Health and beauty benefits of essential oils
I haven’t dabbled much with essential oils until recently, when I learnt about some of the medical benefits of eucalyptus essential oils for prevention of common flu from Grace of Geranium. Anyway, I ended up getting one to try, given the current H1N1 virus outbreak and it was put to good use because my son fell ill with a fever last Friday, which later progressed into a mild flu. Additionally, I went out to grab a bottle of tea tree oil essential oil because I remembered Grace telling me about how tea tree essential oil can be used for fever and flu.
Chest and back rub
To cut a long story short, my son is now recovering except for his runny nose. I used tea tree essential oil as a rub on his chest and back with a carrier oil while eucalyptus was used in his bath and dabbed around his bed to help clear his nasal blockage. Although I can’t say that he’s better because of the essential oils I used as he was also on medication, but I think they helped him got better a lot faster.
Other usage of essential oils
So now my interest in essential oils is definitely piqued and I’ve been checking out how to use these. In fact, I managed to put the new tea tree oil to good use by in some DIY stuff, apart from using it as a spot treatment for pimples. Both the eucalyptus and tea tree oils are really potent but the only problem is, both are not exactly what you would call as aromatic. I guess some people like the herbal smell but they’re really very strong to most people.
Well, I’ll be sharing how else I’ve used the oils soon but if you have some success stories from using essential oils, I’ll be keen to know!
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I was addicted to essential oil recently. Only 1-3 drops works wonder.
That’s interesting. So you do not use these oils pure but cut them with another oil? What is the carrier oil you mention?
My 5yrs old son will always cough and have slight flu during the night and sometimes will lead to nose bleeding in the middle of the night. I had try all matters to slove these problems until a friend intro. me to Eu Yan Sang (ZING) – Five Element Massage Oils (Concentrate) for body massage ($32++). Less than 1wk I really see the wonder the Oil have helped my son. He now can sleep soundly without coughing through out the night. I’m using Metal Element Massage Oil to do a “baby” message on my son back, chest and nose area before he go to sleep.
I like to add essential oils to carrier oil and use them as a night moisturizer, especially when I sleep with the air-con on. I also spray my linens with water/essential oil.
I don’t know if I will get addicted but I’ve seen a colleague always lugging a bagful of these essential oils around!
I used grapeseed oil and jojoba oil cos those are the two I have now. My purpose was to dilute the essential oil as it could have been too strong for my kid. Most essential oils need to be diluted with a carrier oil or water so that they are not too potent for the skin.
That sounds like something I want to check out. I hardly walk into EYS these days cos they simply look too high-end! Haha…
Any favorites?
Previously, my son & daughter also come down with flu quite often until a friend introduce me to pro-biotic which improves their immune system. So far it work!
As for essential oil I use lavender oil to help my daughter sleep better and I didnt know I need to use a carrier oil! I applied it straight behind her ears. Would that be too strong for her?
I have combination skin and I find grapeseed, camellia, kukui nut and jojoba suitable for me. Add 3-4 drops of lavender essential oil to 15 ml of carrier oil and they smell divine! Too much essential oil makes me feel uncomfortable, hence a 1% dilution is just right for me.
I dabble a bit in essential oils so I hope it is alright for me to advise Caroline’s question – technically, only lavender and tea tree oils can be applied neat (no dilution) to the skin. However, I am aware of some people who apply other oils neat to their skins as well, so it depends on your tolerance.
Where children are involved, some aromatherapists will advice you to dilute the essential oils (even lavender and tea tree). A 1% dilution is fine for children because a normal adult dosage is around 2.5%
HTH
Hey thanks for the info! Yes, tea tree can be applied neat but I hesistated for my kid cos was worried it might be too strong for him.
Lavender can cause photosensitivity if used in large amounts so it’s definitely good to dilute. I’m going to try geranium next…it smells wonderful!
Any recommendations on where to get good quality essential oils? I notice that prices range from $2 to over $100 for 10ml depending on quality and type. I bought mine from “yours essentially” but they have a limited range.
I’m really new in this…not too sure how to tell what’s good quality. If I’m not wrong, have to look at the country of origin? I got my ecalyptus one from Geranium – the pushcart at Suntec also selling Henry Tianus.
I’m not that familiar with carrier oils since its so hard to find them around where I live. Well, anything that’s organic and natural anyway, haha. I’ve always tried essential oils, but I don’t know where to start.
Ling, I’ve done some research on where to buy good quality essential oils (and not at horribly jacked-up prices!), and have found Mountain Rose Herbs from the US to be a trusted and high-quality source. Their products can be purchased from their website, http://www.mountainroseherbs.com.
Shipping to S’pore can be quite expensive though, so it might be more worth it to order with a few friends.
It’s better to talk to someone who knows and can recommend. If I hadn’t talk to Grace, I’ll probably still have sidelined essential oils.
Thanks Grace for the info. I should look out for the next spree organized on Mountain Rose Herbs and order some from there.