Ways to Use Essential Oils

For starters, I feel like I should make one thing very clear: I DO NOT SELL ESSENTIAL OILS!!  I'm not close with anyone that does, either!  And I don't even know enough about them to endorse any one company that sells them!  Some of you are die hard oil lovers, and others might be anti- and I like all of you regardless:) While I'm a huge believer in modern medicine, I'm also pretty open to trying alternative/natural remedies.  The idea of learning about oils (does it seem like a different language to anyone else?) kind of overwhelmed me for a long time though.  I wasn't interested in trying them out until recently.  I decided I'd see what all the fuss was about, and I got a basic essential oils starter kit last month.  

I know the placebo effect is a very real thing, but I genuinely feel like they've helped around our house with little ailments and illnesses.  If nothing else they've been a good, natural addition to our medicine cabinet! And bonus!  Most of them smell really good!  The thing that has always been the most confusing to me is knowing what to do with each oil.  How do I use them?  What do I use them for?  How do I know what to do?  I got a Modern Essentials Reference Card, and it has come really in handy.  Below, I'm going to share some of the most common ailments it lists, and how to treat them!

Allergies: Melaleuca, Tropical Blend
Apply on sinuses and bottoms of feet.

Anxiety: Lavender, Orange, Lemon, Reassuring Blend
Diffuse or inhale.  Massage into the skin.  Apply to back of neck or temples.

Bee Sting: Roman Chamomile, Basil, Cleansing Blend
Apply on location.  Cool compress on location.

Blisters: Lavender
Apply on location.

Burns: Lavender, Geranium.
Apply on location.

Colds: Thyme, Lemon, Protective Blend, Melaleuca
Diffuse.  Inhale from water vapor.  Apply to throat, temples, forehead, sinuses.

Congestion: Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Respiratory Blend, Douglas Fir
Apply to chest, neck, back, feet.  Diffuse.  Inhale directly or from water vapor.

Coughs: Respiratory Blend, Melaleuca, Eucalyptus, Douglas Fir, Protective Blend, Cardamom
Apply on throat and chest.

Cuts/Wounds: Helichrysum, Lavender, Melaleuca, Basil, Protective Blend
Apply on location.

Diarrhea: Peppermint, Ginger, Geranium, Digestive Blend
1-2 drops in capsule.  Apply to abdomen.  Warm compress.

Earache: Basil, Melaleuca, Helichrysum
Apply to surface of ear (not in ear canal), behind ear, or swab around ear canal.

Fever: Peppermint, Lemon, Lime, Eucalyptus, Clove
Swallow in Capsule.  Apply to back or to bottoms of feet.  Diffuse.

Gas: Lavender, Ginger
Apply on stomach, abdomen, or feet.

Headaches: Tension Blend, Peppermint, Rosemary, Soothing Blend.
Apply to temples, back of neck, forehead.  Diffuse, or inhale directly.

Indigestion: Peppermint, Ginger, Digestive Blend.
Take in capsule.  Apply on stomach or feet.  Diffuse.

Insomnia: Lavender,Orange, Calming Blend, Roman Chamomile
Diffuse.  Mist on linens, or place on pillow.  Apply on feet or neck.  Massage.

Muscle Cramps: Lemongrass with Peppermint, Marjoram, Soothing Blend
Apply on location.  Massage.  Bath.

Poison Ivy: Lavender, Joyful Blend
Apply on location.  Massage on location.

Sore Throat: Melleuca, Protective Blend
Apply on throat or feet.  Gargle.  Diffuse.  Inhale.  Drink with beverage.

Stress: Lavender, Focus Blend, Lemon, Ylang Ylang
Diffuse.  Inhale.  Massage.  Bath salts.  Apply to neck, back or bottoms of feet.

Warts: Frankincense, Protective Blend, Melaleuca, Oregano, Clove
Apply on location daily.

Do you use essential oils??
 If so, what success stories have you had?