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I’ve been learning many different uses for essential oils lately! I love replacing so many of my store bought products with natural essential oils.
I really like the essential oils I’ve tried so far, but I have to admit that there are so many I haven’t tried! I’m so stuck on certain ones I love, such as peppermint and lavender, that I haven’t got around to trying so many of them! Peppermint is one of my favorites because it relieves headaches, boosts energy and destroys bacteria (in my homemade toothpaste). Lavender is my other personal love because of its relaxing properties and ability to help with those sleepless nights. But there are so many other uses for essential oils that I want to try!
It seems like there is one for any ailment or condition you might have. You can also use them for cleaning, there is one for practically everything! The uses for essential oils are endless!
So I thought I would organize a little ABC “go to” list for newbies, and people like me, who want a quick reference to grab when you want to find the right essential oil. I tried to include some of the most common conditions and some essential oil lingo that is a must have if you want to be able to talk essential oils!
Note: For the conditions listed only one or two oils are suggested; however, there are many oils or blends that will work great too!
Here’s My A to Z List of the Many Uses for Essential Oils:
A is for Anxiety –Apply Valor to bottom of feet or neck. Also use *breathe in method (see below). I’ve used this before doing a presentation at work and it really helped relax me.
B is for Brain – Use Peppermint to boost memory and concentration. *Breathe in (see below)
C is for Colds – Use Thieves oil. Apply 1-3 drops neat or diluted 50:50 on throat (upper), chest and /or back. Some people apply it to the bottom of their feet, massage a few drops (neat which means undiluted). Note: Be cautious using thieves oil on infants as it can be hot and/or irritate the baby’s skin.
D is for Diffuser – Diffusers help get the essential oil into the air in small particles (molecules) so you can inhale the essential oils effectively for the body to use. There are many types from attractive plug in ones that send a fine mist into the air or homemade reed diffusers.
E is for Ears – If you have tinnitus (ringing in the ears) try Helichrysumt oil and massage 1 drop diluted around the outside of the ear
F is for Fatigue – I tried this one and it helped! Put 2-4 drops, diluted 50:50, of Peppermint on the thyroid area of the neck or temples and behind ears 2 to 3 times daily.
G is for Gout – Use Juniper or Frankincense topically. Massage 1-3 drops (diluted) on joint.
H is for Headache – Put Peppermint oil (diluted with carrier oil) on temples. This is one of the best uses for essential oils! I get headaches once in a while and nothing I have every tried has worked as good for relieving them as peppermint oil. I apply it and within a half hour I usually see a great improvement.
I is for Insect Bite – Use the oil blend Purification, Lavender or Peppermint. Apply oil (diluted) to bite as soon as bitten.
J is for Joint Pain – Apply Wintergreen or Peppermint 3-5 drops diluted 50:50.
K is for Kidneys – Use Lemon essential oil. *Use breathe in method below.
L is for Lymphatic system – To stimulate and detoxify use Lemongrass or Rosemary. Diffuse or use *breathe in method.
M is for Mosquito bites – Put 2 drops Tea tree oil or Lavender mixed with water or carrier oil on bite. Read more in my post.
N is for Neat – This means when applying topically , the oil is not diluted and used straight from the bottle. I prefer to dilute some of my oils as I have sensitive skin. However, when applying many essential oils to the bottom of feet it is usually fine to use neat.
O is for Oral Care – Peppermint and Spearmint, mix with water and use as mouthwash or brush teeth with, spit out. Helps bad breath and it is a great antiseptic.
P is for Pain – Use Peppermint for sore muscles. Take 4-6 drops and massage diluted 50:50 with water.
Q is for Quick – Essential oils work quickly. Studies have found that when essential oils are applied topically they were able to be used in the body by every cell in 20 minutes or less.
R is for Restless Legs – Use Chamomile or Lavender. Use *breathe in method (below), diffuse or apply topically 2-4 drops (I prefer diluted).
S is for Stretch Marks – Frankincense or Lavender 3 to 6 drops neat or diluted 50:50 2 x day
T is for Sore Throat – Eucalyptus oil, *breathe in method. Topical 50:50 to throat or steam in method: Add a few drops of oil to water, put towel over head and breathe in.
