The Ten Best Essential Oils For Aromatherapy
You will find numerous lists of the top ten pure essential oils preferred for natural aromatherapy online and in print. I use many different essential oils in my aromatherapy and self-care wellness products. Each one is selected for its natural therapeutic benefits. However, preference is indeed a personal choice. This is a list of a few of my favorites. Pure Lavender essential oil is usually listed in the top three on all lists, and is my number-one choice, for good reason!
1. Lavender Essential Oil
Botanical Name: Lavandula angustifolia /Lavandula officinalis.
Lavender Essential Oil smells floral, fresh, sweet, herbaceous, and sometimes slightly fruity. It can be slightly camphorous. Lavender Essential Oil is well known for its ability to help calm the overall psychological and physical effects caused by stress and anxiety. It also promotes a night of restful sleep and is a great addition to skin and hair care products for its calming properties. When properly diluted, Lavender is amongst the safest of essential oils. However, bear in mind, if used in excess, Lavender essential oil can act as a stimulant.
2. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Botanical Name: Eucalyptus globulus
Eucalyptus Essential Oil has wide-ranging health benefits including decongestant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiseptic, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. Eucalyptus essential oil is best known for its woodsy-sweet scent. Eucalyptus pure essential oil helps open nasal and bronchial passages so you can breathe easier. It thins, reduces mucous production, quiets a cough, and is an effective household disinfectant. Because eucalyptus oil can potentially cause dangerous side effects in children and pets, take care to store it out of their reach. Eucalyptus Dives is the preferred essential oil for children under ten years old. Please, keep in mind, eucalyptus oil can impact how certain medicines are processed by your body, such as cholesterol and diabetes medications.
3. Eucalyptus Dives:
Botanical Name: Canarium luzonicum
Eucalyptus Dives has very similar properties and uses as Eucalyptus but is a gentler option for children under the age of 10. I use Eucalyptus Dives in my natural chest vapor rub recipe.
4. Lemon Essential Oil:
Botanical Name: Citrus Limonum
Lemon Essential Oil helps fight exhaustion, is uplifting, clears your skin, kills harmful viruses and bacteria, and reduces inflammation.
5. Peppermint Essential Oil:
Botanical Name: Mentha Piperita
Peppermint Essential Oil is exhilarating and uplifting. It improves mental clarity and focus. It soothes headaches and reduces muscle aches, and joint pain. Peppermint helps to quiet coughs and opens nasal passages for easier breathing. It should not be used on or around children under the age of ten. It is too strong for their immature systems.
6. Spearmint Essential Oil
Botanical Name: Mentha spicata L.
Spearmint essential oil has very similar properties and uses as Peppermint essential oil but is a safer option for children under the age of 10.
7. Orange Sweet Essential Oil:
Botanical Name: Citrus Sinensis
Orange Sweet pure essential oil has antibacterial, antifungal, pain relief, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and insecticidal properties. Inhaling Sweet Orange essential oil helps reduce symptoms of anxiety and improves mood. Its high limonene content helps scavenge potentially dangerous free radicals.
8. Tea Tree Essential Oil:
Botanical Name: Melaleuca alternifolia
Tea Tree pure essential oil has antibacterial properties. Tea tree oil is commonly used to treat acne, athlete's foot, nail fungus, and insect bites and is used as a surface disinfectant.
9. Sandalwood Essential Oil:
Botanical Name: Santalum Spicatum
Sandalwood essential oil is grounding, comforting and soothing. The exotic earthy smell helps reduce tension and create a calmer atmosphere. It’s no surprise, then, that sandalwood has been long used during meditation for generations.
10. Patchouli Essential Oil
Botanical Name: Pogostemon cablin
Patchouli is another pure essential oil that has been used for centuries. Patchouli possesses properties that fight inflammation and infections and is relaxing and grounding. It helps reduce the overall mental and physical effects of stress.
That is my shortlist! What are your favorites and why? Please share your preferred pure essential oils for natural aromatherapy in the comment section below.