Essential Oils are oils that are freshly distilled from plants, shrubs, flowers, trees, roots, bark, bushes, and seeds. They have been used for thousands of years for cosmetic purposes, as well as for their spiritually and emotionally uplifting properties because of how they affect the limbic system (the seat of emotions).
Many people today use them in place of pharmaceuticals, toxic household cleaners, and beauty products. Essential oils have been used and revered for centuries for their restorative powers to the body, mind, and spirit. They were mankind’s first medicines and are mentioned over 1,000 times in the Bible.
Here are 10 top essential oils for supporting and restoring health:
Frankincense
Egyptian tradition says that Frankincense is “good from head to toe” and is used to treat every conceivable ill known to man. Mary and Joseph would have anointed Jesus with it. It was used for skin health and to support the respiratory system.
Today, frankincense essential oil is distilled from the resin of the Boswellia tree.
Frankincense:
- Promotes the health of skin, improving the appearance and texture, including aging or dry skin, helpful for age spots and other skin irregularities.
- Enhances respiratory health – apply topically on the chest.
- Supports the immune system.
Frankincense is mentioned in one of the oldest known scientific records, the Ebers Papyrus, dating from the 16th century B.C. It promotes a meditative state and spiritual attuning. It also helps maintain a happy and peaceful mood. Diffuse, inhale, or apply a drop over the forehead and on the crown of the head. Rub frankincense essential oil on the bottom of your feet to help alleviate nervous energy.
Much research is being done on the health benefits of frankincense. I encourage you to search this out.
Frankincense is my absolute favorite essential oil and I would never be without it.
Peppermint
Oh, the wondrous aroma of peppermint! Long associated with the Christmas holiday, peppermint is a hybrid mint, a cross between watermint and spearmint.
Peppermint has been widely studied for its potential to support normal digestion, as it supports gastrointestinal system comfort and maintains the efficiency of the digestive tract.
Peppermint can also:
- Support your performance during a tough workout.
- Support circulatory system.
- Supports cravings.
- Promote a full feeling when used in your daily water.
- Improve focus.
- Boost energy.
Myrrh
Another Biblical oil, myrrh has been used as a fixative in perfumes for centuries. Like frankincense, myrrh is also distilled from resin (from the commiphora tree).
- Supports beautiful skin.
- Promotes hormone balance.
- Promotes tooth and gum health. Apply a drop on site.
- Promotes a healthy appetite.
- Myrrh is a helpful aid to meditation, having one of the highest levels of sesquiterpenes available. Sesquiterpenes are a class of compounds that have a direct effect on the hypothalamus, pituitary, and amygdala, the seat of our emotions.
Clove
Clove essential oil is distilled from aromatic flower buds of a tree in the family Myrtaceae. When we use cloves as a spice, it is the dried flower bud that we are using.
Clove essential oil:
- Promotes a healthy immune response.
- May support overall wellness.
- Supports respiratory system.
- Provides a rich and spicy addition when cooking or baking.
- Includes the naturally occurring constituent eugenol.
Eucalyptus
Originating in Australia, there are many varieties of eucalyptus essential oil.
Eucalyptus essential oil is useful for massage after activity. It can be diffused for a stimulating and rejuvenating environment or used in your favorite household cleaners. I personally like to add a few drops in my shower to support my respiratory system. Eucalyptus includes the naturally occurring constituents 1,8 cineole and eucalyptol.
Ginger
Ginger is pungent, sweet, and savory. Many times we think of it as a flavoring for food, but did you know that this amazing rhizome can do all this:
- Reduce inflammation
- Support joints
- Improve digestion
- Support lung function
- Bring support to inflamed areas
- Strengthen the heart
- Improve liver function
- Support the nervous system
Ginger essential oil is the most potent form of ginger, containing gingerol.
Oregano
When I smell oregano, I’m reminded of the pizzeria I frequented in Mamaroneck, New York while growing up (I lived in a neighboring village, Larchmont) called Sal’s Pizzeria. Oh, man, such deliciousness!
So, the thought of putting oregano oil on my skin took me by surprise at first. CAUTION: Oregano essential oil is a “hot oil,” meaning it can irritate sensitive skin. So always dilute it with a carrier oil, which as a pure vegetable oil like EV olive oil, fractionated coconut oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, etc.
Oregano oil can:
- Support your body when you have a fungus or candida.
- Support your immune system.
- Support your respiratory system.
- Help you purge “critters.”
Oregano oil is great to have on hand if anyone in your household is dealing with a cold or the flu.
Lemon
You may know lemon essential oil for its ability to cut grease and sticky substances. I add it to my dishwasher instead of a rinse aid and put it in my disposal. Recently, I used it to remove a sticker from the front of my planner(worked beautifully!). Many people like to add it to their daily water.
Additionally, lemon benefits include:
- Improves lymph drainage.
- Cleanses the body.
- Improves oral health and halitosis (bad breath).
- Supports digestion.
- Thirst quencher.
- Soothes irritated throat (great when combined with raw, local honey).
- Calms stomach and nausea.
- Assists in the absorption of nutrients.
- Nourishes the skin.
- Promotes proper weight.
Lavender
Lavender essential oil is known as the “Swiss Army Knife” of essential oils because of its many uses. It has been used for medicinal and religious purposes for over 2,500 years. The Egyptians used it for mummification and as a perfume. The Romans used it for bathing, cooking, and for scenting the air.
Lavender helps with relaxation and improves mood, so it’s a great addition to your bath.
Lavender can also be used to:
- Soothe irritated skin.
- Calm twitchy muscles.
- Encourage a peaceful sleep.
- Reduce anxiety and emotional stress.
- Restore skin complexion.
- Slow aging.
- Release head tension.
