If you're like me, you love essential oils! I've been using them for years and have found that they are a great way to promote wellness. Essential oils are derived from plants and can be used to improve your mental and physical health.
We ask our readers to share feedback by answering some questions for us during a giveaway. We ask two questions:
What is your favorite essential oil and how do you use it?
This blog post shares the answers we received and why these oils are loved. Plus, I'll provide some tips on how to use them safely and effectively. Essential oils can be a great addition to your wellness routine, so be sure to check them out!
Top 10 Fan Favorite Essential Oils
There's a reason why essential oils are becoming more and more popular. Not only do they smell great, but they also have tons of health benefits. Whether you're looking to improve your mood, fight off infection, or just relax after a long day, these oils can help!
1. Lavender Essential Oil
Many of our fans said lavender essential oil was an oil they couldn't live without, I totally agree, this oil is my absolute favorite too. Many people like to use it at bedtime and for relaxation. They use it in skin care recipes, bath bombs, diffuser blends, lip balms, soaps, bug bites, scrapes, etc.
- "Lavender. I use it in cleaning products for scent and diffuse it in the evenings to wind us down for the night. And to heal bruises and cuts faster."
- "I love Lavender. It is the Swiss Army knife of oils! I use it for bug bites/stings I diffuse it at night and i put it in my homemade facial cleanser just to name a few."
- "Lavender and I use it in my diffuser in a spray bottle to spray my linen and I use it in my bath with Epsom Salt,"
- "It's Lavender!! I use if for sleep because sometimes I'm so wound up mentally and physically that I cannot relax. With Lavender I'm not awake long enough to worry about why I'm not relaxing!! I also have used it for minor burns. They not only stop hurting but they disappear almost immediately. I've used Lavender for headaches and tension. It's great in a diffuser for calming restless grandkids and also mixed with Wild Orange for a sense of well-being"
- "My favorite essential oil is Lavender Essential Oil. I use it to improve skin quality and improve health of hair and the scalp."
- "Lavender -I have trouble with anxiety and it helps me to relax and the bonus is that it smells divine!"
2. Frankincense Essential Oil
While there were many reasons why people love it, many said for its peace and calming effects. Fans use it in face creams, lotions and on skin tags. It can also be diffused to uplift mood.
- "Oh there are so many to choose from! I would have to go with Frankincense. It sends me into a calming and peaceful state of mind and with so many benefits! I absolutely love the frankincense & myrrh blend."
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"Too many great ones to have a favorite but I do love frankincense for many different things."
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"Frankincense love to where it in lava stone bracelet all day!"
- "I love frankincense - I use in moisturizer face creams skin tags etc. and diffuse with lavender at bedtime."
- "Frankincense - I use it on my face (wrinkles and blemishes) and diffuse it daily."
- "My favorite essential oil is Frankincense for its sweet smell but also calming smell. I diffuse it quite often but I also have it on a couple of handkerchiefs so I can inhale it if I don't have the bottle with me."
- "Frankincense - I use it to amplify the benefits of my other oils."
3. Peppermint Essential Oil
Lot of readers said this oil helped with with headaches, pain, stomach issues and ants/spiders repellent. Many like to diffuse or use in a sprayer to repel bugs.
- "Peppermint!!! I use it for energy and to reduce pain from headaches or body pains."
- "I get headaches quite often so my go to is peppermint with lavender. I also like to diffuse them put in my tea or in a recipe while baking. Oh and in my laundry mixtures I whip up."
- "I like Peppermint and I use it in a spray bottle to freshen up the kitchen sink and wash cloth."
- "Right now it is Peppermint. I am trying to wean off sugar and it is helping."
- "Peppermint I use it for headaches I mix it in my lotion with frankincense."
4. Lemon Essential Oil
Fans love the clean smell of this citrus oil and use it in cleaning and diffusing. It has so many uses that fans enjoy its versatility.
- "Lemon essential oil! It smells delicious!"
- "Umm... still new to this but I do like lemon because it multipurpose... it cleans soothes heals and smells great."
- "Lemon - cleaning and diffusing for a clean fresh home!"
- "Lemon oil is my favorite i mix it with vitamin E or coconut oil and use it after washing my face it's great for controlling breakouts."
5. Tea Tree Essential Oil (Melaleuca)
Tea tree oil is a powerful essential oil that has many benefits for the mind, body, and home. People loved it cleansing properties. Used for acne, cleaning sprays, diffusing, mold and mildew remover when mixed in spray bottle.
This oil has antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties, making it ideal for use in aromatherapy, skin care, and cleaning products. In addition to its therapeutic uses, tea tree oil also has an earthy aroma that can be added to homemade soaps and lotions.
- "Tea tree. I use it everyday for bug bites scratches even to stop mold and mildew around the house."
6. Thieves Essential Oil
This was a favorite for many to use with cleaning and using in diffuser when feeling ill. Thieves oil blend is a natural remedy commonly used for supporting the immune system and keeping it healthy. It can also be used for other great purposes, like cleaning and deodorizing the air.
