Essential Oils are the oils that are extracted from plants. These oils are highly concentrated and are used in a variety of ways. There are a huge variety of essential oils available, and they can be mixed and blended in myriad combinations. The variety and complexity can be mystifying, and many buyers are turned off because they don’t know where to start with essential oils.
This article looks at our top 20 essential oils, and goes over their common uses. This list of essential oils will give you some basic background as to the uses of many essential oils, and you can begin to shop for the ones that most appeal to you. Start mixing and blending, and the sky’s the limit!
Top 20 Essential Oils: Essential Oil List
Here’s a list of 20 of our favorite essential oils, and some common uses for them.
| Name | Preview | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Basil |  | Sleep, Stress, Skin, Breathing, Insect Repellent |
| Bergamot |  | Skin, Anxiety, Blood Sugars, Cholesterol |
| Cedar |  | Skin, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-microbial for cleansing |
| Cinnamon |  | Blood Circulation, Stress, Pain, Digestive System, Insect Repellent |
| Copaiba |  | Anti-inflammatory, Pain, Anti-microbial for fighting bacteria |
| Eucalyptus |  | Anti-inflammatory, Skin, Breathing |
| Frankincense |  | Skin, Anti-inflammatory, Breathing, Digestive System, Replenish Cells |
| Lavender |  | Relaxation, Anxiety, Pain, Sleep, Anti-inflammatory |
| Lemon |  | Calming, Detoxifying, Anti-microbial, Immunity System, Digestive System |
| Lemongrass |  | Anti-inflammatory, Anti-microbial, Skin, Anxiety, Digestive System |
| Orange |  | Skin, Blood Circulation, Anti-oxidant, Digestive System, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-microbial, Sleep |
| Patchouli |  | Perfume, Insect Repellent |
| Peppermint |  | Digestive System, Anti-inflammatory, Skin, Pain |
| Rosemary |  | Anti-inflammatory, Anti-microbial, Breathing, Anxiety |
| Rose Oil |  | Anxiety, Perfume, Skin Care |
| Spearmint |  | Skin, Relaxation, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-microbial |
| Tangerine |  | Anxiety, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-microbial, Skin |
| Tea Tree |  | Anti-microbial, Skin, Anti-inflammatory |
| Turmuric |  | Anti-inflammatory, Anti-microbial, Anti-oxidant, Blood Circulation, Replenish Cells |
| Ylang Ylang |  | Anxiety, Pain, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-microbial, Skin, Insect Repellent |
As you can see in our table, essential oils have many possible health benefits as the compounds of the plants get to work on each individual.
Now that you’ve got the basics of what a variety of essential oils can be used for, let’s go into how to identify high-quality essential oils, and what to look for when shopping for these oils.
Essential Oil Quality
Origins
A reputable manufacturer of essential oils will inform you which part of the plant they use. They will also tell you the country of origin the plant is from and how the oils are extracted.
After production, these oils are graded so we don’t consume the wrong ones. If the label specifies, “Therapy Oil,” it should mean that it is free from additives and adulterants, such as water, brine or syrups. In other words, this essential oil is 100% pure and not to be consumed. Such a high strength quality oil is used for aromatherapy.
As there are no legal quality standards, anyone can give their oils this label. So you need to scrutinize your essential oils even closer.
GC/MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) Report
What can you do to ensure you are using quality therapy oil?
To determine the quality of essential oil, check the GC/MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) report of the manufacturer. This report shows the properties and quality of the oils.
The results of the GC/MS report will not be on the bottle though.
If the company who makes the oils has a reputation for transparency, they will make their GC/MS reports available. Companies who produce a GC/MS report show that they have taken samples to analyze the compounds.
Is this a good thing? Well, not entirely. It doesn’t tell you whether the original plant was of good or poor quality. Nor can it confirm if the plant was organic.
What it does do is confirm is that the oil is 100% what it claims to be. This report is a good start, and at a minimum, you should expect to see this report from any company you choose to buy from.
Rectification
Should the GC/MS report find any inconsistencies in a batch, the oil is re-distilled, known as rectification. In effect, this weakens the oils.
It is also a necessary process for toxic plants.
They must go through many partial distillations to eliminate the toxins.
This is an acceptable process. You may hear the term 2nd, 3rd, 4th distillations used mostly for toxic plants.
While the labeling of oils is a minefield with no regulatory body, you can stick to the basic gradings of:
- A = Therapeutic
- B = Contains a carrier oil to make it food-grade oil.
- C = Contains a carrier oil but for perfumes and shampoos.
Essential Oil Uses
Okay, so enough of the science, now we’ll look at the uses of essential oils. Let’s not forget that the practice of using these oils has been popular for thousands of years, and dates back to at least Ancient Egypt.
Many use essential oils for their healing properties which are varied and many. Some have anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory or even anti-microbial effects. Others cleanse the skin, relieve anxiety or even replenish blood cells.
Pure essential oils go through a lengthy process and are expensive to produce. Once upon our shelves, it is contained in a small bottle. You may think you’re not getting much for your money but don’t worry, it goes a long way. We will look at some of the health benefits of some essential oils in our review section.
