9 Best Essential Oils to Elevate Your Wellness and What to Look For
Essential oils are nature’s gift to us, offering a plethora of health and wellness benefits. They have been used for centuries in traditional medicine and aromatherapy, and now more than ever we can reap the rewards of their amazing properties.
Whether you want to relax or energize your body, improve mental clarity or boost immunity, there is an essential oil that can help you achieve your goal.
From lavender to peppermint, these powerful plant extracts offer a natural way to enhance well-being – so let’s take a look at some of the best essential oils on the market today!
Our Top Pick
Best Essential Oil For Anxiety – Valerian
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Best Essential Oil For Anxiety | Edens Garden Valerian Essential Oil
Edens Garden Valerian Essential Oil
Valerian essential oil is a natural remedy known for its calming effects, making it one of the best essential oils for anxiety. This oil is extracted from the root of Valeriana officinalis, which has been used in traditional medicine for centuries to treat insomnia and anxiety.
Its sedative properties make it an ideal choice when looking to reduce stress and encourage relaxation. The aroma of valerian can help soothe away jittery nerves and promote feelings of peace, allowing you to better cope with anxious thoughts or stressful situations.
Research suggests that using this oil as part of your self-care routine may provide long-term relief from symptoms associated with mental health issues such as depression and panic attacks.
With regular use, valerian essential oil can be an effective way to manage anxiety naturally without relying on harmful medications or other treatments.
How To Use:
For best results, add a few drops of Edens Garden Valerian Essential Oil to an oil burner or diffuser. The aroma will fill your living or workspace, and you’ll be able to enjoy its calming benefits throughout the day. Alternatively, add a few drops to a warm bath and soak in it to let the stress of your day drift away. You can also blend this oil with a carrier oil such as sweet almond or jojoba oil and massage it into your skin for an even more therapeutic experience.
Other Uses:
1. Helps to treat insomnia
2. Reduces headaches and migraines
3. Relieves symptoms of PMS
6. Aids in calming an anxious mind
7. Combats stress, depression, and fatigue
9. Can be used as a natural insect repellent or air freshener
Pros:
✔️GC/MS tested for quality and purity
✔️Natural and ethical ingredients
✔️Cruelty-free certified by PETA
Cons:
❌ Not everyone is a fan of the scent, it’s very strong
❌It may cause sensitivity or allergic reactions if not diluted properly
Best Essential Oil For Stress | Clary Sage by Tisserand
Clary Sage by Tisserand
Clary Sage essential oil is a perfect little remedy for relieving stress. This relaxing essential oil is distilled from the flowers of the Salvia sclarea plants, making it the perfect natural alternative for stress relief.
Clary Sage has antispasmodic properties that work to reduce physical tension in muscles, whilst its sweet yet herbal scent calms the mind, having a natural anti-depressant effect.
Tisserand provides pure-quality oils made with ethically-sourced and cruelty-free ingredients for use in diffusers or DIY blends. One study done on rats showed Clary Sage had a higher anti-stressor effect than other oils such as lavender and rosemary. So use this oil whenever you need extra support to de-stress.
How To Use:
For best results, add a few drops of this oil to an oil burner or diffuser. Inhale the aroma and feel yourself relax. You can also add it to a carrier oil and apply it directly to your skin. Make sure to be a patch test beforehand.
Other Benefits:
- Aids in relieving headaches and migraines
- Alleviation of menopause symptoms
- Can help reduce inflammation
- Acts as an anti-bacterial agent
- Enhances overall moods and can have a calming effect
Pros:
✔️ Wild Crafted from plants in their natural habitat
✔️ Ethically Harvested to ensure the species is not depleted
✔️ Pure-quality oil made with ethically-sourced, cruelty-free ingredients
Cons:
❌This essential oil is a littler higher in price than some other oils
Best Essential Oil For Sleep Plant Therapy Organic Lavender
Plant Therapy Organic Lavender
Not being able to fall asleep at night is one of the most frustrating things; I hate tossing and turning while counting down the hours till my morning alarm goes off. That’s why I love lavender oil! It’s one of the most popular and widely used oils for promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and improving sleep.
Extracted from the flowers of Lavandula angustifolia plants, this calming oil has been used in holistic medicine for centuries to soothe away restlessness and improve sleep quality.
