Top 10 Essential Oils for Your Home Pharmacy [Podcast]

In the latest podcast of ESSENTIAL OIL ZEN, Kathy Heshelow shares her top 10 list of essential oils for the home pharmacy and home use.

“It is a group of essential oils that compliment each other. I look at different home and wellness needs – from infections, colds, indigestion and muscle strains to freshening the home, repelling insects, slowing hair loss and polishing furniture naturally,” says Heshelow, author of “Essential Oils Have Super Powers” and founder of Sublime Naturals.

Listen below:

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Strenthen Your Immune System with Essential Oils

Many of the most touted advantages of essential oils are those pertaining to anxiety, stress and relaxation. While it’s true that essential oils of all types have these calming qualities, it is also true that there are several helpful medicinal qualities as well including reducing inflammation, healing cuts or burns, or boosting the immune system.  The immune system and its many processes are an important area for good health.

Essential oils are extracted from plants, and are very concentrated and potent.  They carry the medicinal, fragrant and helpful elements. Their function, for the plants that produce them, is usually for defense against insects, bacteria and infections. Since each plant faces different adversaries in the wild, there are a wide variety of elements in each plant which humans can use for their own benefit.

Tiny Invaders

Viruses and bacteria are microbial invaders in our bodies. Once inside us they can cause all manner of illness and disease. Each essential oil has its own particular molecular makeup that can be helpful to humans in the fight against harmful microbes. They can protect us by keeping microbes from entering our bodies, fortifying the immune system, and attacking the harmful microbes after they have entered the body.

Using Essential Oils

There are several effective ways to use essential oils to benefit your body. One is by simply diffusing it into the air. There are many choices of diffusers these day – either ionized diffusers using water & mist, or candle warming diffuser, or USB-stick powered or even rattan reed sticks in a vase.  Diffusing them in the air helps eliminate airborne bacteria and creates a nice atmosphere.
Once you have taken care of your outside environment, you can turn your attention to topical approaches for your body and immune system. Many studies have shown us that specific essential oils can prevent viruses and bacteria from permeating our skin. They can also keep harmful bacteria levels down and clear away toxins from the body.

ZEN IMMUNE BOOST

One of our most popular essential oil blends is Zen Immune Boost.  Each essential oil was chosen carefully to support the immune system and wellness, and they were blended in organic jojoba and sunflower oils for topical use.  

Here are the oils in the blend:

OREGANO
Why Chosen for this Blend:

• It can act as an expectorant, helping to eliminate buildup of mucus & phlegm
• It is soothing for lungs & throat
• It holds anti-inflammatory qualities
• It helps protect against viral and fungal infections and bacterial diseases
• It will not hurt the good flora in the intestines
• Growing body of research shows Oregano oil as a most potent natural remedy
• Most importantly, it strengthens and boosts the immune system, and stimulates function of the white blood cells

CINNAMON

Cinnamon supports a healthy immune and cardiovascular system, and is prominent in Ayurveda. It is used around the world in many treatments and disorders. Cinnamon is rich in essential minerals such as manganese, iron and calcium, while also having a high content of fiber.

Why Chosen for this Blend:

• Blood purification.
• Blood circulation: Cinnamon helps to improve the circulation of blood which ensures oxygen supply to the body’s cells, leading to a higher metabolic activity.

CLOVE

The health benefits of clove oil include its antimicrobial, antifungal, antiseptic, antiviral and aphrodisiac properties. The oil is used for treating a variety of health disorders including toothaches, indigestion, cough, asthma, headache, stress and blood impurities.

Why Chosen for this Blend:

• Clove essential oil is especially useful for boosting the immune system thanks to its ability to purify blood and fight viruses. Antioxidants in Clove essential oil scavenge for dangerous free radicals.

ROSEMARY (Rosmarinus Officinalis)

You may know that Rosemary is very popular in the Mediterranean region as a culinary herb, which belongs to the min family (also in this family are basil, lavender and sage.)

Why Chosen for this Blend?

