An Essential Oil Guide for Families
Plant remedies, known as essential oils, have been used throughout the world for thousands of years and are one of nature’s most powerful support tools available to help your body heal itself.
While it is not clear when essential oils were first distilled, we know that these oils were used in various cultures and we know that they were used for religious ceremonies as well as for healing purposes.
Essential oils carry the actual essence or fragrance of the plants from which they are extracted. A few popular essential oils are derived from whole plants, but most are derived from specific sections of the plants for which they are named. Some essential oils, including almond and nutmeg oils, come from seeds. Many, including patchouli, eucalyptus, and tea tree oils, are extracted from leaves. Still others come from wood, flowers, resin, or roots.
“Amongst the types of remedies that will be used will be those obtained from the most beautiful plants and herbs to be found in the pharmacy of Nature, such as have been divinely enriched with healing powers for the mind and body of man”
Dr. Edward Bach
It is really important to remember that essential oils are highly potent, they are highly concentrated plant extracts. For example, 1 drop of peppermint oil is equivalent to 28 cups of peppermint tea, so it’s important that they are used carefully, with proper education and in safe amounts.
As a general rule, essential oils should be diluted in a carrier oil ( my favourites are almond or coconut oil). Here is a general dilution ratio guide but please consult an aromatherapy practitioner if you are unsure.
The overall quality of essential oils is also very important when using them therapeutically. With the abundance of essential oils on the market these days, we need to make sure the ones we use are 100% pure and don’t contain any synthetics, additives, artificial fragrances and petrochemicals.
Essential oils can be used in many aspects of our daily lives to support the emotional and physical needs of the body. Personally as a mother of three little people, I do not know what I would do without my essential oil collection and use them multiple times a day for holistic health care as well as to reduce the amount of chemicals I use in my home.
“In addition to their therapeutic benefits, essential oils have many practical applications. For example, they can be used to create natural laundry detergents and nontoxic household cleaners. Some, such as citronella, make effective natural insect repellents, If you’re looking for a way to reduce the amount of chemicals you use in your home, making your own products with essential oils is an excellent choice”
— From ‘Essential Oils For Beginners’ by Althea Press
My favourite ways to use them are TOPICALLY (applied directly to the skin which then makes its way into the bloodstream) and AROMATICALLY ( by diffusing the oil in a diffuser - a device that can be used to evaporate an essential oil into a surrounding environment. As you then breathe, you slowly take in the essential oil). I use doterra essential oils as the quality is amazing and I love what they do with their healing hands foundation https://doterrahealinghands.org/.
Here are 9 essential oils I think every family should have and my favourite ways to use them-
1. Lavender
Lavender oil is probably best known for its calming and sleep inducing effects. It can also help to reduce anxiety, assist wound healing and it acts as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic, making it an effective pain reliever in mild to moderate pain.
My favourite ways to use it are
- add a couple of drops to my children’s bath each evening
- by diffusing it at night time to help my family ‘wind down’
- applying it topically to temples and the back of the neck to relieve headaches ( can blend with frankincense here too)
- applying it directly to burns with the pain being alleviated in a couple of minutes
- applying it directly to the skin to reduce scarring
- for ear aches, pop a drop of lavender, tea tree and frankincense on a cotton ball and then place the cotton ball in the ear
( no oil should ever be put directly in the ear canal). I have had great results with this many times with my children. Of course if the pain continues, please consult a medical practitioner.
2. Easy Air ( A blend of laurel leaf, eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree, lemon, cardamon, ravintsara and ravensara oils
Easy air to me is like a natural version of Vicks vapour rub but without the toxic chemicals, and can be used to enable clear, easy breathing.
My favourite ways to use it are
- diffusing in my children’s rooms or applying it topically diluted to their chests, back of the neck and bottoms of the feet when they have colds/coughs, to clear airways and promote respiratory health, so they can sleep comfortably at night.
- combining it with on guard ( see below) in the diffuser or making a roller bottle which allows my children to apply the oils themselves to the bottoms of their feet, chest and back of the neck when there are colds/coughs going around at school. This supports the immune system and protects against environmental and seasonal threats.
3. On Guard ( A blend of wild orange peel, clove bud, cinnamon bark/leaf, eucalyptus and rosemary)
On guard is the ‘protective blend’ used to support the immune system and help kill off harmful bacteria and viruses. It also has an energising and uplifting aroma.
My favourite ways to use it are
- Combined with easy air in the diffuser or roller ball to support immunity.
