There are over 90 different essential oils and each and every one has their own range of health and lifestyle benefits. We will discuss the five best oils that we think everyone should have in their cabinet.
Lemon Oil
It might not be the first thing you think of when you hear the name essential oil, but lemon oil is a really popular choice for those looking to transform their skin, relieve nausea and improve digestion. Worldly available and reasonably inexpensive, lemon oil is as simple as it sounds, with no added extras, the oils directly from lemons have a vast range of impressive benefits.
We spoke to the team at Fresh Skin Beauty who told us a bit more about lemon oil and its range of benefits and uses.
“The citrusy zing of lemon oil will be an invaluable addition to your collection for aromatherapy use or diffusing. It’s an indispensable ingredient in homemade cosmetics and household cleaning products.”
The benefits of Lemon Oil
Improves Skin - Lemon oil is known for its skin benefits, helping to reduce acne, nourishing dry and dehydrated skin. People are usually unaware of the healing attributes it carries. Lemon oil is also known for treating blisters, cuts, wounds and rosacea.
Improves Digestion – The oil that comes from the lemon citrus fruit is the perfect aliment for improving digestion. Improving the speed of digestion and quickening the immune system.
Relieves Nausea – Known to relieve nausea, commonly among pregnant women experiencing morning sickness, lemon oil is a natural and effective remedy for travel sickness and other nausea related illnesses.
Boosts Oral Health – Known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties, lemon oil is perfect for improving oral health.
Best uses for Lemon Oil
- In candles
- Mattress revitaliser
- Homemade hand sanitiser
Peppermint Oil
“I recommend using peppermint or spearmint essential oils when you need a pick me up or when you’re struggling with muscle soreness, aches or pains.” Says Lindsay.
Known for being one of the most versatile oils, peppermint oil is used to cure common ailments as well as boosting energy levels and improving skin and hair growth. As well as boosting growth follicles and reducing pain within our bodies, it carries significant antioxidant and antiviral activities that are perfect for those who suffer from allergies.
These days peppermint capsules are taken as a more common form of pain-relief or to reduce hay fever and allergies but its powers to reduce headaches and other aches and pains can also be consumed through the respiratory method.
Peppermint oil is extracted by steam distillation from the dark green leaves and purple flowers of a herbaceous plant. Belonging to the Labiatae family it has been cultivated commercially in the UK since the eighteenth century.
The benefits of Peppermint Oil
Relieves Muscle and Joint Pain – With its cooling and invigorating properties as well as having the ability to alleviate tension headaches, peppermint is perfect for relieving muscle and joint pain.
Unblocks Sinuses – Peppermint carries great respiratory benefits. Inhaling diffused peppermint can unblock mucus and reduce congestion within the sinuses.
Allergy Relief – One of the more commonly known benefits is that peppermint is an antihistamine. Clearing the respiratory tract and allowing for clean air to flow through the nasal passages.
Increases Energy – A natural alternative to some energy boosting drinks and tablets, peppermint oil is great at increasing energy levels in the body. Inhaling the natural oil allows the body to perform better, for longer.
Best uses for Peppermint Oil
- In homemade facemasks
- Added to soaps
- Mattress revitaliser
- Surface cleaner
Lavender Oil
The most commonly used essential oil in the world today, lavender oil was discovered over 2,500 years ago and remains a staple in the lifestyle of many to this day. With its powerful antioxidant and calming properties, it can be found in a whole host of products all around the world.
“Lavender, this oil helps to calm the nervous system and can reduce stress and anxiety levels. The easiest way to incorporate essential oils into your daily routine is to start by diffusing 4-5 drops of oil in a diffuser or combining 1 tsp of fractionated coconut oil with 2-3 drops of essential oil and applying it to your chest, temples, wrists and bottoms of the feet.” Explains Lindsay.
Lavender oil is a great starter oil for those looking to experiment with essential oils and aromatherapy due to its multi-functional properties and subtle effects.
Jamie Rockers a blogger at Beauty Rocks loves the use of lavender in her daily routine: “Essential oils have multiple benefits and what I believe they are most known for is their aromatherapy benefits. I love using essential oils that calm the nerves or produce mental clarity and focus when I'm having a particularly frazzled day. I tend to use an essential oil on flights to calm any jittery nerves or I apply to my pulse points when I'm feeling particularly stressed at work. I love any essential oil that contains lavender as that is the most soothing and stress relieving essential oil for me. I love spritzing a lavender pillow mist on my pillow in the evening to help me sleep.”