• Stress Relief: It has been proven to decrease the level of cortisol in the saliva. Cortisol is one of the main stress hormones that are released during the “flight or fight” response of the body to stress. Excess cortisol in the blood that may occur due to chronic stress can wreak havoc on the body, important for overall wellness.
• Immune System Boost: Antioxidants are some of the most valuable defensive weapons we have in our body for fighting off infection and disease, a Rosemary oil will help take out free radicals, to increase the immune system.

FRANKINCENSE

Frankincense Oil is extracted from resin of Frankincense or Olibanum tree, whose scientific name is Boswellia Carteri.  Frankincense has been a popular for centuries! It has been found in the remains of ancient Egyptian and Anglo-Saxon civilizations among others. It is also associated with religious activities.

Reasons Chosen for this Blend?

• Immune System protection
• Anti-Aging properties: it helps promote regeneration of healthy cells
• Deals with stress and anxiety:Frankincense Oil helps bring a feeling of mental peace, tranquility and peace. Lower stress levels help the immune system.

PEPPERMINT

Peppermint may be the one of the most versatile essential oils, as it can help body, health and mind with various issues.  Known for anti-nausea and soothing effects on the gastric lining, it can also reduce muscle spasms. Peppermint is a hybrid species of spearmint and water mint (Mentha aquatica)., with active ingredients menthol and menthone.

Reasons Chosen for this Blend:

• Antioxidant powers, can help stimulate the immune system
  
• Revives energy and refreshes
  

LEMON (Citrus limon)

Lemon is well-known as a cure-all, especially for colds, fevers, bacterial and viral infections.

Reasons Chosen for this Blend:

• Ability to fight cold and flu, the properties are great for immune boosting.
• Ability to overcome post-viral fatigue
• Helps restore focus

EUCALYPTUS (Eucalyptus Globulus)

The health benefits of Eucalyptus oil are well-known and wide ranging, especially for sinus and respiratory applications.

Reasons Chosen for this Blend:

• Increases blood flow.
• Sinus clearing abilities
• Helps with mental exhaustion: it creates a cooling and refreshing effect.
• Effective in the treatment of stress
• Helps the innate cell-mediated immune response

Get your bottle now here (it was in the ZEN BOX #1) or find it on Amazon here.

JOIN ZEN BOX HERE, AND GET 3 THERAPEUTIC-GRADE ESSENTIAL OILS PER MONTH!

The Many Ways to Use Lavender Essential Oil

For more than 2500 years, various cultures have used lavender oil for spiritual and medicinal reasons.

It is heralded as the most versatile of all essential oils. It is most widely known for its miraculous relaxation tendencies, but in therapeutic grade it can be used for a multitude of medicinal issues.

Lavender oil is said to have an effect on everything from mind and spirituality to liver, kidney and immune system functions.

Lavender oil is often used as a remedy for insomnia. People with an aversion to sleep medications, or those who just prefer herbal remedies, especially appreciate this quality. The oil induces sleep by creating a relaxing feeling throughout the body.

Some blends, like our Zen SUBLIME SLEEP, use Lavender and other complimentary essential oils for relaxation and better sleep.

Research among elderly patients with insomnia showed an increase in sleep when lavender oil dropped on their pillows replaced the medicinal sleep aid. Holistic experts recommend dropping 2 – 3 drops in
the palm of the hand, cupping the hands around the nose and inhaling deeply to achieve the maximum relaxation benefits. We also recommend diffusing it in the bedroom!

Lavender oil has been shown in research to benefit patients suffering from PTSD, depression, anxiety and dementia.

Lavender’s healing properties are most widely used in minor cuts and burns. Its antimicrobial properties help to prevent infection and fight bacterial and fungal maladies. Studies have also shown a propensity to speed the healing process on minor burns and abrasions. Experts suggest applying a thin layer of lavender oil to a freshly cleaned injury.

Massaging lavender oil into the temples and forehead, or using it in a cold compress is said to relieve headache pressure and pain.

Bugs and insects are repelled by the scent of lavender oil. It also works well as a treatment for insect bites, lessening stings and inflammation (peppermint works for this as well!)  Biting insects in particular such as mosquitoes, no-see-ums and chiggers avoid lavender.

Lavender oil is so widely used because of its many useful properties and compounds that make it up.

Choose a Therapeutic-Grade Lavender Like Ours Here, and Start Your Journey (It was in ZEN BOX #1)!

