5 “essential” oils for your self-care kit
One of my favourite parts of any treatment with a client is choosing an essential oil blend. The selection of oils I choose is based on the consultation - what’s coming up for them today, what conditions and symptoms are they experiencing, and I always leave space for intuition. I have a box of around 50 essential oils to choose from.
If I could only own 5 essential oils (which would be hard!) these would be the ones I would choose.
Lavender – mother of the shrubs, with her wispy grey-blue flowers, is always on hand for me. Lavender is antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, an anti-depressant, and a natural healer. One of the most renowned oils for stress and insomnia. A bath with some dispersed Lavender pre bedtime can be a great sleep aid. I believe every household should have some Lavender.
Peppermint – our go-to perennial herb for digestive problems, nausea, and sickness. It’s also an effective remedy for muscular pain, colds and flu. A deep inhale with some Peppermint awakens the senses. It’s a great oil to use in a diffuser when you need to be clear headed, aiding concentration and focus. Equally, when massaged around the base of the skull it can help ease headaches and migraines.
Chamomile – I often think you can look at plant and see its healing properties by the way it grows. Chamomile is no exception with its sunny daisy like flowers - it can give a sunnier disposition to those feeling frustrated with a build up of tension. Chamomile is a well-known anti-inflammatory oil which makes it helpful for arthritis, back pain, skin conditions and allergies. I mostly use Roman Chamomile for its calming effect on the nervous system.
“When you are feeling moody or grumpy, reach for some Chamomile.”
- Susanne Fischer-Rizzi
Geranium – is a wonderfully balancing oil, particularly useful in women’s health. It has a regulatory effect on the hormonal system making it useful for treating PMS and menopausal symptoms. It’s considered one of the best oils for maintaining homeostasis of the body. Equally beneficial for the mind, Geranium can be used for treating stress and relieving anxiety and depression.
Eucalyptus – the anti-viral and expectorant properties of Eucalyptus make it one of the best oils for treating coughs, colds and flu. An inhale with Eucalyptus will deepen the breathing and clear the mind. There are many different types of Eucalyptus, any of which would make a worthy addition to your collection.
References:
Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit, Gabriel Mojay