- "Thieves. Oh I use it everyway and everywhere and on everyone! Topical, diffuser, cleaning, EVERYTHING that needs cleaning dryer balls."
7. Orange Essential Oil
Many loved the scent of orange and used it while cleaning and in diffuser. Orange oil has a bright, citrusy aroma that can help energize and uplift your spirits. It's also been shown to be helpful in reducing stress and anxiety. So if you're looking for a way to improve your overall wellbeing, consider adding orange essential oil to your wellness routine.
- "I love all citrus scents. I use them for everything from diffusing the Oils to using them in my DIY cleaning recipes."
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"Rosemary for it's scent when diffusing and for its role in my pain relief oil blend. Another favorite of mine is Orange. I love to diffuse it scent my wool dryer balls with it and scent castile soap with it for the kitchen."
8. Bergamot Essential Oil
Bergamot essential oil for a natural way to improve your mood. Use it for lifting spirits in diffuser blends, roll ons and spray bottles. Bergamot has long been used to treat anxiety and depression, and research suggests that it may be effective in doing so.
Additionally, bergamot is known for its antimicrobial properties, making it a great choice for promoting wellness. Try adding a few drops of bergamot oil to your diffuser or inhaling it directly from the bottle when you need a boost.
- "I love Bergamot. Every diffuser recipe and roller bottle recipe I have tried it with really works to lift my spirits!"
9. Grapefruit Essential Oil
If you're looking for a refreshing and uplifting essential oil, grapefruit is a great choice. Fans use it for weight loss support, cravings and just the yummy smell.
Grapefruit oil has a bright, tangy scent that can help revive your senses and improve your mood. It's also known for its cleansing properties, making it perfect for use in aromatherapy or skin care recipes.
- "Toss up between peppermint and grapefruit. I use peppermint for headaches stuffy noses air freshener congestion all kinds of things! Grapefruit I just really like in general especially to diffuse."
10. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Many use for eucalyptus oil for respiratory support and enjoy in a bath or diffuser blend. If you're looking for an essential oil that can clear your head and help you focus, eucalyptus is a great choice. This oil has a refreshing, medicinal smell that can help improve your concentration. Eucalyptus essential oil can also be helpful in clearing congestion and respiratory issues.
- "My favorite is eucalyptus. I like combining it with different oils like grapefruit, orange and lavender."
- "Eucalyptus. In my diffusers and in Epsom salt bath."
Essential Oil Favorites - What's Your Top Choice?
Did our fans surprises you at all with any oil? I know it is hard to pick just one, many of our fans had that problem but we appreciate all the responses we received, we read them all!
Do you have a favorite essential oil? I definitely do, and my all-time favorite is lavender essential oil. Lavender is known for its calming effects, and I love using it to help me relax at the end of a long day. What are your favorite essential oils?
Here are a few more responses that didn't make the top 10 list but are still great aromatherapy options:
"Ylang ylang I use it on a light bulb diffuser to set a romantic and sophisticated tone to my room...Such a sexy smell... "
"Lemongrass - rubbed on the reflexology spot for torn/hurt shoulder muscle."
I want to thank you who participated, we had such a great response that we couldn't fit everyone's response on this page.
What are Some Other Essential Oil I Can Use?
When it comes to essential oils, patchouli, chamomile, geranium, vetiver, and cinnamon are just a few more popular options. But there are many other choices available!
- Clove can be used to help reduce stress and promote relaxation.
- Cardamom provides a distinct aroma that helps revive the mind.
- Sandalwood is an excellent choice for anyone looking for some aromatherapy as its spa-like scent can induce calming and peaceful feelings.
All of these essential oils have natural properties that make them versatile options for various uses. Whether you're looking for something to calm your nerves or make you feel energized, there is an essential oil that will do the job!
How To Select Quality Essential Oils
Making sure that the essential oils you buy are of quality is a crucial step in incorporating them into your lifestyle. Knowing what to look for will help you find the right essential oil for your needs.
Here are some tips:
- When selecting essential oils, it's important to make sure they are 100% pure and natural.
- If someone claims that an oil is organic, make sure to confirm this with a third party certification.
- In addition, verify the type of plant used to create the oil, its Latin name, and country of origin.
- Pay attention to packaging and storage instructions as these will help ensure that the quality of the oil is preserved over time.
It's also important to read up on the company selling the oil and make sure that their standards meet your expectations. Do some research into their extraction methods, sustainability practices, ingredient sourcing and product testing protocols. A reputable company should have all this information readily available on their website or in other easily accessible places online.
Finally, ask around for recommendations from family, friends or acquaintances who may have used essential oils before. Checking out reviews online can also be helpful in getting an idea of how happy people are with specific brands or products they've purchased in the past. With some basic knowledge and due diligence, you can be confident in finding high quality essential oils for your wellness needs.
How To Use Essential Oils
Using essential oils correctly is key to getting the best benefit from them. It’s important to know how to use them safely and effectively. There are three primary methods of using essential oils: aromatically, topically, and internally.