U is for Underarm – Mix approximately 10 drops Lavender oil with 1/4 cup baking soda for a natural deodorant.
V is for Varicose Veins – Use Lemon. Several drops mixed with carrier oil, rub on veins.
W is for Wrinkles – Use Lavender or Frankincense. Mix 3 to 4 drops 50:50 with carrier oil. Be careful not to get the oil in eyes. This is one of my favorite uses for essential oils because it helps prevent new wrinkles from forming.
X is for X-Ray – Melrose Essential oil blend for radiation therapy exposure (protection). Apply a few drops mixed with 50:50 with carrier oil.
Y is for Young – Look younger by applying Frankincense oil, which can help reduce and prevent wrinkles.
Z is for zzzzzz……Sleep – Put a few drops of Lavender on your pillow if you’re having trouble getting to sleep. I add lavender to my homemade sleepy time spray and use it every night before bed. It is amazing how much it helps to deep breathe the lavender scent before bed.
*Breathing in Essential Oils
Put 2 to 3 drops in your hand and after rubbing hands together, cup them around your nose and breathe in as the day goes on.
*Topical Applications
When applying topically you may want to dilute with a carrier oil such as coconut oil, almond oil or olive oil as some oils can be very strong if applied undiluted. It is recommended to do a skin patch test when using an essential oil for the first time.
Precautions:
For babies and small children use of essential oils should be done with caution in mind as they can be strong for them. For babies and children it is best to dilute them with a carrier oil such as olive oil or coconut oil.
Menthol containing oils, especially, should be used cautiously with children. These include oils such as; eucalyptus, camphor, and peppermint. They should not be used around the face and should be diluted for any small child.
Perfect ABC, mine favorite is D, O & Z. (Lavender is magical) Thank you for sharing this quick guide.
For sleepless nights, my sister-in-law gave us Valor II and Cedarwood (both from Young Living). Apply one drop Valor to the tops of feet, and one drop of the Cedarwood to toes ( beginning with the big toe). This knocks my husband out. Though I did notice I could not apply it for him, it would seem to keep me awake. She made me a foot rub with the top two, plus lavender, valerian, and peppermint in coconut oil that works great. I only need a q-tip to apply it takes so little.
That’s great!
Hello,
How do you recommend diluting , with another oil or something else.
Thank you,
Dianne Gauvreau
Yes, I like to use jojoba oil or coconut oil. Generally, you only need a few drops of each essential oil and then mix it with a few tablespoons of jojoba oil or coconut oil
Lori, I am a user of the Young Living oils and am loving how helpful it is! For joint relief or muscle ache, you might want to try a mix of Aroma Siez, Majoram, Wintergreen, Cypress, and Peppermint. It is important that cypress goes before peppermint (applied last) but you may apply the first three oils in any order you like. For people who are allergic to peppermint, they might want to try just wintergreen. It is perfectly fine to apply wintergreen topically or “neat” but as it is a hot oil, dilution is recommended. There is no harsh rule as to whether wintergreen should NEVER be applied neat. I have done it neat and it has worked well. Just thought I’d share the little that I know. Totally agree with you on Lavender for sleepless nights. I do enjoy using it on bruises and cuts as well. Thanks for this informative post!
Thanks for sharing your experiences with them 🙂
Wintergreen should NEVER be used neat.. I’d suggest doing more research on that before recommending it to people.
In the post I recommend diluting. Not sure where you read to use it neat?
Hello Lori!
I am allergic to peppermint. I see that it is used for many things. I am particularly interested in pain and joint relief. What else can I use besides peppermint?
You may want to look into lavender and cedarwood oils. I know many use them for aches and arthritis.
great list!
Thank you! 🙂
Hi Lori I am from S-Africa, I’ve been today to my health shop but they have very limited essential oils, I wrote down all the names of the oils u mentioned here on top but out of all the oils that u mentioned here I’ve only found the peppermint oil, do u know if I will find it here in my country or how can I get hold of these oils.
Hi, you can try ordering from Edens Garden. They are good.
Love Edens Garden Essential Oils!
Thank you for this article!!! Very informative!!