Is There an Essential Oil for That?
We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.
I love essential oils and the other day I decided to make a list of the oils I have and while I knew I had a lot, I was blown away by how many I have collected. And I use them all.
My friend, Katrina, got me started with essential oils several years ago and that introduction created a monster. Today, I use essential oils to freshen the house, to clean, for pain management, to balance my hormones, and for mental health.
I live with anxiety and depression. I can't recall my official diagnosis, but I basically have anxiety that can morph into depression if left unchecked. So when I'm feeling anxious, I know that it's time for some self-care and the best way to start is to reach for an oil.
- I ordered these storage boxes on Amazon.com.
- I purchase my diffusers from Plant Therapy and Amazon.com.
Benefits of Essential Oils
Essential oils are compounds extracted from plants that retain the plant's scent and essence. Through application on the skin or inhalation, essential oils are said to promote calmness, relaxation, pain relief, and more.
The reason I love essential oils is that I try to look to something natural before turning to pharmaceuticals. I don't have anything against prescription medication, I'd just prefer to use something natural if it works for me.
Do Essential Oils Work?
I think they do. I diffuse essential oils in the house all the time to promote calmness with the dogs and I've seen a major difference. We have five dogs and when they decide to go insane, it's hard to settle them down. Essential oils work every time with my pack.
On the flip side, while essential oils may help the dogs on the Fourth of July, the fireworks (and thunderstorms) are a bit too much and if someone were to tell me to diffuse some lavender for my dogs, I'd laugh and tell them to shut it.
For me, they help tremendously with my anxiety. When I begin feeling stressed, I wear an aromatherapy diffuser locket and it serves to keep me calm and relaxed all day.
And while essential oils are great when I go for a massage, if I'm in a tremendous amount of pain, essential oils aren't a replacement for pain medication. Instead, I use them together.
So, basically, essential oils do work, but, in my experience, they aren't a miracle cure.
My Favorite Essential Oils for Cleaning
When cleaning the house, I use citrus oils and a few others that work great too! I mix 15 drops of one of my favorite oils with a couple of drops of Dr. Bronner's soap in a spray bottle and I set to work. I use the oils to clean our floors, I put a few drops in our Rainbow vacuum cleaner, and I use it to clean countertops, freshen furniture and dog beds, and to clean my car.
My Favorite Essential Oils for Calming/Anxiety
Anxiety is a bitch and I've named my bitch Leslie. If your name is Leslie, no offense, but we all have that girl from our past that made our lives miserable and my evil troll was Leslie. Anyway, I've found that the best way for me to keep my anxiety at bay is to diffuse essential oils in the house, use them in a diffuser necklace, and create a roller and use them as perfume (behind the ears, neck, on my collar bones, on my lower back, behind my knees, and at my ankles – why these stops? A friend told me).
Save Money on Essential Oils
You make look at my collection of oils and think, “damn, that woman is rich!” Nope. I'm very good at finding good deals. Quality essential oils don't have to break the bank. Most of my oils come from Plant Therapy and I have several from Simply Earth. I love both of these companies because of their focus on quality and their respect for the environment. Simply Earth also donates a portion of its revenue to stop human trafficking.
- Plant Therapy
- Simply Earth (subscription box)
Not only do these companies create quality oils that I trust, but they also have regular specials. Every December, Plant Therapy offers daily specials for several weeks – it's the best time of the year to stock up.
My Collection of Essential Oils
So, as I said, I went through and jotted down all of the essential oils I have and was stunned to see that I have so many. Yikes. I think I have a problem.
- 70s
- Abundance (Young Living)
- A+ Attention
- Anise
- Amyris
- Ajowain Fruit CO2
- Appreciation
- Awaken (Young Living)
- Anti Age
- Balance
- Bergamot
- Breath Easy (Simply Earth)
- Bug Fighter (Simply Earth)
- Believe (Young Living)
- Beauty Within (Simply Earth)
- Buddha Wood
- Bouquet
- Balsam Fir
- Blues Buster
- Brain Power (Young Living)
- Organic Black Pepper
- Candy Cane (Simply Earth)
- Coriander
- Citrus Burst
- Clear Skin (Simply Earth)
- Clove
- Clary Sage
- Cinnamon
- Carrot Seed
- Clarity
- Copaiba
- Cassia
- Cypress
- Cedarwood
- Citronella
- Chamomille Roman
- Cinnamon Bark
- Cherry Cordial
- Chocolate Truffle
- Deodorizing
- Damiana
- Digest (Simply Earth)
- Delight
- Eucalyptus Globulus
- Eucalyptus Blue
- Eucalyptus Radiata
- Envision (Young Living)
- Douglas Fir
- Digize
- Elemi
- Endoflex
- Energy
- Excite
- Fantastic Franks
- Frankincense Frereana
- Frankincense Carteri
- Frankincense
- Fennel
- Fitness
- Focus (Simply Earth)
- Grapefruit
- Geranium
- Germ Fighter
- Ginger Lily
- Holy Basil
- Honeybell
- Happy Joy (Simply Earth)
- Head Soothing (Simply Earth)
- Ho Wood
- Organic Immune Aid
- Island Sunset
- Invigor Aid
- Into the Future (Young Living)
- Kumquat
- Key Lime
- Ledum
- Laurel Leaf
- Lavender
- Lavender Infused Frankincense (SMELLS AMAZING)
- Lavandin
- Lemon
- Lemon Eucalyptus
- Lemon Myrtle
- Lemon Verbena
- Lemongrass
- Lime
- Let it Go
- Love Vanilla
- Marjoram
- Magnolia Flower
- May Chang
- Moldavian Dragonhead
- Mercury Retrograde
- Mandarin (Simply Earth)
- Mandarin Green
- Spiced Orange
- Orange
- Organic Lemon Eucalyptus
- Orange Sweet
- Organic Palmarosa
- Patchouli
- Peru Balsam (A FAVORITE)
- Persian Lime
- Petitgrain
- Organic Pink Grapefruit
- Peace & Quiet (Simply Earth)
- Peppermint
- Panaway (Young Living)
- Palmarosa
- Pink Berries CO2
- Pine Scotch
- Ripple Reducer
- Rosemary
- Relief (Simply Earth)
- Relax
- Rosalina
- R.C. (Young Living)
- Surrender (Young Living)
- Sacred Mountain (Young Living)
- Sea Fennel
- Sleepy (Simply Earth)
- Organic Silver Fir
- Spirit
- Spiced Cider
- Spearmint
- Tea Tree
- Tropical Passion
- Transformation (Young Living)
- Tranquility (Simply Earth)
- Tangerine (Simply Earth)
- Thyme
- Turmeric Fresh Tex
- Valor (Young Living)
- Valor II (Young Living)
- Vetiver
- Wood Spice
- White Angelica (Young Living)
- Wintergreen
- Organic Ylang Ylang Complete
If you're interested in trying any of these oils, I highly recommend Plant Therapy and Simply Earth.
- Plant Therapy
- Simply Earth (subscription box)
Let's Talk Essential Oils!
- How many essential oils do you have?
- Are there any essential oils on my list that are on your list?
- What essential oil do you suggest I try next and why?