10 Best Essential Oils To Try - NutriExpert Oils
The 10 best essential oils to try
Your sense of smell allows you to experience your environment in a powerful way. Essential oils are used to stimulate the sense of smell through aromatherapy. They can also be mixed with carrier oils and used directly on the skin or hair. You can even treat yourself with essential oils.
Distilled from the leaves, flowers and seeds of plants, there are many different kinds of essential oils. To help you browse the essential oil shelf, we've put together a list of oils, along with specific recommendations.
1- Peppermint essential oil
In addition to having a delicious scent that many people associate with the winter vacations, peppermint oil has health benefits for sports performance and can improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Peppermint essential oil comes from the peppermint plant, Mentha x piperita , in the Pacific Northwest and is acquired through steam distillation.
2- Lavender essential oil
Lavender essential oil provides a soothing and relaxing scent. It is often used in aromatherapy to relieve stress. Lavender oil also makes an excellent massage oil when mixed with a carrier oil.
This essential oil is made from certified organic lavender imported from France. It is steam distilled.
3- Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil (melaleuca) is believed to have antibacterial and antifungal properties. It is used in wound care, to eliminate head lice and to control dandruff.
Tea tree oil can be added to shampoos or used in diluted form on the skin for minor fungal infections, such as athlete's foot.
It can be irritating to the eyes, so be careful if you use it in shampoo or as a lice treatment.
This tea tree oil is steam distilled from the leaves of Australian Melaleuca alternifolia trees.
4- Bergamot essential oil
Bergamot essential oil comes from the fruit peels of Citrus bergamia, a hybrid combination of oranges and lemons. Its attractive and distinctive scent enhances body lotions, massage oils and colognes.
Bergamot essential oil can help reduce stress. It contains compounds that can also help relieve pain and inflammation.
Some people find bergamot oil to be irritating to the skin, so be sure to always dilute it and do a patch test (more on that below).
As a citrus oil, bergamot essential oil can make the skin photosensitive. If you apply it to your skin, be sure to cover up before going outside or use it at a time when you can avoid going out in the sun.
5- Roman chamomile essential oil
The comforting scent of chamomile has led many people to fall asleep over the centuries. Chamomile essential oil has multiple health benefits, including reducing anxiety.
There are two types of chamomile, German and Roman. German chamomile is richer in chamazulene, an active ingredient believed to give chamomile its health benefits.
This brand is USDA certified organic German chamomile.
6- Jasmine Essential Oil
If you like legends, you probably know that jasmine is considered an aphrodisiac, and it's no wonder. Its deliciously sweet scent is used to lace popular desserts and perfumes.
It is the only solvent extracted oil on our list. Read more about extraction methods here.
Jasmine oil is more expensive than many other oils - a little goes a long way. For this reason, we chose Jasmine Sambac Absolute oil for its price and ease of use, as it is already diluted to 10% mixed with fractionated coconut oil. Note that it is not recommended for use in aromatherapy.
7- Ylang ylang essential oil
Ylang ylang has a light floral scent and is used in aromatherapy to reduce tension and stress. Some users say it is also beneficial for insomnia.
8- Eucalyptus essential oil
The refreshing and distinctive scent of eucalyptus essential oil can help eliminate moldy odors. Eucalyptus is also beneficial for calming coughs and relieving nasal congestion.
This version can be used in humidifiers and other aromatherapy devices, such as diffusers.
9- Rose geranium essential oil
Rose geranium essential oil comes from a geranium plant with leaves that have a subtle rose scent. Some users find it helps repel flying and biting insects. Others mix it with carrier oil and use it as a facial for dry skin.
This essential oil is not organic, but gets high marks for purity and steam distillation. It is grown and cultivated from the leaves of Pelargonium roseum and P. graveolens in South Africa.
10- Patchouli essential oil
Some people associate the smell of patchouli with the Woodstock era. Others enjoy its spicy, woody notes, or appreciate its antibacterial properties.
This essential oil is USDA and Ecocert certified organic and comes from Sri Lanka and India. The oil has a pleasant musky scent and is steam distilled.
How to choose your essential oil
Regardless of the type of essential oil you prefer, try to choose one that is not made by a chemical process. Chemical distillation can dilute or contaminate the essential oil, reducing its effectiveness and fragrance.
Essential oils packaged in amber or dark glass bottles tend to last longer without going rancid. Do not buy oils that are contained in plastic, as this can also alter the oil and its fragrance, or contaminate it.
Check the ingredients on a bottle of essential oil to make sure it is pure and contains no additives. Only choose oils with labels indicating that the oil inside is 100% pure.
Choose a product from a trusted manufacturer that is transparent about its sourcing and countries of origin.
If an essential oil's label contains outrageous health claims, avoid.
How to use essential oils
Essential oils are very strong and should always be diluted before topical use.
Diffuse ratio
When using essential oils for aromatherapy, follow the instructions provided with your diffuser, as diffuser sizes vary. As a general rule, the ratio will be 3 to 5 drops of essential oil to 100 milliliters of water.
Dilution rates
For adults, 15 drops of essential oil to 6 or 7 teaspoons of carrier oil is a good ratio. For children, use less essential oil, about 3 to 5 drops to 6 teaspoons of carrier oil. You can always start with even fewer drops of essential oil.
Patch test
Before using an essential oil on your skin, it is important to do a patch test. This test allows you to see how your skin will react to a particular substance before using it more widely.
- Wash your forearm with a mild, unscented soap.
- Dry your skin.
- Apply a few drops of diluted essential oil to a small patch on your forearm.
- Put a bandage on the area, then wait 24 hours.
If you feel any discomfort before the 24 hours are up, wash the area immediately with soap.
After 24 hours, remove the bandage and look for signs of an adverse reaction. If you notice red, itchy or blistering skin, you should stop using the oil.
Expiration dates
Take note of the oil's expiration date before you buy and keep in mind that bigger is not always better. Essential oils expire and go rancid. Don't spend money on an amount of oil you can't use by the expiration date.
Storage space
To keep your oil fresh as long as possible, store it in a cool, dark place. It is not necessary to refrigerate essential oils, although cold temperatures will not harm them. If you wish to refrigerate the oil, seal the bottle in an airtight bag so that the smell of the oil does not affect your food.
Precautions
Dilute, dilute, dilute
Essential oils are safe but potent and can sometimes cause irritation or allergic reactions in some people. Do not use an essential oil from an ingredient or plant family to which you are allergic and never put it directly on the skin or hair unless it is diluted with a carrier oil.
Mix with an oil before adding to water
Do not pour essential oils into bath water, as they will bead up and not mix with the water. First, mix the essential oils of your choice with a carrier oil. Then combine it with the bath water.
Do not consume them
Never ingest an essential oil.
Use with caution around animals
Essential oils can sometimes help calm pets, but this is not always the case. In some cases, essential oils can agitate dogs or cats or be harmful. Always check with your pet's veterinarian before using an essential oil in a home with pets.
Essential oils should never be left where a pet could access them, as they can be toxic if ingested. Keep in mind that cats and dogs lick substances off their fur.
Be aware that they are not always suitable for children
Some essential oils are safe for babies, but others may not be appropriate. Check with your child's pediatrician before using.