The aroma encourages relaxation while helping regulate your body’s natural circadian rhythm—the internal clock that controls when you feel sleepy or awake—allowing you to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
How To Use:
You can use Plant Therapy’s Organic Lavender Essential Oil in an oil burner or diffuser to create a calming atmosphere. Alternatively, add a few drops of to your pillow or massage it into your skin with a carrier oil. To use in the bath, add 2-3 drops to a cup of Epsom salts and enjoy the massage-like effects as you soak away your worries.
Other Benefits:
Write a short list of other benefits of lavender oil
1. Can act as a natural pain reliever
2. Helps reduce anxiety and stress
3. Aids in alleviating headaches, migraines, and muscle tension
4. Combat fungal infections
5. Has anti-inflammatory properties that can help with big bites or psoriasis
Pros:
✔️ It contains 100% pure, undiluted essential oils.
✔️Batch-specific GC-MS reports are available for each bottle of oil.
✔️Helps boost your immune system from seasonal threats
✔️ Pregnancy and child safe
Best Essential Oil For Digestive Issues – Peppermint essential Oil Maple Holistics
Best Essential Oil For Digestive Issues – Peppermint Essential Oil Maple Holistics
For centuries, peppermint essential oil has been employed to assist in digestion and soothe stomach issues. This invigorating aroma is derived from the Mentha piperita plant leaves, making it a natural remedy for digestive discomforts such as bloating, cramps, indigestion, nausea or IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
It works by calming the muscles in your digestive system, which helps to improve the flow of food through your body . Peppermint essential oil is also known to be an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent that can help reduce inflammation in the gut and rid it of any harmful bacteria.
How To Use:
Peppermint essential oil is an easy and effective way to relieve gastrointestinal issues, as it can be used topically, aromatically or internally.
To experience the calming qualities of essential oils, blend a few drops with some carrier oil and massage it onto your abdomen. Alternatively, infuse several drops into a diffuser to revel in its fragrant aroma.
For internal use, peppermint essential oil can be added to any glass of water for an invigorating boost! It is essential to always read the label on each supplement bottle for usage instructions and seek advice from a medical professional prior to consuming any supplements.
Other Benefits:
1. Help with tension headaches and migraine headaches
2. Antibacterial agent which helps get rid of harmful bacteria
3. Relieves digestive discomfort such as bloating, cramps, indigestion
4. Stimulates and calms the muscles in your digestive system to improve food flow
5. Aids with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
Pros:
✔️ Maple Holistic uses 100% pure oils, so you get all the benefits without any added fillers.
✔️ Oils are manufactured in house
✔️ Can help relax and invigorate the mind
Cons:
❌ Excessive use may lead to nausea, heartburn, abdominal pain or dry mouth
❌ Should not be used directly on infants’ or children’s skin without diluting it first
Best Essential Oil For Hair – Rosemary Oil Maple Holistics
Best Essential Oil For Hair – Rosemary Oil Maple Holistics
Rosemary Oil Maple Holistics is a great choice for hair care. This essential oil is derived from the leaves of Rosmarinus officinalis and has been used for centuries to help promote healthy, shiny hair. Rosemary oil stimulates scalp circulation, encouraging new growth and preventing premature greying and thinning due to aging.
It also helps balance oils in the scalp, so if you have oily hair or suffer from a dry and itchy head, this oil is for you.
How To Use:
The best way to use rosemary oil is by mixing a few drops of the oil into your shampoo and conditioner. You can also create a hair mask by mixing a few drops with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, massage the mixture into your scalp and leave it on for at least 15 minutes.
Other Benefits of Rosemary Oil:
- Studies have shown rosemary oil can reduce inflammation and relieve joint pain.
- Natural insect repellent and helps to protect against skin irritations.
- It may help you feel more alert.
- It can help to reduce stress and anxiety.
Pros:
✔️ Maple Holistic uses 100% pure oils, so you get all the benefits without any added fillers.
✔️ It provides hair with a thicker, more lustrous shine
✔️ Also great for skin hydration
Cons:
❌ High concentrations of rosemary oil can be irritating to sensitive skin.
❌ It may lead to contact dermatitis in some people, so it should be tested on a small patch of skin before applying it to the entire scalp.
