Quick Guide to the Top 10 "Must Have" Essential Oils
People ask me all the time "which oils are best to start with" and unless they are seeking specific or targeted personal wellness needs, I refer them to the Top 10 essential oils. Experts agree these are the best must-have essential oils to provide overall wellness supporting common ailments whilst complement products in your medicine cabinet.
So what are these top 10, and what can they be used for?
Lavender
Lavender has been used and cherished for centuries for its unmistakable aroma and myriad benefits. In ancient times, the Egyptians and Romans used Lavender for bathing, relaxation, cooking, and as a perfume. Its calming and relaxing qualities, when taken internally, continue to be Lavender’s most notable attributes. Due to Lavender’s versatile properties, it is considered the must-have oil to have on hand at all times.
Primary Benefits
Soothes occasional skin irritations
Taken internally, Lavender reduces anxious feelings and promotes peaceful sleep
Helps ease feelings of tension.*
Uses
Add a few drops of Lavender to pillows, bedding, or bottoms of feet at bedtime.
Keep a bottle of Lavender on hand to soothe occasional skin irritations.
Freshen your linen closet, mattress, car, or the air by combining Lavender with water in a spray bottle.
Take internally to reduce anxious feelings.*
Use in cooking to soften citrus flavors and add a flavorful twist to marinades, baked goods, and desserts.
Lemon
The top-selling doTERRA essential oil, Lemon has multiple benefits and uses. Lemon is a powerful cleansing agent that purifies the air and surfaces, and can be used as a non-toxic cleaner throughout the home.
Primary Benefits
Cleanses and purifies the air and surfaces
Naturally cleanses the body and aids in digestion*
Supports healthy respiratory function*
Promotes a positive mood
Uses
Take internally to assist with seasonal respiratory discomfort.*
Add Lemon oil to a spray bottle of water to clean tables, countertops, and other surfaces.
Lemon oil also makes a great furniture polish; simply add a few drops to olive oil to clean, protect, and shine wood finishes.
Use a cloth soaked in Lemon oil to preserve and protect your leather furniture and other leather surfaces or garments.
Lemon oil is a great remedy for the early stages of tarnish on silver and other metals.
Diffuse to create an uplifting environment.
Peppermint
The peppermint plant is a hybrid of watermint and spearmint and was first described by Carl Linneaus in 1753. A high menthol content—like that found in the doTERRA Peppermint essential oil—distinguishes the best quality Peppermint from other products.
Primary Benefits
When ingested, promotes healthy respiratory function and clear breathing*
Promotes digestive health when taken internally*
Repels bugs naturally
Uses
Use a drop of Peppermint with Lemon in water for a healthy, refreshing mouth rinse.
Take one to two drops in a Veggie Capsule to alleviate occasional stomach upset.*
Add a drop to your favorite smoothie recipe for a refreshing twist.
Place one drop in palm of hand with one drop Wild Orange and one drop Frankincense and inhale for a mid-day pick-me-up.
Tea Tree
Also known as Melaleuca, this essential oil has over 92 different compounds and limitless applications. The leaves of the Melaleuca tree have been used by the Aboriginal peoples of Australia for centuries. They would apply crushed leaves directly to the skin for a cooling effect. Tea Tree is best known for its purifying properties.
Primary Benefits
Renowned for its cleansing and rejuvenating effect on the skin
Promotes healthy immune function when used internally*
Ingest to protect against environmental and seasonal threats*
Uses
For occasional skin irritations, apply 1–2 drops of Tea Tree essential oil onto affected area.
Add 1–2 drops to water, citrus drinks, or veggie caps to support healthy immune system function.*
Combine 1–2 drops with your facial cleanser for added cleansing properties, or apply to skin after shaving.
Apply to fingernails and toenails after showering to purify and keeps nails looking healthy.
Add a few drops to a spray bottle with water and use on surfaces to protect against environmental threats.
Frankincense
Often called the “king of oils,” Frankincense promotes feelings of peace and overall wellness when used aromatically, while topical and internal uses provide modern health benefits.*
Renowned as one of the most prized and precious essential oils, Frankincense has extraordinary health benefits.* In addition to its notoriety in the New Testament, the Babylonians and Assyrians would burn Frankincense in religious ceremonies and the ancient Egyptians used Frankincense resin for everything from perfume to salves for soothing skin.
Primary Benefits
Ingest to support healthy cellular function*
Aroma promotes feelings of relaxation
Helps reduce the appearance of skin imperfections when applied topically
Supports healthy immune, nervous, and digestive function when taken internally*
Uses
Rub Frankincense on your hands after a long day of gardening for a warming and soothing effect.
Apply topically to help reduce the appearance of skin imperfections.
Can be applied to the bottoms of feet to promote feelings of relaxation and to balance mood.
Take one to two drops in a veggie capsule to support healthy cellular function.*
Oregano
Oregano is one of the most potent and powerful essential oils and has been used for centuries in traditional practices. The primary chemical components of Oregano is carvacrol, a phenol that possesses antioxidant properties when ingested. Due to its high phenol content, caution should be taken when inhaling or diffusing Oregano; only one to two drops is needed. Additionally, Oregano should be diluted with a carrier oil when applied to the skin.