Therapeutic: Health Promoting Essential Oils

by Joyce Harrell on February 8th, 2012 | 2 Comments »

As part of my healthy living series, last week I discussed the history of essential oils. I covered what makes therapeutic grade essential oil different from fragrance oil or even some brands of essential oils which are not pure therapeutic grade.

We will be learning about several basic oils in this week’s article. Keep in mind a little goes a long way. Essential oils are 50-75 times more concentrated than the plant, bark, or flower it from which they originate.

Health Promoting Essential Oils

Lemon:

Lemon oil has several properties. Lemon oil is best known for its antiviral, antiseptic, uplifting, and anti-depressant properties. Lemon seeds came to America from Christopher Columbus.

Lemon oil is also historically used for muscle aches and pains, lowering blood pressure, and as an air purifier. I love to use lemon oil in non toxic unscented cleaners to disinfect and clean around the house. This oil is really great to smell when I want a pick-me-up. You can use Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade Oil (CPTG) and put a drop or two stirred up in water for a refreshing drink.

Peppermint:

This oil is one of my favorites! I also love to add a drop to my water for a completely refreshing drink! One drop is equal to 28 cups peppermint tea! Whew! Peppermint is great for pain and inflammation. It’s very uplifting and great as an anti-bacterial agent.

This can be used directly on the bottoms of the feet to help with fever. This oil also helps a stomach upset when a drop is added to water. Don’t use in children under six internally, and use in caution with high blood pressure, pregnancy, or breastfeeding women. This oil can be diffused to help with fatigue, and it will help open up the mind during study, especially when learning new things! I love to rub this oil on the back of my neck, and temples for headaches.

Lavender:

I have heard for years that this is the “Swiss army knife “of essential oils. It is good for so many things. This is a must have especially if you have children in the home. This oil is good for pain. There are so many properties of this oil including but not limited to antibacterial, antifungal, regenerative, sedative, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-infectious. This is good to use on cuts, burns, emotional balance, insomnia, boils, allergies, insect bites, bee stings, headaches, stress, wounds, and so much more.

This is the one oil I suggest highly if you are deciding what oils to start with. I used this oil one time to help me really relax with a difficult dental procedure. I didn’t realize things weren’t going well. Five hours after the procedure started, I was sent to an oral surgeon. I really didn’t know I had been there so long.

Melaleuca:

This oil is great for pain, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, tissue healing, and antiseptic purposes as well as so many more. This is great oil during flu and cold season, and can be used on the bottoms of the feet as well as diffusing. This oil can be used in other ways.

I am just giving very basic information here. I teach very in-depth essential oils classes. I can only begin to skim the surface when talking about oils in this forum. There are many other uses for each and every oil I have mentioned here, and I have only mentioned four oils. I have over 20 books on the uses of essential oils and ways to use them.

I hope this will give you an overview of just a few of the thousands of uses for oils and that I have given you enough information to want to explore further!

What are some of your favorite essential oils?

Photo courtesy of Flickr.

Joyce Harrell, RN, OCN is a holistic nurse who provides natural solutions for health and home. Joyce utilizes the art of nursing by implementing essential oils, enzyme therapy, vision boards, wellness coaching, and nutritional therapy to help you create an environment for your body to best heal.

Joyce is a wife, mother, nana, author, holistic healer, and above all committed to her relationship with God. You can find Joyce at www.NurseCoachOnline or email her at [email protected].

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JoyceHarrell

Joyce Harrell is a Mom, Wife, Nana, Nurse, Health & Wellness Coach, Low Glycemic Mind-Body Transformation Coach, Author, Certified Vision Board Coach, and Aromatherapist. Her unique talent is to empower self-acceptance and purposeful living utilizing wellness principles, low glycemic education, vision boards, and essential oils. Joyce emphasizes simple principles for individuals who desire to feel better about whom they are as they are empowered to bring positive changes to their emotional and physical selves. In addition to being a Registered Nurse, Joyce has also received training as a wellness coach through Wellcoaches, and The Wellness Inventory coaching programs. She has co-authored the book Heart of Success.