Aromatic Essential Oils
Aromatic use of essential oils involves inhalation of their aroma through diffusion or direct inhalation. Diffusers disperse the oil in a fine mist into the air, allowing you to inhale its therapeutic benefits.
Direct inhalation involves placing a few drops on your hands, cupping them over your nose, and taking deep breaths in and out for several minutes. This allows you to absorb the oil through your mucous membranes in your nose.
Aromatic use of essential oils can be beneficial for calming emotions, eliminating odors, and clarifying thinking.
Topical Essential Oils
Topical application is another way to use essential oils. This involves applying a small amount of oil directly on the skin or affected area of the body. It’s important to always dilute the oil with a carrier oil such as coconut or jojoba oil before applying it directly onto skin due to potential irritation or sensitivity reactions that may happen with some people.
Topical application is great for targeting local areas that need attention such as muscle tension or joint pain.
Ingestion of Essential Oils
Internally consuming essential oils is an option that we do not recommend at Loving Essential Oils. If used, it should be used with caution because they are very concentrated forms of plants' compounds and can be toxic if used improperly.
If you choose to consume essential oils it's best advised to use only those labeled to do so and follow recommended dosages on product labels carefully since too much can cause stomach upset or other adverse side effects in some individuals.
Essential Oil Tips for Use
Essential oils offer many therapeutic benefits that have been enjoyed, however, it's important to understand how each type should be used in order to get optimal results from them safely without any negative side effects that could arise from improper usage.
Taking time to do research on which methods will work best depending on individual needs will help ensure success when incorporating essential oils into one's lifestyle routine!
Safety Precautions For Using Essential Oils
When using essential oils, safety should always be a priority. There are a few precautions to take when working with these powerful plant extracts. We'll cover the basics of how to safely use essential oils in this section.
- To start, it's important to keep essential oils away from children and pets. Essential oils can be toxic if ingested or applied directly onto the skin without being diluted first. Therefore, it's best to store them in a place that is out of reach for kids and animals.
- It is also essential to properly dilute an essential oil before applying it topically. Use a carrier oil, such as jojoba or sweet almond oil. This will help reduce any potential irritation or skin sensitivity from the concentrated oil.
- Before trying a particular type of oil, research its specific uses and safety information so you know how to properly use it for your intended purpose.
- Always check for any possible allergies that you may have with an essential oil before using it on your skin or inhaling its aroma.
Taking these steps will ensure you stay safe while enjoying the benefits of aromatherapy with essential oils.
Essential Oil Blends And Recipes
The use of essential oil blends and recipes can be a great way to get the therapeutic benefits of essential oils without having to purchase individual oils. Blending and experimenting with scents can also be a fun and creative activity for those who are interested in using essential oils for relaxation or aromatherapy.
Before getting started though, it’s important to understand some basic safety precautions when creating your own essential oil blends.
First off, it’s important to never exceed the recommended dilution guidelines for each oil you’re using. Using too much of an oil can cause sensitization or irritation on the skin when applied topically.
You should also always use a carrier oil as part of your blend, such as almond, grapeseed, jojoba, or coconut oil; this helps to dilute the more potent oils and prevents any possible skin reactions.
It’s important to understand that mixing an essential oil with water will not create a blend but rather just break up into two separate layers. For sprays that must be shaken before each use.
Additionally, it's wise to label all containers used for blending; this is not only helpful so that you can easily identify which blend is which but also ensures that you don’t accidentally use an old blend instead of making a new one.
Creating your own recipes and blends can be a great way to explore the world of essential oils and reap their many therapeutic benefits. Whether you like strong citrus scents or prefer something more subtle like lavender, there are endless possibilities when it comes to experimenting with different combinations of essential oils.
Storage And Shelf Life Of Essential Oils
Storing essential oils correctly is crucial for preserving their potency and therapeutic benefits for longer. It's important to pay attention to the shelf life of each oil, as different varieties may have different expiration times.
Additionally, if stored improperly, essential oils can become ineffective or even hazardous.
- When storing essential oils, it's best to keep them in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
- Use amber-colored glass bottles that are tightly sealed and preferably refillable with droppers to dispense the oil. This will ensure that the oils remain free from contaminants while also protecting them from light exposure and air contact which can degrade quality over time.
- Additionally, be sure to label each oil with its name and expiration date so you know when it's time to replace them.
- It's also important to remember that essential oils should never be ingested without consulting a qualified health care practitioner beforehand.
- To prevent accidental ingestion, keep your essential oil bottles away from children or pets who may accidentally consume them if left unsupervised.
In sum, properly storing your essential oils is key for maximizing their shelf life and therapeutic effectiveness. Taking these simple steps will ensure that you get the most out of your purchase while keeping everyone safe in the process!
Favorite Essential Oil Supplies
Whether you are just getting started with essential oils or have been using them for a while, it is important to have the right supplies on hand. This will help make the process of using essential oils easier and more efficient.
Roller bottles and diffusers were our fans most valuable supplies to use with their oils, as well as spray bottles.
We have several printable guide for these supplies, get your FREE copies now: