Essential oils are highly concentrated, aromatic essences of plants. They can contain vitamins, hormones and hundreds of other immune strengthening and healing properties. If truly pure (not synthetic) an astounding variety of ailments can be treated very pleasantly with these gems. They can be used in massage mixed with almond or grapeseed oil, diffused into the air with a diffuser, sniffed directly from the bottle, used in household cleaning, etc.

I discovered essential oils about fifteen years ago when I picked up a book on aromatherapy while browsing through the stacks at the bookstore. Learning about all the possibilities was exciting. Since then I’ve experimented with many different oils and blends. Listed are some of my favorites:

Lemon – Smells terrific! I inhale directly from the bottle when I need to wake up or mix it in with white vinegar and water to mop or clean. It kills germs and just generally freshens. Who doesn’t love the smell of lemon?

Peppermint – This is the best deodorizer I’ve ever used. I put a few drops in a spray bottle with filtered water and mist the air, carpeting or my car’s interior. The freshening effects last for days and days after I spritz and there are no disgusting chemicals like those in the deodorizing sprays you buy from the store – those really gross me out! This is also my go-to oil to diffuse into the air if someone in my family has a cold. It can be mixed in with almond oil and rubbed on the back and chest to clear congestion.

Grapefruit or Sweet Orange – I mix this with some grapeseed oil and fine sea salt bought from the grocery and have a heavenly sea salt scrub to use in the shower. I store it in a square glass container with a cork top that the sea salt came in. Find your own pretty container to make it a more indulgent experience. The citrus scent is so refreshing and scrubbing with it first thing in the morning is a wonderful way to start the day.

There are literally hundreds of oils and blends. I’ve found that the ones from Young Living are the most effective. Unfortunately they’re the most expensive and I have to order them from the company as they aren’t sold in stores. I guess this is just one of those cases where you get what you pay for.

A while back I burned my finger on the stove. The spot turned red and started to form a blister. I put a few drops of lavender oil from Young Living on the burn and within a couple of minutes the skin felt and looked completely normal. I promptly forgot about the incident and a little later washed my hands which removed the oil off as well. The burned spot began to hurt again so I put on more lavender and the relief was immediate. Then last month I burned myself with a curling iron (yes, I’m clumsy) but had a different brand of lavender oil as I’d given away my Young Living oil to someone who’d used it and fallen in love with it. This other brand of lavender had no effect on my burn. Now I make sure to place my Young Living orders more regularly!

Author Bio: Amy is a certified nutritional consultant who lost 140lbs in just over a year following her own healthy, holistic approach. She stays healthy by using many forms of natural medicine. http://amyafter.com/

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: essential oils,young living,young living essential oil,lemon oil,peppermint oil,natural cleaning,