If you’re looking for a comprehensive essential oils guide where you can start learning about essential oils for beginners, this is the right place for you!
This complete essential oils guide includes an introduction to essential oils, how to use them, a reference list of essential oil benefits and how/why they work, and it also tells you which oils to use and for what.
I’m a researcher and love compiling a good list or reference guide. I’ve done this exact thing here and created my own guide to essential oils based on what I know about these oils. As I’m starting my list, I hope you’ll excuse how short it is. I am growing it as I learn more, and share my knowledge with you.
This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure policy here.
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are extracts from natural plant materials. They retain the plant’s scent as well as the plant’s therapeutic properties. This is commonly also called the plant’s “essence”. These oils are a highly concentrated extract of the plant they came from.
The production of essential oils is most commonly done by steam distillation of the plant materials. Another common method is cold pressing of materials, or solvent extraction to gain the valuable oils.
Essential oils are used in the alternative medicine of aromatherapy.
Learn more Want more details? Click here to find out What is an essential oil?
How To Use Essential Oils
There are a lot of great methods of how you can use your essential oils. Getting started doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In contrary, it’s really quite easy!
Essential oils work their way into your body either through your olfactory system (your sense of smell), or through absorption through the skin. The oils have medicinal properties when absorbed.
- Use a diffuser in your home or office.
- Inhale the oils from the bottle, a cotton round, diffuser jewelry or through a personal inhaler.
- Apply oils, diluted in a carrier oil, to the skin.
- Add oils to aromatherapy baths.
Learn more Interested in more ways? Read How do you use essential oils
Popular Essential Oils
There are more than 150 different essential oils (source: Wikipedia).
Here’s a list of 12 favorite essential oils. Each of the links below will take you to a separate article on the oils’ main uses and benefits.
- Copaiba Copaifera langsdorffii
- Dill Copaifera langsdorffii
- Frankincense Boswellia carterii, Boswellia frereana, Boswellia serrata, and Boswellia sacra
- Geranium Pelargonium graveolens
- Ginger Zingiber officinale
- Helichrysum Helichrysum italicum
- Hemp Cannabis sativa
- Lavender Lavandula angustifolia
- Lemon Citrus limon
- Myrrh Commiphora Myrrha
- Sandalwood Santalum album, Santalum austrocaledonicum
- Tea Tree Melaleuca alternifolia
Best Essential Oils
As a consumer, you have lots of choices when it comes to essential oils.
There are lots of essential oils to be found on the marketplace today. But not all essential oils are made equal.
It’s important that the essential oils you’re using are pure and unadulterated essential oils. They shouldn’t be diluted with chemical or additives, or they might not be effective in the ways you’d expect. You may opt to use certified organic essential oils.
Essential oils aren’t regulated like foods and thus quality control has a lot to do with trusting a certain brand of oils.
Learn more Click here to see our Top 10 Essential oil companies fully reviewed
Most Common Uses of Essential Oils
Essential oils are very beneficial because they are directly absorbed by the skin, so the effects are quick and helpful.
For example, essential oils have been singled out as one of the most effective remedies for getting rid of stretch marks. Also, they have proven to be one of the best alternative remedies for treating signs of aging. Here are the most common uses and benefits of essential oils:
| Lemon, Lavender | Physical and psychological benefits combined |
| Chamomile, Clove | Immunity boosting |
| Peppermint, Ginger | Natural pain relievers |
| Geranium, Eucalyptus | Antimicrobial benefits |
| Chamomile, Clove, Peppermint, Spearmint | Against inflammation |
| Lemon, Lavender, Frankincense | Against stress and anxiety |
| Lavender, Frankincense | Insomnia |
| Valerian, Lavender, Roman Chamomile | Skin rejuvenation |
| Lemon, Eucalyptus | Protection against common colds and influenza |
| Lemon, Oregano, Peppermint | Digestive disorder |
| Cypress, German Chamomile | For better circulation |
Further below, I am also providing a quick reference on ailments you can choose to address with essential oils. You’ll find the best oils for headaches, better sleep, or to help you through cold and flu season.
Safest Ways to Use Essential Oils
Essential oils have existed for centuries, before the usage of pharmaceuticals. They have been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years in many cultures, however it was only recently that the recognition of their healing properties has gained common popularity. Today, they have become a staple in alternative medicine across the world.
Use essential oils in a variety of ways
Essential oils are natural extracts that provide many natural health benefits such as improved mood and decreased stress, among others. They can deal with a number of issues, including ones that are generally related to mental health and well-being, but also related to physical aches and disorders. They are definitely also particularly useful in the management of chronic pain such as arthritis and sciatica. Lots of people don’t know just how varied the applications of essential oils are, and how many ailments essential oils can be used for. They play a supportive role in so many ways.
There are two trains of thought for, or ways to use, essential oils:
- Firstly, essential oils can help with physical ailments like headaches, muscle aches, skin care, etc.
- Secondly, essential oils support human’s emotional or energetic side.
Most people are looking to essential oils for help with physical ailments. The emotional and spiritual benefits of essential oils are less commonly known. But essential oils are definitely an amazing support in becoming a more balanced person spiritually, emotionally, and mentally.
IMPORTANT: It’s important to learn about essential oils that might not be safe during a pregnancy or while nursing, and hence, are contraindicated for their usage.
Learn more Here are more details about using essential oils safely
Essential Oils for Common Ailments
Is Aromatherapy Treatment Covered by Insurance?
In general, health insurance plans do not cover aromatherapy treatments or essential oils purchases. Unfortunately, it’s in fact quite rare for many alternative medicines to receive coverage. This is unfortunate seeing that a holistic approach to health and well-being is on the rise among consumers.
If you’d like to research more and find out if your exact health care provider might give access to aromatherapy coverage, you can learn more about aromatherapy health insurance from my friends over at QuoteWizard.
Get Started Today!
Understanding essential oils will provide you with the chance to see whether they are most suitable for you. I’m a strong advocate to give essential oils a try in your life, and to give it a chance basically.
We all are individuals with individual bodies and chemical make-ups, and an oil that works best for your friend or spouse, might not be the go-to oil for yourself. It takes a little bit of experimentation to get it right but when you do, it’s an extremely valuable addition to your life. It’s powerful to know that no matter the situation, you have some natural self-help available right at your fingertips.
I love that aromatherapy knowledge and having my little collection of oils handy at all times. It’s really fun and liberating, and a totally personal choice and experience at the same time. If you don’t have oils yet at home please do give them a try!
To your well-being,
