Category Archives: Personal Care

Age cannot wither you: 6 anti-aging essential oils you can use

Stressful times and 24/7 routines make people age early and this brings a drastic shift in the psychology of individuals. In order to reduce wrinkles and reduce aging signs, many seek commercial anti-aging cosmetics and products. Though such products are a big hit in today’s world, they come with a load of other disasters – commercial products contain harsh chemicals such as mineral oils and skincare products which take their toll on skin health in the long run. What’s more, these skin products (like anti-aging or anti-wrinkle creams) clog skin pores, making it difficult to breathe freely and eliminate toxins through skin. This results in a lot of skin conditions like acne breakouts, allergies and inflamed or irritated skin due to accumulated toxins.


Essential oils for anti-aging: Aromatherapy offers remarkable anti-aging solutions. Many essential oils treat wrinkles in a natural and safe way, without skin disorders. The following oils are ideal for removing wrinkles and offering you a rejuvenated skin:

1. Olive oil: When it comes to skin nourishment, Olive oil has topped the preferred list of oils right from the ancient times. It can be remembered that Greeks and Romans used Olive oil to anoint their heads on a daily basis. Olive oil helps in removing wrinkles and treating skin problems. It is also a great skincare product which moisturizes and rejuvenates skin naturally. Its essential nutrients soften skin and help it glow.

2. Jojoba oil:
Though popular as a carrier oil, Jojoba oil is one of the best natural moisturizing oils. A powerful pore cleanser, it is used in many anti-aging skin products. It can be used along with Castor oil to give an extra cleansing effect and with Lavender oil to have a soothing effect on the skin. Jojoba also balances the production of sebum on the skin, thereby, reducing excessive oil production in oily skin. In brief, it acts based on your skin type to keep your skin replenished and healthy.

3. Grape seed oil: An antioxidant, Grape seed oil moisturizes the skin on a deep level, getting rid of wrinkles on the surface. It works by revitalizing the skin and preventing it from aging. It makes the skin  supple and young too.

4. Walnut oil: Walnut oil is great for regeneration of skin. It moisturizes damaged skin and helps prevent wrinkles at an early age. Applying Walnut oil with carrier oil will be of use for eliminating wrinkles.

5. Marula oil: This is a remarkable oil with antioxidant properties. It penetrates deep into the skin and works wonderfully on damaged or lifeless skin cells. Rich in nutrients, it coats the skin with a peerless glow and softness.

6. Other oils:
Lavender and Rose are two other oils which work well in treating skin problems. Other than these, fish oil, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, is     also effective in preventing wrinkles. Fish oil works by stimulating the growth of a vital collagen protein in the body, which, in turn, makes the skin wrinkle-free and youthful.

Skin can be damaged or wrinkled on account of several disorders too. If you want a blemish-free skin, you need to use essential oil blends that can cure skin disorders like psoriasis, acne and other skin conditions. Some essential oils are great moisturizers. Adding such oils to your bath water can make a huge step toward personal care.

No more ouchs or aches: Aromatherapy for arthritis and joint pain relief

Joint pain can be one of the most debilitating of illnesses that can affect any human being. This is more so if you are suffering from arthritis, gout or other syndromes. The first thing that comes to your mind while you are in pain is – “what can I do to get instant relief from this?” Since arthritis is a major illness that affects many Americans, you cannot go in for buying OTC drugs for it. You need to consult a physician and take only prescription drugs. This would normally take time and your pain will grow unbearable by that time. Aromatherapy essential oils can give instant relief from such excruciating pain. Though not all essential oils are good in treating joints, some are very good in alleviating the inflammation and sickness when massaged on to the affected areas. This article will focus on the essential oils which will offer instant relief from joint pain.


