I have some great new products that I’ve been wanting to share with you and I am very excited because there are a few items that I had not used before prior to this post. This handy wooden storage box makes it ideal to keep all of your essential oils. It’s small enough to stow away right on top of your dresser or any proper shelving unit. The box holds twenty-five oils and has gold colour hardware (metal clasp closure).
Firstly, a quick introduction to dōTerra’s new On Guard Sanitizer Mist: this anti-bacterial mist is infused with the proprietary oil blend, On-Guard, which I’ve shared with you before. This works just like any sanitizer, only with the additional benefits of using antibacterial and germ-fighting essential oils. It’s quite wonderful because it’s very compact and slender in scale, making it easy to carry in any size bag.
1. Cedarwood
(Juniperus virginiana)
Cedarwood has a warm, woody and spicy scent with sweet undertones. Sometimes, my father would have it in the house growing up so it reminds me of that. This is a really good oil to naturally repel insects as well as help with moths. I made little sachets to insert in a few of my room storage bins. Use this DIY and add drops of oil to cotton balls inside the little pillows. It’s a great alternative to using chemical-based products.
This oil is also surprisingly a great balancing oil for a healthy skin appearance (may improve eczema), in addition to promoting wellness and vitality. Did you know that cedarwood is also used in thinning hair treatment and is used a lot in massage therapy to calm the body for tension relief?
Other Benefits: natural odour freshener, arthritis relief, and fights fungal infections, and fleas.*1
2. Petitgrain
(Citrus aurantium)
Petitgrain was widely known as being used quite often used for cleaning purposes but also used in fragrances, perfumes, and colognes. It’s extracted from the leaf and twig, and one of three essential oils that come from the bitter orange tree — Neroli, distilled from the blossoms, and bitter orange oil developed by cold pressing the fruits and rinds.
The aroma is a hybrid of fresh fragrant citrus floral and underlining herbaceous scent, think of it as bergamot’s cousin. Petitgrain supports your immune system and may provide antioxidant support, and a healthy cardiovascular function.
Tip: Add a few drops of petitgrain to your lotion for a post-workout muscle massage.
*This oil is sourced from Paraguay through the Co-Impact Sourcing® initiative; improving the lives of local distillers, farmers and harvesters who aid in producing dōTerra’s oil.
3. Fennel
(Foeniculum vulgare)
A plant that has been used since ancient Roman times, the fennel was said to have been taken by the warriors for strength before the battle. Fennel is used quite a lot in our home, especially in cooking poultry or vegetables. The fragrance and taste have hints of liquorice notes.
Tip: I mentioned last time that I use fennel seeds in a tea, especially when I am on a road trip, and when we were on a boat due to my motion sickness it really helped. Fennel mixed with ginger root can aid in nausea relief and soothe an upset stomach or cramps. Studies have also shown that fennel is safe to be used during pregnancy as a natural therapy with carrier oils, as well as a number of other herbs and oils such as dandelion, nettle, chamomile, etc.
Benefits: Remarkably promotes healthy digestion and metabolism whilst supporting the respiratory system, and liver function in the body. Studies have shown that fennel can also help to counteract sugary cravings, promote menstruation and milk flow. *2
4. Roman Chamomile:
(Anthemis nobilis)
Uses & Benefits: Used mostly in tea and beauty products, you can find Roman Chamomile in face creams, perfumes, and drinks, amongst other items. It’s soothing for the body so good for sensitive skin and with a carrier oil, such as jojoba or coconut oil, it’s has a positive effect. In fact, Roman Chamomile has positive effects on surrounding plants that it grows near. The plant only grows up to about a foot high and is similar to a daisy in appearance. The aroma is a lovely sweet and floral smell.
Recipe tip: Add several drops to aloe vera juice or your rose mist for calming and anti-inflammation benefits. Anytime that I work out, I use a small bottle of mist on my body and face. It’s refreshing! *Read about chamomile’s surprising cancer-fighting benefits also here.
5. Turmeric
(Turmeric Curcuma longa)
As much as I cook with turmeric add drink my ‘Golden Goddess’ tea, I had not used turmeric oil. This new formula by dōTerra makes it so easy to incorporate into your lifestyle.
Turmeric has been used for centuries mostly in Ayurvedic medicine. The Indian root has an immense amount of benefits, which come from the curcumin in turmeric. Its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to reduce swollen stomach or bloating makes it worth it for your body’s overall health in normal doses.
I add turmeric to my steamed rice a lot! In this essential oil formula, make my radiant skin mask here or add the oil in your lemon water in the morning. I also like to add the powder (ground form) to my green smoothie, you get the added benefits of the root just but without the deep colour change.
Benefits: Improving the body with healthy glucose support and lipid metabolic track and supports immune system response, uplifts mood, healthier glow as well as brightens the skin. If you have joint pain it can also help reduce it as well as pain from arthritis. *Read more about turmeric here.
6. Helichrysum
(Helichrysum italicum)
Most notably known as “The Everlasting Flower” due to its anti-ageing benefits and complexion-enhancing benefits. If you’re up on your Greek Mythology then you might remember the Greek god of the sun, Helios, the one who had ridden daily in a horse-pulled chariot across the heavens. Helichrysum comes from the Greek word ‘helios,’ a word for sun and ‘chrysos‘ which signifies gold, in reference to the hue of flowers.
Aroma: not as floral as one might think. It has a sweet, straw-like and herbaceous scent. Helichrysum is used quite a lot in high-quality beauty products, in less expensive products you will see a larger blend of oils with it, due to it taking a large number of petals, the flower’s oil is very expensive. Therefore, I love using this oil as a serum and blending it with either lavender oil, avocado oil or a coconut oil mask.
Other Benefits: Diminishes the appearance of blemishes, and soothes skin.
Remember, essential oils are highly concentrated, and not to be internally, especially in high doses without proper research and/or an experienced herbalist, or consent from a physician. It is important to understand alternative methods and holistic healing elements are not for everyone but are natural ways of promoting health and wellness.
Have you tried any of these products or essential oils?
The goods: Wooden storage box, a variety of essential oils as described above: Courtesy of dōTerra, a FASHION TALES partner. These oils are collected via steam distillation. As always, all content and opinions are honestly expressed and my own. These are suggested benefits for essential oils.*1: Cedarwood, Pest repelling, 2: Fennel, Further reading on petitgrain, and essential oils.
