Essential Oil Uses and Recipes

Lavender - My FIRST essential oil love

Lavender (Lavendula Angustifolium)  is kind of like Spongebob - a universal good.  When I was introduced to essential oils in 1998, Lavender was the first.  I came to love it for its smell and versatility.  Anything I can use for more than one purpose is a win win.  Lavender has so much more to offer than one purpose.  

Lavender Origins:  England, France, Tasmania, Yugoslavia

Essential Oil is Obtained:  Flowering Tops

Lavender Characteristics and History:  

(Provided by Young Living Oils):  Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) has a fresh, sweet, floral, herbaceous aroma that is soothing and refreshing. Because it is the most versatile of all essential oils, no home should be without it. Lavender is an adaptogen, and therefore can assist the body when adapting to stress or imbalances. It is a great aid for relaxing and winding down before bedtime, yet has balancing properties that can also boost stamina and energy. Therapeutic-grade lavender is highly regarded for skin and beauty. It may be used to soothe and cleanse common cuts, bruises, and skin irritations. 

The French scientist René Gattefossé was among the first to discover these properties when he was severely burned in a laboratory explosion. Lavender may also be used to enhance the flavor of foods. Lavender has an approximate ORAC of 3,669 (TE/L). TE/L is expressed as micromole Trolox equivalent per liter.

Lavender Uses:

• burns
• scrapes
• inflammation
• cuts
• wounds
• eczema
• dermatitis
• fainting
• headaches
• influenza
• insomnia
• migraine
• nausea
• nervous tension
• infections
• sores
• ulcers
• acne
• boils
• astham
• rheumatism
• arthritis

Lavender Oil Properties:

• Antidepressant
• Analgesic
• Antiseptic
• Cicatrizant
• Expectorant
• Nervine
• Vulnerary

How to Use (Provided by Young Living Oils)

 

For dietary, aromatic or topical use. When using as a supplement, put one drop in a capsule or in 4 fl. oz. of rice or goat's milk.

Possible skin sensitivity. If pregnant or under a doctor's care, consult your physician. Dilution not required; suitable for all but the most sensitive skin. Generally safe for children over 2 years of age. 

Product Tips (provided by Young Living Oils)

• Soothe minor burns by applying 2–3 drops of lavender essential oil to the affected area.
• Rub lavender essential oil on dry or chapped skin to moisturize the affected area.
• Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to a cotton ball and place it in closets and drawers to scent linens and repel moths and insects.
• You may be able to minimize the appearance of scar tissue by massaging lavender essential oil on or around affected areas.
• Place a few drops of lavender essential oil on a wet cloth or dryer sheet to deodorize and freshen your laundry.
• Diffuse lavender essential oil to minimize seasonal discomforts.
• Rub a few drops of lavender essential oil onto your hand and spread over your child’s pillow to help him/her sleep.
• Diffuse lavender essential oil to set the mood for a baby shower or social gathering.
• Diffuse or inhale lavender essential oil to calm your mind, body, and spirit after a hard day’s work.

 

References:  

The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valeria Ann Worwood, www.Youngliving.org, http://www.netherfield.co.nz/lavender-uses.php, 

Peppermint Essential Oil - Nature's Versatile Little Oil

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) has a strong, clean, fresh, minty aroma. One of the oldest and most highly regarded herbs for soothing digestion, it may also restore digestive efficiency.* Jean Valnet MD studied peppermint's supportive effect on the liver and respiratory systems. Other scientists have also researched peppermint's role in improving taste and smell when inhaled. Dr. William N. Dember of the University of Cincinnati studied peppermint's ability to improve concentration and mental sharpness. Alan Hirsch MD studied peppermint's ability to directly affect the brain's satiety center, which triggers a sensation of fullness after meals. This powerful essential oil is often diluted before topical application. Peppermint may also be used to enhance the flavor of food and water. Peppermint has an approximate ORAC of 373,455 (TE/L). TE/L is expressed as micromole Trolox equivalent per liter. EarthKosher Certified

How to Use

For dietary, aromatic, or topical use. When using as a supplement, dilute one drop in 4 fl. oz. of liquid such as goat's or rice milk. 
Possible skin sensitivity. If pregnant or under a doctor's care, consult your physician. Dilution recommended for both topical and internal use. Do not apply neat to a fresh wound or burn. Dilute before using on sensitive areas such as the face, neck, genital area, etc. Keep out of reach of children. Avoid using on infants and very small children.

