5. Lavender Oil
Okay, good. I can see you rolling your eyes at me since you’ve read about lavender oil so often in your life and in this book. Why did the oil kingdom’s Taylor Swift make my list of the top ten? Because it’s impossible to dispute how wonderful lavender oil is, the truth be told.
First off, the plant that we commonly refer to as lavender is Lavandula angustifolia, one of 39 different species. Although each species has unique characteristics, they all include significant amounts of linalool, linalyl acetate, eucalyptol, and camphor. It is a powerful essential oil since it contains so many of these ingredients in high concentrations. Sedative, antispasmodic, anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, anesthetic, immune-stimulating, and antiviral are some of the properties of lavender.
It’s really safe, however it contains a lot of linalool, which some individuals may find sensitizing. As with all essential oils and substances in general, test a tiny amount — diluted at about six drops in one tablespoon of carrier oil — on your skin to see if there is an adverse reaction.
In your homemade products, you can use lavender oil and carrier oil up to a 50-50 ratio if your skin enjoys the scent. I use lavender every day, every day, in a zillion different ways.
6. Tea Tree Oil
Melaleuca oil, often known as tea tree oil, is currently having a moment in the natural beauty spotlight, and with good reason. It’s very amazing stuff.
Australia is the only place where tea trees naturally grow, yet even there, they are very common. Tea tree leaves have historically been used by indigenous Australian communities to cure coughs, colds, wounds, sore throats, and skin conditions.
“Tea tree oil is antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and exhibits anticancer activity.”
Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anti-cancer properties. In addition to treating gingivitis, mild to moderate dandruff, killing the influenza virus, and killing oral bacteria for up to two weeks, studies have indicated that it can reduce the growth of cancers in mice. This miraculous Australian product also effectively treats acne like benzoyl peroxide. It requires more time but has fewer negative side effects and is less drying than the typical drugstore component.
Almost all of my DIY products contain tea tree oil, which I recommend diluted to a 5 percent concentration (approximately 14 drops per tablespoon of carrier oil). One of my favorite uses for it is to add a few drops to the mouthwash I buy at the store.
7. Eucalyptus
Essential oil of eucalyptus is absolutely not for the weak. You’ve undoubtedly scented something that includes it, even if you’ve never personally experienced it. Perhaps Vicks VapoRub? The aroma is camphor-like and slightly minty (camphor is also a component in Tiger Balm ointment and VapoRub). Your airways will be cleared quite quickly, and it can make you gasp.
“The scent is a little strong, but it really freshens up a room and makes the air feel clean.”
What else has been demonstrated is as follows: It functions as a pesticide and has the power to eradicate weeds, insects, mites, fungi, bacteria, and even the drug-resistant parasite that causes malaria. It’s probable that this is what motivated the 1850s planting of the first eucalyptus trees in California. The government was concerned about the spread of malaria despite the fact that it was an alien species from Australia. The trees were useful. It has anti-inflammatory properties and can help strengthen your immune system.
At home, I enjoy diffusing eucalyptus oil. Although the aroma is a little overpowering, it actually does freshen up a space and give the air a feeling of cleanliness. It works well as a mosquito and moth repellant in the pantry and closet.