Why aromatherapy for joint pain? Arthritis is basically inflammation of the joints and occurs in several types in affected patients. The most common among them is osteoarthritis which affects the bones very badly. Natural remedies in the form of aromatherapy can help treat this condition. As an alternative treatment for arthritis, aromatherapy works with liniments. A liniment heats the skin and underlying muscles to relieve one of joint pain. Often the base of a liniment is rubbing or drinking alcohol. However, this has been changing since the advent of the benefits of essential oils. From rubbing alcohol, people have shifted to vegetable oils/essential oils as base. This is because oils heat up faster and stimulate the muscles (underlying the joints) to act well. Essential oils also stay on the skin for longer time, making it suitable for massaging.

Essential oils for arthritis and joint pain relief:
Some of the essential oils which are used for arthritis and joint pain relief: Rosemary, Marjoram, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Cedarwood, Nutmeg, Yarrow, Clove bud and Sage. These oils should not be applied directly to the skin and should be mixed with carrier oils (1% to 3%) before use. You can massage this mixture in 2 or more times daily. To make a dilution of 1% , mix 6 drops of essential oil to 1 oz of carrier oil.

Another way is to stimulate skin is through liniments. To do that, include Tiger Balm, White Flower oil and Peppermint/Camphor in the preparation. These stimulate both hot and cold reactions in the nerve endings of the skin which makes the liniment hotter than it is and that in turn stimulates healing. To be the most effective, liniments should contain Rosemary, Marjoram and Lavender. For arthritis and other joint pain relief, you can add the following oils in your massage recipe or hot water bath – Chamomile, Marjoram, Birch, Ginger etc. Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, Clove and Peppermint make the best liniments.

How to make liniment?
This recipe will help you make a liniment that would cure your pain readily. Mix 8 drops of Eucalyptus oil with 8 drops of Peppermint, 8 drops of Rosemary, 4 drops of Cinnamon Leaf, 4 drops of Juniper Berry, 4 drops of Marjoram and 2 oz of alcohol. Stir the combination two or three times daily to disperse the oils in alcohol. Since the recipe is a bit stronger that the usual massage recipe, never use it over a large area of the body. You can also use this as a warm-up treatment before heavy exercising or physical work. This would prevent the bones from cramping or painful areas.

Steel yourself: Aromatherapy for a healthy immune system

In this modern world of chronic diseases, frequent ailments and epidemic health problems, it is important to keep your body fit and strong. Not many have good health conditions and not many can afford a disease-free environment. To speak the truth, only the FDA knows how many millions of Americans live on prescription drugs. Life has grown so complex that people find it difficult to even find time for health and well-being. We fail to listen to our bodies and stop to take care of them. We lack the wisdom of our ancestors (who were very considerate about maintaining day to day health and hygiene) though we know how important our health is to us. Owing to lack of personal health care, many succumb to a lot of chronic disorders like diabetes, cancer etc. today.

Every other ailment start with the immune system. Building a strong immune system is crucial to day to day personal health. Essential oils can help improve immune system and support the process of healing in many kinds of immunity-related disorders. This article will throw light on how the immune system can be revved up using powerful essential oils.


Essential oils for a healthy immune system: Essential oils can induce vigorous functioning of your immune system. They have the power to re-energize your weakened immunities and make you hale and healthy once again. Without disturbing any of your body’s chemical activities, essential oils help your immune system to recover on its own. They allow free, unobstructed flow of natural processes, which in turn motivate the immune system to function better.

Essential oils work on your immune system in three ways. Below is a gist of them:

1. Stimulation of WBCs: One of the primary functions of essential oils in fighting infection is to increase the count of white blood corpuscles in the body. Since these cells are part of the body’s core defense elements, increasing their count means improving immunity.

2. Faster cell growth: Another way in which they work is through faster cell growth. Essential oils induce cell growth at a phenomenal rate. This cures burns, wounds, cuts and other ailments or conditions which require cell regeneration. By the acceleration of cell growth, healing happens quickly and efficiently.

