When someone asks me what oils they should start out with, I suggest my top 3 favorite oils: Peppermint, Lavender, and Deliverance. (Deliverance is a blend from Butterfly Express. It is similar to Doterra's OnGuard and Young Living's Thieves.) In my opinion, these are the 3 oils that everyone should have. Peppermint and lavender are very versatile, very affordable oils. I made these graphics so you could save them (maybe print them?) for quick reference.
My favorite ways to use Peppermint:
- On my neck and shoulders for a headache and/or sore muscles. Peppermint can get hot--dilute with a carrier oil (coconut oil, almond oil) if you have sensitive skin.
- On the bottom of the feet for a stomach ache.
- 1 or 2 drops (ONLY 1 or 2 drops) in a bath for body aches and muscle pain. Water enhances the action of the oil, so adding it to a bath may be too strong for some people. Never add peppermint to a child/baby bath.
From the book "Butterfly Miracles with Essential Oils":
APPLICATION: Peppermint oil should be diluted well before applying to the skin. Placing one drop of peppermint under the tongue and breathing past it (the peppermint oil) has been known to stop an asthma attack or clear the nasal passages and sinus cavities. Vocal performers often use this trick to dispel mucous from their throats and stimulate their vocal cords.
Peppermint is a good massage oil for stimulating circulation. Peppermint is too strong to be added to a bath. (I disagree...I love it in the bath! But it can be too strong for some people. I would not add it to a child/baby bath.)
EMOTIONAL / SPIRITUAL / MENTAL ASPECTS: Peppermint is like a rush of fresh energy into the system. It allows us to relax instead of letting anxiety build up in our body or mind. Peppermint oil is specific for people who move between highs and lows, sadness and happiness, until the ever-widening mood swings settle into lethargy, intolerance, and frustration. Just as peppermint strengthens the digestion and aids the absorption of nutrients on a physical level, it enhances our ability to "digest" new ideas and impressions.
Physical / Mental Aspects: Dr. Dembar of the University of Cincinnati discovered in a research study that inhaling peppermint oil increased the mental accuracy of the students tested by up to 28%. Peppermint oil can also be used for headaches and nerve regeneration.
Peppermint oil stimulates the mind, increasing the ability to focus and concentrate. When inhaled, it restores the sense of taste by stimulating the trigeminal nerve. Oddly, inhaling peppermint oil can also curb the appetite.
Peppermint is renowned for action on the digestive system and for use in bowel disorders. It is one of the best essential oils for nausea, vomiting, morning sickness (small amounts only), mouth or gum infections, fainting, and motion sickness.
Peppermint oil is strongly anti-inflammatory and analgesic. Peppermint oil increases circulation. All varieties of peppermint essential oil are useful for muscle pain, inflamed joints, and arthritis. The anti-inflammatory properties make peppermint essential oil supportive of prostate function.
GENERAL INFORMATION: Peppermint, like lavender, is soothing in small amounts and strongly stimulating in larger amounts.
CAUTIONS: Peppermint oil is stimulating to the uterus. Extreme caution, mostly as to the amount used, should be taken with peppermint oils if pregnant.
My favorite ways to use lavender:
- On the feet along the inside arch of the foot.
- In a bath at bedtime to calm down the kids.
- A few drops on a wool dryer ball in place of dryer sheets.
- Mixed with a carrier oil (coconut oil, almond oil) spread over a sunburn.
- A drop directly on a mosquito bite.
From the book "Butterfly Miracles with Essential Oils":
GENERAL INFORMATION: Lavender is a universal oil that has been shown to balance the body and to work wherever there is a need. It is called 'the grandmother' of essential oils because it cares for and nurtures us through such a variety of physical and emotional stresses. If you don't know what essential oil to reach for, try lavender.
APPLICATION: There is probably no wrong way to apply or diffuse lavender.
EMOTIONAL / SPIRITUAL / MENTAL ASPECTS: One of the great emotional gifts of lavender is the feeling of total and unchanging support around us. It leaves us with no room for doubt that we are loved and will be supported in life's challenges and in the process of healing. Lavender promotes faith, even in the hard times. Lavender brings balance between masculine and feminine energy and traits.
Lavender is a gentle, but effective, sedative and nervine. It can bring relief from anxiety, panic, hysteria, emotional and mental fatigue, headaches and migraines, and insomnia.
PHYSICAL ASPECTS: Lavender can be used for nearly all skin conditions. It can be applied to cuts, sunburns, burns, rashes, dermatitis, eczema, and insect bites. Consistent use of lavender with burns and injuries minimizes scarring. Lavender, usually as part of a blend, is often used to prevent or remedy conditions of dandruff and hair loss. Lavender is antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, cytophylactic, and antispasmodic, making it effective for muscle strains and sprains, cramps, and wound healing.
Lavender clears excess waste products from the lymphatic system and is an aid to digestion. Lavender is sometimes all that is needed to prevent or alleviate nausea. Mildly diuretic, lavender can be useful in alleviating edema and premenstrual water retention. Whether the root of the problem is emotional or physical, lavender is often effective in stabilizing both high or low blood pressure and regulating the pulse. Lavender, or blends containing it, is used to lessen pain and promote restful sleep. Lavender is useful for babies with thrush.
CAUTIONS: Lavender is wonderfully calming in small amounts, but can be stimulating if used in too large a quantity or too often. This is especially true with babies and small children.
My favorite ways to use Deliverance:
- On the feet along the inside arch of the foot.
- 1 or 2 drops in a bath.
- Diffuse during cold and flu season. Whenever I feel something coming on, I start diffusing Deliverance and it either goes away, or the cold is very mild.
- 1 or 2 drops in a foot bath for athlete's foot.
From the book "Butterfly Miracles with Essential Oils":
APPLICATION: LeDeliverance can be used in so many ways, I am sure that I will not manage to list them all here. Some common methods of use are soak the family toothbrushes in LeDeliverance mixed with water, place a drop on your toothbrush at least one time per day, and place on a cotton ball or in an inhaler and carry with you, inhaling frequently during the cold and flu season.
A particularly effective way to fight a very virulent illness is to apply LeDeliverance alternately with LeLifeForce. In the evening put one of these essential oils on the K1's (acupressure points on the feet) and the other on the thymus. First thing in the morning, put the oils on again, then put them in opposite positions. If LeDeliverance was on the thymus area the night before, it should go on the feet in the morning. This method is very effective against really nasty stuff.
AROMATIC CONSIDERATIONS: An excellent use for this blend is to diffuse it every day during the cold and flu season to eliminate airborne bacteria and viruses.
PHYSICAL ASPECTS: LeDeliverance is one of the most potent antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal combinations available. Its many uses include respiratory infections, sore throats, strep throats, dental diseases and infections, cold sores, canker sores, cuts, general infections, athlete's foot and toe nail fungus, and infection from slivers. Apply faithfully, undiluted, for warts (this takes a little time so be patient).
Frequent and consistent use of LeDeliverance also strengthens the immune system. LeDeliverance is an expectorant and helps the lymph system to drain. This is a very effective oil. Everyone should have it on hand.
GENERAL INFORMATION: LeDeliverance can be used, diluted, or diffused, in the home as a cleaner and air purifier to fight viruses and airborne bacteria.
Cautions: Care should also be taken to dilute well, especially if frequent use is anticipated. The clove, cinnamon, thyme, and oregano in this blend make it a possible skin irritant.
