What are the best essential oils?
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’re probably aware of the growing popularity of essential oils.
While they’re not cure-all’s, there’s a tremendous body of research showing that many of the compounds found in essential oils have very powerful therapeutic effects; everything from antibacterial properties, to anxiety reduction to calming the central nervous system.
DIY Household Cleaners Can Be Better
In fact, I use oils in my DIY household cleaners because of their powerful antibacterial properties… I know I’m getting a clean kitchen without the harsh chemicals found in most products.
Most conventional household cleaners are made with chemicals linked to endocrine disruption, metabolic disease, autoimmune conditions, asthma, allergies, and even cancers.
Using these products, a “clean house” can lead to a sick body.
How Do I Know Which Household Cleaners Are Toxic?
As you’re working to create a healthier, more non-toxic home, understanding when, where, and how to use essential oils is a no-brainer. But you want to make sure you are using the best essential oils.
And there’s sooooooo much information online about essential oils, frankly it can be confusing and overwhelming.
That’s When An Expert on Essential Oils Comes In Handy
When I have a question about oils, I pick up my phone and text my good friend, and essential oil expert Dr. Mariza Snyder. While I’d love to share her cell number with you so you can text YOUR questions, I’ve actually got something better:
Mariza just released her 6th book, The Smart Mom’s Guide to Essential Oils – a must-have guide to transforming your life with natural remedies, green cleaners, and toxin-free personal care recipes in addition to mood and hormone support solutions.
She sent me an early copy of the book to review, and was thrilled to see she has a whole chapter on non-toxic cleaning recipes. There’s also chapters on general use of the best essential oils, a history of their use (super interesting), and a section using oils for women’s hormonal health.
A Short But True Story About Essential Oils
Short true and embarrassing story: In December I flew down to San Francisco to spend some fun time with Mariza and our friend Kevin Gianni. I’m a good flyer, but this particular flight was sooooooo windy and awful, and right as we were getting to land, I found myself with my face in a barf-bag, which hadn’t happened to me since I was like 7! I was so embarrassed! Mariza picked me up at the airport and I immediately told her what happened. First thing she did was whip out her bottle of peppermint oil for me to smell on the way home to quell any nausea that came up. Worked like a charm. Honestly, for that situation, peppermint is probably one of the best essential oils, and now I won’t ever fly without it!!
If you’re interested in exploring how you can use essential oils to replace the harsh chemical cleaners in your home, check out her Green Spring Cleaning Guide
While you’re waiting to download your Green Spring Cleaning Guide, here are some other great things that my now treasured Peppermint oil is good for!
- Headaches
- Sore muscles
- Sinus/Chest Congestion
- Focus & Concentration
- Fever/Hot Flashes
- Repel Bugs, Critters, and Rodents* (keep peppermint oil away from cats please! While it’s safe for us, it’s toxic for them!)
One final thing to know: just because oils are plant based, doesn’t mean they’re all totally “safe”. Oils are extremely concentrated, well beyond what’s found in nature, and can both be powerful ally’s on our path to wellness, and harmful in certain cases. We must learn to use them smartly, appropriately, and responsibly. We must also find the sources where the best essential oils can be purchased.
Thankfully, Mariza’s book helps us to do just that!
Lara, I am trying to find research articles that prove the disruptive nature of cleaning products such as Pinesol (my hubby’s current favorite). I want to show that these harsh chemicals are bad to inhale and be exposed to for our family. I am having some trouble finding the right articles on PubMed. Any recommendations?