3. Improvement of overall condition: Essential oils are great levelers. They balance any imbalances  in the body in order to maintain health. They motivate skin growth and improve skin tone. All skin problems can be eliminated with the continuous use of therapeutic-grade essential oils. Added to this, they relax the body, inducing sleep and rest. This gives the immune system time to regroup and strengthen itself again.

Massaging, essential oils and immunity: If you want to rev up your immune system, the best way out is to do a relaxing lymphatic massage. By lymphatic massage, we mean massaging of all the lymph nodes in the body. Lymph nodes are nodes that remove the body’s metabolic toxins. They are present in several parts of the body like the armpits, groins, breasts, throat etc. A soothing massagein long strokes can invigorate the lymph nodes and make them function without any obstacles. Clearing up the toxins can, in turn, boost the functioning of the immune system. Lemon, Rosemary and Grapefruit are some essential oils which are good at stimulating movement in the lymph nodes.

Some other essential oils that help in improve a weakened immune system are Bergamot, Lavender, Lemon, Myrrh, Rosemary, Tea Tree, Thyme etc.

Essential oils Immune Tonic Blend: Rubbing this blend on to your body can revitalize your immune system and help with proper functioning of the body. To prepare the blend, add 6 drops of Lavender with 6 drops of Bergamot, 3 drops of Lemon, 3 drops of Tea Tree, 2 drops of Myrrh and 2 oz of vegetable oil. Massage this blend on to the affected part of the body to see best results. For instance, if you have cold and flu, rub it on to your chest. If you are working at curing a foot infection, add it to your bath water or foot bath preparation. You can even inhale the blend using an aromatherapy diffuser.

Ears ringing? 4 aromatherapy tips for earache and ear infections

Are your ears ringing always? Do you have earaches often? Is that ear infection paralyzing you and your day to day routine? Never worry, you can use aromatherapy for instant relief. Yes, essential oils can help in treating earaches, ear-related infections and other ear problems on account of their soothing and relaxing properties. This article will explore the possibilities of treating ear infections using essential oils.

Essential oils for earaches: Stinging pain in the ears or ear related infections are often caused by problems in the middle ear. If your middle-ear is infected, it is likely that your outer ear will also be affected, as a result of which, you will have aching pain in your ears. Other symptoms of such an earache will include shooting pains in the ears, fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and noises or what is called ringing in the ears. Sometimes for less severe pains, an aromatherapy massage oil rubbed against the back of the ears is sufficient. An ideal oil for preparation of this rub is Lavender. Any other antiseptic will also work well. But ensure that the oil helps in reducing the inflammation and alleviating your symptoms. Gently rub diluted Lavender oil on to the back of your neck, around the outside of your ear lobes and along the lymph nodes. Do not put this into the ear. It can have serious consequences. If you want to treat the infection directly, make a warm compress and then, use it directly over the ear. Also, when you treat ears, apply your remedy on both the ears even if only one ear hurts. Continue your remedy for a couple days even if your infection is gone after one-dose of your essential oil cure.


1. Aromatherapy Ear Rub: An antiseptic aromatherapy ear rub can help cure any kind of ear infection. Add 3 drops of Lavender oil to 3 drops of Tea Tree oil and 1 tbsp of Vegetable oil. Combine  the ingredients well and rub around your ear lobes and along your lymph nodes. For children, you can use just half of this blend (that is, 3 drops of total essential oil to 1 tbsp of carrier oil). You can apply on both ears two to four times a day. Never fail to apply before bedtime.

2. Antiseptic Ear Rub: This is a slight variation from the previous recipe. You can use Lavender, Tea Tree  oils and blend them on to Olive oil and rub around your ears. Sometimes an ear problem can be caused by a throat infection. In that case, you can gargle a diluted antiseptic oil. You can also use compress to soothe the pain in your ears. To prepare an ear rub, add 3 drops of Lavender to 3 drops of Tea Tree oil, 6 drops of Roman Chamomile and 1 oz Carrier oil. Blend the ingredients and rub around the ear and down the side of the neck. You can apply to a piece of cotton, which you can place in the ears for therapeutic effect.

