lifestyle
Essential oils to the rescue!
They may have already eased a headache or made your sleep easier... These are essential oils! But beware: just because they're available over the counter and 100% natural doesn't mean there aren't rules to follow for using them safely. Here's a closer look at the essential oils you'll find in your medicine cabinet, and advice on how to use them from Aurélie Canzoneri, our favorite naturopath.
A few precautions before use...
- As a precautionary measure, I do not recommend them for pregnant (and/or breast-feeding) women or children.
- Avoid exposure to the sun after application (especially lemon or bergamot essential oils), which may leave brown spots on the skin.
- Avoid self-medication: it's better to ask a health professional for advice. Moreover, they are not a substitute for medication.
- Avoid ingesting essential oils (although some can be ingested, it's always best to seek professional advice).
- Before use, test the essential oil in the crease of the elbow to ensure it does not cause a skin reaction.
- Never use essential oils on mucous membranes, in the nose or ears.
How to use essential oils
Best used on the forearms or soles of the feet. Pure essential oils can also be used directly on a handkerchief or in a diffuser.
Each essential oil has its own benefits!
Anti-viral essential oils
Ravintsara, tea tree, bay laurel, eucalyptus radiata, lemon, marjoram.
To promote sleep and calm anxiety
The large citrus family (bitter orange, sweet orange, mandarin...), lavender, marjoram.
Anti-spasmodic and digestive essential oils
Basil, tarragon, lemon balm.
Essential oils for the skin
Rose geranium (purifying and soothing), palmarosa (purifying and deodorizing), rosewood (regenerating & anti-aging), petit grain bigarade (regulates sebum production), carrot (anti-aging & radiance).
7 essential oils for your medicine cabinet
- Ravintsara essential oil antiviral and soothing
- Peppermint essential oil for nausea, migraines or motion sickness
- Wintergreen essential oil for aches and pains or to relieve back pain
- Tea tree essential oil anti-infective and for household products
- Neroli essential oil for its bewitching fragrance... and anti-stress or for sleep disorders
- Italian helichrysum (immortelle) essential oil Anti-haematoma
- Sweet woodruff essential oil for sinusitis, as an inhalant
Now you know all there is to know about essential oils! Did you like this article? Then you should love Each plant has its own benefits for body and mind. For further information, please contact Naturopath Aurélie Canzoneri www.canzoneri-naturopathe.com
Photo credits: 2. © Anya Holdstock Vignette. Latte Lisa
