You don’t have to know everything about Essential Oils to start using them. Not even close! Oils are easy to use, and there are many resources that can point you in the right direction to help you get started (just ask me!).
Even though you don’t need to be an expert, it can be helpful to learn a bit about the common properties found in CATEGORIES of Essential Oils.
You don’t have to know every detail about each oil but having a general idea of the properties and benefits of the OIL CATEGORIES can help you know where to start when addressing an issue or what to use a new oil for.
Here are some of the basic categories, which oils belong to which, and some of their main properties and benefits:
CITRUS (come from the rind of fruits): Includes Bergamot, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime, Tangerine, and Wild Orange Essential Oils. Citrus Oils are cleansing and purifying, great for the immune system, and help uplift mood.
FLORAL (come from the flower part of the plant): Includes Clary Sage, Geranium, Helichrysum, Lavender, Roman Chamomile, Blue Tansy, and Ylang Ylang Essential Oils. Floral Oils are soothing to the mind, body, and emotions. Perfect for stress relief! They are also amazing for improving the appearance of the skin.
WOOD (come from the wood, leaves, branches, or resin of trees): Includes Arborvitae, Cedarwood, Cypress, Douglas Fir, Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Melaleuca, Myrrh, Petitgrain, Sandalwood, and Siberian Fir Essential Oils. Wood Oils are emotionally grounding and calming. Like Florals, they are great for the skin. Wood Oils often are good for repelling insects.
SPICES (come from the roots, stems, seeds, fruits, or bark of the plant): Includes Black Pepper, Cardamom, Cassia, Cinnamon Bark, Clove, Coriander, Cumin, Dill, Fennel, Ginger, and Juniper Berry Essential Oils. Spice Oils enhance the flavor of many foods. Many support the digestive system, which is a welcome added bonus of using them in the kitchen. They are also invigorating to mood.
HERB (come from the leafy green part of plants): Includes Basil, Cilantro, Lemongrass, Marjoram, Melissa, Oregano, Patchouli, Peppermint, Rosemary, Spearmint, and Thyme Essential Oils. Herb Oils are also great to cook with and provide digestive support. They are also excellent for the immune system.
QUESTION – WHICH IS YOUR FAVORITE OF THE OIL CATEGORIES LISTED IN THIS STEP?
