What Are the Best Essential Oils to Start With?

With anything new, the hardest part is knowing where to start. This is no truer than with aromatherapy and massage oils.

When deciding on an oil most people ask, ‘what are the best essential oils to start with?’ I always end up giving a brief breakdown of several aromas, as they serve different purposes.

Throughout this article, I will go over ten of the most popular oils. As well as giving you some guidance on their uses, and how they can help you.

Essential oils carry a range of health and wellbeing uses. So if you are new to oils, you’re in for some surprises.

How Do You Use Essential Oils?

Firstly, always read the labels carefully when you are using products that will be coming into contact with you, and your skin.

If you think you may have allergies, then try a small section of your skin first. While problems are incredibly rare, you should always act with a little caution at first.

Some oils need to be diluted, while others do not for example. This is something you can check on the label.

Topical Use

Essential oils are not usually to be applied directly to the skin, you should be mixing them with a good carrier oil like doTERRA’s fractionated coconut oil. As mentioned above always check the label for the directions of best use.

Internal Use

Some essential oils are safe for internal use. If this is the desired use make sure you are buying oils that are safe.

Aromatic Use

Diffusing essential oils for the aromatic benefits in the air is another type of use. You can create a soothing and peaceful mood, aid sleep, or any other type of ambiance depending on your choice of oil.

What Are the Best Essential Oils to Start With?

There are a lot of different brands, such as Young Living, doTERRA, Mountain Rose, and Edens Garden to name a few of the more well known, as well as types, and scents to choose from.

I know how confusing it can be when you’re new to aromatherapy oils. But it really isn’t that confusing once you get started.

You will be mixing and experimenting in no time, and learning about all the different oils and their therapeutic effects is quite addictive, trust me.

Here are ten of the best and most commonly used scents. Take a read through and see which oil you think will best suit your needs.

Lavender Oil

Lavender is seen as a calming essential oil. This brand is medical grade, so it can be safely ingested in drinks, used on the skin, and diffused.

It’s a great stress reliever, and it can even tend to small cuts and wounds. A great all-round oil, that smells like a fresh garden of lavender flowers.

Lavender Oil Uses:

• Use on your pillow before going to sleep for a more soothing sleep.
• Apply to your temples to aid with headache relief.
• Apply directly to cuts and burns to soothe the pain.
• Diffuse in the air for a calming and relaxing aroma.
• Add a couple of drops to a warm bath for a relaxing soak.

Peppermint Oil

Personally, I love the smell of Peppermint oil. I’ve never come across someone that will disagree with that statement.

Peppermint has a wide range of health and wellbeing benefits too.

Peppermint Oil Uses:

• Mix a few drops with water to help soothe indigestion.
• Rub a small amount onto the temples to relieve headaches.
• Breathe in to reduce nausea.
• Diffuse into your home for a wonderful peppermint aroma.
• It keeps spiders and other insects away.

Frankincense Oil

Frankincense is an often overlooked oil. It has some strong stress and headache-relieving properties, however.

If you suffer from migraines or any type of headache, it’s definitely worth giving this a try. You can add it to a bath for a fully aromatic experience.

Frankincense Oil Uses:

• Aids the recovery time of small cuts and grazes.
• Gives immediate relief from bug stings and bites.
• Helps with headache relief by applying directly or inhaling.
• Helps your immune system when applied to the feet.

Breathe Oil

Breathe blend is a combination of several other oils. The result is fantastic, with an oil that helps soothe so many ailments.

This is an ideal blend if you’re new to oils as it covers so many treatments. It’s not too strong or abrasive either, and the sinus relief helps people remember what it’s like to breathe clearly.

Breathe Oil Uses:

• Helps clear sinus issues when applied to the neck area.
• Diffuse into the air to help with colds and similar issues.
• Add a few drops to a bath to relieve cold and sinus issues.
• Strengthen your immune system by applying to the feet.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil has really soared in popularity in recent years. You can find it in creams, shampoos, soaps, and most body scrubs.

It’s an antimicrobial oil that has a range of uses. It can tend to rashes, scalp irritations, and clear up ear infections to name just a few.

Tea Tree Oil Uses:

• Apply directly around the ear to treat infections.
• Add a drop to your normal shampoo to help treat your scalp.
• Can be used with household cleaning products to kill germs.
• Apply to skin rashes to soothe itching and burning.

Ylang Ylang Oil

Ylang Ylang is made from flowers picked from the Cananga herb. It’s been used in remedies and treatments for years.

It primarily used in head lice treatments, to kill bacteria, and for relaxation.

Ylang Ylang Oil Uses:

• It’s known to lower blood pressure.
• Promotes relaxation when used on the skin.
• Can be used into combination sprays to treat head lice.
• Works as an aphrodisiac when diffused.

Chamomile Oil

Chamomile oil is one of the more versatile oils. It helps treat a wide range of allergies, ailments, and other health issues.

It has anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, calming, and relaxing properties. It’s a great oil for beginners to use.

Chamomile Oil Uses:

• Works well soothing bee stings, can be mixed with coconut oil for added effect.
• Can be massaged into the skin or diffused for a calming effect.
• Reduces pain and inflammation when massaged into the desired area.
• Soothes and treats skin conditions like; rashes. acne, boils, eczema etc

Lemon Oil

The citrus aroma of lemon oil is refreshing to most people. That nice lemon fresh smell is welcome around most homes.

You can use it in your cleaning products for that extra clean smell. As a diffused aroma, or to treat certain conditions.

Lemon Oil Uses:

• Makes a great sore throat soother with a little honey and water.
• Diffuse into a room to give a wonderfully fresh citrus smell.
• Add to cleaning products to give a less abrasive odor.
• Removes sticky residue from skin or surfaces.

Oregano Oil

If you and your family suffer from those annoying little illnesses, like colds, sore throats, headaches, etc – oregano oil will be a must in your house.

It’s best used diluted with coconut water, olive oil, or water. You’ll get a lot of miles out of a small bottle, very good value.

Oregano Oil Uses:

• Boosts your immune system and helps fight infections.
• Dilute and apply to the bottom of feet for a fresh smell.
• Used internally in capsule form cleans the digestive tract.
• Soothes aches and pains when used as a muscle rub.

Cinnamon Bark Oil

I have to admit this one is my personal favorite. I’m a big fan of cinnamon, although this oil is a more authentic cinnamon bark oil smell. So don’t expect it to smell like a cinnamon bun.

It’s an interesting oil. It has a nice aroma and helps with a range of health benefits. Certainly worth a closer look.

Cinnamon Bark Oil Uses:

• Cinnamon has a number of blood purifying compounds.
• Can provide pain relief due to containing anti-inflammatory properties.
• Smells wonderful when diffused, especially around the festive season.
• A couple of drops in with the laundry will give you fresh, nice smelling clothes.

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Hopefully, this list has helped you understand which essential oils will be best for you and where to get started using oils.

As you can see, each oil has its own unique, wide range of benefits. Not just to your well-being and health directly, but applications around the home such as being used to repel insects or clean.

The best advice I can offer is to take your time and start experimenting one oil at a time and seeing how you feel using them.

Have fun with it though. Essential oils are in of the most interesting and fun forms of alternative medicine or healing, and like I said above it’s a bit addictive so prepare yourself for a new hobby!

If you need some essential oil gift ideas then check this post.