3. Herbal Ear oil: Add ½ oz of Garlic-infused oil, Calendula-infused oil and mullein blossom-infused oil and blend the ingredients well. Use Olive oil as a carrier oil for this recipe. Warm the oil before dropping into the ear. But first drop the oil onto a completely dried spoon. Now, use a dropper to draw the drops and place one or two in the ears.

4. Garlic for swimmer’s ears: Garlic is a great antibacterial oil which can reduce pain and inflammation of swimmer’s ears syndrome. The remedy is choice for the fungal infection and can alleviate itching in the ears.

7 all-time-useful aromatherapy blends for self and family

Aromatherapy is not an one-time remedy for ailments. It is an ongoing therapy wherein we use essential oils to alleviate symptoms or treat disorders and thereby, reduce our pain or suffering or health related problems. Aromatherapy blends are used in  skin care, personal care, as cure for major diseases, as aromatic air fresheners, bath salts and for massaging purposes. It is a diverse field comprising of oils made from plant substances like extracts, herbs, barks, resins, roots and other plant parts.  It takes a lot of time to analyze and use such a multifarious science and hence, a novice may need guidance on which oils are important and which cure the common ailments. This article will throw light on the most commonly used essential oil blends for emotional, physical and family well being.

All-time-useful essential oil blends: All these blends are formulated by Dr. Carolyn Selby. These are essential oils blends which help with common conditions like emotional downs, physical stress or body pain, disruptions in family relationships or infected home environment etc.


1. Stress Buster blend: This blend is ideal for improving your emotional well being and is best used as a massage oil. Add 2 drops of Clary Sage to 2 drops of Frankincense and 1 drop of Sandalwood. Blend with 1 tbsp of Almond or Grapeseed oil and mix the ingredients well. Apply the prepared blend on the back, neck and shoulders for a relaxing and soothing effect.

2. Relaxing Bath blend: If you are down with the blues, nothing can cheer you up as a well-prepared aromatic bath. For a stress-buster bath, mix 4 drops of Bergamot with 4 drops of Geranium and 2 drops of Vetiver and disperse the oils well in a warm bath water. For unscented bubble bath, blend the oils with 1 tbsp of Grapeseed. Soak for about 15-20 minutes in the bath water and inhale the vapors that emanate. You will feel extraordinarily refreshed and stress-free after the bath. Do not let the water get into your eyes as it may sometimes cause irritation.

3. Concentration Tonic: The power of focus is a gift not found in many. To improve your power of concentration and clear your head of worries and fears before exams or interviews, put 1 or 2 drops of Basil or Rosemary in a tissue and sniff before the event/exam/interview.  You will feel confident and focused on the job at hand.

4. Nasal Congestion clearance: For clearing nasal congestion (a common condition with many), use 4 drops of Niaouli with 2 drops of Rosemary and 2 drops of Tea Tree oil and disperse into warm bath water. Soak for 15 to 20 minutes and inhale the vapors. Your nostrils will be cleared and you will feel relieved after this.

5. Headache Relief Massage Blend: Headache is one of the most common ailments with everyone in the family. Aromatherapy can help treat headaches with essential oils. Add 2 drops of Lavender with 2 drops of Marjoram and 1 drop of Peppermint. Blend the mixture with 1 tbsp of Almond or Grapeseed oil and massage on to the upper back, neck and shoulders. Apply to temples and other painful areas. You can alternatively put these on a tissue and also inhale.

6. For Insomnia Relief: Many people are afflicted with the insomnia bug. To cure sleeplessness, add 4 drops of Roman Chamomile to 4 drops of Clary Sage and 2 drops of Neroli and disperse in warm bath water. Soak for 15 to 20 minutes, inhaling the vapors. You will feel sleepy after this treatment.

