My 5 favourite essential oils right now
- Chelsea Cameron-Fikis
- Nov 8, 2017
- 6 min read
Essential oils have been popping up everywhere lately, and I'm here to tell you that the hype is warranted; essential oils are worth trying for certain ailments and/or disorders.
I’ve been on the road to a healthier, more natural me for the past 5 years, so it’s no surprise that essential oils crept into my life this past spring. It was specifically at a time when I was feeling lost, depressed and down right miserable, and in a big way I feel that essential oils played a part in pulling me out of that unhappy place; they encouraged me to prioritize my mental health and live more holistically.
Me before essential oils.
So what are essential oils and how do they work?
Essentially (hah) essential oils are the lifeblood of plants. They're the fragrance compounds that protect plants, and are what give flowers, bark, leaves etc. their unique smell. Essential oils can be used in 3 main ways: aromatically, topically and some may be taken internally. While you don't need essential oils to live, they can help you live better, in some cases (head over to Bulletproof Blog to read more about how essentials are made, etc). Essential oils are volatile, meaning they change from a liquid to a gas state very quickly. When oils are used in their most traditional sense, (aromatically), they move through the air rapidly to interact with the sensors in our nose. Smell is one of our most basic senses and senses communicate information to our brain, so it's not a stretch to see why essential oils are able to have an effect on our brains and bodies. When applied topically, oils absorb into our skin and distribute themselves throughout the body, and when taken orally, oils interact with our internal systems and organs to offer similar therapeutic benefits (read more on internal use).
Aromatherapy has relied on the benefits of essential oils for centuries, and now that I've started to embrace oils into my everyday life, I see how they can be used for a long list of things. Anything from replacing harsh chemical-based cleaners in your home, to helping to manage minor physical symptoms like stomach aches and headaches, to reducing stress and improving the symptoms of depression and anxiety, essential oils can empower us to take better control of our health and wellbeing.
How did essential oils help me? Essential oils have helped me the most with anxiety and mood management. Second to that oils have also helped me with,
combatting migraines and headaches
tackling sleep issues
strengthening immunity and fighting off colds
improving digestive health
removing chemicals from my home and in my beauty routines
improving my skin
detoxing my body and helping to fight sugar cravings
helping to heal cuts and bruises
relieving muscle tension
thickening my hair and whitening my teeth
opening my sinuses and improving air quality
relieving hangovers
boosting energy before exercise
and so on
The list could go on, but as I mentioned, learning how to take care of my mental/emotional health has been my biggest take away from essential oils so far.
If I were to compare the Chelsea from February 2017 to the Chelsea of November 2017, you'd see the difference is a 180 flip. Why? Because I've made healthy changes to my lifestyle, and essential oils are a large part of this new lifestyle. Have essential oils been the sole miracle cure for dissolving my feelings of depression, anxiety and stress? Not exactly. But, have essential oils helped to curb some of the physical symptoms I was experiencing (because of depression, anxiety and stress), and allowed me to become more in tune with my emotions and mental health? Absolutely.
Oils have helped to lead me down a path of holistic emotional self-care, which was a foreign practice to me before. Now I take the time to fill my home with uplifting aromas of citrus, and it makes me feel more positive and motivated; now I take the time to practice deep breathing with calming oil blends, and as a result I feel more relaxed and at ease. The Chelsea of today takes time out of each day to unwind, relax and check in with how my body and mind is feeling. Sometimes I take 10 minutes before bed, other times I take an hour during a yoga class to practice self-care and stress management, but oils are always a part of this process. Mood management, i.e. keeping stress under control, promoting happiness and relaxation, is one of the best ways to proactively care for the body and mind because let's not forget that stress is a main contributor to most major diseases and illnesses.
(**Just to be clear, you should always go to a doctor if you're experiencing symptoms that require immediate medical attention. For example, it took me a doctor's diagnosis to figure out that I was suffering from anxiety and anxiety alone, so it's important to utilize the medical resources available to you in order to properly diagnose and understand your own health.**). The Verdict:
Overall, embracing essentials oils has been worth the hype for me, because I feel using them has not only been about exploring a natural approach to my health, but about adopting a lifestyle that nourishes my mental health and allows me to live more holistically. If you've been thinking about trying them out, I recommend you give them a go!
