3 Essential Oils For Every Home Or Travel First Aid Kit.
Why these 3 essential oils are so common and extremely versatile in helping treat many minor ailments, symptoms, and injury. In this article, I share why as a qualified aromatherapist for over 20 years I choose these natural remedies to replace many over the counter medication.
So What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are the concentrated oils of the plants they are extracted from. Essential oils come from a variety of plants, leaves, bark, shrubs, fruits, and flowers. Pure essential oils are unadulterated oils that are regarded as having various therapeutic health and wellness benefits. They are used widely by the pharmacological and cosmetic industries.
Cosmetic And Pharmacological Use Of Essential Oils
Various research has demonstrated the benefits of certain essential oils to treat bacterial infections. In the study – Antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of some essential oils “Origanum onites recorded antimicrobial activity against all test bacteria, and was strongest against Staphylococcus aureus.’
According to Science Direct –A status review on the medicinal properties of essential oils “Essential oils are prescribed for a variety of health problems by traditional systems of medicine, all over the world. Various pharmaceutical and biological activities like antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, antimutagenic, antidiabetic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antiprotozoal properties are assigned to them.”
Now as someone who had chronic health challenges from a young age I began to use essential oils to support my health in my early twenties. I used essential oils to boost my immune system, as an aid to treat bacterial and viral infections to treat a bad burn, reduce a high temperature, relieve toothache and cramping and so much more.
Safe Use Of Essential Oils
Now when using essential oils therapeutically for your health and wellbeing. It is important to use only pure essential oils of the highest grade. Sadly not all of these natural oils are unadulterated and of the highest quality. That is why I choose doTERRA oils or Neals Yard Organics.
Important: Do NOT consume or apply essential oils undiluted directly on the skin the only exception is lavender in the case of a burn. Essential oils are always diluted in a carrier or massage oil, added to bathwater, used in inhalation or applied to a compress. No matter the quality of the extraction of these oils they can burn the skin and can cause serious harm in certain situations. Always check instructions for correct use and dilution of essential oils and seek professional advice from a fully qualified aromatherapist.
Natures First Aid Kit
Pure essential oils are not only a natural alternative to many common ailment medication. Used to treat a variety of different ailments and injury. For the backpacker or executive flyer who needs minimal luggage, these 3 tiny bottles are worth their weight in gold
Lavender
Lavender Oil is extracted or distilled from the lavender herb plant Lavandula latifolia . Both the flower and the oil of lavender are actually used to make medicine. Lavender’s extremely versatility is probably why it is the most common therapeutic essential oil used today.
Lavender oil in the right dosage and dilution can be applied or inhaled by most children and adults. But should not be used on a newborn. In another blog, I explain in more detail why lavender should be part of every home first aid kit.
Lavender is commonly used as an aid for bites, bruises, headaches, muscle inflammation, sprains, and stings. Lavender can be applied directly to the skin in case of a burn and can help reduce scarring.
Lavender’s analgesic properties help reduce inflammation and pain. Lavender has a deeply soothing, relaxing and gently uplifting scent which makes it helpful for insomnia, anxiety, depression, and stress. My mother and siblings use lavender to help relieve high temperatures in their children.
Like other essential oils, Lavendula has a wide range of psychological benefits. Lavender can have a tremendous effect when inhaled on the olfactory and limbic systems.
Lavender has been shown various research as a possible treatment in some psychological and neurological conditions. It is well-reputed for its benefits on the mood and emotions. Lavender is one of the safest oils you can use on children and those who are highly sensitive. As long as you follow the recommended guidelines by a qualified aromatherapist.
Tea- Tree
Tea tree oil has been demonstrated to have broad-spectrum antimicrobial and ant-viral benefits against Herpes Simples Virus and treating wound infections. Tea-tree is a powerful antiseptic, antifungal and anti-microbial agent that can be used to clean wounds, used in skincare and as a cleaning aid. Add a few drops to a spritzer bottle of warm water to clean surfaces.
Tea-Tree is widely used as an antifungal against candida by many naturopaths. It is also used as a treatment aid for nail infections, dandruff, and acne by cosmetic and pharmacological companies. Tea-Tree was used by the Australian army and navy in world war 11 as a germicide. It has also been medically researched on its uses in alleviating eczema
Peppermint
Peppermint oil is widely used by the pharmacological industry as an antispasmodic for the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It is also widely used in a variety of products used to help reduce headaches, migraines and even neuralgia type issues.
Peppermint like tea-tree has good anti-bacterial against various strains of bacteria. It also has demonstrated to have ant-viral properties and ant-fungal activity against Candida.
Peppermint is extremely cooling on the skin, it is widely used by the cosmetic, confectionery and food industry. A few drops of peppermint added to a water spritzer bottle makes a perfect cooling spray. Add a few drops of peppermint to a foot bath or added to a base cream to cool down warm achy feet.
Benefits Of Essential Oils
The great thing about essential oils is they are all from mother nature’s cupboard, so less risk of allergies and side-effects. You can make up your own required dosage or dilution of application which is ideal for kids. The ability to mix and blend different essential oils and use them in a variety of ways; add to a bath, footbath, compress, add to a carrier oil, base cream or balm or even inhale.
They are in small discrete easy to pack bottles so take-up minimal luggage space.
Opportunity to save money by replacing a long list of over the counter medicines that you rarely use, but need just in case. With natural remedies that are much more versatile and can often have a much longer shelf-life.
There are so many other essential oils to enjoy some of my favourites include Eucalyptus, Geranium, Frankincense, Lemon, Sandalwood and Ylang Ylang.
Eileen Burns is a qualified aromatherapist and holistic therapist who has taught aromatherapy for over 18 years.
