5 Essential Oils I Use Daily

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Essential oils that I use daily
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I get more questions about essential oils than almost any other topic, probably because they’ve gained such immense popularity. Our family uses essential oils daily in our personal care products, homemade cleaners, and as natural remedies.

The five essential oils I use most often for my family are:

1. Lemon Essential Oil

We use lemon and other citrus essential oils aromatically by diffusing them in to the air. I also add 10-15 drops of lemon or orange essential oil to all of my homemade cleaning products for a fresh and clean smell without the chemicals.

Lemon has natural antibacterial, antiviral, and antihistamine properties and it is great for dabbing on insect bites or in salves used on wounds. I also often add lemon or sweet orange essential oil to our homemade shampoo since the scent is energizing and there is some evidence that lemon can stimulate hair growth. I add lemon and orange to either my honey face wash or my oil cleansing blend for use at night.

We don’t use citrus essential oils for any homemade products that we will use on our skin during sun exposure as citrus can increase sun sensitivity.

2. Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint is one of my favorite essential oils to diffuse as it is said to help increase mental clarity and is invigorating. I use it in my homemade remineralizing toothpaste and in homemade lotion recipes. It is also an ingredient in my homemade vapor rub.
Five Essential Oils I use Daily

When I’m not pregnant, I use it on my feet for nausea or upset stomach and on my neck for headaches. It is an ingredient in our homemade bug spray and I also add peppermint and lavender to a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water to help cool sunburns (though we don’t usually get those anymore since adjusting our diet).

3. Lavender Essential Oil

I absolutely love the scent of lavender essential oil and diffuse it as an air freshener. It is said to help digestion, support skin health, stimulate hair growth, help mitigate the effects of stress and more.

I sometimes add a drop of lavender and lemon to bug bites or burns to cool the sting and use it with peppermint to calm a headache or sunburn. Lavender essential oils is also an ingredient in many of my homemade beauty products.

4. Oregano

I love that the smell of oregano reminds me of Italian food. I also love the natural antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal, and anti-parasitic properties of oregano. It is important to note that oregano is very potent and should always be diluted for topical use. In times of bad illness, I diffuse oregano in to the air. I don’t do this often since it isn’t the most pleasant scent but it definitely works!

Oregano is anti-parasitic and a recent stool test I did showed I have no intestinal parasites! The majority of the population does have parasites, but I credit my external use of oregano essential oil and a diet high in probiotic-rich fermented foods to my lack of intestinal invaders.

I’ve used (or had a family member who has used) oregano effectively for:

  • Getting rid of athletes foot (diluted with coconut oil)
  • Diluted topically for killing ringworm
  • Massaged on feet to help deal with intestinal parasites
  • Diluted to help remove warts
  • Diluted on sore muscles to speed muscle recovery

5. Disinfectant Blend

The use a specific blend called Germ Destroyer from my go-to brand of oils. Best of all, it is designed to be kid-safe so I don’t have to worry about safety. It contains spruce hemlock, marjoram, lavender, rosalina, and lemon. It smells divine and is naturally disinfecting.

I use it in everything from homemade cleaning spray to avoiding illness but my favorite uses are:

  • On the soles of the feet to support the immune system
  • In homemade mouth wash to support a healthy mouth
  • When mopping floors (disinfects and smells great)
  • Diffused for an air freshener
  • To freshen air and fabrics in the car (here’s how)

Where I Get My Essential Oils

I have been using Plant Therapy as my source for essential oils because they are backed by Robert Tisserand and have a ton of solid information about how to use essential oils on their blog. I especially love their Kid-Safe Blends which make buying oils for use around a family so much easier.

Another excellent source for essential oils is Vibrant Blue Oils. They have very high quality, targeted blends designed to help a wide range of conditions. You can find out more about their products on this Wellness Mama Podcast episode. Their oils are blends designed to be used for a specific purpose and are therapeutic dose.

Note: Essential oils can be dangerous if used incorrectly. This post discusses some of the risks and other considerations when using them.

Do you use essential oils? Which ones do you use? Tell me below!

These essential oils are a daily staple in our house for natural cleaning, homemade beauty products, for natural remedies and freshening the air.

Sources

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Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

165 responses to “5 Essential Oils I Use Daily”

  1. Debbie Hardwick Avatar
    Debbie Hardwick

    Would like to know more about what oils would help me with my emphysema to help me breathe better

  2. Jayna Avatar

    I would like to thank Wellness Mama for all the hard work and dedication she has done on various topics for all of us to learn, and greatly benefit from her work. I personally feel that her site is a very trusted source, and when I want to learn something I usually go to her page. As a mother of 4, I admire her for being so dedicated to her work and her young family.
    With that being said I am in great need of recommendations for a diffuser. I have a very large house so I could actually use several diffusers. I have looked at the diffusers that cost $100 each and wondered if it’s worth it with me needing several. I have been wanting to get some for several months but have kept putting it off because I don’t know what to get. I would greatly appreciate any recommendations anyone might have.

  3. Lisa Avatar

    I have been slowly trying to switch my family over to using more EO’s in our home and for our health and this article has been very helpful! I recently started using a blend of lavender and lime with some unscented lotion at night to help me sleep and it has been wonderful. The lavender is so calming and the lime helps keep my nose from getting stuffy, the two together have been magic for me. Especially since I have not been a huge fan of the scent of lavender in the past. I have used several different brands but the one I use exclusively now is Better Essentials (www.betteressentials.com) because they have very high quality oils but not the high price or a MLM. (Doesn’t hurt that they have a great first order promo code, WELCOME, that will save you an extra 40% off!) Thanks again for your great article, now I am going to go put some Oregano in my husbands’ shoes!