How then can you use these oils on your body?
Skin Contact
If oils are used on the skin, then it should be diluted with a carrier oil which can be anything from Jojoba oil to Olive oil. Pure plant-oil is highly concentrated and far too strong for direct skin contact. It may cause rashes or other allergies, so do your research for each type of oil.
If you want to put essential oil in your bath, use only around 6 drops, that’s how strong these oils typically are.
If you don’t intend to combine the oils yourself, then you can buy them already blended.
Look at the labels, and they should inform you which oils are in the bottle and what the mixture is to be used for. For example, some may suggest they be used to rub on arthritic joints or for congestion or acne. There are many remedies to be tried and tested.
Remember, we all have different skin types, so what works for one may not work for another.
Ingesting
Ingesting is NOT recommended and can have severe side effects. You can, under certain conditions, ingest essential oils. This can only be done if you have sought professional advice from your doctor or registered aromatherapist. The oils must be properly diluted. For instance:
- In the food industry, these oils are diluted at something like 6-8 drops per 60 gallons of liquid, usually with a carrier oil.
- If you were to cook a huge pot of tomato sauce and wanted to add oregano oil, you would only need a single drop, that’s how powerful this oil is.
Unless you are taking the oils in manufactured capsules, which will be diluted, you should NEVER ingest these potent liquids. Whilst used to relieve health symptoms, ingested they are detrimental to your health. Undiluted essential oils, even on your skin, can cause terrible irritation. This is even more dangerous if in direct contact with your inner organs. Undiluted essential oils, when swallowed, can cause damage to your tongue, the lining of your mouth and the lining of your stomach.
Inhaling
The best way to use your essential oils is to add a few drops to an essential oil diffuser. Oils can be heated or sprayed, depending on whether you use an ultrasonic or nebulizer diffuser. The oils either evaporate with heat or are sprayed with water intermittently. Either way only uses a few drops at a time. How long a bottle lasts will depend on how strong an aroma you want in your room, and how often you use the diffusers.
The best diffusers are the electronic ones as they do not dilute the oils but are very safe to use.
But if you don’t want that, you can also use a candlelit oil burner. The oil is watered down in a top dish. A tea candle is placed underneath to heat the water. This creates a scented steam flow that will be lightly perfumed. You must not heat the oil without dilution or you may suffer skin or breathing irritation.
Using a diffuser is the best method for using essential oils. Not only will your body benefit internally from the essence without harming you, but your house will smell terrific too, whether you use it in a small room or large room.
If you’re looking for a package that includes a diffuser and a basic set of essential oils, InnoGear Aromatherapy Diffuser may be an excellent option for you.
InnoGear 150ml Aromatherapy Diffuser with Essential Oils Provided
- Weight 1.63 pounds.
- Adapter provided.
- Includes instructions manual.
- Room coverage area is 15 x 10 feet.
- Has 7 different LED lighting colors.
Can be set to remain on one color only, or change all 7 colors automatically.
We’ve chosen a diffuser that comes supplied with 6 different essential oils, to get you started. The oils are stored in 10ml amber glass bottles that include: Lavender, Peppermint, Tea Tree, Orange, Lemon Grass, Eucalyptus. Each one has a different aroma and a different suggested health effect.
By combining a few drops of oil with water in the 150ml tank, this electronic diffuser sprays out a mist of diluted oils. The spray will moisten dry air and smell delightful. As you breathe it in, it continues to benefit your health too.
There are two modes of use:
- Intermittent, which is a spray every 30 seconds, and then a pause for 30 seconds. The diluted oil should last for approx. 10 hours.
- Continual, which stays on all the time and lasts for approx. 6hrs before needing to be topped up.
With a safety cut-out it automatically shuts off if the liquid has all been used, so it’s safe to use even when you’re out. Made from safe materials, you can even leave it running while you sleep.
Use the colorful ambient lighting without using the oil diffuser, just like a dim lamp. Or, use the diffuser without turning on the light so you can use it in daylight too. You’ll need to plug the diffuser into mains electricity to turn it on, whichever way you use it.
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Essential Oil Starter Sets
As always, it pays to buy in bulk so what better place to start than looking at an Essential Oil Set.
Natrogix Nirvana 18 Essential Oil Set
No products found.This essential oil set is one of the best ways to get familiar with a wide variety of essential oils, without breaking the bank. With a huge selection of 18 oils in their default set, this is a great option for beginners and essential oil-lovers as well!
Natrogix produces GC/MS rated essential oils. That ensures that oil batches are tested for pathogens, using quality standard methods. What you get is a top-quality essential oil product from a trusted company.
When you buy a set of different oils it works out cheaper per bottle. With this set, you also get a FREE e-book to try out different recipe combinations for varying treatments. You will be guided as you experiment and combine oils for different uses.
This set contains 18 of the most popular essential oils, including a ton that are on our top 20 list above.
This starter kit is a great way to learn how to mix the oils and discover what the oils can do for you.
