Top 5 Essential Oils for your Medicine Cabinet

Essential oils are potent and concentrated extracts of plants found in nature.  They all have their own unique therapeutic benefits on our body and mind.  Only lavender and tea-tree essential oils can be used neat on the skin, without been diluted, so they are particularly handy to pop in your travel bag before you head off on holidays this Summer.  They are definitely my top 2 favourite essential oils.

(1) Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)


Lavender has been used for medecinal and home-care purposes for thousands of years.  It can be applied directly to the skin to soothe burns, so the next time you get a burn from lifting your casserole out of the oven, pop some lavender essential oil onto the burn immediately and it will instantly soothe and prevent blistering.  It is also an effective disinfectant for cuts and scrapes because all essential oils are anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal.  A few drops of lavender in the bath can help you relax and aid sleep.

(2) Tea-Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)

A definite must have in any medicine cabinet.  It can be used topically to treat athlete's foot.  This oil has saved me so many an antibiotics when the dreaded sore throat strikes.  If you put about 10 drops in a glass of water and gargle it serves to kill off the infection in your throat.  The secret is to start gargling as soon as the throat becomes sore, and gargling 3 or 4 times a day, and last thing at night should be enough to prevent the infection progressing.

(3) Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

A brilliant remedy for aching feet!  A few drops of peppermint essential oil can be added to a foot bath to revive those tired feet and limbs.  Also said to be a good remedy for colds and digestive complaints, but it needs to be diluted with a suitable vegetable carrier oil or balm.

(4) Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)

A great oil for alleviating chest congestion.  It's anti-viral action works well on the respiratory tract soothing inflammation and easing mucous.  Good for influenza, coughs, catarrhal conditions and sinusitis.  A few drops can be added to a basin of hot water and the steam inhaled for best effect, or it can be added to a carrier oil or balm and used as a chest rub.

(5) Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)

A gentle and soothing oil which can be blended with a carrier oil or balm to soothe many dry and inflammed skin conditions.  Worth keeping in mind for use as an after-sun remedy with all this sunny weather we've been enjoying.  It also smells lovely and is helpful for insomnia, stress and anxiety.  


These are effective natural remedies so give them a try this Summer and let us know how you get on!

The Mil Team
www.milallnaturalbalms.com