What's Your Favorite Essential Oil?

What's Your Favorite Essential Oil?

(Please read our disclaimer)

From ancient times humans have used plants for food and medicine. Today about 40% of modern medicines have a link to vegetation, and scientists continue to examine plant life in search of compounds that can be isolated and made into new medicines.

Scientists are also looking at essential oils. Some essential oils can have hundreds of naturally occurring chemical compounds, and are used as safe remedies for modern maladies.

We are learning that the scent of an essential oil can be more than a pleasant air freshener. The just published book Practical Guide to Essential Oils presents research-based tips on how we can use some essential oils. Here are a few cited examples:

Weight Loss - Grapefruit

Grapefruit essential oil appears to be a powerful aid for weight loss. The scent of grapefruit oil reduced appetite and caused weight loss in rodents. (Rodents are used in obesity-research because results are expected to be similar in humans.)

Another study demonstrated that the scent of grapefruit and lemon oil increased lipolysis (the breakdown of fat) and suppressed body weight in rats.

In another study, a group of post-menopausal women received a weekly one-hour whole body massage with 3% grapefruit oil, cypress oil and three other oils (diluted in carrier oil) for six weeks. The women also massaged their own abdomens twice a day, five days a week for six weeks. The results showed significant reduction of abdominal subcutaneous fat and waist circumference.

Asthma and COPD - Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus essential oil was found beneficial for use as a long-term therapy for preventing COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) "flare-ups" and for better asthma control. To make a soothing steam-treatment add 5 to 7 drops of eucalyptus oil to 2 cups boiling water. Place towel over head, close eyes and inhale steam. Do not put eucalyptus oil on or close to the face of a child under the age of 10. Anti-inflammatory properties of the monoterpene 1.8-cineole: current evidence for co-medication in inflammatory airway diseases.

Improved Memory - Rosemary

When you need your memory to be sharp, remember the words penned by Shakespeare: "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance."

A 2013 study found that inhaling diffused rosemary essential oil can improve the ability to remember to do things in the future. Blood tests showed significant amounts of 1.8-cineole, a compound found in rosemary oil, in the blood of those who inhaled the essential oil. This suggests that memory was improved by absorption of compounds found in rosemary essential oil.

In another study researchers found that after inhaling rosemary oil, test subjects felt "fresher" and became more active.

Do not use rosemary essential oil if pregnant or nursing and do not use rosemary oil close to the face of babies or children.

More information on essential oils can be found in Practical Guide to Essential Oils with References and Traditional Uses. See below for more information about this booklet.

~ Richard M Barry

Favorite Essential Oil Success Stories

My husband has had several non life threatening skin cancers removed from his arm having been a rural mail carrier for 30 years. With his arm constantly out the window these growths began to appear. These cancers were small but required burning or cutting to remove them. We visited the dermatologist with a few small growths that just popped up recently, but the doctor told us he would wait another month or so to remove them, since there was a different problem that needed to be taken care of first. In the meantime we began using Frankincense on these growths at night and then we applied Renew lotion on them in the morning. When we returned to the doctor’s office for a checkup with the other problem, the doctor and nurse noticed the improvement with the growths on his arm. After two weeks they were nearly gone! We will never be without Frankincense! It has saved a doctor bill for sure!

~ Carol

My favorite essential oil has to be our lavender! It’s literally a jack of all trades! From soothing and calming to healing to repelling bugs! I use it for everything! For my son when he has trouble sleeping and for his allergies. And in my fly spray. I never run out of this oil!

~ Amanda

There are so many great essential oils that Melaleuca carries, but beyond their T36-C5 Melaleuca oil, my favorites are the Armor and Vapor. Whenever I have had a cold or congestion (especially while pregnant since cold medicines are not allowed), I do a blend of 8-10 drops of Vapor, 5 drops Armor, and 1-2 drops T36-C5 Melaleuca oil in my diffuser and place it right on my night stand. I sleep so well because I am able to breath despite being congested. I also rub 1-2 drops of Armor on my feet 2 times a day while sick, or even if I feel symptoms coming on or I am around others who are sick. When others are sick for 2 weeks with a cold, I'm back to pretty much normal within 3-5 days (if I even catch the cold in the first place) thanks to these oils and the wonderful Melaleuca products in my home!

~ Brittany

I have so many favorites! I use Lavender and Cedarwood oils in my diffuser at night for such deep restful sleep. The Blue Heat oil before Pain-A-Trait helps with my sciatica in my lower back as well as many basketball injuries for my daughter. My daughter just had both of her knees scraped open on the concrete from a rough fall. She had tripped when training on our concrete driveway. We used fractionated coconut oil mixed with Frankincense to help heal the scabs and they did not scar. I have also used T36-C5 directly applied to my toenails for a fungus that had been separating my toenails from their nail beds and thickening them. Twice a day for 4 weeks and it was all gone. There are several other oils we use around here as well. These essential oils are comparable to the other top sellers that say they are the only and best. I love my Melaleuca oils!

~ Brandy

My favorite essential oil is bergamot. If you take it into the shower with you, and put some into your palm, rub it on your skin and then scrub with a skin brush, it's amazing. The smell is so wonderful and your skin will thank you too. I just love it.

~ Jen

I LOVE our lavender essential oil. I really like that I know it's of great quality and purity. I diffuse it at night in my diffuser when my son has a hard time falling asleep. I rub it on the bottom of my feet when I have a hard time falling asleep. I've also used it on wounds. My dog got a horrible cut on her back leg and I used only lavender and Melaleuca oil on it and the cut healed beautifully and with no scaring! Love our Essential Oils.

~ Amanda

I don't have just one! I just started using essential oils in June and have loved the effect they have on my home, self, and 6 year old. I have run a diffuser next to her bed for the past week with Vapor in it and she has not woken up congested in the mornings! Oils aside, I live on 22 acres. I have cows, dogs, and horses. My neighbors each own about 10 acres and also have animals. Their homes are FULL of flies and I have had 1 or 2. The only thing I can contribute the change to is the cleaning products that I use in my home versus the chemicals they use in theirs! I LOVE it!

~ Amberlea

It's hard for me to choose a favorite of our Pure essential oils, but lately Pure Lavender, Peppermint and Lemon has been my favorite blends. This combination makes an awesome "ALLERGY BOMB" To mix add 20 drops of each oil to the bottle, then fill rest of the bottle with our Pure fractionated coconut oil then shake. As needed roll some of the mixture in your palm and sniff several times as needed. I carry this in my bag for easy quick access. I've used our Pure peppermint oil mixed with a little of our Renew lotion for nausea. I just rubbed on my belly and it helped tremendously.

~ Pam

My favorite use for essential oils: 2 years ago I went away overnight and forgot my deodorant-antiperspirant. I looked in my travel bag and all I had was Melaleuca oil and peppermint oil. I decided to use both together and the result was fantastic. No odor and I stayed comfortable. I was pleased.

~ Andrea

About 3 years ago I was working in a restaurant and my daughter was working there also. She was the cook. She spilled hot gravy on her hand and it was terrible. The pain was excruciating. We liberally put the tea tree oil on the burn and it stopped the pain. The healing time was quick. To this day, she keeps a bottle of it, and so do I. Wouldn't want to be without this wonderful product. Thank you.

~ Carolyn