Sublime Sleep and Essential Oils

The Power of Sleep

Ahhhh, to sleep like a baby!

Everyone loves a good night’s sleep but not everyone understands all that happens inside the human body when it sleeps. Much more than rest and a reset, sleep helps the body perform many functions that are essential to life. Each night when we sleep, our bodies perform a full body tune-up. Ideally, humans should get 7 – 8 hours of sleep per night. That allows the body to do all the things it needs to reset for another full day’s activity.

Sleep On It

Sleep helps your mind as well as your body. Have you ever heard the expression; “sleep on it”? People say this whenever they are facing a troubling issue and there is a reason for it.

We learn hundreds of pieces of information during our daily routines and when we sleep at night our brains sort through the information and help us make sense of it. During sleep, our brain decides which pieces of information are important enough to keep and which will fall to the waysides of our memories. Sleep also brightens our outlook on the world and helps us combat stress. Studies have shown those who sleep the recommended amount of time show fewer depression symptoms.

Sleep is a trigger to your brain to release hormones that promote the growth of tissue. You can see evidence of this when you get in a big work out and your muscles are sore the next morning. Ample sleep also helps the immune system. White blood cells accumulate during sleep that the body uses to fight bacteria and viruses. Studies have shown those who get 7 or more hours of sleep have fewer colds per year than others.

Beat Insomnia

Despite its importance, millions of people have trouble sleeping in the United States. There are many prescription medicines that induce sleep for those with sleep issues but many prefer to use natural methods. Using natural remedies limits the intake of chemicals into the body and reduces the chances of negative effects such as dependence or addiction.

Essential Oils that calm and sedate are very popular – and natural!  Lavender essential oil is one of the best known for helping sleep. You can inhale it or diffuse it in your bedroom at night.’

A topical essential oil blend, ZEN SUBLIME SLEEP, can also be applied to the back of your neck, wrists and feet at night + inhale it.  Include the lavender in the diffuser if you have a bad case of insomnia.

Here is what is in the blend and why the essential oils were chosen:

• Lavender – well known and most used essential oil for sleep assistance. Lavender calms, soothes and nurtures. It helps to balance the spirit, and reduces any existing anxiety. It also helps reduce pains which may hinder sleep.
• Rose Geranium – fosters a sense of security and protects from disturbing energy or thoughts.
• Orange – unblocks energy; found in clinical tests to be a sedative that calms, pushes down pessimism and is a tonic for mind and body.
• Neroli – relaxes nerves, soothes the heart and psyche, and helps relieve pain.
• Cedarwood – is very grounding, a tonic for the nervous system and is of course anti-inflammatory (like most of the oils in the blend.)
• Clary Sage – well-known to reduce anxiety and stress. It works synergistically with lavender for sedation and calming effect.

An additional aid is meditation. Turn your mental focus completely on the act of breathing and nothing more. (We like to do it with light soothing music.) It takes practice. Intentionally relaxing and meditating can make falling asleep easier especially when combined with relaxing essential oils.

Pick up Zen Sublime Sleep and Lavender Essential Oil on the Sublime Naturals webstore or on Amazon.

My Subscription Addiction Reviews ZEN BOX!

We are so happy that the popular site MY SUBSCRIPTION ADDICTION has tested and reviewed ZEN BOX.

The review is on the April Box, which included Bergamot Essential Oil, Clove Essential Oil, Zen Air BLISS Essential Oil Blend and the natural Lemon Cinnamon Soap with Essential Oils.

Read the Full Review with Pictures Here!

Amazing Peppermint Essential Oil – 11 Ways to Use It (And Get 1 Free)!

PEPPERMINT ESSENTIAL OIL IS ONE ESSENTIAL OIL THAT EVERYONE NEEDS AT HOME!

It’s One Of the Oldest European Herbs used for medicinal purposes, and is Great for Everyday Ailments and Problems.

For a Limited Time in May, Get a FREE PEPPERMINT ESSENTIAL OIL When you Sign Up for ZEN BOX, Plus 20% Off for Life.  Use Code: 20ZENPEPPER and Subscribe Here.

