If you could only choose ten essential oils to use, which ones would you choose? There are so many available and all of them have great uses and properties. I’ve put together a list of my personal top ten favorite essential oils that include their properties and benefits! Here we go…
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These are in no particular order, just the way I wrote them down on my notes. However I do feel that Lavender is a must have essential oil in anyone’s top ten list and deserves the number one spot.
Lavender Essential Oil
Number one on my list is good ol’ Lavender specifically Bulgarian Lavender which is primarily the one most companies offer. It’s botanical names could be listed as Lavandula angustifolia, or Lavandula officinalis, and Lavandula vera.
Lavender Properties:
- Stress relief
- Respiratory Issues
- Pain Relief
- Skin Issues
- Sleep/Insomnia Issues
- Brightens Mood
- Emotional Issues
- Anti-bacterial
- Anti-depressant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Decongestant
Lavender Benefits:
- Arthritis
- Muscle Aches and Pain
- Headache
- Colds and Cough
- Flu
- Allergies
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Women’s Issues such as PMS
- Bug Bites
- Itching
- Skin blemishes
- Nervousness
Find out more about Lavender Essential Oil by reading these posts:
Lavender Essential Oil: Practical Uses and Awesome Benefits
Sweet Orange Essential Oil
Next up we have Sweet Orange, or sometimes known as Wild Orange. Its botanical names are Citrus sinensis and Citrus aurantium var sinensis. I love how refreshing and citrusy sweet, Sweet Orange is when diffusing.
Sweet Orange Properties:
- Anti-bacterial
- Anti-depressant
- Anti-fungal
- Anti-septic
- Stimulant
- Degreaser
- Aids in Digestion
- Calming to the emotions
- Deodorant
- Sedative
Sweet Orange Benefits:
- Varicose Veins
- Bloating and Gas
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Anxiety and Stress
- Spasms and Cramps
- Bacterial infections
- Athletes Foot
- Airbourne and Surface Germs
- Menopause
- Dull Skin
Frankincense Essential Oil
Number 3 on our list is Frankincense, our “Kind of Oils”. You will find Frankincense under four different names usually. They are identified by their botanical names. Boswellia carterii/sacra, Boswellia frereana, Boswellia serrata and Boswellia papyrifera. Please note that Boswellia papyrifera is not safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Be sure you are using a safe Frankincense if you are pregnant or nursing.
Frankincense Properties:
- Analgesic
- Antibacterial
- Antidepressant
- Anti-infectious
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antispetic
- Astringent
- Expectorant
Frankincense Benefits:
- Aches and Pains
- Depression
- Exhaustion
- Fatigue
- Stress
- Mature Skin
- Scars
- Stretch Marks
- Menstrual Pain
- Asthma
- Headaches
- Body odor
Read more about the wonderful benefits of Frankincense by reading this post:
Fantastic Frankincense: What are the benefits and uses of this awesome essential oil?
Cedarwood (Atlas) Essential Oil
The fourth essential oil in our top ten list is Cedarwood (Atlas) specifically. Many properties and benefits, to many to mention. Its botanical name is Cedrus atlantica.
Cedarwood (Atlas) Properties:
- Analgesic
- Aphrodisiac
- Anti-bacterial
- Expectorant
- Anti-fungal
- Anti-inflammatory
- Astringent
- Sedative
- Stimulates the lymph nodes
Cedarwood (Atlas) Benefits:
- Arthritis
- Cold and flu
- Inflammation
- Anxiety and Stress
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Motion Sickness
- Swollen Lymph Nodes
- Aches and Pains
- Yeast Infections
- Headaches
- Congestion
- Bacterial Infections
- Acne
- Body Odor
- Wrinkles
- Airbourne and Surface Germs
Cedarwood (Atlas) is often a good choice for a personal inhaler if you have trouble sleeping. Check out the following post for a recipe that contains Cedarwood (Atlas).
The Absolute Best Essential Oils For Sleep And Insomnia
Cypress Essential Oil
Next up for number 5 is Cypress. I love Cypress because it is dog friendly/safe. I can diffuse this when congested to get some relief and know that my dog isn’t going to have adverse reactions to this. Its botanical name is Cupressus sempervirens.
Cypress Properties:
- Anti-bacterial
- Anti-infection
- Disinfectant
- Calming for the Digestive, Muscular, and Skin.
- Decongestant/Expectorant
- Deodorant
- Digestive
- Sedative
Cypress Benefits:
- Varicose Veins
- Cramps
- Arthritis
- Colds and Cough
- Sinusitis
- Menstrual Pain
- Infection
- Nerve Pain
- Congestion
- Bacterial Infections
- Wrinkles
- Body Odor
- Airbourne and Surface Germs
Read all about Cypress by clicking the link below!
Cypress Essential Oil: Uses and Benefits
Siberian Fir Needle Essential Oil
Our 6th essential oil in my top ten essential oil list is Siberian Fir Needle, which has many of the same properties and Benefits of Cypress. Siberian Fir Needle is not dog safe, so please avoid use if you will be around your dog. Its botanical name is Abies sibirica, so look for that on the bottle.
