Basic Essential Oils For Your Natural Medicine Cabinet

Basic Essential Oils For Your Natural Medcine Cabinet

These statements about essential oils have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products and methods recommended are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information provided here is in no way intended to replace proper medical help. These are simply things that have worked for the author friends.

I have been dabbling in essential oils for a while now, but it is always good to turn to someone who has done their homework and knows more than I do!  This post was guest penned by my friend, Amanda.  She blogs at Naturally Healthy Living and is a great resource for tips and advice about all things essential oils and natural living!  

Lemon. Peppermint. Basil. Orange. Cinnamon.

When we hear these words, our first thought usually is about the plant we associate with those herbs and foods. In the last year or two however, people are beginning to associate those terms with healthy living – specifically essential oils.

I see lots of posts on Facebook and Instagram about how essential oils have been such a blessing to many families, but I know there are still many people who haven’t heard about them or tried them yet. I’m excited to introduce you to three of my favorites, and give you all a chance to win them, plus a couple of bonus goodies!

I began educating myself on the world of essential oils about 5 years ago, when my oldest daughter was just a baby and was needing extra immune and respiratory support. After getting samples from a friend, I was pleasantly surprised (being the skeptic that I am,) about how well they worked. Since then, I have been researching, studying, and sharing what I’ve learned with people all over the country. I am also pursuing a Master’s Degree in nutrition, because I have loved being able to assist people as they make healthier choices and improve their overall wellness. Essential oils can play a part in all of that, so I chose to write about three basic oils that would be safe and versatile for anyone who is wanting to learn how to incorporate them into a natural lifestyle. 

Lavender

Lavender is well known in the fragrance industry for being soothing and calming. Browse the bath products aisle at your local Target and you’ll see lots of lavender-scented salts, soaps, candles, potpourri, etc. The difference between what you’ll find there and the essential oil, is that many of those lavender-scented products are using synthetic fragrances that can actually be toxic!

Lavender essential oil, in its pure form, can provide many of those relaxing therapeutic benefits without synthetic additives. Plus, lavender can be used for a myriad of other things. It’s known as the “Swiss Army Knife” of essential oils, and can be used to support the immune system, respiratory tract, emotional wellbeing, and more. It is very gentle and can be used on babies and the elderly and people with sensitive skin. It is wonderful in a bath to help relax and calm. I have used it in homemade baby wipes solution to promote healthy skin. 

Lemon

Lemon oil is another versatile and beneficial essential oil to have at home. Many cleaners and detergents are lemon-scented, or may even use some lemon oil in the product, and for good reason; lemon is a wonderfully cleansing oil. It is fresh and uplifting for the emotions, and can even clean and purify the air as it provides the cheerful aroma to your home.

Coming from the rind of lemons, it’s concentrated potency and flavor can be used for everything from homemade cleaners to lemon cheesecake bars. A couple drops of oil with a cup of vinegar and 2 cups of water make an excellent cleaning solution for spraying down toys and surfaces without using harsh chemicals. This oil also supports the immune system and respiratory system. This is my favorite oil to use when the mucus monster hits our house. Lemon oil has been shown to break down mucus, and it is gentle to be used for respiratory support for babies and children. 

Peppermint

Peppermint is also a basic and wonderful oil to incorporate into a natural lifestyle. It is so important to have on hand during the colder months, as it helps to open airways, energize the mind, and flavor chocolate desserts. Many times the winter weather can cause us to become lethargic and unmotivated, especially when we don’t see the sun as much. Peppermint can add some energy and life into your routine, can help wake you up in the morning, and keep you going through that afternoon slump. Adding a drop to coffee is delicious, and I’ve used it to make butter mints, peppermint brownies, and in hot tea. 

Peppermint is wonderful to use to support the digestive tract, ease head and muscle tension, and for it’s overall topical cooling effect. It smells wonderful when paired with lemon to add a fresh, cheerful aroma to your home. It also is great paired with lavender to help support healthy circulation to fatigued muscles and joints.

I have seen how helpful these have been for our family and I love that I can share about them with others. As I have pursued greater understanding about health and wellness, I have realized that real wellness is a combination of our physical, mental, and spiritual health. Essential oils can absolutely assist with our physical and mental wellbeing, but I truly believe real wellness comes through knowing Jesus Christ and trusting Him to make our souls well. That is my overarching desire and passion – to help people see Jesus and understand His love for them, and the gift He offers through the healing of our hearts and souls. If that is something you have not found yet, it would be my honor to share how He rescued me and changed my heart. If essential oils have piqued your interest, I would be happy to share what I’ve learned about them as well!