- On guard gets used a lot in my home as a non-toxic cleaner. I pop a few drops on my mop before I clean the floors and use it on my microfibre cloth when cleaning the showers to deter mould. A few drops can also be used in the final rinse or instead of fabric softener to freshen laundry.
- I also use on guard toothpaste and love the on guard sanitising hand mist perfect for on-the-go families.
- I’ve been known to take on guard on planes and offer it to people sitting next to me to prevent me getting bugs when flying !
- I also use on guard is in my homemade multipurpose spray and handwash. See recipes below -
Recipes
Multipurpose spray
1 1/2 cups boiled water
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 tablespoon liquid castile soap ( I use Dr Bronner’s)
1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate soda
5 -10 drops of on guard essential oil
Mix all ingredients together and place into a glass spray bottle.
Spray onto surface and wipe with a microfibre cloth.
Handwash
1 foaming hand soap dispenser ( I reuse cheap ones)
Boiled water
2 tablespoons of liquid castile soap ( I use Dr Bronners)
1/2 to 1 teaspoon organic coconut oil
5-10 drops on guard essential oil
Pour water into the dispenser. Add liquid soap, oil and essential oils. Replace pump lid and gently shake.
4. Ice Blue ( A blend of wintergreen, camphor, peppermint, ylang ylang, helichrysum, blue tansy, blue chamomile and osmanthus essential oils)
Ice blue is a topical analgesic blend and is soothing for any pain or inflammation.
My favourite ways to use it are
- diluted in a carrier oil and then massaged into my children’s legs when they complain of growing pains
- diluted and applied on any aches and pains ( especially after intense exercise)
- my grandmother reported significant improvement in her arthritis after using this oil
- great for any back or neck pain after sitting at a computer for long periods
5. Digest zen ( A blend of ginger, fennel, coriander, peppermint, tarragon, anise and caraway)
Digest zen aids in the digestion of food, and soothes upset stomachs and gas and bloating.
My favourite ways to use it are
- diluted and rubbed into my children’s tummys when they are complaning of an upset stomach
- a must to pack when travelling to different countries and trying new foods ( diluted and applied to the abdominal area)
- great to ease the effects of motion sickness, either use aromatically ( put 2 drops in your hands, cup hands around face and take three deep breaths) or diluted and topically applied to stomach and back of the neck.
6. Balance ( A blend of spruce, ho wood, frankincense, blue tansy and blue chamomile pre-diluted in fractionated coconut oil)
The warm, woody aroma of the balance blend is grounding and promotes a sense of calm and well-being.
My favourite ways to use it are
- As my perfume everyday. I apply it to my temples, wrists and the back of my neck to start my day with calmness and tranquility. I also apply it to my children before the day begins if required, usually on the bottom of their feet.
- I often diffuse this in the morning to start our day harmoniously or diffuse it with lavender at the end of the day for us to wind down
- Balance can also ease anxious feelings when they arise. Either apply topically ( as above) or diffuse.
7. Frankincense
Frankincense is often called ‘king of the oils’ and it is renowned as one of the most prized and precious essential oils. In addition to its notoriety in the new testament, the Babylonians and Assyrians would burn Frankincense in religious ceremonies and the ancient Egyptians used Frankincense resin for everything from perfume to salves for soothing skin.
My favourite ways to use it are
- Frankincense is noted for its ability to beautify and rejuvenate skin when applied topically, so I add 1-2 drops at night time to my face moisturiser to help reduce the appearance of skin imperfections.
- Frankincense has a calming, balancing effect on emotions so I diffuse this when any anxious or stressful feelings arise in our household or apply diluted topically to the bottoms of the feet when required.
- Frankincense is great diluted and combined with lavender then rubbed into the temples and the back of the neck to alleviate headaches.
Incorporating essential oils into your daily life can be such an enjoyable way to support the overall health and wellbeing of your family, as well as create a chemical-free home.
I hope this guide gives you the confidence to start using essential oils to support the physical and emotional needs of your loved ones . Below is a list of wonderful books and resources to also help you on your essential oil journey.
If you have any further questions on what oils I use and where to purchase them, please email me at nataliemartinot1@gmail.com
Nat x
Resources
‘Emotions and Essential oils’ - a reference guide for Emotional Healing
Modern Essentials - A Contemporary Guide to the Therapeutic Use of Essential Oils
Essential Oils for Pregnancy, Birth and Babies By Stephanie Fritz
For glass spray bottles I use www.by-me.com.au
For roller bottles and lots of other resources head to www.aromatools.com