Welcome to the wonderful, enchanting, healing and ancient WORLD OF ESSENTIAL OILS!
I started out just like you – one moment I was a clueless citizen, going about my mundane boring life and the next moment, BAM! I transformed into a lively and enthusiastic essential oil junkie, thirsty for more knowledge, gobbling up info about essential oils; using them in every possible situation; DIY-ing homemade essential oil products like skin toners, toothpastes, and even soaps; using essential oil remedies to treat colds, cuts and bruises and ear infections! I’m addicted I tell ya! I think you can relate with the never-ending eagerness to get my hands on all the essential oils that possibly exist in this world! Just think! How many essential oils could there be?! Hundreds? Thousands?! Oh God, just thinking of all those exotic and mysterious essential oils that I haven’t yet discovered is making me hyperventilate!
Yes, it can all get overwhelming. Before you go bankrupt buying all the essential oils you come across, please take a deep breath, sit back and relax while I take you through the best essential oils to start with. There are good reasons to start with a select number of essential oils rather than loading up on as many as you can, including:
- You Save Money! If you buy a select number of oils when you’re starting out, you’ll save money and storage space!
- The Learning Curve! Essential Oils do take some getting used to, so starting out with a few allows you to work with them and get used to them rather than bombarding yourself with too many at a time.
- The Expiry Date! Essential Oils have an expiry date – around 2 years. And since a little goes a long way, you’re going to be hanging out with your essential oils for a long time to come. That’s why buying a few makes more sense and is more practical.
What are the Best Essential Oils to Start with?
I’ve rounded up a list of just 8 essential oils that are great for beginners as well as for gifting to friends and family.
1. Lavender Essential Oil
Extracted from lavender flowers, lavender essential oil (where to get it) is one of the most versatile oils that has been used since time immemorial for its amazing repertoire of benefits including: calming, relaxing, sedative, detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, antidepressant, antiseptic, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, analgesic properties. Whew! No wonder lavender oil is one of the most well-known and widely used oils in aromatherapy and beyond. This is an oil that any beginner should have in their portfolio.
2. Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon essential oil (where to get it) is one of first I recommend for all those interested in making DIY household products such as window cleaner, dish washing liquid, bathroom deodorizer and more! Lemon oil is extracted from the rinds of lemons and is powerful & rich in citric acid which makes it a strong cleaning agent for both household and beauty uses. The scent of lemon is invigorating and energizing and can be diffused to deodorize the air in any room.
3. Peppermint Essential Oil
Got a headache or a congested nasal pathway? Nothing a quick sniff of peppermint can’t take care of! Peppermint essential oil (where to get it) is obtained from the leaves and stem of the peppermint plant and has a refreshing, minty scent. While peppermint has an energizing effect, its scent also inspires mental clarity, calmness and positivity. It can be applied diluted on different pulse points throughout the body, as well as in sports massages.
4. Tea Tree Essential Oil
Also known as melaleuca, tea tree is a highly antibacterial oil, and one of the most extensively researched essential oils. Tea tree essential oil (where to get it) can be used to treat colds and coughs by topical application on the nasal entry way, throat and chest. It can be used to make simple and effective antibacterial hand sanitizers. It’s also extremely effective and useful for people suffering from acne or persistent pimples. Regular application of tea tree oil on the skin, in the form of a facial cleanser or moisturizer can help keep your skin smooth and blemish-free. Where does tea tree oil come from? It is extracted from the leaves of the tea tree, native to Australia, where it was used expansively by the aboriginals.
5. Rosemary Essential Oil
Extracted from the leaves of the rosemary plant, rosemary essential oil (where to get it) is packed with antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and cell-regeneration properties. It has a fresh, strong herby scent and can be used to stimulate hair growth, relieve pain, boost the immune system, ease respiratory problems and relieve stress.
6. Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense essential oil (where to get it) is extracted through steam distillation of the resin of the Boswellia tree. This is an ancient oil that has been revered for its incredible healing properties. It traces back to biblical times, where it was one of the 3 gifts presented to Jesus by the 3 wise men. It can be used in homemade cosmetics, as it is popularly known for its anti-aging properties. It is highly beneficial for oral problems such as gum recession and has been widely researched for being positively influential in the treatment of arthritis and joint inflammation.
7. Geranium Essential Oil
Is a must-have for any female (or any male who knows a female, for that matter!). Geranium essential oil (where to get it) is extracted from the leaves of the geranium plant and is known as the “poor man’s rose”. Yes, it does smell like roses, albeit with a more “peppery” note. Geranium oil is a great female hormone balancing oil, having a beneficial effect on menstruation and menopause. It relieves fatigue and is useful for balanced emotional well-being.
8. Lemongrass Essential Oil
Extracted from the tall, sharp-edged leaves of the lemongrass plant, lemongrass essential oil (where to get it) is one with a penetrating herby, lemony and musty scent. This is on my beginner essential oils list because it has such a pleasing scent, although it is strong. Plus it is cheaper than most essential oils yet it has numerous benefits such as anti-inflammatory properties and analgesic properties. It can be used for relief against joint paint, for inflammation and swelling, in massage oils, in a relaxing bath, to combat stress as well as a safe essential oil for treating your pets if they have fleas or lice.
There we go! 8 fantastic smelling, highly useful essential oils for the newbie essential oil collector! You will find all these essential oils to be cheap, or reasonably priced, as compared to other essential oils – and you will find these easily available in most health stores or online. But I must warn you, once you get started on this essential oil journey, you just can’t stop – so I suggest you have a look at the Top 20 Essential Oils for Beginners.