How to Use Essential Oils For Comfort and Healing

Have you ever felt like you just needed some peace? Emotional or even physical relief from ongoing stress, pain or just an especially challenging time in your life? We all have times like that and often no idea of what will really help. I’d like to share with you how to use essential oils for comfort and healing. Along with information on which oils are best for specific situations and I’ll share a few of my favorite recipes!

Whether you struggle with mood swings, insomnia or occasional body aches, essential oils can help. In a previous post I discussed their origins and uses, which extend beyond aromatherapy. Through these oils, we have at our fingertips holistic options to soothe, protect and heal many common discomforts.

Why a Holistic Approach is Better

Much information abounds regarding a “holistic” approach to life. From holistic dietary practices and lifestyle choices to holistic food and products for our pets.

From its origins, the term refers to a medical treatment approach of treating the “whole” person rather than just a specific condition.

This has resulted in the addition of massage therapy, acupuncture and other alternative therapies to the treatment plan of complex cases.

Just as holistic medicine seeks to treat the whole person, mind, body and spirit, the advertising industry has tapped this approach for the marketing of many products today. That’s actually a good thing, in this case!

It contributes to the realization that people are more than their condition, situation or diagnosis. Learning how to use essential oils for comfort and healing, is simply a “holistic” approach to your total care.

Disclaimer

While I whole-heartedly advocate the use of essential oils, personally experiencing the benefits, I in no way advocate the discontinuation of any medically prescribed treatments already in place. If you are currently under the care of a physician for any mental health or physical condition, please consult your physician before using essential oils.

Essential Oils for Comfort

Most of us would admit we deal with anxiety, stress, fatigue, insomnia or occasional mood swings. Any one of these distresses can cause our days to be more difficult. Essential oils can help, whether the root cause of these conditions is emotional, physical or spiritually based. I’d like to share a few of my favorite, tried and true oils that I keep on hand and use regularly in various ways.

1. Lavender: quite possibly the most famous oil in the world. It is a “must-have” oil to have on hand at all times. Extremely versatile, used topically without a carrier oil, diffused, or taken internally. (I love putting 1-2 drops in a glass of sparkling water!) Key Benefits: helps relieve anxiety and stress, promotes sleep, promotes balanced blood sugar, relieves headaches or migraines, helps eczema, psoriasis and other skin rashes and encourages healthy skin.
2. Geranium: another commonly used oil, indispensable to have on hand. Used topically, diffused or consumed internally. *Due to its affect on certain hormones, it should not be used during pregnancy. Key Benefits: helps balance hormones, helps reduce menopausal symptoms, helps relieve stress, helps fight depression, and has wonderful anti-aging properties.

1. Roman Chamomile: considered one of the most ancient and versatile essential oils. Used topically or diffused. *Roman chamomile stimulates blood flow to the pelvic area and should not be used during pregnancy. Key Benefits: fights anxiety and depression, serves as a natural allergy reliever, reduces symptoms of insomnia, and supports digestive health.
2. Rosemary: many people are familiar with the herb rosemary and its use in cooking. A versatile oil known for its positive effect on cognitive performance and mood. Rosemary oil is also effective against certain bacteria, fungi and even E.coli and candida. * Use sparingly during pregnancy. Do not use if you have high blood pressure or have been diagnosed with epilepsy. Key Benefits: promotes hormone balance, soothes respiratory conditions, improves alertness and memory, regenerates nerve tissue, and thickens hair.

Essential Oils for Healing

I prefer to try natural remedies over medications to avoid side effect complications and toxic overload. Smaller, less complicated ailments respond well to essential oil treatments. The use of essential oils, however, can also complement medical therapies in a more holistic way.

1. Frankincense: referred to as the “king of oils” due to its powerful, effective and incredibly therapeutic properties. In recent studies, frankincense has shown to induce breast cancer cell death. Used topically or diffused. Key Benefits: combats negative emotions and stress, supports immunity, contains anti-tumor properties, helps relieve inflammation.
2. Peppermint: known as one of the oldest oils used for medicinal purposes. It addresses a number of ailments and has wonderful soothing effects on muscle aches and pains. Used topically with a carrier oil, diffused or taken internally. Key Benefits: soothes digestive issues, relieves nausea, improves mental focus, soothes respiratory issues, eases tight muscles.