7. Anti-aging Cure: Aging is a chief skin care issue these  days. This aromatherapy blend can help in reducing wrinkles and act as a base cream for nourishing skin. To prepare the cream, add 4 drops of Frankincense with 4 drops of Petitgrain and 3 drops of Rose Otto. Mix the oils with 5 ml of Evening Primrose oil, 5 ml of Wheatgram oil and 25 ml of plain base cream. When the blend is done, store in an airtight glass jar and apply to the face and neck daily in the morning and night.

Aromatherapy for Mr. Fit: 6 workout blends for fitness gurus

To be fit is to be healthy, they say. Fitness is often achieved by workouts, stringent diet plans and other relaxing techniques. But a new way to achieve fitness or boost your workout schedule is through aromatherapy. You can use essential oils to gain a positive attitude about fitness and workouts and thereby, use them to get into perfect shape. Essential oils can aid in boosting your confidence and increasing your sense of commitment to a workout. Some oils are activating, while others are soothing or odor-fighting.

Essential oil workout blends: You can use the following workout blends to improve your exercise regime or inspire you to perform a thorough workout.

1. Inspiring blends: These essential oil blends can inspire and invigorate you to perform a thorough workout. You can use any of the following oils to prepare a blend – Basil, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Fir Needle, Ginger, Grapefruit, Juniper Berry, Petitgrain, Orange, Lime, Rosemary, Thyme, Lemongrass, Lemon, Lavender and others.


2. Relaxing blends: After a workout, you are left with sore or tender muscles which need relaxation. To soothe your muscles after relaxation, use the following oils – Cedarwood, Chamomile, Jasmine, Frankincense, Lavender, Neroli, Rose, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang and Patchouli.

3. Anti-odor and Refreshing blends: When it comes to anti-odor oils or refreshing oils, Citrus oils stand out of the crowd. You can use Bergamot, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime, Orange, Fir needle, Juniper Berry, Lavender, Orange, Tangerine etc. Essential oils like Coriander, Fir needle, Juniper Berry, and Lavender annihilate odors and refresh yourself.

Application of essential oils:
You need to be careful before applying essential oils on to your skin. This is because, though healers, essential oils are concentrated plant substances that should not be applied to skin directly. In order to be safe with essential oils, you need to add essential oils with carrier oils. This would avoid the aromas from distracting you from work outs and from fellow gym users. Even a light dose of the essential oils can become stronger as you work out. Body heat can react vigorously with your oil dose and produce an overwhelming effect.

To include essential oils in your workout regimes, add 1% of the chosen oil to carrier oils like vegetable oils, mineral salts, pure water, unscented bath products (like shampoos, conditioners, gels etc). You can also use a water spray mister to enjoy workout blends. You can spray the blends on to your workout towel for inhalation and other purposes.

4. Workout Blend: If you are not inspired to go for your regular workout, use this blend of energizing oils – Lemon, Lavender, Petitgrain, Rosemary and Eucalyptus.

5. After Workout Blend: When you are out of a workout, you will be tired and will have sore muscles. This After-Workout Blend will have a soothing and therapeutic effect of your body. You can use Cedarwood, Chamomile, Jasmine, Lavender and Rose to prepare this blend and then, massage it on to your body.

6. After Workout Shower Blend: This is ideal for use during an after workout shower. You can wash away the grime and sweat you have accumulated after your workout with this aromatic blend. Use refreshing oils like Lavender, Coriander, Grapefruit and Tangerine to prepare a blend and apply while showering.

When the head hurts: 4 ways to use aromatherapy for headaches

It can be really painful when it hurts in the head. Headaches and migraines can paralyze your daily routine and havoc your schedules, meetings or office work. You will become stressed and physically inactive when you have a severe migraine or a cluster headache. Though many oral medications offer relief, nothing works better like aromatherapy. Rubbing your favorite essential oil or inhaling a blend or adding a relaxing essential oil blend to your bath can alleviate the pain and stress caused by headaches and migraines.