 1. Indigestion/Diarrhea 

Place 4-6 drops of peppermint oil in the palm and rub over the stomach and around the naval to relieve indention, gas and diarrhea. 
2. Heartburn 
Add a drop of peppermint oil to herbal tea (with agave or honey to emulsify/blend the oil and the tea) to aid in digestion and relieve heartburn. 
3. Nausea 
Massage several drops of peppermint oil on the abdomen, or place 2-3 drops in hands, gentrly rub together, cup palms and deeply inhale to relieve nausea. 
4. Travel sickness
Rub 4 drops of peppermint oil on the chest and stomach to relieve travel sickness. I always carry it with me while flying or during long train and car rides!
5. Hiccups 
To stop hiccups, apply a drop of peppermint oil on each side of the fifth cervical vertebra (up three notches from the large vertebra at the base of the neck). 
6. Inflammation (unbroken skin) 
Massage several drops of peppermint oil on an area of injury or chronic inflammation. 
7. Bruising (unbroken skin) 
Apply peppermint oil immediately to an injured area (not broken skin) — bruised shin, hit on the foot or hand — to relieve pain. If skin is broken, apply around but not on the open wound. 
8. Fever 
Rub several drops of peppermint oil on the bottom of the feet to reduce fever. 
9. Itching 
Apply a drop of peppermint oil topically on unbroken skin to stop itching. 
10. Poison Ivy/Poison Oak 
For poison ivy or poison oak, apply peppermint oil directly or dilute with vegetable mixing oil (coconut, sesame, etc). 
11. Headache 
To relieve a headache, rub a drop of peppermint oil on the temples, forehead, over the sinuses (stay away from the eyes) and on the back of the neck. 
12. Trouble with alertness/concentration 
Place 2 drops of peppermint oil on the tongue and rub another drop under the nose to improve alertness and concentration. Diffuse in your office or home. 
13. Congestion
Place a drop of peppermint oil on the tongue and inhale into the nose and sinuses to relieve congestion from a cold. Diffuse in your room.
14.  Bugs
Get rid of pesky spider, fleas, ants, wasps, bees and ticks.

Product Tips

• Add a drop of peppermint essential oil to herbal tea to help aid normal digestion.
• Massage several drops of peppermint essential oil on the abdomen, place a drop on wrists, or inhale to soothe the minor stomach discomfort associated with travel.
• Rub one drop of peppermint essential oil on the temples, forehead, over the sinuses (careful to avoid contact with your eyes), and on the back of the neck to relieve head pressure.
• Place 2 drops of peppermint essential oil on the tongue and rub another drop of oil under the nose to help improve concentration and alertness.
• Apply peppermint essential oil to the back of the neck and shoulders throughout the day to keep energy up.
• Inhale peppermint essential oil, apply topically to your temples or neck, or put a drop on your tongue or in water to jump-start your morning routine.
• Diffuse or inhale peppermint essential oil mid-morning to curb the desire to snack.
• Inhale peppermint essential oil or rub a drop on to your abdomen to soothe minor stomach discomfort.

Ingredients

Young Living Therapeutic Grade™ peppermint essential oil(Mentha piperita)

Oregano Oil

via Healthy Families Only With Naturals

Oregano oil was one of my very first essential oils, tea tree, peppermint and eucalyptus being the other three.  Oregano is the one though, that really taught me about the potential power in a small bottle of oil.  At our house OoO as we have nicknamed it has helped us through coughs, colds, strep throat, pain and a myriad of other issues.  If I could only have one essential oil-oregano would be it!

The health and therapeutic benefits of Oregano have spawned books (The Cure in the Cupboard by Cass Ingram is what lead me to using OoO) and websites a plenty.  But having used other brands of Oregano, I can say that NOTHING compares to Young Living’s Oregano oil.  Most brands dilute their oil of oregano with olive oil or other carrier oils which in fact weaken it, Young Living’s Oregano oil is just that Oregano oil and that is where the power lies. 

The therapeutic quality and benefits of oregano oil go far far beyond what we think it Oregano oil is antiviral, antibacterial and immune stimulating and it is highly effective for many pathogenic infections.would.  Just like some many of the “herb” oils most of us only recognize them for their flavorings in food, oregano goes in my favorite tomato sauce-beyond that I barely gave it a second thought.

One of the qualities of oregano as well as thyme, clove, basil, tea tree and peppermint essential oils, is that it is high in phenols, oregano oil also has the power to cleanses receptor sites and combat free radicals in our body that cause inflammation.

What Body Systems Does Oregano Work With?

Oregano works amazingly on the Immune Systems, as well it can have direct effect on the Respiratory Systems as well as Muscles and Bones.

What are the Therapeutic Uses for Oregano Oil?

•  Antifungal
• Antiviral
• Antiseptic
• Anti-aging
• Antibacterial
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antimicrobial
• Antiparasitic
• Immune stimulant.