Tea Tree (Melaleuca)
Tea tree oil is a delightful-smelling oil originating in Australia. It comes from the Melaleuca Alternifolia (or paperbark) tree. It has many uses, including:
- Supports healthy skin.
- Reduces bad odors.
- Helps stimulate the immune system.
- Supports the respiratory tract.
- Supports your body when you have a fungal infection (especially Candida, jock itch, athlete’s foot, or toenail fungus).
- Improves oral health like halitosis (bad breath)
Additionally, tea tree oil can replace many of your household items like:
- Anti-microbial laundry freshener.
- Insect repellant.
- Natural deodorant.
- Removes odors.
- Removes mold.
- Household cleaner.
These are my top 10 essential oils for restoring and maintaining health. What are yours?
Learn more in my new book, Be in Health: Bible-Based Health Restoration: Living in Harmony with God’s Ways Regarding Health. Available now.
Susan Mary Malone says
I SO love essential oils, and use them every day! Thank you, Carol, for this list–am adding some!
carundle says
I’m so glad to hear that, Susan. There are so many good ones, but I do love these 10.
Sabrina Quairoli says
Great information. Tea tree is wonderful smelling. I just purchased hand soap that used tea tree in it. It smells so nice. We just didn’t expect how strong it would be. Thanks for sharing.
carundle says
Yes, essential oils are very potent. I use tea tree for so many things; I love using it on my skin.
Roslyn Tanner Evans says
So informative as are all your posts.
carundle says
Thank you, Roz.
Renee groskreutz says
I have really come to drink water and lemon daily. It just so refreshing. This is a great list, thank you. Peppermint is not something that I spend enough time considering. I love the flavor, so it is time to work that in.
carundle says
Try peppermint in your water; just a bit. Dip the tip of a toothpick in the oil then swirl in your water; it’s very potent. Also, try diffusing lemon and peppermint together; just wonderful!
Karen Grosz says
I use all of these except myrrh. Guess I will have to check into it since it can help with hormone balance.
carundle says
Myrrh is a great oil, Karen, I think you’ll really enjoy it.
Beverley Golden says
Many of these are already in my essential oil collection, as I’ve also been using EO’s for a long time. This is a great list of essential oils and covers such a wide range of health issues they help. I love that you are coming from your own personal health experience all the time as well, Carol!
carundle says
Thank you, Beverley. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Teresa Salhi says
I have been dabbling in essential oils for a while but it was just a couple of years ago that I really took time to understand the differences of the qualities and the tremendous benefits they have. I like to teach about raising our energetic frequency (ex. happy vs sad) as it all has vibrational frequency that attracts the same back to us. This goes for our feelings, the foods we eat and more. Once I learned that high quality essential oils and their higher energy frequency – I am became more interested. Love to put in my bath and around me. I also use for health treatments.
carundle says
I agree with you about frequencies of essential oils, Teresa. I even wrote a blog post about it last year. They truly are amazing.
Joan M Harrington says
Hi Carol,
WOW, did not realize all of the health benefits of essential oils! Especially love the lavender oil 🙂 Thanks for sharing how essential these oils are for your health! Great to know!
carundle says
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Joan. So many good things available to us!
Tamuria says
I love essential oils and was familiar with the benefits of all but frankincense and myrrh – glad to add them to my list.
carundle says
If I could only have one essential oil for the rest of my life, it would be frankincense.
Joyce Hansen says
I’m just beginning to learn more about essential oils, and this is most helpful. All the information can be overwhelming, but you’ve made it so easy to understand. Thanks for sharing
carundle says
Glad I was able to simplify it for you, Joyce. Enjoy your oils.
Kristen Wilson says
Awesome.. I’m still learning so much and while I’m getting them, I still need to learn how to use them better.. or know what to use them for. lol
carundle says
There is a lot to learn, Kristen. I’ll message you.
Joan Potter says
I have friends who rub lavender oil on their horses’ noses when they begin training them. They swear that it helps settle the horses down & makes breaking them easier. I googled it, and sure enough, there are plenty of studies out to verify this: http://www.mcneese.edu/agscience/msu_study_on_aromatherapy_for_horses_published
carundle says
Essential oils have so many uses, it’s amazing! Thanks for the info, Joan.
Daisy says
great post, ginger is very good even to help fight certain diseases, I drink tea every day of ginger, and I see an improvement in my arthritis.
carundle says
Yes, Ginger is good for so many things.
Susan Randall says
Thanks for sharing really informative article Carundle, I bought some essential oils since I wanted my place to smell nice, without introducing toxins into my body. Since the different essential oils effected me differently, I started to look deeper into essential oils. I found this article as really great resource.
Carol Rundle says
I’m glad you found the article useful, Susan. It’s nice to meet another essential oils enthusiast.
ArniPillow says
I really love essential oils. It is very much important for our body. I use them everyday. Thanks a lot for sharing.
Angus says
I’m quite recently starting to take in more about fundamental oils, and this is generally useful. All the data can overpower, yet you’ve made it so natural to get it. A debt of gratitude is in order for sharing.
Carol Rundle says
You’re welcome, Angus.
Doctor Sahaab says
Lovely essential oils for health
Carol Rundle says
Thank you.
Aman Kumar says
Hello Carlo,
this is really very informative uses of natural things. i had not use many of them but still sure it will never harm to us. you have added a great list over here, i have tried few of them, it amazing to use them.
i love peppermint flavor and mostly in cold beverage it refresh me, with is aroma and flavor. In India we use in various purpose, like natural remedy for the skin and as well as in cooking stuff.
Thanku
Aman.
Carol Rundle says
Hello Aman, I’m glad you enjoyed the article. There are many good uses for essential oils.
Kamses says
This will be very useful for us.
Carol Rundle says
I’m glad to hear it. Thank you!