Essential oils for headaches/migraines: Choosing a particular essential oil for your headaches can be very tough. Your body needs to respond to the oil and the oil’s properties should relax and de-stress you from headache pain. Normally, the following carrier oils and essential oils are used for preparing headache/migraine blends:

Carrier Oils: Sweet Almond, Apricot Kernel, Avocado, Coconut, Sesame
Essential Oils: Lavender, Peppermint, Melissa, Jasmine, Eucalyptus, Rosemary and Bay


Before you start using an oil or preparing an essential oil blend, you need to understand how intense and difficult your headache is. If you feel depressed, panicked or anxious because your migraines, you need to use oils that treat depression and anxiety. On the other hand, if you feel troubled or sleepless because of the headaches, use oils that induce sleeping or relaxing effect. Below are a few ways to use essential oils for headaches/migraines:

1. Migraine Blend: Add Sweet Almond oil to two-thirds of a bottle and mix the following with the Almond oil – 6 drops of Lavender, 6 drops of Clary Sage, 6 drops Chamomile, 12 drops Peppermint and shake the blend well. Check the fragrance of the blend. If it is unpleasant to you, add whichever oil pleases you or whichever will make the blend more pleasant. Apply the blend on temples and areas that are painful. Don’t overdo the massaging part. Keep it light. You can also rub some on to your palm and inhale it.

2. Relaxing Blend:
A relaxing blend can help you stay calm and soothe your pain. Use this recipe to prepare a sleep blend of essential oils for your headaches/migraines. Like the previous recipes, add 2/3s  of Sweet Almond oil in a bottle and mix the following with the carrier oil – 6 drops Lavender, 6 drops of Bergamot and 6 drops of Chamomile. If the bottle is still not full, add Jasmine oil (mixed with 10% of Jojoba oil). You can also substitute this with Mandarin oil to make the fragrance pleasant. Mix everything by shaking the bottle. You can apply the blend on your temples or even sprinkle on your pillow etc. to induce a calm and sleepy environment. When you go to sleep, your headache will be gone.

3. Compress for headache: Add 5 drops of Eucalyptus or Lavender oil to 1 cup of cold water. Swish a soft cloth in the blend. Wring out the cloth and place it on your forehead and eyes. Use throughout the day as much as you can. The pain and severity will be reduced.

4. Migraine/Headache hand soak: Add 5 drops of Lavender oil to 5 drops of Ginger oil in 1 quart of hot water (at about 110 degrees F). Soak your hands in the blend for at least 3 minutes. You will feel relieved and relaxed when you do this. You can repeat the therapy if required.

Diffuse to defend: 6 aromatherapy diffuser blends to guard against infection

Diffusing essential oils in your home environment is useful in many ways than one. Though many tend to think of diffusing as a laborious or unnecessary thing, it is not so. When you diffuse a micro-fine, vaporized mist of essential oil blends in a room or enclosed atmosphere, you defend yourself and your family against potentially life-threatening bacteria and viruses.

Why should you diffuse oils? A diffuser is a special air pump designed to disburse essential oils in a micro-fine vapor in an enclosed space. The vapors stay suspended in the area for several hours, killing or paralyzing infectious organisms. Such diffused oils not just freshen the room with natural fragrances but also kill the pathogens that live in the environment. By using a diffuser, you protect your living atmosphere from dangerous infectious germs, fungus and microbes.


You may ask how diffusing can help with regard to infections outside the home environment. It may not help with infections contracted from outside environment, but it will certainly aid in not letting the infection spread to others in your home. Breathing in air diffused with essential oils will kill and clear any virus or bacteria lining your respiratory tract. It creates a defense mechanism inside you, guarding you against all kinds of possible future infections too. Though there are many devices available to diffuse essential oils at home, not many use it on account of their lack of knowledge in using diffusers and blending oils. This article will give you six most common and easy recipes on how to blend oils to be used in a diffuser.

