The Breakdown on Essential Oils

Everything is essential about this. Therapeutic, divine, soothing, rejuvenating and medicinal are all words that come to mind when imagining the benefits of essential oils. I don’t know about you, but I’m all about finding new ways to restore and renew. Ever wonder what each oil is best used for? Me too!

- Cleaning: Create an aromatic space for you and your loved ones. Most essential oils are high in antibacterial, anti fungal, and antiviral properties. Lemon, grapefruit, eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree, lavender and rosemary are best suited for cleaning.

- Brain performance: Scientific studies have shown that rosemary oil is beneficial for brain performance. Essential oils promote alertness and stimulate memory. Inhaling Grapefruit or Peppermint while driving, reading or studying can help to wake you up! Basil and bergamot help with concentration.  

-Aroma: Oil burners are all the rage with essential oils. Mix 5-10 drops of your favorite essential oil with purified water in a bowl. Place a tea light in the specified area and light.

-Health: To treat irritating cold sores and blisters, mix 1 drop of Four Thieves with 1 drop of an Edens Garden carrier oil and apply to cold sore or blister 3 times a day or until it disappears.

For nausea, mix 1 drop of Peppermint, Patchouli, Ginger or Nutmeg with 4 drops of an Edens Garden carrier oil and dot the mixture behind each ear and around navel 2-3 times hourly.

Have sore feet? Mix 10 drops Vetiver, Patchouli or Peppermint with 1 tbsp. Epsom salt and add to hot water in a basin large enough for footbath. Also try Harmony or Calming blend.

For teeth grinding, gently massage 1-3 drops of Lavender and Valerian on bottom of feet each night before bed.

For a cold or flu, rub 1 drop of Four Thieves mixed with 1 drop of an Edens Garden carrier oil to the bottom of feet to boost the immune system.

Make a Yoga mat cleanser. 12 drops Sweet Orange, 6 drops Tea Tree and 6 drops Lavender with 4 oz. of purified water in a spray bottle. Shake the bottle and mist over your mat. Wipe clean with a soft towel before and after each use. Also try with our Cleaning blend.

Menstrual cramp relief! Mix 2 drops of Clary Sage, Basil, Rosemary or Sage with 8 drops of an Edens Garden carrier oil and apply on lower abdomen. Apply a warm moist hand towel over abdomen for 10-15 minutes. Also try Edens Garden PMS Ease synergy blend.

To calm a headache, mix 2 drops of Peppermint, Wintergreen, Roman Chamomile or Spearmint with 2 drops of an Edens Garden carrier oil. Apply the mixture on the back of neck, behind ears, on temples, forehead and under nose.

Fir Needle clears the lungs, nasal passages and sinuses. Mix 3 drops with 3 drops of an Edens Garden carrier oil and massage onto chest.

Get rid of neck pain by massaging. Mix 1 drop of Birch, Basil, Elemi or Copaiba with 3 drops of an Edens Garden carrier oil and rub onto neck.

Improve circulation by adding 8-10 drops of Neroli in bath water regularly. Try mixing with Epsom salt as well!

Apply Lavender or Tea Tree directly to cuts, scrapes or scratches. You can also put 20 drops in a 4 oz. spray bottle with purified water and spray directly on wound.

For a cool down on a hot day while boosting the immune system, 6-8 drops of Eucalyptus, Purification or Renew in a bath cools the body in summer and protects in winter.

Inhale the aroma of Peppermint to curb the appetite and lessen the impulse to overeat.

Overindulge last night? Juniper Berry, Cedarwood, Grapefruit, Lavender, Rosemary and Lemon help soften the effects of a hangover. Create your own blend of these oils and use 6-8 drops in a warm bath.

To help with snoring, mix 3 drops of Thyme with 3 drops of an Edens Garden carrier oil and apply to the soles of your feet at bedtime.

For a jaw massage, rub 1-2 drops of Harmony or Relaxation with 1-2 drops of an Edens Garden carrier oil into the soft spot just below your ear lobe to release tension.

Try inhaling Peppermint before or during a workout to help boost mood and reduce fatigue.

An easy cold remedy is to drop 2-4 drops each of Lavender, Rosemary and Eucalyptus to 1-cup milk or cream. Pour the mixture into warm bath and soak.

To bring a fever down, sponge the body with cool water to which 1-3 drops each of Eucalyptus, Peppermint and Lavender have been added.