What are the Documented Uses of Oregano Oil?

• abscess
• allergies
• anthrax
• asthma
• athletes foot
• bacterial infection
• boils
• bronchitis
• bursitis
• candida
• cholera
• chronic pain
• cold sores
• cough
• corns
• dandruff
• diarrhea
• digestive problems
• diptheria
• dysentery
• ear aches
• Epstein Barr
• fatigue
• fibroids
• flu
• food poisoning
• fungal skin infection
• gallbladder infection
• gangrene
• ganglion cyst
• gonorrhea
• gum disease
• headaches
• heartburn and acid reflux
• heart conditions
• immune system
• infections
• insect repellent
• insect bites and stings
• lyme disease
• oral infection
• menstrual cramping
• metabolism balancing
• mouth ulcers
• pancreatitis
• pain
• parasites
• pneumonia
• radiation damage (internally)
• respiratory infections
• ringworm
• scoliosis
• strep throat
• syphillis
• ticks
• tooth aches
• tonsillitis
• tuberculosis
• typhoid fever
• warts-common and plantars
• whooping cough
• viral and bacterial pneumonia
• viral colitis
• arthritis and rheumatism
• vaginal yeast infection.

How to Use Oregano Oil

Topically:  Apply neat to area of concern and or on the VitaFlex points of the feet. Oregano is a very “hot” oil-most people need to use it diluted to avoid the intense burning sensation it can create.

Aromatically:  Diffuse up to half an hour 3 times daily or inhale directly.

Ingestion: Place under the tongue, add to water, or place in a gel cap.  If using directly such as under your tongue-use with a carrier oil as this can create a very intense reaction the first few times you use it.

Lavender (Lavendula Angustifolium)  is kind of like Spongebob - a universal good.  When I was introduced to essential oils in 1998, Lavender was the first.  I came to love it for its smell and versatility.  Anything I can use for more than one purpose is a win win.  Lavender has so much more to offer than one purpose.  

Lavender Origins:  England, France, Tasmania, Yugoslavia

Essential Oil is Obtained:  Flowering Tops

Lavender Characteristics and History:  

(Provided by Young Living Oils):  Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) has a fresh, sweet, floral, herbaceous aroma that is soothing and refreshing. Because it is the most versatile of all essential oils, no home should be without it. Lavender is an adaptogen, and therefore can assist the body when adapting to stress or imbalances. It is a great aid for relaxing and winding down before bedtime, yet has balancing properties that can also boost stamina and energy. Therapeutic-grade lavender is highly regarded for skin and beauty. It may be used to soothe and cleanse common cuts, bruises, and skin irritations. 

The French scientist René Gattefossé was among the first to discover these properties when he was severely burned in a laboratory explosion. Lavender may also be used to enhance the flavor of foods. Lavender has an approximate ORAC of 3,669 (TE/L). TE/L is expressed as micromole Trolox equivalent per liter.

Lavender Uses:

• burns
• scrapes
• inflammation
• cuts
• wounds
• eczema
• dermatitis
• fainting
• headaches
• influenza
• insomnia
• migraine
• nausea
• nervous tension
• infections
• sores
• ulcers
• acne
• boils
• astham
• rheumatism
• arthritis

Lavender Oil Properties:

• Antidepressant
• Analgesic
• Antiseptic
• Cicatrizant
• Expectorant
• Nervine
• Vulnerary

How to Use (Provided by Young Living Oils)

For dietary, aromatic or topical use. When using as a supplement, put one drop in a capsule or in 4 fl. oz. of rice or goat's milk.

Possible skin sensitivity. If pregnant or under a doctor's care, consult your physician. Dilution not required; suitable for all but the most sensitive skin. Generally safe for children over 2 years of age. 

Product Tips (provided by Young Living Oils)

• Soothe minor burns by applying 2–3 drops of lavender essential oil to the affected area.
• Rub lavender essential oil on dry or chapped skin to moisturize the affected area.
• Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to a cotton ball and place it in closets and drawers to scent linens and repel moths and insects.
• You may be able to minimize the appearance of scar tissue by massaging lavender essential oil on or around affected areas.
• Place a few drops of lavender essential oil on a wet cloth or dryer sheet to deodorize and freshen your laundry.
• Diffuse lavender essential oil to minimize seasonal discomforts.
• Rub a few drops of lavender essential oil onto your hand and spread over your child’s pillow to help him/her sleep.
• Diffuse lavender essential oil to set the mood for a baby shower or social gathering.
• Diffuse or inhale lavender essential oil to calm your mind, body, and spirit after a hard day’s work.

References:  

The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valeria Ann Worwood, www.Youngliving.org, http://www.netherfield.co.nz/lavender-uses.php,