Me after essential oils.
(Please note that I do sell dōTERRA essential oils. I realize that the focus of this post is dōTERRA essential oils, but generally what's important is that you trust the purity and authenticity of the essential oils you buy and the company you buy them from. I personally trust and enjoy the oils from dōTERRA).
1. Grapefruit
-Ingredients: grapefruit essential oil (from rinds/peel) -Uses: improve appearance of blemishes and cellulite; curb sugar cravings; increase motivation and energize mood; support a healthy metabolism; aid in weight loss; cleanse the body; disinfect surfaces, (read more).
I love to drink, diffuse and topically apply grapefruit essential oil. I frequently add a drop or two to a large glass of water when I want a morning detox or to curb sugar cravings after a meal; I add grapefruit oil to my favourite lotions to apply to problem skin areas (tighten); I add grapefruit oil to many of my diffuser blends for a refreshing, uplifting, energizing aroma.
2. On Guard
*An oil blend specific to dōTERRA*
-Ingredients: wild orange peel, clove bud, cinnamon leaf, cinnamon bark, eucalyptus leaf essential oil, rosemary leaf essential oil.
-Uses: support healthy immune and respiratory function; purify and clean the air; clean and purify germy household surfaces; sanitize your hands; fight off colds, (read more).
I love to drink, diffuse and apply On Guard all the time. I add a drop or two to water when I'm feeling run down; I mix with witch hazel or coconut oil to make my own hand sanitizer; I rub on the bottoms of my feet and my chest when I'm feeling sluggish; I diffuse to give the air a warm, invigorating aroma; I add to my multipurpose cleaner to purify and clean naturally.
3. Serenity
*An oil blend specific to dōTERRA*
-Ingredients: lavender flower, cedarwood, ho wood leaf, ylang ylang flower, marjoram leaf, roman chamomile flower, vetiver root, vanilla bean, Hawaiian sandalwood. -Uses: promote relaxation; aid with sleep issues; calm and soothe the mind and senses; enhance bath time, (read more).
I really love this oil blend - it has such a beautiful scent that immediately relaxes me. I love to diffuse this during my bedtime routine every night; I love to add this oil to a spray bottle to use as linen spray; I rub this on to the bottoms of my feet when I'm having trouble falling or staying asleep; I add to my baths and use in my DIY beauty products like bath salts.
4. Peppermint
-Ingredients: peppermint leaf essential oil (from the whole plant). -Uses: promote easy breathing; freshen breath; purify air; relieve muscle pain and tension; reduce fever; soothe itch; cure headaches and migraines; promote digestive health (help with bloating and indigestion); reduce nausea; enliven the senses and promote feelings of energy, repel bugs, (read more).
Peppermint is great for so many things! I love to diffuse, apply and drink this oil. I apply peppermint to my temples and back of neck when I'm experiencing a headache or migraine; I add to tea or water when I'm having digestive issues; I diffuse this oil to purify the air for easy breathing; I add to my multipurpose cleaner for its antimicrobial properties; I apply to sinus area with coconut oil when I'm feeling congested; I inhale for a natural energizer throughout the day.
5. Cheer
*An oil blend specific to dōTERRA*
-Ingredients: wild orange peel, clove bud, star anise fruit/seed, lemon myrtle leaf, nutmeg, vanilla bean extract, ginger rhizome, cinnamon bark, zdravetz herb.
-Uses: promote feelings of optimism, cheerfulness and happiness; counteract negative emotions of sadness or anger.
Cheer is one of my go-to happy oils, and I love that it also comes in a ready roll-on bottle. I frequently diffuse and apply this oil topically to my pressure points to promote happiness; I inhale this oil throughout the day by rubbing on my hands, cupping over my nose and inhaling; I use this oil in deep breathing exercises and meditation after work; I diffuse often for a fresh and warm aroma.
THANKS FOR READING!
In order to use essential oils effectively, you have to use them safely! For more info on risks and safety precautions, head over to this blog post from Wellness Mama.
To check out dōTERRA oils and products, go to my website!
Comments