My three good amigos

/ March 24, 2017/ Holistic Nutrition/ 0 comments

Let me share some of the reasons why these fabulous trio became my good friends and why I take them with me where ever I go. You may want to make them your friends too…

So if you are interested in essential oils, these trio make a great point to start and cover your basis. 

What are essential oils?

Extracted from specific plants, mainly by pressure or distillation, these precious liquids have a combination of constituents that interacts directly with the body’s chemistry.
Their the ability to work effectively at the physical level as well as the emotional and spiritual level makes them one the most holistic tools that we can use. 

Lavender oil

Aside from its great smell, it has so many healing properties. It is a natural antibiotic, antiseptic, antidepressant, sedative and detoxifier.
Here are some of the applications that I found useful:

• Healing skin burns 
• Relieving headaches, migrane, and insomnia
• Repelling mosquitoes or moths
• Sleeping aid

Lavender brings up tranquility. It can help with anger, anxiety, fatigue, depression, forgetfulness, hypersensitivity, insomnia, nervousness, panic, shock, stress, and overwork.

Lemon oil

For its antibacterial and antiseptic action, it is used a lot for cleaning and purifying. Herea are some additional uses: 

• Stimulating digestion
• Tonic for the lymphatic system
• Tension headaches
• Dispersing cellulite
• Purifying water
• Treating insect bites, corns, and wrinkles

Caution, applying it pure directly to the skin can cause irritation. If you apply on your skin, avoid sun exposure.
Lemon brings up purity. It can help with depression, fatigue, forgetfulness, stress, nd overwork

Peppermint oil

Peppermint oil has many health-promoting properties. It is a natural anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, carminative, expectorant, febrifuge, hepatic, and nervine.

Here are some of the applications that I found helpful:

• Indigestion and flatulence
• Headaches and migraines
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever and phlegm
• Vertigo and traveling sickness

Peppermint brings up energy. It can help with anxiety, fatigue, depression, forgetfulness, nervousness, panic, shock, stress, and overwork

How to use them

My preferred methods of use are application to the skin or inhalation. Both methods reach the blood stream and brain quicker and bypassing the digestion system.
I do not use ingestion as I found the method less effective because the oils can interact with food and bacteria along the digestive system. In addition, most people have digestion issues to a certain degree. 

Use	Preparation	Instructions
Baths	5 to 10 drops choice of essential oil or combination	Lavender to relax and help sleep. Lemon to relax and lift the spirits. Peppermint to stimulate and strengthen the nervous system.
Carry-on Inhaler	1 drop Lemon 1 drop Peppermint	Apply drop to a handkerchief and put in inside a Ziploc bag. Close tight. Open bag and inhale as need it.
Vegetable wash	2 drops Lemon water	Soak vegetables in water Combine in a glass spray bottle.
Mirror and windows cleaner	16 drops Lemon 3 cups white vinegar  1 cup distilled water	Combine in a glass spray bottle. Shake before use.

Here are some of the uses for certain conditions:

Condition	Preparation	Instructions
Headaches	2 drops lavender 2 drops peppermint	Apply to wrists, temples, back of the neck and behind ears.
Sinus, throat and chest infections	5 drops peppermint 1 bowl of hot water	Add the oil to the hot water. Cover your head with a towel. Lean over the bowl and breath deeply.
Burns, scalds, insect bites	1 or 2 drops Lavender	Apply to the affected area in the skin. Continue to apply to the affected area every 5 minutes, until you apply 10 drops.

 
I hope this info helps you find some uses for your oils. If you are not using them, check my essential oils page.
Bookmark this page and check from time to time. I will be adding more uses as I continue to learn more about them.

References

The information about the essential oils comes from the following references:

• The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood
• Aromatherapy, A Complete Guide to the Healing Art by Kathi Keville
• The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils,The Complete Guide to the Use of Aromatic Oils In Aromatherapy, Herbalism, Health, and Well Being
  by Julia Lawless