Here are Just 11 Ways to Use Peppermint Essential Oil:

• Fight hunger: Inhaling the scent of peppermint will make you feel fuller faster and help curb your appetite! It especially helps cut sugar cravings and gets you on the right track.

• Odor control: A few drops of peppermint oil at the bottom of your kitchen or bathroom garbage will mask smelly odors.  Dot some on your toilet paper roller, too.

• Stop the itch: Applying a few drops of peppermint oil will stop the itching from bug bites, hives, or poison ivy. (Do a patch test first, to make sure you don’t have a reaction to the Peppermint. It is usually diluted in an oil or cream for use.)

• Ticks: Speaking of pests, ticks can be a problem. Soak a cotton ball in peppermint oil and put on the tick will free it from its tight latch on your skin, or from your pet.

• Toothbrush: A drop of peppermint oil on your toothpaste will give you minty-fresh breath, and it will help disinfect your toothbrush.

• Indigestion/Constipation: Massaging the oil into your lower abdomen will relieve indigestion pain and get things moving again. Put a few drops into a massage oil or cream.

• Chest cold: Put a few drops of peppermint oil into an organic oil or cream, then rub on your chest to help break up mucus and open up your airways.

• Motion sickness/Nausea: Massaging a few drops of peppermint oil into your wrists and abdomen will help combat your nausea. (Do a patch test first if applying the oil undiluted. We recommend diluting it in your favorite oil or cream, though.)

• Sore feet: A peppermint oil foot bath will give your aching feet some much-needed relief.

• Headache: Rubbing a few drops of peppermint oil into your temples and the back of your neck will help subdue your headache pressure – or put a few drops in water, swish a washcloth in the water, wring it out – and you have a compress for your head.

• Plant maintenance: Spray peppermint oil mixed with water on leaves to kill the aphids .

New ONE-A-MONTH ESSENTIAL OIL CLUB

A NEW CLUB IS LAUNCHING SOON: IT’S THE ONE-A-MONTH ESSENTIAL OIL CLUB.

“I interviewed a number of people who were interested in our subscription service, ZEN BOX, but one of two reasons held them back,” says Kathy Heshelow, founder of ZEN BOX and author of Essential Oils Have Super Powers.  “They were either hindered by budget or felt 3 essential oils per month was too much for them. I decided to offer an alternative.”

THE ONE-A-MONTH CLUB will be launching soon.  Get on the invitation list here.

For $10.99 per month, members will get one therapeutic-grade essential oil and more:

– One Therapeutic-Grade Essential Oil or Blend per month in a bubble envelope (not a subscription box)

 – Education profile and how to use guide by email

– Free Shipping of course – offered only in the US (unlike ZEN BOX, which is now offered worldwide)

– A bonus product in December.

– Membership in the Zen club brings secret unadvertised discounts to members on all essential oils at Sublime Beauty Naturals (we are adding 3 per month to our collection.) They are all therapeutic-quality with GC/MS testing for purity and the report is available upon request.

– Rewards points can also be used not only for essential oils but also for anything at Sublime Naturals (carrier oils, diffuser, organic skincare products and naturals )

BE SURE TO GET ON THE INVITATION LIST, SO YOU WON’T MISS OUT ON THE LAUNCH!

Founder of ZEN BOX Publishes New Book: Essential Oils Have Super Powers®

“Essential Oils are a vital part of my everyday life, and I felt it was important to share relevant and powerful information about them and Aromatherapy,” says Kathy Heshelow, founder of ZEN BOX and author of the new book.

It’s entitled “ESSENTIAL OILS HAVE SUPER POWERS: From Solving Everyday Wellness Problems with Aromatherapy to Taking on “Superbugs”.

The book is 322 pages long, and it covers subjects as why I believe they have super powers, Heshelow says, fascinating history, clinical research now, the antibiotic-resistant bacteria crisis and how essential oils can help solve it, and more! 

The book should be enlightening and interesting! It’s available now in paperback and should be in Kindle format soon.

7 Ways to Use Frankincense Essential Oil

Frankincense essential oil is a favorite of mine, and of many people.  It smells wonderful and has so many great uses and powers.

Here are just 7 simple ways to use Frankincense.

