The season of hustle and bustle is upon us, and if you’re anything like me, those rare moments of reprieve from all the holiday busyness are almost as therapeutic as the holidays themselves. Don’t get me wrong; we love Christmas and everything it entails, from the simple joys of celebrating the birth of our Savior and spending quality time with family, to visiting and/or hosting every flavor of extended family with the kiddos in tow while hauling around and exchanging carloads of gifts—and yes, even the madness involved with buying these gifts. Though we wouldn’t trade any of these precious things for the world, we’d be lying if we said that trying to keep each of these delicate plates balanced and spinning in perfect harmony isn’t thoroughly exhausting, and perhaps you can relate.
We’ve seen firsthand how these various holiday stressors, as we like to call them, have taken their toll on our family’s health, especially in years past when we simply weren’t equipped with the knowledge in how to properly deal with them. Falling into patterns of erratic diet, inconsistent sleep, and constant stress didn’t do any favors for our immune systems, and more often than not we, or our kids, or in some cases all of us, ended up getting sick as a result—not exactly the type of thing you want to be dealing with during one of the most festive seasons of the year. That’s why we’ve since adopted new lifestyle habits that have proven to be absolute lifesavers when it comes to surviving all the hecticness of holidays, one of the most effective being our regular use of botanical essential oils.
12 Must-Have Essential Oils
Since practically the beginning of time, mankind has been actively partaking of the earth’s therapeutic bounty for reasons of health and longevity, including the use of concentrated oil extracts derived from various plants and herbs as natural healing medicine. Though ancient cultures may not have known precisely what was in them, essential oils, as we now call them, are well documented in the history books of civilizations both past and present as being uniquely and potently equipped to promote health and wellbeing, a tradition that lives on today in the natural healing arts and modern, functional medicine.
We ultimately chose 12 of the most powerful oils that offer not only a diverse array of health benefits, but that also blend well for everyday use, including during the holidays. We’ve designated each of these oils below based on its respective uses either aromatically (A), topically (T), and/or internally (I), as well as differentiated between “neat” oils that are safe to use internally and/or topically without dilution (N), “hot” oils that require dilution with a proper carrier oil like jojoba or coconut (H), and oils that, in addition to dilution, should be used carefully if you have sensitive skin (S):
1 | Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) — A T I H
One of the most antioxidant-dense herbs on the planet, clove has been utilized for thousands of years as both a fragrance and a spice, boasting high levels of healing eugenol—between 80 and 95 percent of its composition, in fact—which is a powerful antiseptic and anti-inflammatory compound that many dentists as an oral protective agent following tooth extractions, fillings, and root canals. Clove oil is also an amazing antimicrobial and antifungal substance, demonstrating efficacy in the treatment of oral thrush, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, parasites, and cold and influenza viruses.
2 | Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus radiata) — A T S
Also known as Tasmanian Blue Gum, eucalyptus has a cool, crisp aroma that’s been utilized for centuries as an expectorant and decongestant to cleanse the lungs and air passageways. Research shows that eucalyptus oil used aromatically is an effective remedy for respiratory conditions like bronchitis, pneumonia, and asthma. When used topically, eucalyptus oil is a powerful antimicrobial that can help speed up wound healing and clear up the skin and is also said to provide pain relief and improved energy and focus.
3 | Frankincense (Boswellia serrata) — A T I N
The king of the essential oil family, frankincense is truly in a class of its own when it comes to healing. A therapeutic powerhouse packed with nearly 100 unique compounds, frankincense has made quite the name for itself, both in Biblical times and today. Worth its weight in gold, frankincense oil is a premier immune-supportive, anti-cancer, and anti-aging elixir that science has shown is highly effective at minimizing inflammation, alleviating pain, improving digestion, promoting relaxation, supporting cognitive function, and fighting chronic disease.
4 | Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) — A T I S
Another oil fit for a king, geranium boasts a wide array of therapeutic uses including as an astringent, a hormone-balancer, a diuretic, an anti-inflammatory, an anti-coagulant, and an anti-fungal. Studies have found that geranium oil helps keep skin healthy and youthful, muscles toned, and brain neurochemistry properly balanced.
5 | Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) — A T I N
The fresh, citrusy aroma of a just-sliced grapefruit is pleasing to almost any palate. But the oil of this delectable fruit offers a whole lot more than just sensory appeal, helping to fight inflammation, curb food cravings, and support weight loss. Studies have found that grapefruit oil also helps keep the gallbladder clean, promote lymphatic drainage, and fight Candida and other types of malignant yeasts and bacteria.
6 | Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) — A T I N
The world’s most popular essential oil, lavender is widely known for its calming floral essence. It’s often used as a sleep aid because it induces feelings of peace and relaxation, and many people likewise use it to mitigate anxiety and stress. Studies show that lavender oil can help balance blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and evidence also backs its effective uses in the remediation of headaches and migraines, wounds and burns, and psoriasis and eczema.
7 | Lemon (Citrus limon) — A T I N
A staple in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)—and likely your kitchen! — lemon might not seem like anything out of the ordinary. But its oil is jam-packed with therapeutic compounds that help the body to detoxify, particularly in the lymph nodes. Lemon oil also helps keep the gallbladder clean while boosting the immune system and relieving congestion. As a general purifier, many people use lemon oil to freshen the air and clean surfaces.
8 | Orange (Citrus reticulata) — A T I N
Nobody knows exactly where it came from because it doesn’t technically grow in the wild, but what we do know is that the common orange contains oil that helps support a healthy immune system and functional detoxification. The nectar of this delectable citrus fruit is also known for its anti-inflammatory, pro-circulatory, and relaxant properties, helping to promote optimal digestion. For cancer, orange oil has been scientifically shown to be chemo-protective, meaning it helps to fight cancer cells and stop them from growing and spreading.
9 | Oregano (Origanum vulgare) — A T I H
For more than 2,500 years, oil of oregano has been a staple folk medicine remedy that’s shown benefits in treating skin conditions and fighting infections. Whether fungal, viral, or bacterial in nature, oregano oil does the job, including with harder-to-beat pathogens like Candida albicans and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Studies have shown that oregano oil is capable of overcoming practically any type of harmful bacteria or virus, making it a must-have for the medicine cabinet.
10 | Peppermint (Mentha piperita) — A T I S
The cool, refreshing essence of peppermint has been enjoyed throughout the world for many centuries, not only as a breath freshener but also as a medicinal aid. Like other types of mint, peppermint oil is known for soothing for pain and clearing the respiratory tract, but it’s also helpful in calming the digestive tract and boosting energy levels and physical performance. One study found that, after four weeks of use, patients with irritable bowel syndrome experienced significant reductions in symptoms like bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.
11 | Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) — A T I N
Another member of the mint family, rosemary maintains considerable historical significance as a sacred plant with amazing healing potential. In addition to boosting cognitive performance, rosemary oil can also be used to promote hair growth, modulate the nervous system, reduce pain, detoxify the body, and prevent respiratory infections. Rosemary oil is also effective at targeting pathogenic bacteria, including drug-resistant strains that no longer respond to pharmaceuticals.
12 | Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) — A T I N
Native to Australia, tea tree oil has been used by aborigines for thousands of years to disinfect wounds and promote healing. Its potent aroma makes it an effective deodorant as well, and many people use it to disinfect their homes. Other common uses of tea tree oil include as a treatment for acne, dandruff, psoriasis, and eczema, as well as various fungi, parasites, and drug-resistant pathogens. One study found that tea tree oil is capable of inhibiting 301 different types of yeast, further demonstrating its amazing antimicrobial potential.
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