Diffusing essential oils – tips: Diffusing essential oils releases negative ions which kill microbes and prevent them from infecting people. So, you need to be careful with the amount of oils used in a diffuser pump. Thicker essential oils, in general, diffuse slowly than thinner oils. A 15 ml bottle of a thicker oil like Sandalwood may take about 48 hours to diffuse completely, while a thinner oil like Lemon will diffuse within 8 hours. Oils that can be diffused on a daily basis include – Lavender, Lemon, Patchouli, Ylang Ylang, Cedarwood etc. You can blend oils and diffuse them for greater benefits. Below are some of the most popular diffuser blends used at homes:

1. Blend 1: Use 4 drops of Rosewood with 5 drops of Lavender and  1 drop of Ylang Ylang.

2. Blend 2: Use 5 drops of Rosemary with 1 drop of Peppermint, 3 drops of Lavender and 1 drop of Roman Chamomile

3. Blend 3: Add 2 drops of Grapefruit and 2 drops of Ylang Ylang to 2 drops of Lemon and create a blend.

4. Blend 4: Mix 7 drops of Sweet Orange with 4 drops of Ylang Ylang to create an aromatic blend

5. Blend 5: Add 8 drops of Sweet Orange to 4 drops of Patchouli to make a nice blend and use it in your home environment, especially living area.

6. Blend 6: Use 5 drops of Peppermint with 5 drops of Lavender and 9 drops of Sweet Orange to make a light blend. This may diffuse faster, but will definitely lend a cozy feel to your home.

When you prepare a blend, remember to read through the instructions of the manufacturer. Add only required drops of essential oils to each blend, else you may end up making a highly concentrated essential oil or a very light diffuser blend.

Sneezy routines, droplet days: Aromatherapy for chest congestion

Sneezing, cough and congestion are common during autumn or winter. Cold and flu are so common that almost everyone who has a low immunity level becomes vulnerable to it. Since the flu virus spreads from person to person very rapidly, preventing it can be difficult. Sinus infection can also be a source of headaches, runny noses and droplet infection if left untreated. However, the oral over the counter drugs that we take often fail to offer immediate or complete relief. This is why it becomes important to search for alternative remedies. Control over your condition can be achieved only through natural remedies like essential oils.

Essential oils for congestion: Chest congestion can be both painful and troublesome. You will have difficulty in breathing, excessive mucus blockage in the nasal passages accompanied by flu, cough and sniffles. It is always better to keep a stock of essential oils for treatment of such conditions. Some of the essential oils that help with chest and nasal congestion are – Eucalyptus, Lavender, Peppermint, Rosemary, Lemon, Tea Tree oil, Ravensara, and Frankincense. Most of these essential oils have anti-viral properties which make them immuno-stimulators and flu-annihilators. They act upon the flu virus, and give immediate relief.


Below are some of the commonly-used essential oils for chest congestion:

1. Eucalyptus oil: When it comes congestion, nothing works like Eucalyptus oil. The active chemical compounds in the oil work well in clearing nasal blockages and sinus congestion. Like menthol, Eucalyptus oil acts on receptors in the nasal mucosa and reduce the symptoms of congestion. The astringent properties of the oil also help with reducing inflammation of the mucous membrane and the upper respiratory tract. The oil is also an antiseptic which has strong germicidal properties to effectively kill staphylococcus bacteria and also treat tuberculosis. Studies have proved that Eucalyptus is so vehement on bacteria that even a 2% diluted solution of the oil can kill 70% of air-bone staphylococcus bacteria.

With Eucalyptus oil, you can inhale it through steam inhalation or use an aromatherapy diffuser. The chemical component called ‘Eucalyptol’ in the oil will destroy the bacteria and loosen the phlegm.

2. Pine oil: Pine oil is good for highly congested chest or nose. Owing to its healing and strong aromatic properties, it helps with coughs, chills and aches related to flu and common cold.

