ESSENTIAL OILS TO USE AT HOME- WHICH ONES SHOULD YOU GET?

There are so many essential oils to pick from (over 90 to be exact), but which essential oils can best be used at home? Let’s dig in, shall we?

What are essential oils?

Essential what? Essential oils are exactly that ESSENTIAL. They are natural as they come from plants (flowers, bark, leaves or fruit) and have been used as natural remedies throughout time. It might take a huge amount of leaves to extract enough compound to fill up a jar. Consequently, this is why some oils, such as Argan, can be very expensive.

According to the University of Minnesota, they are called “oils” because they contain the oil-soluble chemicals in the plant (usually 100 to 200 chemicals per essential oil). This complex chemistry gives essential oils their therapeutic properties and explains why different essential oils may have overlapping effects. Find out more about the process, click HERE.

Although essential oils can bring health benefits or help with cuts and bruises, our focus will be more on the ones that you can use for the home.

Lavender Oil

Lavender comes from Mediterranean regions and the Romans would use it to perfume their clothes and baths. It comes from the Latin word Lavare: which means to wash.

If you are even in the South of France during the early Summer, you should definitely check out the Lavender fields of Provence near Aix-en-Provence and Marseilles.

Can’t travel that far? That’s ok, we have some just outside of Montreal at La Maison Lavande and Bleu Lavande. You can even go there with your dog! In any case, I will absolutely remind you to go there as part of a family activity next Summer.

However, Lavender oil isn’t solely used for the scent.

How to use Lavender oil

While researching other benefits of the lavender essential oil, I came across one I wasn’t aware of.

If you have young kids in school, you mostly have encountered a head lice problem. So annoying am I right?

Lavender oil is an effective solution when addressing head lice and it can also help prevent lice infestations. For a more optimum outcome, mix it with Tea Tree oil and coconut oil. Massage the mixture into your hair and scalp and leave for 2 hours. After that, shampoo your hair, rinse, and if necessary, apply conditioner. Use a nit comb to remove the nits and their eggs and rinse. Repeat this process every 2 days for 10 days.

Did you know that it has calming and sleep-inducing effects? For instance, just add a few drops of the lavender oil to your pillow every evening before bed, and Voilà, you will soon drift off into Morphée’s arms.

Summer in our home rhymes with flies. Adding a few drops of Lavender oil in a small bowl will keep them away. No more suspending that hideous sticky tape to the ceiling!

Moreover, if you are using soap nuts for laundry or another type of natural detergent, we add a few drops of Lavender Oil to our wash so that it can have a better scent. Yeah, there you have it. I too use it for its scent!

Traveling friend

Finally, if you are like me, and if despite your best intention of applying sunscreen before hopping on that boat in Belize or Costa Rica, you will get a sunburn. Due to its antiseptic and antimicrobial properties and its ability to assist with skin healing, lavender oil will help alleviate the pain of a sunburn. Simply add a few drops to your aloe vera gel to help take the sting out of that burn.

Tea Tree Oil

According to Wikipedia: the use of the name probably originated from Captain James Cook’s description of one of these shrubs that he used to make an infusion to drink in place of tea. It is not the same as the plant that produces leaves used to make black, green, and oolong tea!

The Tea tree can be found in Australia and has antiseptic and antibacterial properties.

How to use Tea Tree oil at home

Thanks to its antibacterial properties, Tea Tree oil is perfect to use for cloth diapers waiting to get washed. Don’t know how to use cloth diapers? That’s ok, read up on it here.

Furthermore, Tea Tree oil can also be used as a cleaning agent for surfaces such as sinks, bathrooms, and kitchen counters. Simply use this formula: 5 to 10 drops of Tea tree essential oil + 1 tablespoon of baking soda on a sponge.

Another way to use it is for cleansing your face. It can help remove makeup as well as pollutants—and it’s an added bonus if you have an underlying skin condition like acne. In order to do so, use a Tea Tree oil that’s higher than a one-percent concentration.

Finally, you can use it on household linen (50ml in detergent preparation).

Eucalyptus Oil

Don’t we all wish we were a Koala sometimes?

Native to Australia (just like the Tea Tree), the eucalyptus is a tree that stays green all year long and is often considered to be the main source of food for koalas.

Some of the main qualities of Eucalyptus are anti-inflammatory, decongestant, deodorant, and antiseptic.

How to use Eucalyptus oil

When used locally, eucalyptus essential oil decongests and immediately relieves coughs and cold symptoms. Its steam facilitates breathing and essential oils easily penetrate your body to open the narrowed bronchial tubes and eliminate the problem that causes bacteria or viral infections.

A little tip: tie some eucalyptus branches under your shower knob for your everyday use and breath better.

Not only does eucalyptus give your home products a pleasant and fresh scent, but it also provides them with vital antimicrobial properties. Just add a few drops of eucalyptus to them.

If you have stinky feet like me, you will most likely have stinky shoes. If you have a big dog like our Nouki, you will have a smelly bed or couch or whatever he likes to chill on. Rub these objects with a damp cloth soaked in water infused with eucalyptus oil and then dry them in the sun, no more bad smells!

Moreover, try to put a few drops in your vacuum cleaner and dryer filter to cool and disinfect them.

In addition, eucalyptus essential oil is ideal for removing mold in any home. You can mix eucalyptus oil with tea tree oil for a purer home.

Did you know that since Eucalyptus oil is antimicrobial, it is perfect for killing germs in the mouth and can reduce plaque and help prevent gum disease? Me neither 🙂

Argan Oil

Argan oil originates from Morocco. It is extracted from the fruits of the Argan tree which grows mainly in Southwest Morocco. The oil is made by the cold pressing of almonds (small almonds). It has Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties and helps prevent skin aging.

Side note: I had to include it on the essential oil to use at home list, even if it is more for self-care. I just love it and here are a few reasons why.

How to use Argan oil

Argan oil nourishes and protects hair and skin from external aggressions. As it is expensive, use it in moderation. Simply add a few drops to your shampoo. Argan oil also helps in keeping the color shine longer when you do a coloring.

Why expensive dare you ask? The process of extracting the oil is extremely long. Just read this article on why argan oil is so expensive, to learn about it.

Do you suffer from Eczema? Big Boss does! From our trip to Morocco, we brought back special soaps made with argan oil that we bought in a tiny store in Chefchaouen. It’s really soothing when it comes to skin irritation.

Did you know that the Berbers used to apply this elixir to their faces to protect themselves from the aggressive desert wind?

Its fatty acids have an interesting action on the suppleness and elasticity of the skin, which can delay the appearance of wrinkles and strengthen skin firmness. They also stimulate cell renewal. (some doctor said that)

Where to buy essential oils

If you want to buy essential oils to use at home, you can go to any organic and natural store or buy them online. We also have them in our store. If you are interested, visit our shop today.