By: Meredith Witthar | Victor PadillaPosted: 9:48 AM, Oct 4, 2018Updated: 2:44 PM, Mar 14, 2019
There’s cooking oil, engine oil, crude oil – but none of ’em smell very good. That’s why we have essential oils! And they’re super popular, with sales expected to hit $12 billion by 2022. But how are we really supposed to use ’em? And which ones do we use? We spoke with wellness educator Karyn Hendricksen who shared five essential oils everyone should keep stocked at home.
1. Peppermint
Peppermint essential oil can be used for in a variety of ways. Applying it topically can help alleviate muscle soreness and headaches. Internally, you can swish it around your mouth for fresher breath. And, aromatically, use some in your diffuser for a stimulating scent to boost attention and focus.
2. Lemon
Lemon essential oil is cold-pressed from the peel where all the nutrients live. Karyn’s favorite way to use lemon oil is in the morning for detoxing the gut. Just add three to four drops to four ounces of warm water and sip away! Lemon oil can also be used to clean fruits and vegetables by soaking them in a solution of water and oil.
3. Lavender
Lavender oil can be very calming and helps support sleep and relaxation. Use it topically, rubbed on the bottoms of the feet or behind the neck. You can also use it to help soothe and heal cuts, bruises, and bug bites.
4. Rosemary
Rosemary is an excellent oil that encourages focus and attention. Karyn says she loves adding it to her diffuser while working to promote alertness and productivity. You don’t just have to smell this stuff – you can eat it, too, by adding some as a spice substitute to cooking. Yum!
5. Frankincense
Frankincense is considered the “king of all oils”. This oil can be used for almost anything, but it’s especially useful for supporting memory and uplifting the mood. It can also be added to fractionated coconut oil for an excellent skin moisturizer on the face body!
Remember, essential oils are potent so less is more. It’s always a good idea to do your own research or find someone to support you in your journey. If you’re questioning how to use oils or would like to get started, contact Karyn at karynhen@gmail.com. Have fun oiling!
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As a seasoned enthusiast in the realm of essential oils, I bring a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to shed light on the concepts discussed in the article "Top of the List" by Meredith Witthar and Victor Padilla. With a deep understanding of essential oils and their diverse applications, I'm well-equipped to elaborate on the key oils mentioned in the article and provide additional insights.
Let's delve into the essential oils highlighted in the article:
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Peppermint:
- Topical Use: Peppermint essential oil is known for its muscle-soothing and headache-alleviating properties when applied topically.
- Internal Use: It can be used internally by swishing it around the mouth for fresher breath.
- Aromatic Use: When diffused, peppermint oil offers a stimulating scent that enhances attention and focus.
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Lemon:
- Cold-Pressed Extraction: Lemon essential oil is obtained through cold-pressing the peel, retaining essential nutrients.
- Detoxification: Adding three to four drops of lemon oil to warm water in the morning is recommended for detoxing the gut.
- Cleaning Agent: Lemon oil can be utilized to clean fruits and vegetables by soaking them in a water and oil solution.
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Lavender:
- Calming Properties: Lavender oil is valued for its calming effects, supporting sleep and relaxation.
- Topical Application: It can be applied topically on the feet or behind the neck and used to soothe cuts, bruises, and bug bites.
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Rosemary:
- Focus and Attention: Rosemary essential oil is praised for its ability to encourage focus and attention, making it suitable for use in a diffuser during work.
- Culinary Use: Beyond aromatherapy, it can be ingested as a spice substitute in cooking.
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Frankincense:
- Versatility: Frankincense is referred to as the "king of all oils" due to its broad range of applications.
- Memory Support: It is particularly useful for supporting memory and uplifting mood.
- Skincare: When added to fractionated coconut oil, frankincense serves as an excellent skin moisturizer for both the face and body.
These essential oils represent a diverse spectrum of therapeutic uses, from physical well-being to mental focus and emotional support. The article wisely emphasizes the potency of essential oils, emphasizing the adage that "less is more." Additionally, it suggests doing individual research or seeking guidance from experts, exemplified by the contact information provided for wellness educator Karyn Hendricksen.
In conclusion, the article provides a concise guide to essential oils, touching on their versatile applications and the importance of responsible usage. If you're considering incorporating essential oils into your lifestyle, the advice presented by Karyn serves as a valuable starting point for a fragrant and beneficial journey.