3. Lavender and Peppermint oils: Lavender oils fight infection, reduces inflammation and eases congestion. Peppermint oil, like Lavender oil, reduces infection, clears congestion and kills the flu-virus.

Some of the methods that can clear congestion using these essential oils include – aromatherapy diffuser, steam inhalation and aromatic baths. Quick relief can be got by using Eucalyptus and Peppermint oil combined with steam. The steam opens up the blocked bronchial passages, making breathing a simple and easy affair. Another classic way to use essential oils is to add drops of the oils into a bowl of boiling water, lean over it and inhale the steam (from escaping) by covering with a towel. Doing this for five minutes can clear nasal congestion completely.

Chest-rub Massage oil:
This massage oil can be used for children who have bronchial or respiratory infection. It can be rubbed on to the chest for instant relief. Recipe includes –

  • 1 drop Lavender oil
  • 1 drop Tea Tree oil
  • 1 drop Niaouli oil
  • 1 drop Sandalwood oil
  • 25 ml of Jojoba oil

Mix the oils and when the blend is ready, massage them on to the chest for congestion relief.

Don’t grit your teeth in pain: 6 toothache aromatherapy remedies

Ouch, it hurts! Nothing can be more annoying than a severe pain in the tooth. You would barter anything for it as toothache can be simply irritating and often debilitating to anyone who has been through it. What more, your oral hygiene determines your entire body’s hygiene. If there is something wrong with your oral health, it is an indicator that something is wrong or going to be wrong with your body. Poor tooth and gums need medical attention and nutritional supervision.

Essential oils can be extremely helpful in maintaining oral hygiene. Aromatherapy can help kills germs, treat tooth and gum disorders and aid one in maintaining a sweet smelling breath. Below are a list of remedies on what to do when you have toothache or occasional sore gums or in case of a foul breath.


1. Mouth Rinsing: If you have pain in your teeth, rinse with the following essential oils – Myrrh, Chamomile, Peppermint, Tea Tree oil etc. To prepare a recipe, simply add 1-2 drops of essential oils in 2 oz of warm water and gargle in your mouth. Repeat several times a day to alleviate the pain.

2. Toothache oil: Use the following oils and prepare a toothache oil recipe – 1 tbsp of Carrier oil, 6 drops of Tea tree oil, 4 drops of Chamomile oil, 2 drops of Myrrh and 2 drops of Peppermint. Blend all the oils together and shake well before use. Apply one drop of the blend in the aching tooth and surrounding gum.

3. Clove oil: Clove oil is often used for toothaches. Add a drop of Clove oil to a cotton ball and apply to the pain area or press against the gum of the affected tooth. You can also replace Myrrh if you have mouth sores. To use Myrrh, use 1-2 drops of with warm water and rinse the mouth with it several times a day.

4. Simple Mouthwash: Foul smelling breath can create a bad reputation for you in the society, among your peers, colleagues and friends. To create a simple refreshing mouthwash, add 4 drops of Lemon with 2 drops of Peppermint in 2 cups of distilled water. Shake the blend well and swish a mouthful for about one minute and spit out. You will feel refreshed after this mouth rinse.

5. Therapeutic Gum Mouthwash: This therapeutic gum mouthwash can treat your gums from becoming sore and painful. To prepare this blend, add 6 drops of Myrrh with 10 drops of Tea Tree oil, 1 drop of Peppermint, 3 drops of Lemon oil, 1 teaspoon of Almond oil and mix together. Apply a small amount to the gums once a day and rinse your mouth with it everyday. If the sores in your mouth or pain in your teeth does not heal, check with a  dentist.

6. Breath Refreshing Mouthwash: Add to 8 oz of water 2 drops of Myrrh, 2 drops of Tea Tree oil and 1 drop of Peppermint. Mix everything together and swish in your mouth a small amount of the blend. Keep the blend in a plastic jar or glass bottle away from the reach of pets or children.