chest to relieve cough, phlegm, and bronchial congestion.
If your feet become sore, swollen, and heavy in summer, give a foot bath by adding a few drops of Mint to regain freshness and relief quickly. You can also put a drop or two in your shoes to counteract the bad smell. A few drops of Peppermint essential oil around the cracks in the walls will also discourage rodents and spiders: they can’t stand the smell.
Lemon
Lemon essential oil( Citrus Limonum ) is one of the best essential oils for home use, as it allows it to be used in many different ways. A few drops added to olive oil create an excellent polish for furniture. Still, it can also be added to dish detergents to eliminate stubborn odors, floor cleaners, and sprays for cleaning the refrigerator and kitchen. The lemon essential oil also has therapeutic uses:
- add a couple of drops to a glass of water and gargle to relieve bad breath,
- if put in a diffuser for essential oils, it helps to relieve anxiety, the tendency to pessimism and negativity, and to regain a good mood,
- It acts as a disinfectant and antimicrobial for the hands mixed with aloe gel.
For hair, it is helpful if you suffer from dandruff: try adding it to your shampoo. The only precaution to keep is that Lemon essential oil is photosensitive. It can create spots and redness if you spread it on the skin and immediately expose yourself to the sun. To avoid any problems, wait at least 12 hours after topical use of the essential oil before going out in the sun.
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