No products found.
Chakra Complete Pre-diluted Roll-On Set with Travel Bag
As a section option, we’ve chosen to show you a different way of applying the oils.
This is a method that uses a roller ball to dab the oils directly onto the skin.
The oils in the Chakra set have already been diluted with a base oil, so they’re quite safe to use on the skin. This particular product has used coconut oil as the base oil and uses amber glass bottles for storage.
When various oils are combined, the title of the mixture is more based on the health benefits that occur. If only a single oil is used, the label is more likely to be based on which oil it is.
This set uses essential oil combinations, and each bottle has its own unique title:
- Heart Compassion: Geranium, lavender, lemon, orange & sandalwood
- Throat Communicate: Bergamot, cypress & spearmint
- Third Eye Intuition: Juniper, rosemary & patchouli
- Crown Enlighten: Cedarwood, lavender & vetiver
- Sacral Passion: Patchouli, sweet orange & ylang ylang
- Root Grounded: Angelica root, cedarwood, frankincense, patchouli & vetiver
- Solar Plexus Powerful: Cedarwood, cinnamon, cypress & lemongrass
The producers of such oils often attempt to describe the healing benefits within the titles. For instance, Throat Communicate sounds like it might benefit sore or dry throats.
Plus, each bottle will also give off different scents.
We have already mentioned some of these ingredients in our table of oils above. If you look at the table, it will give you an idea of the health benefits that each of these roller bottles may have.
Using these oils
Shake the bottle before opening the lid to combine the ingredients evenly. The small roller is then dabbed onto the skin at certain pressure points on your body, such as where you might dab perfume. You may not like them immediately, so use them a few times before assessing them for perfume and health benefits.
Using essential oils is a personal thing, like the use of perfumes. They give off a different aroma on different people.
Some may find them soothing, while others believe they do nothing. It really is a case of trial and error to find the oils that work for you. It’s worth investing in the rollerball oils without spending a fortune.
That way you can experiment until you find what suits your personal needs the most.
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Citrus Blast Essential Oil10 ml 100% Pure, Therapeutic Grade
If you want to experiment with different oils, consider purchasing them individually. Ideally, you should try and find the smallest sample you can, until you find your favorites.
You could consider finding sample sizes of around 1 or 2ml if you think that’s enough to base your decision on.
You can then build up a collection of your preferred oils, once you’ve tried and tested them. It’s also a great way to combine oils, by having a good variety in your collection.
The best container for essential oils is amber glass. Glass doesn’t contaminate the oil in any way and the darkened color protects the oils from light. It’s best if the bottle has a lid that allows the oil to drop out, rather than pour.
As well as trying out different oils, try different producers until you find your favorite. Given the expense of these oils, it’s better to find a trusted supplier.
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Essential Oil Storage and Use
While essential oils may come in small bottles, they are expensive to buy! You should keep them safe.
Somewhere where you have easy access but they’re kept upright and out of harm’s way.
Essential Oil Wooden Storage Case
- Dimensions of whole box 8.5 x 7.9 x 10.5 inches.
- Weight, when empty, 5.56 pounds.
- 3 drawers that can hold up to 75 x 5ml or fewer 15ml bottles and 25 x 10ml roller bottles.
- Strong handle for box and small knobs on each drawer.
- Sliding front panel for secure closure.
Also includes some sticky labels to organize your bottles. By keeping your bottles The kit also includes sticky labels to organize your bottles. By keeping your bottles stored away from the light, they’re protected against heat and oxidation damage. It’s easy to misplace such small bottles, so keep them tucked away until you want to use them.
When you have learned how to use essential oils, you’ll find it an enjoyable hobby. Experimenting and discovering which oils benefit you the most is quite satisfying. When you find essential oils that work for you, it’s then time to start combining your own recipes.
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
BonyTek Amber Glass Spray Bottles Kit, Roller Bottles and Oil Bottles
Amber glass containers including:
- 2 x 16oz spray bottles with lids.
- 10 x 2 and 4oz mist spray bottles.
- Black sprayers to fit into all sprayer bottles.
- 12 x 10ml roller bottles.
- Stainless steel rollers.
- 16 black labels.
- 24 white labels.
- 1 roll-on bottle opener.
- 2 x 1ml droppers.
- 2 x funnels.
- Bottle cleaning brush.
This set is a useful starter kit. It can hold other liquids too, so you can make up beautifully scented household sprays. You’ll soon get busy creating perfumes and hair conditioners. Once you’re used to combing the oils, go on to produce your remedies, such as treatment for headaches, skin conditions and other aches and pains. Share your creations with friends and family and they’ll most likely join in. Essential oils are not only fun to work with, but also fun to use.
Start your hobby slow because it’s important to assess individual essential oils that will suit your personal needs.
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion
Essential oils can be a dizzying topic to get into, especially if you’re not familiar with them. Our list of the top 20 essential oils should get you started as to what many of the common essential oils can do. Consider picking up an essential oil starter kit, and you can start to fit these little bottles of magic into your life.