The benefits of Lavender Oil
Reduces Stress – Lavender is used widely for its de-stressing elements. Used to treat the symptoms of migraines, stress and anxiety as well as its prevention of neurological damage.
Improves Mood – With its anti-stress and anxiety capacity’s, lavender is also said to be a great improver of mood.
Induces Sleep – One of the most common uses of lavender is to help induce sleep. Lavender oil is commonly sprayed on bedding and pillows to allow for a rested and peaceful night’s sleep.
Best uses for Lavender Oil
- In diffusers
- Added to soap
- In candles
- In homemade facemasks
- Mattress revitaliser
- Added to bubble bath
Tea Tree Oil
A game changer when it comes to enhancing your beauty products, tea tree oil has an abundance of benefits. Also known as Melaleuca, derived from the name of the plant in which it originates, tea tree oil has risen to the top of the essential oil charts.
“You can use this oil around your home in so many ways. Mixed with vinegar, lemon oil and water, it makes a multi-purpose household spray. This will clean and freshen everything it touches at the same time as filling your home with its unmistakable fresh, minty fragrance.” Says Fresh Skin Beauty.
The benefits of Tea Tree Oil
Fights Acne – Due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, tea tree is a natural remedy for acne and inflamed skin, hence the reason it is found in an abundance of cleaning and skincare products.
Improves Dryness – As well as improving dryness on the skin, tea tree oils are also perfect for relieving dryness on the scalp and is an ingredient in many shampoos and conditioners.
Soothe Skin Irritations – Along with its other improvement qualities, tea tree oil can also soothe skin irritations. It is also rumoured to reduce swelling and help the healing of wounds and grazes.
Best uses for Tea Tree Oil
- In homemade shampoo
- Added to bubble bath
Eucalyptus Oil
Made from the leaves of eucalyptus trees, eucalyptus oil is commonly used for its immune-boosting properties as well as being able to fight infection and ease headaches, sore throats and allergies.
“Eucalyptus essential oil has wonderful multi-faceted medicinal properties. So it's not surprising that it's used widely in many over-the-counter products available at your local supermarket or pharmacy including chest rubs for colds and congestion, cough and cold medicines, sore throat sprays, mouthwashes, inhalers, soaps, rash creams and topical pain relievers, just to name a few.” Upnature reports on their website.
Organic Facts includes eucalyptus in a recent article: “The powerful health benefits of eucalyptus oil include treating colds and flu, hair care, relieving muscle pain, and preventing cavities. It also aids in boosting immunity and healing fungal infections as well as wounds. Eucalyptus essential oil has potent properties, which include being an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, decongestant, deodorant, antiseptic, antibacterial, and stimulant.”
The benefits of Eucalyptus Oil
Improves Respiratory – One of the various essential oils that are said to help with respiratory problems, eucalyptus is known for easing the symptoms of asthma, bronchitis and the common cold.
Relieves Coughs – Eucalyptus oil is great at easing the itchiness that comes with a cough. Soothing a tickly throat and aiding easier breathing.
Hair Nourishment – Adding the eucalyptus oil to a little coconut oil and applying to the hair is a great way of adding extra nourishment to the scalp, aiding hair growth.
Best uses for Eucalyptus Oil
-In candles
- In homemade shampoo
- Homemade hand sanitiser
Our products
Aromatherapy plays a big part in some of the products we sell and use here at Champneys. Made with a collection of the pleasant aromatherapy and essential oils, we have curated indulgent collections that suit everyone’s aromatherapy needs.
The range of Aromatherapy Associate products we offer can vary from refreshing room fragrances like the Revive Room Fragrance that contains subtle notes of Bergamot, Grapefruit and Frankincense to the De-Stress Muscle Gel that boasts notes of Rosemary, Black Pepper and Lavender to soothe and relax the body and mind.
We have teamed up with Aroma Works to offer you a collection of carefully curated essential oils for you to use throughout the home. Reed Diffusers containing earthy, warm and citrusy scents will fill your room with a sense of calm and serenity whilst the Aroma Bomb collection will leave your skin feeling soft, smooth and totally revitalised.
No matter what essential oil you decide to use, there is going to be a whole host of benefits that’ll change your everyday lifestyle. If you’re looking to relax a little further, why don’t you book in for a day spa session? Discover our range of spas across the UK that can offer you the very best in relaxation and rejuvenation. Our range of beauty treatments and spa treatments have something for everyone.
