How and why I use the essential oils that I love. Essential oils have become a staple in many households these days – If you don’t use them, you’ve certainly heard of them! There’s also tons of talk about what essential oils are “good” and the “highest quality” etc. At this point I really can’t recommend a brand name so I’m not going to lol. But I use essential oils in literally every part of my home every single day!
My first use of an essential oil comes with a story.
I’ve always done a little bit of freelance web design so when I was hired to do the site for a local organic health food store I was excited!
When I met with them the first time I was just finally getting over a horrible head cold and cough. The owner recommend I try drinking oregano essential oil and told me this story:
She and her husband both somehow ended up with an infected and abscessed tooth. Of course it was the middle of summer and of course neither one of them could get in for surgery for at least a month.
They were absolutely miserable!
Because they owned a health food store they had always heard about oregano oil as a healer and MAJOR natural antibiotic. With nothing to lose they both put the oil directly on their infected teeth and gums daily.
First the pain went away and then, when their appointments finally came around, they didn’t need them. They both canceled their appointments because their teeth had healed.
Since then (and that was several years ago) I have sworn by the use of oregano oil. If I feel a cold coming on I drink several drops in warm water a couple of times of day.
At one point I had the absolute WORST sore throat of my life. Within two days oregano oil took care of it. The stuff is incredible.
(Yes it tastes awful and yes you’re gonna smell like an Italian restaurant for days and no I can’t recommend its use to anyone – I am not a doctor. All of my family is using it now too because it works so well.)
I wear Jasmine essential oil as a perfume by adding a couple drops to my wrists and throat every day. OMG I LOVE IT. I simply would never be willing to switch back to a regular perfume – having Jasmine on my wrist every day is calming and just plain wonderful.
I use a few drops of Clove and Tea Tree oil in my homemade tooth paste. (Recipe coming soon!)
I use Rosehip Seed oil on my face when I tinkle raze. I love how it makes my face feel! Afterward I lightly dab any extra off with a rag and then take a long hot shower to steam the oil into my skin.
For someone who has NEVER BEEN ABLE TO WASH HER FACE OR USE MOISTURIZER without breaking out, the fact that I can both raze and use that oil is miraculous to me.
My skin has never been clearer or smoother and its fading my facial scars as well. I’ve been doing this once to twice a week for nearly a year now and the difference to my skin is incredible.
Click here for some more info all about it.
I’ve had insomnia and night terrors my entire life. I have ALWAYS slept with a light on because I learned the hard way (many times) that I simply have to.
With my divorce all of my night time problems improved considerably simply because my stress and anxiety levels went way down.
Still though there are two essential oils that have helped me over the years to get to sleep and to stay asleep.
I sprinkle Mugwart essential oil and Lavender essential oil on a small blanket that I sleep with beside my pillow. Initially I used a little terracotta angel that I kept on my bedside table but having the oils closer to me means I don’t have to use near so much!
Most of us have heard of Lavender – it smells lovely.
Mugwart though most people have not heard of – its actually the essential oil of St John’s Wart and smells like a 3,000 year old mummy’s butt. But you get used to it lol and the Lavender helps with the smell.
Also, mugwart is really hard to find. Currently Amazon only sells two brands of it and the one brand I actually almost LIKED the smell of is no longer available – though both types on Amazon work just as well.
I make my own hand soap and all purpose hardwood floor cleaner / cleaning/ dusting spray and use essential oils in both of them.
(My spray is just a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water plus the oils.)
Because of its antibacterial properties I always use Tea tree oil in my spray and then plus whatever I feel like adding. My favorite is lemon grass and orange oil because it smells so good!
In my hand soap I generally use eucalyptus but I switch it up all the time and have used everything from cinnamon to tangerine oil.
(I don’t use any kind of commercial fresheners or cleaning products in my home. If I want my house to smell like something specific I just use an oil.)
Every year I stock up on essential oils by adding a bunch to my Amazon wish list because they make a wonderful gift to me for xmas and for my February birthday.
There is absolutely no shame is starting with essential oils simply because they smell good!
Every single natural health store I’ve ever been in has a wall of testers so you can smell and smell and smell and find the oils that you love.
Merry Christmas, Tara. I love essential oils too. Everyone you mentioned plus bergamot. I haven’t tried mugwort. I make a face and body lotion that keeps my 74 year old skin looking great. It’s baby lotion, vitamin e cream, coconut oil, and essentials for fragrance. If you want to try it, I’ll share the recipe. Our youngest daughter has trouble with sensitive skin on her face. I can’t get her to try rosehip oil. She hears oil and says no. I’ll show her your blog on Christmas. I always read your blogs. My first husband was a tyrant like yours. So I can identify so well with your triumphs. Peace and love, claudia
Claudia, yep essential oils have definitely improved my life. I even received a pack of 12 different oils for Christmas! Yes, please share your recipe here!
Hi. I love your stories. I have slept with a light on all my life too. Thought I was the only one. For the same reasons, nightmares and night terrors. I don’t have them with a light on. So glad to hear I’m not alone.
Hi Amanda, yup I used to even TRY to not sleep with a light on but I’ve given up at this point lol. I don’t mind having a light on so I don’t see anything wrong with it! Hope you had a wonderful holiday!
Tarah, I love the way you described the smell of mugwart! I’ve been meaning to try oregano oil for a long time and keep forgetting about it. Thanks for the reminder. I’m going to pick some up this week. Wish I’d had it a couple of months ago.
Hi Jean, yup oregano oil has saved my bacon many a times when I’ve been sick. It is not the most pleasant experience but it has shortened countless colds for me and I rarely get sick now that’s added it to my arsenal! Hope you had a wonderful holiday!