Down in the deep, dark basement sit two small chests, one with at least 30 small vials of different essential oils, and another chest my son built for me that holds 16 four-ounce bottles. I acquired most of them several years ago, before starting this blog and before doing sufficient research. I did some at the time, just not a lot.
Had I done more, I would not have purchased so many oils. I could have saved a chunk of change for more important things, like solar lanterns, or you know, chocolate chips.
Researching for and writing this blog has blessed me in so many ways. It’s revealed uncommon uses of common items, like sniffing alcohol wipes to relieve nausea. And using sugar to heal chronic wounds. And it’s helped identify which essential oils I really want to have.
I call the following the essential essential oils because they address common conditions and illnesses that few other essential oils or other herbal products can.
Lavender tops this list because it is so incredibly versatile. With the exception of marijuana, lavender is the most valuable cash crop grown in the US. But that’s not why it’s on this list. Aromatherapy treatment with lavender essential oil is employed in managing illnesses throughout the body, but the most significant and the reason why lavender tops the list is for its neurological uses:
- Reducing falls in the elderly
- Stroke protection, or rather preventing some of the damage of a stroke when aromatherapy begins within 24 hours
- Cognitive performance enhancement
For all of these, the aroma of the essential oil is inhaled. Drops can be applied to a tissue attached to the collar, or applied to the wrists or behind the ears. Because this essential oil is not used internally, there is no need to pay more for a food-grade product. However, because it has so many uses and smells so good, you’ll want a large quantity. And because it is so popular, especially with daughters (at least, with my daughters) you might want a few bottles. Maybe even a 2-ounce bottle for them, and then several 4-ounces bottles that you hide in super-secret locations. Trust me on this.
Peppermint essential oil is the most commonly used one in this house, a true workhorse for all kinds of gastrointestinal and respiratory issues. And it is used for headaches and muscle aches and pains as well. Usually, this essential oil is applied topically, so a large bottle of quality oil will address most needs. For the few internal uses that aren’t satisfied by peppermint tea, a small bottle of food-grade essential oil will serve a family well.
Thyme essential oil makes this list because modern research has demonstrated how well it potentiates antibiotics! That’s huge! It gets antibiotics to the bacteria they need to work on faster and helps them work better. The patient begins to improve sooner, and thyme essential oil may even permit fewer of the conventional antibiotics to be used, sparing those precious pills for other needs. For this purpose, a family needs only one small bottle of food grade essential oil for potentiating antibiotics like penicillin. Other internal uses can be covered by tincture or tea. External uses just need a quality product.
Rosemary essential oil is not used internally, so this one doesn’t need to be food-grade. Why do you want the essential oil? Well, when combined with thyme and eucalyptus essential oils and povidone-iodine, it becomes a fantastic topical antibiotic for eliminating Staphylococcus infections, even the nasty MRSA ones. In addition, aromatherapy with rosemary essential oil facilitates recovery from colds and influenza and enhances cognitive performance. And finally, just two drops of this essential oil diluted in ½ teaspoon of a carrier oil can be massaged into the skin to aid in reducing the effects of inflammation, gallbladder issues, joint pain, muscle aches, headache, neuropathy, cold hands and feet (Raynaud’s syndrome), and bruises.
Black pepper essential oil exerts only a few effects not duplicated by other herbs; however, both will be rather important in some families. The first is that aromatherapy with black pepper essential oil has been shown to remarkably improve dysphagia (the inability to swallow), especially in the elderly. My husband takes strongly after his mother, and she’s suffered from this problem for a few years now. Secondly, aromatherapy with black pepper helps reduce nicotine cravings in smokers. The diluted essential oil is also massaged into muscles and joints to ease pain, or inhaled to stimulate appetite. Because it is not taken internally, a food-grade preparation isn’t necessary.
At least three or four of these essential oils will be essential to all families. While researching and preparing for your own needs, you may identify other oils that will be beneficial in your situation. And during this time, you’ll come to understand that you don’t need a vast array of expensive essential oils. Just purchase the few that you really need, and use less expensive tinctures, infusions, and salves for other conditions.
Note. Medicinal uses of these oils aren’t noted in this article. For more information on the medicinal uses mentioned above, see the articles on the specific herbs (links below).
Links to related posts:
The Medicinal Uses of Lavender
The Medicinal Uses of Peppermint
The Medicinal Uses of Black Pepper
The Medicinal Uses of Rosemary
Essential Oils: Are They Safe to Ingest?
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