1. Support your immune system

   Inhale (from its bottle, or diffuse it.)  Frankincense is a wonderful essential oil for tranquility and clarity – and it will purify the air and kill microbes to support your immune system!  You could also add some drops of Frankincense to a carrier oil or cream and use it topically to help your immune system.  Or buy a blend already made with Frankincense in it!

2. Help relieve arthritis or inflammation

   Put some drops in a cream or organic oil, and smooth on the affected areas. Arthritic hands, feet and joints love Frankincense.  In the U.K., Cardiff University scientists found that Frankincense could inhibit the production of key inflammatory molecules, helping prevent the breakdown of the cartilage tissue that causes these conditions.(ScienceDaily August 4, 2011.)

3. Meditate with it

   Diffuse while meditating or praying – it’s a great choice and so helpful.

4. Support your Mind

   Apply 1-2 drops of frankincense essential oil in a tsp. of carrier oil to the back of your neck and your temples for better focus or clarity. Frankincense can help with oxygenation.

5. Zen Out if Stressed – Rub Your Chest (and it Helps the Respiratory System, too!)

   Frankincense in a carrier oil or cream, applied to the chest will invigorate and support deep breaths during occasional stress. It is known to help with respiratory issues, too.

   

6. Diffuse with Lemon

   Frankincense loves to be paired with lemon essential oil for a purifying aroma.  Especially good if someone in your home has a cold – keep those bacteria away!

7. Make Your Own Facial Serum

   2 drops of Frankincense + 2 drops of Lavender and an ounce of carrier oil (we like Baobab, Grapeseed or Jojoba) makes a beautiful face serum!  Use morning and evening for glowing healthy skin. Frankincense is wonderful for regenerating cells and supporting aging skin.

Be sure to review our Safety First page before using any essential oil!

Did You Know That Essential Oils Can Kill Bacteria & Microbes?

A Very Special Power That Most Essential Oils Hold is That They are Anti-Bacterial, Anti-Viral and Anti-Fungal. It’s a Truly Important Power, and Why Essential Oils Can Benefit Many. 

Simply put: Essential Oils can kill bad bacteria, staph, mold, viruses,  and this helps keep us well. It helps purify the air of these elements, and it can help do the same in our bodies.

 

Here are just a few summaries of my favorite case studies (more will appear in my upcoming book, “Essential Oils Have Super Powers®”:

Essential Oils Can Reduce Panic or Anxiety Attacks

If you suffer from panic attacks, then you will understand the desperate attempts to rid yourself of the nasty attacks.

Most people rush to a psychiatrist to obtain medicine such as anti-depressants or benzodiazepines to counter act the effects of panic attacks. Both these pharmaceuticals may work, but as most people know drugs can come with some severe side effects.

Essential oils, on the other hand, can help maintain a level of calm, reduce the chance of panic attacks, and give you a healthy and natural way to fight panic attacks.

Using essential oils can calm your nerves and help you fight off panic attacks. Although you can use the oils for aromatherapy during an attack, it is more advantageous to use them prior before having an attack. Using essential oils is a preventative method to help keep the panic attacks at bay and bringing you peace throughout your day. Aromatherapy is a safe and effective way to help keep panic attacks from flaring before they actually happen.

For those who don’t know what exactly a panic attack entails, it is a process where you emotions take over your mental state. You react, panic, and fall into a stage of ultimate panic. You overreact and your body compensates with its adrenal system by releasing adrenaline. Adrenaline is responsible for the muscle tension and increase in heart rate. Your breathing becomes quick and shallow and your body falls into a state of “fight or flight” state as if you have been faced with danger.

If you are susceptible to panic attacks, you can use the essential oils in aromatherapy in your office, in your home, or even as a mild cologne or perfume to help keep the aroma available throughout the day. In the office it will help you deal with the stressful actions that could otherwise trigger a panic attack. At home, essential oils in aromatherapy can help you relax from a hard day of taking care of kids, and it can help you relax when coming home from work.

The following list of essential oils are extremely effective ways to help fight off panic attacks. You can use them individually for their separate effects, or for the ultimate effect combine them to help eliminate, control, and calm panic attacks when they happen. The combination of Frankincense, Lavender, Neroli and a few others can help you fight panic attacks naturally and without the use of harmful drugs.

