Have you ever wondered what essential oils you should have on hand for yourself and your family?

I will be posting a quick reference guide to each essential oil to help you choose your personal apothecary.

We’re going to be going over what each oil is good for, how to use it, what it goes with to create a blend, and what to watch out for if you’re pregnant, planning to spend some time in the sun, or dealing with a particular ailment or medical condition.

As I sharing these with you we will be looking at pure, single essential oils, not at the many blended products that are available from just about any essential oil provider. Before you choose any of these blends many of with are touted by glowing testimonials on the distributors websites, or by sales representatives with long-winded spiels. Be sure that you know exactly which oils are in them.

Blends are meant as conveniences to help speed relief to you for an ailment, but they often contain oils you do not require for that purpose. Just as you would not mix up a handful of pills and swallow them without knowing what you were taking, be cautious in using blends that contain ingredients you do not require.

And as with all essential oils, check with your doctor before using any product to be sure it will not react with medications you already take. 

Be an informed consumer and take the safest path to overall wellness.

 

Ok, now that we got all that out of the way today we are going to be talking about…

 

BENZOIN

This resinous oil goes by many other names such as gum benzoin, luban jawi, and Benjamin, for example. With a sweet aroma that recalls vanilla, benzoin has long been an ingredient to incense. The oil is extracted from the resin of a tree that grows in Thailand and on the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra.

 

WHAT IS IT USED FOR

• Acne
• Arthritis
• Bronchitis
• Chilblains
• Circulatory issues
• Colds and Coughs
• Depression
• Eczema
• Muscle pain
• Psoriasis
• Rashes
• Scar tissue
• Stress
• Tension
• Wounds

 

HOW IT’S USED

1. In a massage oil blend
2. In a vaporizer or diffuser
3. In a bath
4. In a cream blend

COMPLEMENTARY OILS

• Bergamot
• Cedarwood
• Cinnamon
• Clove
• Coriander
• Eucalyptus
• Frankincense
• Lavender
• Lemon
• Myrrh
• Neroli
• Orange
• Peppermint
• Petitgrain
• Rose
• Sandalwood
• Vetiver

 

WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR

Do not use benzoin oil in large amounts for it can have a sedative effect.

MAY ACT AS A SEDATIVE

 

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Sources:

Photo by Mareefe from Pixabay

Book: An Introductory Guide Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Sonoma Press

ISBN #9780989558693

Information pulled January 15, 2019