Best Essential Oil For Antibacterial – Plant Therapy Germ Fighter Synergy Essential Oil
Plant Therapy Germ Fighter Synergy Essential Oil
Plant Therapy Germ Fighter Synergy Essential Oil is the perfect solution for those looking to boost their immune system. This natural, organic blend of essential oils provides a defence shield against bacteria while also providing relief from colds and acute congestion. Crafted by experts using only 100% pure, undiluted oils
Crafted by experts using only 100% pure, undiluted oils and backed up with batch-specific GC-MS reports, this high-quality product is a must-have, especially during the winter time.
Ingredients
Lemon, Clove Bud, Eucalyptus Globulus, Cinnamon Cassia and Rosemary
How To Use:
You can use Plant Therapy Germ Fighter Synergy Essential Oil topically or aromatically. For topical application, Simply blend 1 drop of Germ Fighter with 1 tablespoon of carrier oil and massage it onto your feet for the best, most effective results; apply it at night before going to sleep and then again in the morning after you wake up.
For aromatherapy use, you can use a diffuser to disperse the oil into the air, which helps to purify and protect your home from germs. Diffuse for 30 minutes at a time.
Pros:
✔️ It contains 100% pure, undiluted essential oils.
✔️ Batch-specific GC-MS reports are available for each bottle of oil.
✔️Helps boost your immune system from seasonal threats
Cons:
❌ Not recommended for kids
❌It may cause skin irritation if used in high concentrations.
Best Essential Oil For Mood Boosting – Artizen Sweet Orange Essential Oil
If you’re looking for an essential oil to uplift you throughout the day, you can’t go past Artizen Sweet Orange Essential Oil.
This natural, organic oil is known for its uplifting properties that can help reduce stress and anxiety while promoting positive energy not only; and its sweet and citrusy smell is really refreshing, and perfect for your house or workplace.
Cheaper Alternative
This product is on the expensive side; however, it has a 4.5-star rating on Amazon with over 80 thousand reviews. It’s my favourite; however, if you are looking for a more cost-effective Sweet Orange Oil, I would go for the Phatoil Essential Oil.
How To Use:
To experience the full benefits of topical application, mix it with a carrier oil like conuoct or jojoba and massage into your skin. It can also be added to a bath or used in a diffuser. You can even make your own homemade room spray – I like to add a few drops of sweet orange oil to a glass spray bottle filled with water.
Other Benefits Of Sweet Orange Essential Oils:
- Reduce inflammation
- Relieve stomach discomfort
- Natural Antibacterial cleaner around the house
- Anti-septic properties
- Increase libido
Pros:
✔️ Delightful sent
✔️ 100% Pure Oil
✔️ High customer satisfaction with a 4.5-star rating on Amazon with over 80 thousand reviews
Cons:
❌ Pricey
Best Essential Oil For Skin – Gya Labs Sandalwood Essential Oils
Best Essential Oil For Skin – Gya Labs Sandalwood Essential Oils
Gya Labs Sandalwood Essential Oils is a great choice for those looking to keep their skin healthy and nourished. This organic oil contains antioxidants that help maintain the structure of skin cells while also reducing dryness and replenishing moisture.
It’s especially beneficial for those with sensitive or aging skin, as it helps reduce wrinkles by increasing elasticity. Plus, the warm woody scent smells really lovely.
Other Benefits of Sandalwood Essential Oils
- Easing anxiety
- Improve sleep quality
- Anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties
- Aids in healing cuts, burns, and other skin ailments.
How To Use
Add a few drops of Sandalwood to your everyday cleanser or moisturise. Alternatively, you can mix it with an oil carrier. You can even put it in your bathwater to help you relax.
Pros:
✔️Rigorously tested by GC/MS, MSDS, COA, IFRA
✔️High-quality, pure and undiluted essential oil
✔️Helps reduce wrinkles, dryness and other signs of aging
Cons:
❌ It may cause skin irritation if used directly on the skin, so make sure to dilute it first.
Best Essential Oil For Nausea – EVOKE OCCU Ginger Essential Oil
Best Essential Oil For Nausea – EVOKE OCCU Ginger Essential Oil
EVOKE OCCU Ginger Essential Oil is the perfect choice for those looking to ease nausea and digestive discomfort.
This oil has a spicy, earthy, and woody aroma that can help reduce feelings of queasiness, so If you are a regular victim of car sickness like me, then ginger essential oil is worth a try. It’s also great at getting rid of toxins in the body and boosting digestion.