1. Vetiver: known as the “oil of tranquility” due to its cooling properties. A versatile oil used to treat many conditions. Used topically with a carrier oil or diffused. Key Benefits: helps boost energy levels, improves focus, reduces feelings of anxiety and nervousness, supports neurological conditions, cardiovascular health and relieves joint and muscle pain.
2. Orange: orange essential oil is one of the most versatile oils to have on hand. It not only has emotional and physical benefits, but it steals the show as a grease cutting cleaning agent. A 2010 study found that orange oil could effectively stop the growth of human lung and colon cancer cells. Used topically, some may need to use a carrier oil. Direct sunlight should be avoided for up to 12 hours after application. Try diffusing it, and it’s fantastic internally! Key Benefits: eases cold and flu symptoms, demonstrates anti-tumor activity, reduces he appearance of wrinkles, acts as a natural anti-bacterial agent, helps relieve anxiety and depression, improves blood pressure and supports lymphatic drainage.

Essential Oil Recipes for Comfort and Healing

Soothing Body Lotion

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup shea butter
• 2 tablespoons vitamin E
• 20 drops frankincense essential oil
• 20 drops geranium essential oil or rose essential oil
• 20 drops lavender essential oil

Directions

1. In a small glass bowl, combine the olive oil, coconut oil and shea butter.
2. Place the bowl in a saucepan with 2 inches of water and place over medium heat. Stir to combine well.
3. Once melted and combined, place bowl in refrigerator for 1 hour until solid.
4. With a regular mixer or hand mixer, beat the mixture until it is whipped and fluffy. Mix in the vitamin E and essential oils.
5. Put the lotion in a BPA-free plastic lotion bottle or glass jar. Store in a cool place.

Lavender Beauty Soap

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. Castile Soap melt and pour soap base
• 3 tbsp. dried lavender flower buds (optional)
• 2 tbsp honey
• 20 drops lavender essential oil

Directions

1. Chop soap base into smaller pieces; 1 inch chunks or so. It will melt faster if it’s chopped.
2. Place in glass microwavable bowl and microwave on high in 30 second increments, stirring frequently until melted.
3. Once soap base is melted add lavender essential oil and mix well. Then add lavender flower buds if using and honey. Mix well.
4. Pour into a silicone soap mold, if you have one, or like me just use a 13 x 9 glass dish that you lightly greased. Cool 2-4 hours until solid and pop out of mold or cut bars in the 13 x 9 pan. I usually get 6-8 bars depending.
5. Store in ziplock bags left slightly open so soap can “cure”. The soap can be used right away or stored for future use.

Nighty Night Sleep Diffuser Blend

Ingredients

• 4 drops lavender essential oil
• 4 drops vetiver essential oil
• 3 drops roman chamomile essential oil
• 2 drops bergamot essential oil

Directions

1. Fill dispenser of diffuser with distilled water
2. Add essential oils to dispenser
3. Diffuse before bedime

Mood Lifting Diffuser Blend

Ingredients

• 4 drops orange essential oil
• 4 drops Bergamot essential oil
• 2 drops peppermint essential oil

Directions

1. Fill dispenser of diffuser with distilled water
2. Add essential oils to dispenser
3. Diffuse anytime

Muscle and Pain Soothing Salve

Ingredients

• 10 drops Ylang Ylang essential oil
• 10 drops Roman Chamomile essential oil
• 10 drops Frankincense essential oil
• 10 drops Lavender essential oil
• 10 drops Orange essential oil
• 1 cup coconut oil

Directions

1. Place coconut oil in glass bowl, use wooden spoon or spatula to soften it up up if stiff.
2. Add essential oils and mix well by hand until oils are incorporated and oil is smooth.
3. Scrape into plastic or glass jar. Store in cool place.
4. Massage into sore muscles or joints as needed.

Whether you enjoy aromatherapy or making your own essential oil products, you will enjoy the versatility of essential oils. Learning how to use essential oils for comfort and healing, will give your body what it needs to heal itself.

Realizing the benefits of these extraordinary oils can only increase your joy in caring for yourself. Experiment with the different oils and uses, and feel free to make the recipes your own by substituting your own favorite essential oils.