  4. Ami Hatcher Avatar
    Ami Hatcher

    Have you tried Purify Skin Therapy essential oils and if so what are your thoughts on them?

    1. Rachel Avatar

      I’ve been wanting to try those too! They just don’t have enough positive reviews to trust it. My naturopath recommends doTerra. I guess for now that’ll do, until I grain enough trust to try PST.

  5. Sharon Avatar

    I have never heard of any of the company’s but I could contact one of the companies of the newer oils I have in my collection. Thanks for the idea.

  6. Sharon Avatar

    Just wondering if there is a recommended shelf life for essential oils. A kind friend gave me 6 bottles of essential oils that she used in her work at a nursing home for crafts. Only problem is that I know they are over 6 years old. I wouldn’t use them in personal products because of their age but curious if they could still be used safely in cleaning product recipes or a diffuser? They smell fine and I have kept them in a cool dark place.

    1. April Avatar

      Every oil is different. Citrus oils have a short shelf life so I definitely wouldn’t use those. There are charts that show the shelf life of various oils, but 6 years is too long for most oils.

  7. Olivia Avatar

    Would diffusing DoTerra OnGuard or Breathe not be safe for my 14 month old and 3 year old? Was thinking about buying them but not sure anymore.

    1. April Avatar

      They’re not safe for children under age 10. They contain oils that can suppress breathing. I love Plant Therapy’s Kid Safe line. Safe for ages 2 and up. Plant Therapy has safe usage information which a lot of companies don’t. They also provide test reports for their oils so that you know what you’re getting is pure.

  8. Mary Beth Avatar
    Mary Beth

    I have been using Edens Garden for years. Does anyone else use them ? I like their mission statement. Reasonably priced too.

  9. Michelle Avatar
    Michelle

    I am a Lavender loyalist though I also love eucalyptus, teat tree and lemon oils.

  10. Kayla Avatar

    When you add peppermint to toothpaste do you dilute in a carrier oil first or add the pure oil straight into the recipe? I am new to oils and just want to make sure I am understanding it right. I added it straight in.

  11. Teresa Avatar

    What kind of test did you have to show that you were clean of parasites? I had 3 test and they all came back negative and yet I saw for myself and still am feeling and fighting them. From what I understand, it’s hard to test for parasites because they often don’t show up on conventional and even the naturopathic’s Genova tests. They hide where a doctor can’t see them. Parasites are not limited to the digestive track. I know because I have them with their die off infections in every opening in my body, literally! Anyway, if you are feeling well and have good appetites, not overeating, not undereating, no rashes or allergies, nor infections, then you are probably ok! Because they are saying now that most of North America is no different than the 3rd world, up to 95% of people have them to some degree. I started a parasite cleanse, that’s how I found out! I unearthed them! Of course I wasn’t feeling well and had urinary tract infections for the 1st time in my life. Anyway… we can’t be too sure by a regular stool test. Blessings to you and yours.

  12. Jessica Avatar
    Jessica

    Love your stuff, Katie! How young would you say is safe to use Oregano Oil on a little one? Internally and/or topically? Nasty tummy bug going through our house, and I’ve read that it’s such a powerful antiviral!

  13. Jen Avatar

    Hi Katie,
    Can I apply lavender and onguard together on the bottom of my 15 month olds feet? Wasn’t sure if the two could be used together.

  14. Mary Avatar

    Hi Katie!
    You mention oils like rosemary and eucalyptus. I have read that both of those should not be used with babies and young children. However I am not sure what is meant by “used”. I would only diffuse a small amount of oils in the most open area of the house and maybe put a few drops in cleaning solutions. I was not planning on using them topically or anything. Do you think that can be harmful to children? Of course I would not use them at all around babies under 6 months of age – not even for diffusing. I know you have young children, so I was curious about your opinion.
    Thanks in advance!

  15. Jen Avatar

    I have recently discovered essential oils. I have been doing some research because it is something I definitely want to invest in. Any recommendations for a beginner like me on brands or which oils to purchase first??

    I am not looking to spend a ton of money, as some can get pricey. I need a direction! Help!

  16. Lillian Avatar

    Are there any oils that you recommend that I could buy from Whole Foods? Do you only buy oils online? Also, did you ever finish the post about the diffusers? Thanks again! I love your blog! I made the toothpaste with my daughter and we loved it.

  17. Daniel Avatar

    Hello Katie, Really very nice blog! I would like to use “lemon essential oil” and “oregano”. Thanks for sharing such a great info with us.

  18. Lisette Avatar

    You mention that you use OnGuard when mopping floors. Can you tell me your recipe for that? I love OnGuard and would love to clean my floors with it. Thanks!!

  19. Maci Avatar

    Hi Katie – (or any other readers)

    What books or resources do you recommend for learning about Essential Oils and using them safely. I would like to incorporate using them more, but I feel very strongly about treating them like any other “medicine” from a safety standpoint. I am trying to find a couple books to keep on hand to help me learn the benefits and precautions to take when using these with my family. Thanks!

    1. Justein Avatar

      Maci-

      You can find a lot of information on the Doterra website with some pretty awesome videos of how the oils are made. 🙂

      You can also order the book from Amazon “Modern Essential Oils” for close to $20 (includes shipping) which tells you what oils to use for certain conditions (this book is my baby).

      Hope this helps!
      Justein

  20. Laura Avatar

    Hello Katie,

    My 72 year old father has Stage 4 Melanoma and I am researching alternative treatments to compliment the traditional treatment path he is on. I have read that Frankincense and Idaho balsam fir may be beneficial. Do you know anything about essential oils to prevent tumor growth?

    Thanks!

    PS My husband and I used Oil of Oregano, based on one of your posts, when we thought we were getting sick and we felt fine by the next day! What is the safe amount to use orally?

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