Other Benefits of Ginger Essential Oil
- Enhance concentration
- Great for skin – restores radiance in complexion
- Anti-inflammatory
- Relive PMS and period symptoms
- Aid with headache
How To Use
You can drink ginger oil by adding a drop to a coffee or tea. For topical use, mix 3 drops with a carrier oil and rub it directly onto your tummy and hips.
Pros:
✔️ High-quality, pure and undiluted essential oil.
✔️ May help soothe symptoms of colds and allergies
✔️ Can help reduce inflammation, pain, and discomfort
✔️ Affordable
Cons:
❌ Topical application may cause skin irritation in some people
Buyers Guide To Essential Oils
What Are Essential Oils
Essential oils are natural plant extracts that have been used for centuries to promote physical and emotional health. These highly concentrated liquids contain the active compounds of plants, which can be extracted from flowers, leaves, bark, roots and other parts of a plant.
Essential oils are believed to provide numerous therapeutic benefits, including relaxation, mood enhancement, pain relief and improved sleep quality. They also have antiseptic properties that make them useful in treating skin conditions such as acne or eczema.
Each type has its own unique aroma as well as an array of therapeutic effects on the body. With proper use and safety precautions in place, essential oils can be a powerful addition to your wellness routine.
What To Look For When Buying Essential Oils
Andrea Scalisi is an aromatherapist based in New York. Scalisi says that the most important thing to look for when buying essential oils is the words “pure” and “organic”. “Natural” is a marketing term that tells you nothing about the quality of the oil.
If you’re someone who is planning to buy essential oils but have no idea how to know what the best essential oils are, here are three factors you should consider:
Quality
The method that companies use to create their essential oils varies, as some practice distillation while others rely on mechanical pressing. This difference in procedure makes every oil distinct – some are more complex to produce than others and may involve a higher cost.
For instance, frankincense and jasmine oils require an intricate distillation process; hence they tend to be pricier compared with other types of essential oils.
Only purchase essential oils that are stored in dark brown or blue glass bottles. These dark-shadded glass bottles preserve the oils better than other containers and also help protect them from sunlight.
To test the integrity of essential oils, try a ring test on a sheet of white paper. Genuine essential oils will leave no trace after drying.
Finally, pure essential oils should not feel greasy when touched. Put a small drop between your fingers and check if it feels slippery; this would suggest that the oil has been blended with a carrier oil.
Variety and Price
Remember: some oils are harder to make than others. The process of distillation becomes harder depending on which plant it is. Therefore, be on the lookout for essential oils priced lower than the normal purchasing rate of essential oils. These might not be authentic oils and might cause you harm.
Company Reputation
With a plethora of companies selling essential oils and each touting the superiority of their product, it can be tricky to decide who you should believe. As such, research is key when selecting which company’s products to purchase – do your due diligence before committing.
Make sure to read reviews from other customers about their experience with the company and the products.
How Do You Use Essential Oils
Essential oils can be used in a variety of ways to help promote physical and emotional well-being. Some of the most popular methods for using essential oils are inhalation, topical application and diffusion. Inhalation is one of the fastest and safest ways to enjoy the benefits of essential oils as they quickly enter your bloodstream through your lungs.
The topical application involves applying diluted essential oils directly onto the skin, where they can be absorbed into the body. Diffusion is another popular method that uses an oil diffuser or humidifier to disperse small molecules of essential oil into the air so you can inhale their beneficial properties. Each method has its own unique advantages making them useful tools for different health needs.
Essential oils are most commonly used through aromatherapy, which is the practice of inhaling the aromatic compounds.
You can use essential oils in 3 main ways. Inhalation, topical applications or orally.
It’s very important to always patch-test essential oils if you haven’t used that particular oil or brand before.
Patch Test
Even if you are someone who is not prone to allergies, it’s a good idea to conduct a patch test before using an essential oil. Patch tests allow you to see how your skin will react to a particular oil before you fully apply it to your skin. Some essential oils can cause irritation, sensitisation , or reactions in different individuals.
The steps for conducting a patch test are as follows (although there are many other ways to do a patch test):
- Wash your forearm with unscented soap.
- Pat dry.
- Apply a small amount of essential oil on the pad of a bandaid and put it on your skin.
- Wait for 24 hours.
- Remove the bandaid to check if there are any reactions, such as redness, swelling, itchiness, or if blisters have developed.
