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…

 

Bergamot

Native to Southeast Asia, bergamot oil has a fresh citrusy scent and is one of the most popular essential oils. The source plant now grows in Europe, the Ivory Coast, Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria.

The oil can be obtained either through cold-pressing the rind or through steam distillation of the whole ripe fruit.

 

WHAT IS IT USED FOR

• Anorexia
• Anxiety
• Cystitis
• Depression
• Infections
• Psoriasis and eczema
• Stress
• Tension
• Urinary tract infections
• Wounds and cuts

 

HOW IT’S USED

1. In a massage oil blend
2. In a vaporizer or diffuser
3. In a bath
4. In a cream (for wounds, cuts, and skin conditions)

COMPLEMENTARY OILS

• Basil
• Benzoin
• Black pepper
• Cajeput
• Carrot seed
• Cedarwood
• Chamomile (German)
• Chamomile (Roman)
• Citronella
• Clary sage
• Coriander
• Cypress
• Dill
• Frankincense
• Geranium
• Ginger
• Grapefruit
• Helichrysum
• Jasmine
• Juniper Berry
• Lavandin
• Lavender
• Marjoram
• Neroli
• Nutmeg
• Orange
• Palma rosa
• Patchouli
• Petitgrain
• Rose geranium
• Rosemary
• Rosewood
• Sage
• Sandalwood
• Tangerine/mandarin
• Thyme
• Vetiver
• Ylang-ylang

 

WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR

Bergamot oil obtained through cold-pressing is a photosensitizing oil, so don’t use it if you expect to be out in the sun within 12 hours of application, and never add bergamot oil to tanning or sunscreen blend.

Oils obtained by cold-pressing don’t last long, so they need to be used within six months.

AVOID EXPOSURE TO SUNLIGHT FOR 12 HOURS AFTER USE

MAY CAUSE SKIN IRRITATION

USE WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF PURCHASE DATE

 

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Sources:

Photo by Seksak Kerdkanno from Pixabay username kerdkanno

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

ISBN #9780989558693

Information pulled January 17, 2019