Frankincense

Frankincense is a major essential oil that is involved with balancing and relaxing your mind and spirit. The exotic plant is found in Africa as a bush with a beautiful fragrance. It is often recognized from religious stories since it has be a prominently soothing plant for many centuries. The deeply relaxing herb is essential for improving your state of mind and relaxing your body.

Lavender French

Lavender French is cultivated in Europe as a powerful essential oil that soothes your mind, relaxes your spirit, and it even plays as a mild antiseptic. It is a popular, soft and mild scent that has a flowery aura. It can help ease your sore aches and pains in the muscles and it can reduce the head tension from a hard day’s work.

Neroli

Neroli is a distilled oil from the bitter orange tree. The fragrance is meant to relax you mind and restore energy levels to proper levels. It can help relieve your soul from anger and irritability and it keeps you from allowing emotions to flare.

Use these essential oils alone or in combination and you can surely eliminate outbreaks of panic attacks.

Our popular Zen De-Stress Blend includes Lavender, Clary Sage, Neroli, Roman Chamomile and Rosemary – all essential oils that help with stress, anxiety and pain.

5 Classic Essential Oils

Guy Vincent, an aromatherapy expert, spoke with Julee Wilson at The Huffington Post about essential oils and aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy is “the use of concentrated plant-derived aromatic oils for health and wellbeing,” Vincent told The Huffington Post.

By simply smelling various essential oils (or a combination of them), our brains become stimulated and depending on the particular healing powers of the aromatic compound, we can experience a range emotions — from calm to energized.

These natural mood modifiers are what have inspired so many to not only try aromatherapy, but to use it on a regular basis.

Vincent, who says he’s “not a great sleeper,” has found that a nightly routine of stretching, yoga and using the calming effects of lavender essential oil help him relax and eventually head to dreamland.

But harnessing the power of aromatherapy goes beyond mood or room-modifying oils, sprays and candles — there are also beautifying benefits. For example, lavender not only helps to relieve stress but its antiseptic and antibacterial properties also fight mild acne. And rosemary oil will give a boost of energy as well as add volume and silky-ness to your hair.

 For optimal effectiveness, many essential oils can be applied directly to the skin or dabbed on the wrist, back of the neck and temples. And adding drops of the pure oils to your favorite beauty products is yet another brilliant use.

We asked Vincent to tell us about some of the most popular aromatherapy oils and how they can help us improve our moods, minds and bodies. Here are 5 classics:

Lavender

Scent: Herbal and floral

Mood/mind effect: Calming to the mind and restorative in times of stress

Beauty effect: Antiseptic acne treatment, natural hair growth agent

Vetiver (root oil)

Scent: Robust, woody and earthy

Mood/mind effect: Grounding, supporting and centering

Beauty effect: Moisturizing, skin toning, fades and removes scars

Rose Geranium

Scent: Fresh and leafy

Mood/mind effect: Balances out emotions and moods — used when extremes need to be brought back to the center

Beauty effect: Wrinkle reducer, improves dental health and acne treatment

Peppermint

Scent: Strong and minty

Mood/mind effect: Invigorating and empowering

Beauty effect: Anti-fungal nail treatment, blemish spot treatment, moisturizer

Bergamot

Scent: Spicy, sweet and citrusy

Mood/mind effect: Cleansing and refreshing

Beauty effect: Antiseptic properties, natural deodorant, skin toner

Read the full story at The Huffington Post

Understanding Dilutions and Dosages of Essential Oils

When you start to blend Essential Oils in a carrier oil for your use or for your family, it can be confusing.  How many drops should I put into the carrier oil?  What if this is for an older person or child?

We put together a basic Infographic to help!

Always refer to our safety guide before starting to use Essential Oils. They are generally safe BUT there are caveats you should understand.

By the way, you typically use about 2-3 drops of an Essential Oil in your diffuser!  You can always add a drop if needed, but you can’t take it away (without throwing it out), so start easy.

As you build your ZEN BOX collection, we will have wonderful recipes for you.  Watch for instructions each month by email when your ZEN BOX arrives!

Reach out if you have any questions!