Learn the top five essential oils for home use. These oils are beneficial for everyday use around your home.
Why I Started Using Essential Oils in My Home
When I first began my journey into the world of holistic health, essential oils were my gateway drug. I always refer to essential oils as a “gateway drug” because the study of these amazing oils and their benefits are what got me hooked on natural health and led me toward all other forms of natural healthcare. This health conversion ultimately led me to my passion and study of homeopathy. If you are interested in learning more about Homeopathy I encourage you to read my Homeopathy Basics post, where you can gain an even deeper understanding of natural health.
What Are Essential Oils?
In case you aren’t sure what essential oils are, they are concentrated plant extracts that have a variety of benefits both physically and within your home. The world of essential oils can be a little overwhelming with so many oils to choose from, companies that sell them and ways to utilize them. My goal with this post is to simplify everything and share my top five essential oils for home use and how I use these particular oils to care for my family.
Top 5 Essential Oils that Every Home Needs
1. Lavender
This was the first essential oil that I was exposed to and it changed my mental health journey, literally. Someone shared this oil with me during a season of my life when I was experiencing a lot of anxiety and stress in my body and mind.
Lavender is known as a calming oil and this oil helped to calm me both physically and mentally during this season of my life. I personally diffuse this oil at night for more peaceful sleep. I also add several drops to my bath water, along with some Epsom salt for relaxation and detox.
Lavender is also a great essential oil to have on hand for first aid. Anytime I injure myself while cooking and get burned, I immediately place some lavender oil on the burn for relief. Lavender is such a gentle, yet powerful oil.
2. Lemon
I love lemon essential oil for home use. It’s such a multipurpose oil. I will put a drop in my water to give it a little flavor as well as to help with body detoxification.
Lemon essential oil is a great oil to use as part of a natural cleaning routine. To use this oil I mix some baking soda with water to create a paste like substance. I then add several drops of lemon oil. I use this solution to clean my stove top, sinks and tubs in my kitchen and bathroom. Lemon oil offers added cleaning power and the smell is wonderful and fresh.
Another great way to use this oil is in washing your produce that you buy from the store. After I bring my produce home I will fill my sink with water and a splash of vinegar. I will then add a few drops of lemon oil and put my produce in to soak for about two minutes. This solution helps to remove dirt, waxy coatings and mold spores from your fruits and vegetables. I then rinse my produce in cold water and sit them on the counter to dry. Once dry I will store them in the fridge.
3. Frankincense
I call frankincense my grounding oil. I rub this oil on my hands and feet and just simply breathe it in. It is such a calming oil, with a delicious earthy aroma. It’s a wonderful oil to use during times of prayer or while doing gently stretching postures at night.
I personally love to use Frankincense in my skin care routine. This oil is great for all skin types and helps as your skin ages. I mix several drops of Frankincense oil into a bottle of jojoba or rose-hip oil. After washing my face in the morning or evening I will rub this oil mixture all over my face.
4. Peppermint
I love the refreshing ability of peppermint essential oil. This oil does need to be used with caution because it is very strong. Peppermint should always be diluted with some type of carrier oil. Coconut oil is a great carrier oil.
Some ways that I use this oil in our home is by putting a drop in some hot water for some delicious peppermint tea to help soothe an upset stomach. This is also my go to oil for tension headaches. It has an amazing cooling effect. The way we use this oil for headaches in our home is we will put a drop in our tub and then turn on the hot shower and allow the steam to fill the bathroom. Inhaling the peppermint aroma can often bring headache pain relief.
5. Tea Tree
Tea tree oil, also know as Melaleuca is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-microbial. Pretty much all of the anti’s. Tea tree is an oil that I have personally used in salves and lotions to store in our medicine cabinet. I like to refer to it as the “natural neosporin” These lotions can be beneficial in helping with skin rashes, and minor cuts and abrasions. I dilute the oil by placing a drop or two in a carrier oil such as coconut or often tallow, if I am making a salve or balm.
Tea tree oil is also a great oil to have when creating a homemade insect repellent. You can mix half water and half witch hazel into a spray bottle. You can then add tea tree oil and use this as a DIY bug spray. Several of the other oils we mentioned above repel bugs as well, including lavender and peppermint.
If you are just beginning your essential oil journey, I encourage you to not be overwhelmed. Begin slowly and start with these top five recommended essential oils for home use. Of all of the oils these five are the essential oils that our home will never be without.
From cleaning, to health care, to relaxation, these five oils can address so many needs. I would love to hear from you. Comment below and let me know what your top five essential oils are and how you use them in your home.
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