Siberian Fir Needle Properties:
- Anti-bacterial
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-Septic
- Anti-spasmodic
- Astringent
- Decongestant
Siberian Fir Needle Benefits:
- Inflammation
- Mental Fatigue
- Cramps
- Congestion
- Bacterial infections
Grapefruit Essential Oil
Number 7 on our list is Grapefruit. It is uplifting and super great at keeping your kitchen counters squeaky clean! Its botanical name is Citrus paradisi. The main concern with Grapefruit is that is it phototoxic, meaning if exposed to the sun after topical use it could cause skin irritations, burns or redness. Its topical max is 4%, that is approximately 5 drops to 1 teaspoon carrier oil. So, be sure to dilute properly to avoid phototoxicity.
Grapefruit Properties:
- Anti-bacterial
- Anti-depressant
- Anti-infectious
- Disinfectant
- Astringent
- Digestive Issues
Grapefruit Benefits:
- Varicose Veins
- Poor appetite or digestion
- Depression
- Infection
- Bacterial Infections
- Airbourne and Surface Germs
Grapefruit in a main ingredient in my Give Me Some Peace Essential Oil Diffuser Blend. View my very first post here.
Lemon Essential Oil
Ahhh…Lemon Essential Oil. Number 8 on our list. Love using this in my kitchen drains and dishwasher to freshen things up. It has many uses and is the most purchase essential oil in my collection of oils. It too is phototoxic, at 2%, this is approximately 5 drops to 2 teaspoons carrier oil. Always dilute responsibly if you are going to use it on your skin. Lemon’s botanical name is Citrus limon.
Lemon Properties:
- Anti-bacterial
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-septic
- Anti-viral
- Expectorant
- Anti-fungal
- Disinfectant
- Astringent
- Calming to the Digestive System
Lemon Benefits:
- Arthritis
- Headache
- Colds
- Sinusitis
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Nausea
- Indigestion
- Bloating and Gas
- Infection
- Cramps
- Congestion
- Bacterial Infections
- Scars
- Airbourne and Surface Germs
I’ve got two great post all about Lemon Essential Oil. Find them both below.
Lemon Essential Oil: Benefits and Uses
Why Does Lemon Essential Oil Eat Plastic?
Tea Tree Essential Oil
Number 9 is a favorite of my husbands. 9 times our of ten its what I tell him to use when he has an issue. Tea Tree, or Melaleuca, Melaleuca alternifolia, Melaleuca linariifolia var. alternifolia, is another must have on anyone’s essential oil shelf or box or whatever you store your essential oils in.
Tea Tree Properties:
- Analgesic
- Anti-bacterial
- Anti-depressant
- Anti-fungal
- Anti-infectious
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-septic
- Anti-viral
- Decongestant/Expectorant
Tea Tree Benefits:
- Oily Skin
- Acne
- Eczema
- Bug bites
- Lice
- Arthritis
- Parasites
- Infection
- Inflammation
- Virus
- Aches and Pains
- Cramps
- Nerve Pain
- Congestion
- Bacterial Infection
- Athlete’s foot
- Airborne and Surface Germs
- Bug Repellant
Here is a post all about Tea Tree. Enjoy!
Tea Tree Essential Oil: Why You Need it
Spearmint Essential Oil
And the last on our list is Spearmint, a great replacement for Peppermint, which is unsafe for kids under 6 years to inhale. Spearmint is safe for kids and dogs, so if you are looking for a minty pick me up try spearmint. Its botanical name can be found as Mentha spicata, or Mentha cardiaca, or Mentha crispa, and Mentha viridis.
Spearmint Properties:
- Anti-septic
- Antiviral
- Astringent
- Decongestant
- Expectorant
- Anti-bacterial
- Anti-fungal
- Anti-inflammatory
- Digestive Issues
- Insecticidal
Spearmint Benefits:
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Stress
- Acne
- Nausea
- Bloating and Gas
- Inflammation
- Cramps
- Congestion
- Fungal infections
- Airbourne and Surface Germs
- Bug Repellant
Wrapping It Up
And there we have it. The top ten essential oils every essential oil user should have. These are among my favorites and hope you enjoy them too.
Do you need essential oils from this list? Are any of them new to you? If you want to make a purchase please click the Plant Therapy logo below. This is an affiliated link. Plant Therapy has 100% pure, high quality essential oils for a great price. I use them and love them so much I want to share them with you.
This information is intended to educate and inform. Please do not replace this information with the advice and guidance from a doctor. This information is not intended to treat, prevent, diagnose or cure any disease. Please consult your health care professional if you have any questions.
Sources:
Lea Jacobson, from LeaJacobson.com
My own personal notes.
Tisserand, R and Young, (2014) Essential Oil Safety, 2ed. Churchill Livingstone
Purchon, N and Cantele (2014) The Complete Aromatherapy and Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness. Robert Rose, Inc.