After you successfully complete the patch test and can rest assured that there is no allergic reaction to the essential oil, experiment with various methods for using it.
Diffuser ratio
Figuring out the perfect balance of oil-to-water ratio can be a little tricky, but one of the main factors that will determine how many drops of essential oil to add is the size of your diffuser.
For smaller diffusers, it is best to start with 2-3 drops of oil, while larger diffusers may need up to 8-10 drops.
Furthermore, some essential oils are particularly potent and require fewer drops than others. To gain a better understanding of the ideal diffuser ratio for your aromatherapy needs, be sure to read through this article!
Essential oils can also be used topically for hair, scalp, and skin. This is commonly done through the process of diluting the oil with a carrier oil. Take a look at our dilution chart below for how to mix the perfect blend for topical use.
Dilution rates
Essential oils, as we’ve mentioned, are concentrated aromatic oils. To dilute them mix them with your favourite carrier oil such as coconut oil.
This process helps “carry” the oils into the skin and provides better absorption, spread, and protection from irritation. Safe concentrations and dilution rates differ depending on age and health condition.
Essential Oils are inexpensive and easy to use. But too much of anything can be a bad thing. Regulate your exposure to essential oils and aromatherapy, as it can cause an allergic or bad reaction if you use it too often.
Dilution rates range from 0.5% to 5%. You may check our dilution chart below.
What is Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a holistic healing treatment that uses essential oils for therapeutic benefit. Aromatherapy isn’t simply inhaling oils. Oils are used for massaging the skin and very rarely, essential oils are also ingested through the mouth.
Aromatherapy has been used for centuries, French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse invented it in 1935 after he treated a burn effectively with lavender oil.
Since the earlier years, in religion, perfume, and medicine, aromatics have played a significant role. Aromatherapy activates areas in your nose known as smell receptors. These receptors send messages to your brain.
Aromatherapy is great for individuals and has a wide range of conditions and issues.
Benefits of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy can be found everywhere, from hospitals to health spas. It is essential to recognize that aromatherapy is a supportive therapy and does not provide the cure for illnesses or diseases; however , it offers assistance in treating various conditions.
Aromatherapy has a variety of advantages, some of which are outlined below:
- Helps in improving sleep quality
- Helps in reducing stress and anxiety
- Can soothe joints
- Improve digestion
- Boost immunity
- Treat headaches and migraines
Safety Guidelines and Tips
It’s worth mentioning that essential oils aren’t under the FDA’s jurisdiction, meaning they do not require approval from them prior to being sold and distributed. Given the potency of essential oils, it is really important that you take precautions to ensure your safety when using them.
1. Get To Know Your Oils
When selecting an essential oil brand for your health and well-being, it is absolutely critical to thoroughly research the manufacturing process and safety protocols.
Taking time to examine each detail of these elements will help ensure that you acquire only superior-quality oils for aromatherapy purposes. Doing this before making a purchasing decision allows peace of mind regarding the efficacy of whatever product is chosen.
2. Read labels carefully and follow instructions
When using essential oils it is important to read the labels carefully and follow the directions. Pay close attention to any warnings or cautions and be mindful of potential drug interactions if you are taking prescribed medications.
3. Avoid contact with eyes and sensitive areas such as lips and nostrils
When using essential oils, it is important to avoid contact with the eyes and other sensitive areas of the body . Keep in mind that some essential oils have very strong scents and can be irritating to the skin, so as mentioned earlier it is best to always use a carrier oil before applying directly to the skin.
4. Keep out of reach from children and pets
Essential oils should always be kept out of the reach of children, as they can potentially cause harm if ingested. Similarly, pet owners should refrain from using essential oils around their furry friends as certain fragrances may be toxic when inhaled by cats or other animals.
5. If you are pregnant, nursing or have any medical condition, consult your doctor before use
Pregnant women, nursing mothers and those with medical conditions should absolutely consult a qualified healthcare practitioner prior to using aromatherapy. Essential oils are remarkably potent and certain ones may not be suitable for you depending on your condition.
6. Always wash your hands after using the oils.
For your health and peace of mind, always wash your hands with soap after using essential oils to prevent any chance of discomfort should you unintentionally touch your eyes.
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#The Best Essential Oils 2023, #Best Essential Oils Guide, #Best Essential Oils Buyers Guide