The augmenting acceptance and application of herbal medicine in the prevention and treatment of diseases also involve the use of plant essential oils (EOs) through different routes of administration (aromatherapy). Essential oils are always great to have on hand. They can be used for a variety of purposes at home and even on the go. They are really beneficial for health and around the house. This post lists the 22 most popular essential oil scents you will want to have around, and what they can be used for.
22 Most Popular Essential Oil Scents and Their Uses
1. Lavender oil is one of the most popular essential oil scents. This oil has generous uses in the perfume industry because of its pleasant fragrance; however, its therapeutic properties are that of calming, destressing, relieving anxiety, and combatting insomnia. It also gives your skin fast relief when you have a sunburn.
2. Tea tree oil is great to have on hand for adding to vinegar and using the mixture to clean your home. It is antiviral, anti-fungal, antiseptic, and antibiotic. You can also add it to any shampoo to relieve dry scalp and dandruff.
3. Chamomile oil is great for relaxation. Roman chamomile is more gentle than German chamomile, so it is safe for use on young babies and is often used in homemade diaper spray solutions to soothe diaper rash.
Additionally, Roman chamomile has also been found to be enormously effective in alleviating PMS symptoms and other discomforts associated with menstruation. Chamomile, in any of its forms, is incredibly soothing and calming.
Carrier Oil to Essential Oil Ratio | Best Carrier Oils
4. Eucalyptus oil helps support respiratory health. Those suffering from asthma, bronchitis and even common cold can benefit from diffusing this oil or applying it topically in diluted form.
5. Lemon oil is a great antibacterial and anti-fungal oil. It is generally considered to be “uplifting” in that it has rejuvenating, energy inducing, and immune supporting properties. It is also highly effective as a non-toxic alternative in household cleansers. If you are coming down with a cold, rub it in the palms of your hands and inhale. You can even add several drops to your load of laundry to help disinfect it.
6. Frankincense oil is great for the skin and often used in homemade facial creams. You can apply it topically to swollen areas and used as an anti-inflammatory.
7. Peppermint oil can be somewhat caustic in its super concentrated form but will work wonders as an anti-emetic when saturated into a cotton ball that then can be inhaled. It can soothe sore muscles and relieve bad breath. You can sprinkle it around the doors in your home to deter ants from entering.
8. Clove oil has antiseptic properties and can be used to relieve tooth pain while you are waiting for an emergency dentist appointment.
9. Grapefruit oil is a detoxifier and can be diluted and applied to cellulite-laden areas of the body to help release toxins from fat cells.
10. Ginger oil helps relieve nausea. Dilute and apply ginger oil to painful areas in order to experience relief.
More of the Most Popular Essential Oil Scents
11. Ylang ylang oil has a beautiful smell and is often used as a natural perfume. It is also beneficial for relaxation and improves skin health. This oil is popular as an aphrodisiac and for its uplifting and anti-depressant properties.
12. Cedarwood oil can be used to for the skin and is also a repellent for ticks, flies, and gnats.
13. Citronella oil is a well-known mosquito repellent, but may be used to treat fevers and headaches.
14. Lemongrass oil is a common insect repellent, and can help with digestive issues. This essential oil is highly effective as a sanitary agent and as an antiseptic.
15. Geranium oil is great for the skin and helps balance hormones.
16. Orange oil helps circulation and may be used when cleaning your home, as it is not harsh and damaging to surfaces.
17. Lime oil is beneficial to diffuse when you need to stay alert. It can also be added to shampoo to prevent scalp issues such as lice.
18. Rosemary oil has become the go-to oil for hair growth. You can use it for hair growth by adding it to a carrier oil and applying it to the scalp. It is also fantastic for dry, itchy scalp and dandruff and has its use effectively as a bronchodilator and an expectorant for congested lungs.
Grades of Essential Oils & Ways to Apply Essential Oils
19. Myrrh oil is great for skin health and protects against parasites.
20. Thyme oil is great for respiratory health. It is antibacterial, which makes it an oil of choice for use when fighting illness or cleaning the kitchen.
21. Clary Sage (Salvia Sclarea) is reputed to have analgesic properties, specifically in terms of female pain such as menstrual cramps or labor pains.
22. Rose Oil is considered by many to be the “Queen of Essential Oils” and is widely used for its anxiolytic, rejuvenating, stress relieving and even pain relief properties. This oil has been proven as an effective anti-inflammatory agent and can be helpful for joint pain and other arthritic conditions.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4606594/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6943609/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7246407/
Conclusion
While this list does not contain all of the essential oils you can have, these are the 22 most popular essential oil scents you should invest in. They promote health, cleanliness, and work together to cover a great variety of everyday needs. Start with a few, and build your collection as you find yourself using them more and more.