Thyme

Thyme is often used in cooking, but can also be used externally. It is considered the most potent of the anti-inflammatory oils and has been shown to reduce levels of COX-2 enzymes, but up to 75%. The active ingredient in thyme is carvacrol. When used in isolation, carvacrol reduced COX-2 enzymes by more than 80%.

Clove

Clove is also popular in cooking, especially in Mexican and Asian cuisines. Clove is considered a warming agent in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic traditions. It helps with indigestion, nausea, flatulence, and vomiting, and has anesthetic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus has a bright, fresh smell. It is one of the most popular essential oils and is often used to relieve the symptoms of the common cold and flu. It also has antiseptic properties and is great for cleaning spaces following an illness. Eucalyptus works well externally as an anti-inflammatory oil and can be rubbed on the feet at night to reduce congestion in the nose and chest.

Bergamont

Bergamont is a fruit oil, similar to lemon. It is used in Ear Grey tea, providing the fresh, invigorating aroma and flavor. It is known for relieving fatigue and emotional distress. Bergamont can be taken internally or added to warm bath to add a refreshing scent.

Fennel

Fennel oil comes from a vegetable and has a mild, anise or licorice flavor. Fennel seeds can be brewed in tea to reduce gas and bloating. Anethole is the active ingredient in fennel responsible for reducing inflammation and researchers believe it can play a role in reducing a person’s risk of cancer.

Fresh breath is a good indication of a health mouth, but eating certain foods can cause bad breath no matter how healthy you might be. For a quick and natural breath freshener, mix four drops of lemon oil and two drops of peppermint oil into two cups of distilled water. Swish in your mouth for about a minute and rinse. This is a natural way to freshen your breath and dieters swear by the rinse as a healthy appetite suppressant.

To improve the health of your gums, mix ten drops of tea tree oil, one drop of peppermint oil, three drops of lemon oil, and one teaspoon of almond oil. Apply this to your gums after brushing and flossing and you should see an improvement in your gum health and a reduction in gum sensitivity.

You can create a natural remedy for toothaches by mixing a tablespoon of almond oil, six drops of tea tree oil, four drops of chamomile, and two drops of peppermint oil. Mix the oils well and use your fingertip to apply the mixture directly to the aching tooth. This can be applied as often as necessary until you are able to see your dentist to remedy the cause of the toothache.

Remember, essential oils are highly concentrated, so you want to blend the oils with a base or into water to avoid toxicity.

Not only can you use essential oils to improve the short-term energy in a space, you can also use them to cleanse a space that has a buildup of negative energy. Homes, vehicles, and work spaces can store negative energy, which will influence how we feel. You can use essential oils to cleanse a space of negative energy regardless of what caused the buildup. This means you should do periodic cleansing in your home and workspace, and you should do an extensive cleansing when you first move into a new home, buy a new vehicle, or begin occupying a new workspace.

There are several essential oils that are especially helpful when it comes to combating negative energy. Your goal is to clear stale energy and dissolve negative energy. Juniper berry is especially helpful with negative energy and it is also effective for combating colds and flu. If a space is feeling stale or stagnant from illness, juniper is very effective for bringing it “back to live. It has a crispy, sweet, earthy scent, with just a hint of fruitiness.

Citrus fragrances are also very uplifting. Lemon oil has a fresh, tart scent that makes everything smell clean and fresh. Lime oil is similar, but some believe it is a bit sweeter. Another uplifting scent is peppermint. In addition to helping a space with negative energy, peppermint is also effect for combating nausea and sinus problems. Peppermint also makes you feel more alert and combats exhaustion, so if the negative energy in a space is weighing you down and zapping your energy, a burst of peppermint scent will energize you.

Cleaning Your Body

Cleaning your body is one of the most important things you can do for self-care. Showering and bathing help you feel refreshed, wipe away the grime of the day, and provide you with quiet time alone. You can incorporate oils such as lavender and chamomile into a bath to relax, or use oils in your shower to clean your skin and hair. Homemade shampoos, shower gels, and soaps can be scented with a variety of oils. Try eucalyptus and mint to fragrance shampoo for an invigorating wake-up or add citrus oils such as lemon and orange to shower gel to revive.

Cleaning the Bathroom

Your body is not the only thing that needs to be cleaned in a bathroom. In order to keep bathrooms clean and germ-free, they need regular, in-depth cleanings. Essential oils can be used to disinfect the toilet and sink, which also leaves the room smelling fresh and clean. Choose oils such as lemon and pine for a deep-down clean.

Helping with First Aid

If you want to stock your bathroom’s medicine cabinet with natural solutions, essential oils are a must. Toss store-bought medical sprays in favor of natural remedies for treating burns, cuts, and scrapes. Tea tree oil is useful for treating a variety of ailments.

Creating a Pleasant Environment

Remember, your bathroom should feel comfortable and clean. You can use your bathroom as a retreat from the rest of the world, as well as for utilitarian purposes. Adding the scent of essential oils to the space helps it feel cleaner and more inviting. Relaxation is important in the bathroom and you can enhance the serene feel of the space by adding sachets and potpourri scented with essential oils. Even if you have only a small space and you want minimal clutter sprinkle a few drops of your favourite oil into the cardboard of the toilet paper roll. A waft of fragrance will drift through the room every time the roll is used.

The best oils for brightening a mood are those with a fresh, spirited scent. Citrus oils such as lemon, lime, tangerine, and orange have a mood lifting affect that can last for hours. Try a few drops in an oil burner or mix the oils with water to create a scented room spray. Another option for a bright scent is pine oil. The fragrance is similar to a lush forest and will have you feeling better in no time. Peppermint and spearmint are also options for brightening your mood. It produces mental alertness, so if your blue mood has you feeling foggy it will make a big difference.

Essential oils that mimic the bright smells of nature are usually best for lifting one’s mood. You will want to avoid soothing scents like lavender or musky, heavy scents like sandalwood. These are pleasant fragrances under the right circumstances, but if you are feeling sluggish and sad, there are better fragrance choices.

Though some blue moods are caused by serious issues or circumstances, there are times when a sad mood requires nothing more than a quick fix. The next time you are feeling as if you need a mood brightener, consider an uplifting essential oil.