Natural Medicine: Essential Oils

Whether it is relief for allergy sufferers, those who suffer with anxiety, or if you are having problems sleeping, essential oils are a great way to naturally alleviate some of the issues mentioned above as they have been used for thousands of years for their therapeutic and healing properties- as part of a practice called aromatherapy. Many essential oils are sourced from stems, roots and leaves of plants that are well-known for their health benefits.

In case you are wondering where to purchase essential oils, many chained retailers sell them like Winners, Homesense, Well.ca and you can also find a plethora of shops online through Amazon. There are also many independent shops that carry them- sometimes on the pricier side. Depending on the type of essential oil you are looking for, it can range anywhere between $8 CAD up to hundreds of dollars. If you are looking for quality, I recommend going for brands that are organic and non GMO. Based off of personal experience I would suggest brands like "NOW", "Kosmea" and "Nature's Essence". Also check for brands that are made locally by checking out a health food store near you.

The following is a list of my staples in terms of essential oils, and what exactly I use them for. I also have a couple of FUN DIY projects involving the use of these oils. (Fun is arguable, but I feel like a damn chemist while doing it okay, don't kill my vibes....).

Disclaimer: just to be safe, there are some essential oils that can be ingested, but it is best to consult a health-care practitioner before doing so, just in case you experience any side-effects. More often than not I use essential oils topically, however they are powerful remedies for many illnesses when used appropriately and consistently.

1. Lavender Essential Oil

My grandma used to have a lavender tree, so I am convinced that the scent of lavender subconsciously reminds me of her. Lavender also tends to be used in a lot of sleep-aid products and beauty cosmetics as it known for being a calming and relaxing herb.

[FUN DIY PROJECT- LAVENDER PILLOW SPRAY]

*This is a natural and affordable way to pamper yourself before bed by spraying it on your sheets and pillows.

You will need:

• A spray bottle

• A funnel

• 10 drops of lavender essential oil

• 2 tablespoons of witch hazel (no there is no sorcery involved...)

• 6 tablespoons of water

I also like using lavender essential oil to make natural, eco-friendly cleaning products- as it smells better than vinegar. The fact that it has a multi-purpose use is a reason why it is a staple for me.

2. Lemon Essential Oil

I use lemon essential oil for cleaning products, as it is a good sanitizer for surfaces and it is great for removing stains on carpets (especially useful if you have pets). Being a natural disinfectant, it also makes a great hand sanitizer.

[FUN DIY PROJECT- LEMON SCENTED HAND SANITIZER]

You will need:

• A travel size bottle

• A funnel

• 10 drops of lemon essential oil (you can add any other oils to this mix if you wish).

• 1/2 cup of pure aloe vera gel (for the consistency of a traditional hand sanitizer).

• 1 tablespoon of witchhazel

• 1/2 a teaspoon of Vitamin E oil (vitamin E acts as a natural preservative).

3. Tea Tree Oil

Though there are many uses for tea tree oil, I use it predominantly as an acne treatment. I mix it in with my night time moisturizer when I have one too many stubborn spots. Fair warning: it is highly scented and although the scent doesn't linger, its initial application is quite overwhelming. If you can handle the smell, it really does work wonders. Just be careful not too use too much or else it will dry out your skin. You can also make your own fancy DIY serums using tea tree oil.

[FUN DIY PROJECT - TEA TREE OIL FACE SERUM]

You will need:

• a base oil/carrier oil (e.g. jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, hempseed oil, grapeseed oil, avocado oil).

• a nourishing oil (I personally love rosehip oil).

• 1 tsp of vitamin E oil

• 6-8 drops of tea tree oil (you can also add in any other oils to the mix- e.g. lavender essential oil).

One thing to keep in mind, depending on how well you take care of these oils will factor into their shelf-life. For the DIY serum, it should be good for 6-8 months if you keep it out of sunlight and if you invest in amber-coloured glass bottles with droppers (I realize how pretentious this sounds whilst typing it). This is not required, but it will add to the longevity of your serums as they will begin to oxidize. It is also useful to keep in mind when shopping for cosmetics that are poorly packaged and/or have clear bottles.

4. Grapefruit Essential Oil

I personally love using grapefruit oil as a natural perfume. I like dabbing it onto my wrists and the back of my ears. I find that the smell of grapefruit acts as a natural stress-reliever. It makes sense as grapefruit is a natural stress-fighter and is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties.

I was inspired to make a dupe of the Bodyshop's exfoliating grapefruit scrub (because I love the smell), as it retails for $20 CAD. Try out the DIY version for a fraction of the cost.

[FUN DIY PROJECT- GRAPEFRUIT EXFOLIATING SUGAR SCRUB]

You Will Need:

• A mason jar

• 1/2 cup of raw sugar

• 1/4 cup of coconut oil (or any other preferred carrier oil).

• 2-3 drops of vitamin E oil

• 4 drops of grapefruit essential oil

Let me know in the comments if you decide to try out one of these DIY's. If so, tell me which one was your favourite. Be sure to take a picture and use the hashtag #chantalmarutoblog, I want to see your creations!