my essentials

I briefly shared last week that I have been using essential oils lately.  Have you ever tried them?  I have been using them for a few years now and although I don't use them on a regular basis, I use them somewhat frequently and always have several on hand.  

My personal favorite essential oils: 

 Wild Orange, Peppermint, OnGuard

Lemon, Lavender, Deep Blue

I have many essential oils in my medicine cabinet but these six are the ones that I reach for the most whether it be for headache relief, insect repellant or just a sweet aroma.

"Wild orange is excellent for energizing and revitalizing. It is also commonly used as an effective tool for uplifting mood, as well as for its wonderful citrusy aroma."

I personally love wild orange when it is diffused around my house.  It makes everything smell so fresh.  

 Peppermint has been my favorite oil since I first started using essential oils.  My mom gave me a small bottle one year and suggested I use it when I experienced migraine headaches.  To this day, it is often the only way I can get rid of a terrible headache.  

One drop of peppermint in hot water also helps calm an upset stomach and one drop on the roof of your mouth can clear your sinuses right up!

"On Guard is dōTERRA®'s unique, proprietary blend formulated to support healthy immune function.  It is also safe to use on counter tops, as a non-toxic way to cleanse surfaces, or to purify the atmosphere by diffusing." 

We primarily use On Guard (mixed with a carrier oil) on the bottom of Sommer's feet when she is going to nursery or another highly germy place.   I also use it on myself at times and have used it to make natural cleaners as well.

 

"Lavender has been cherished for its unmistakable aroma and its therapeutic properties for thousands of years. Lavender is widely used and accepted for its calming and relaxing qualities."

I use lavender for many different things around our house.  About once a month or so I sprinkle a baking soda and lavender mixture on our mattress, let it sit for a while and vacuum it up - it refreshes the mattress and makes our room smell so clean and fresh.  I also have mixed lavender with Sommer's shampoo to help ease dry scalp in the cold, winter months.  And also, when Sommer has trouble settling down for bed, we will spread a couple drops on her mattress to help her get to sleep.

"Lemon is known as a powerful aromatic, topical, and internal cleanser that can be used to complement many other oils."

Lemon is another one of those beautifully smelling oils if you ask me.  It is so refreshing that sometimes I just like to smell it. :)  If you like lemon in your water, this is definitely an oil for you!  It is great in hot or cold water.   Most recently, I used lemon mixed with peppermint and water as an ant repellant.

 

 "According to recent studies, more than half of us are sufferers of ongoing discomfort. Deep Blue® is dōTERRA®'s soothing solution to this challenge."

After hurting my back a couple months ago and not having health insurance at the time, I was looking for a solution to my pain.  I started using deep blue on my lower back muscles to try to alleviate some of the pain.  Although, for me, it wasn't a long term solution, it does give me relief in the moment when I need it.

 

 I get the majority of my oils from DoTerra and have really enjoyed experimenting with them.  All of the quoted text above comes directly from the DoTerra website and if you visit there, you will find a lot more information on each oil plus all the other oils that are available.  The rest of the text is my personal experience with essential oils which may differ from someone else.  Also, as a side note, when using oils on my daughter, I always, always mix them with a carrier oil such as olive oil or coconut oil.

Let me know if you have any questions about using essential oils for yourself!  I really do think they are a great addition to your medicine cabinet!