Charlotte Holistic Health ExaminerJane Fitch

There are so many different aromatherapy/essential oils out there.   How do you know which one is best for what? With a little knowledge, you will be able to pick out the perfect one.

Some oils are best to help you relax, others will help wake you up and keep you alert. Some will help you sleep better, ease your stress; others will help you relieve pain or improve your sinuses. Every oil has a unique and therapeutic property.

Sometimes, oils smell similar – for example, lemon and lemongrass. Lemon is a stimulant, but lemongrass is a sedative. Rosemary and peppermint are both very good for fatigue, but they smell nothing alike.

Here is a quick checklist of some of the most popular and effective oils:

For hay fever:
Chamomile
Eucalyptus

To relax sore and aching muscles:
Frankincense
Ginger
Rosemary

To ease stomach and/or period pains:
Clary Sage
Lavender
Marjoram

To ease an upset stomach:
Ginger
Manderin
Peppermint

To help oily skin:
Tea tree oil (good for acne)
Lemon
Cypress
Mandarin

For hair:
Cedarwood
Cypress (for oily hair)
Rosemary (for dry hair)
Tea tree (for dandruff)

For headaches:
Eucalyptus
Lavender
Peppermint
Rosemary

To clear a blocked sinus passage (nasal):
Bergamot
Eucalyptus
Ginger
Rosemary

To ease a sore throat:
Frankincense
Jasmine
Sandalwood
Tea tree

To ease eczema:
Chamomile
Geranium
Juniper berry
Lavender

For dry skin:
Bergamot
Chamomile
Jasmine
Rose
Sandlewood
Ylang Ylang

To improve cellulite:
Juniper berry
Geranium
Rosemary

By rubbing your oils over or onto the affected area, you can sometimes feel the benefit almost immediately. Take care in using oils directly on the skin. On rare occasions, one may be sensitive to a particular oil. A few drops on a cotton ball or even directly inhaling from the bottle can be used also. You might even try adding a few drops to a body lotion, shampoo or other crème. Remember, that essential oils are very concentrated, so it only takes a few drops. Another great way to use essential oils is to add to a milk bath. The fat in the milk binds with the essential oil molecule and it is absorbed into the pores which have been opened more with the heat of the bath water. Cleopatra was famous for her “milk baths” with essential oils.