If, like us, you’re a fan of essentials oils, you’ll love these must-have oils for common ailments. Stay healthy!
EUCALYPTUS
What it’s good for:
- Anti-inflammatory • Antioxidant • Increased blood flow • Reduced tension headaches • Cold sores • Easing arthritis pain • Clearing sinuses
How to use it:
- To alleviate a headache simply roll up a damp, clean cloth and sprinkle with a few drops of eucalyptus oil. Apply to forehead, focusing on your temples and the back of your neck.
- Added to warm baths, eucalyptus oil’s analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties help to rejuvenate stiff and sore muscles.
- Diffuse five drops for an immune system booster.
- Apply two to three drops to your chest and back of your neck as a cough reliever.
PEPPERMINT
What it’s good for:
- Headache & migraine relief • Upset stomach
- Reducing fevers • Flavouring hot drinks
- Suppressing appetite • Energy boost
- Get rid of bad breath
How to use it:
- Dilute and apply to temples, above ears and/ or back of the neck for headache or migraine relief
- Apply topically to the abdomen or place one drop under tongue for upset stomach
- Apply along the spine to bring down a fever
- Use a drop of peppermint and a drop of lemon in water for a mouth rinse
- Use on the bottom of your feet and on your chest to improve breathing and fight flu infections.
Soil tea tree organic essential oil, R45 • Aura Zen Ultrasonic Diffuser. R1 249 from yuppiechef.com • Ceramic burner perfect for your favourite essential oils or soy wax melts, R130. Both from soil.co.za
CINNAMON, ORANGE & CLOVE
These three oils are amazing when diffused together. They make your home smell inviting and warm and at the same time, they’re invigorating and energising. We all know that the longer winter lasts, the harder it can be to be positive and upbeat.
What it’s good for:
- Energising and uplifting • Baking • Emotional balance • Dental discomfort
How to use it:
- Diffuse them together to uplift the mood
- Add a few drops, to baking (muffins, cookies, frosting, etc) to add flavour
- Use clove to relieve tooth pain
TEA TREE
What it’s good for:
- Itchy skin • Inflammation • Dry skin • Sore throat • Cold sores • Congestion • Ear infections
How to use it:
- Breathe easier when you have a cold with the help of tea tree oil. Place a few drops of tea tree in a carrier oil (olive, coconut, almond oil or any other) into the tub or shower before you get in to release the oils into the steam.
- Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with two teaspoons of raw, organic honey and apply to the pimple using a cotton pad, then rinse with water.
- Relieves earaches: Mix 1 drop of tea tree oil with 1 tsp. olive oil, drop mixture into the ear, then remove by tilting head.
- Relieves asthma when a few drops are added to a humidifier.
GIVE THESE OILS A TRY
Lemon
Lemon oil is great for helping relieve symptoms of menopause and is known to improve clarity, increase concentration and boost the immune system. Lemon oil is also useful for soothing a sore throat when added to hot water.
Myrrh
A powerful antioxidant, myrrh is often added to beauty products to help maintain healthy skin. It’s also useful for preventing infections and is recognised for its anti-parasitic, antifungal and even anti-cancer benefits.
Lavender
A must for the first-aid box! A versatile oil, lavender is renowned for its relaxing and calming properties and its ability to relieve headaches and insomnia. Excellent for all skin types, it’s also very effective in the treatment of burns and prevention of scarring.
Basil
Young Living Basil Essential Oil (15ml), R470 from youngliving.com/en_za
Our fave to keep the cold away
- Add one or two drops to a hot bath when you have a cold. The diffuser-like effect will help relieve a congested nose and chest.
- Make your very own vapour rub at home using this oil. Combine a few drops of basil essential oil with eucalyptus essential oil and mix the oils in with a carrier oil, such as coconut. You can use the combined oil for topical application by massaging onto your chest.
TAKE NOTE!
Buy pure oils. To test whether oils have been diluted with vegetable oil, place a couple of drops on a piece of paper. If they leave an oily ring, it’s possible they contain vegetable oil. Before purchasing an oil, ask if you can try a small amount on your skin and watch for a reaction such as a rash or irritation.
TEXT: RIALIEN FURSTENBERG