For a coffee replacement and alertness rub, try placing a drop of Stay Alert or Purification in the palm of your hands, rub together and place them over mouth and nose, taking 6 deep breaths.

To help ease a tension headache, massage 1-2 drops of Lavender onto the neck or temples.

For aching joints and tired muscles, mix 1 drop Eucalyptus, Sage and Basil with 12 drops of an Edens Garden carrier oil and apply to sore spots.

For better sleep, place cotton ball with 1-2 drops of Roman Chamomile and Lavender next to pillow.

Arthritis or stiff joints can be improved by mixing 2 drops each of Wintergreen, Cypress and Lemongrass with 2 tbsp. of an Edens Garden carrier oil. Massage into area as needed. Be sure to shake well before each use.

-Beauty: To strengthen your nails, mix 10 drops each of Frankincense, Myrrh and Lemon to 2 tbsp. Vitamin E oil. Mix ingredients together and store in an amber glass bottle. Rub on nail cuticles twice a week.

Reduce fine lines and wrinkles by mixing 5 drops Sandalwood, 4 drops Geranium, 3 drops Lavender and 6 drops of Frankincense with an Edens Garden carrier oil and apply to area. Keep away from eyes.

Unclog pores by applying 2-4 drops Lemon, Tea Tree or Sweet Orange to affected area and gently remove with cotton ball.

Get rid of dandruff by mixing 5 drops Lemon, 2 drops Lavender, 1 drop Rosemary and 2 drops Peppermint with 2 tbsp. of an Edens Garden carrier oil. Massage into scalp thoroughly for 1-2 minutes, leave on scalp for 10 minutes. Shampoo hair as usual.

Reduce stretch marks by mixing 5 drops of either Frankincense, Myrrh, Coriander or French Lavender with 5 drops of an Edens Garden carrier oil and massage on stretch marks 2 times a day.

Use an all-natural face moisturizer by mixing 1 drop of Elemi, Frankincense or Lavender with an Edens Garden carrier oil for an evening moisturizer before bed.

For a natural facial scrub, mix ¼ cup plain yogurt, ¼ cup cornmeal and 5 drops each of Patchouli, Grapefruit and Lavender. Store any unused mixture in the refrigerator and use within a few days.

For a refreshing skin toner, mix 8 oz. purified water, 2 drops each of Lavender, Palmarosa and Rosewood in clean bottle. Apply the toner to skin with a cotton ball after cleansing. Shake well before each use.

Place 1-2 drops of Rosemary or Carrot on hairbrush before brushing to promote growth and thickness.

For a delightful perfume, mix 25 drops of French Lavender, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Geranium, Adoration, Balance or Lavender into 1 oz. of good quality vodka. Let age 2 weeks before using. Apply as a spray on neck, wrists, behind knees or ears.

Make your own stress soothing massage oil by adding 2 drops each of Lavender, Ylang Ylang, German Chamomile and Bergamot with 5 tsp. of Edens Garden carrier oil. Stir mixture and massage onto body.

For a dry hair conditioner, mix 15 drops Rosewood and 5 drops each Sandalwood, Geranium and Lavender and 4 tbsp. of an Edens Garden carrier oil. Place mixture in small plastic bag and place the bag in a hot cup of water for 1 minute to warm. Apply, and then wrap your hair in a towel for 20 minutes. Wash your hair as normal.

For a hair loss help blend, mix 3 drops each of Rosemary, Cedarwood and Lavender with 2 oz. Jojoba carrier oil in a container and shake well. Massage into hair and scalp for 5 minutes. Leave on it on your hair for 1 hour, then wash. Use 1-2 times per week.

Block the sun’s harsh rays with a natural sunscreen. Mix 5 drops each of Myrrh and Carrot with 10 drops of an Edens Garden carrier oil and apply for 40 SPF.

-Emotions: For a calming anxiety reducer, mix 3 drops of Jasmine or Sweet Marjoram with 9 drops of an Edens Garden carrier oil and use as a body lotion daily.

Feeling a little down? Place 1-3 drops of Adoration, Balance, Grapefruit, Joy, Stress Relief, Harmony or Hope in the palm of your hands, rub hands together and cup hands over mouth and nose. Take 6 slow deep breaths and think of a moment in the last week you really enjoyed.

The aroma of Rose can provide alleviation from depressive symptoms. It can be used in baths, inhalations and aromatherapy burners to provide a mood boost during times of stress and fatigue.