Herbs and essential oils are extremely useful for all sorts of home needs. Whether it be in cooking, household cleanliness, or even with your health, herbs and oils give an element all their own.

I am going to point out that I am not a professional, and in using any herbs or essential oils for your own health or well-being, you should consult your doctor or physician.

Herbs

When someone says herb, you more than likely immediately think of basil, rosemary, and thyme, but there are so many other plants beyond those that have beneficial effects. Citrus plants, for example, have an energizing effect, are used in cleaning products acting as an anti-bacterial. Others can be used for their remedial qualities, such as lavender, which is used for a wide array of things. An obvious use for herbs is in the culinary world as spices to add flavor. Another way that herbs are used is for their fragrance. Their mere scent has an effect on one’s mood, helping to energize, calm down, cheer up, or to even romanticize the air.

Essential Oils

More common than herbs is the use of essential oils. Essential oils are a healing, medicinal remedy that is often overlooked in the medical world, but are growing in popularity. These oils are more useful when applied to the skin than when consumed orally. You can make lotions, salves, sprays, or rubs, all with fantastic scents, and you don’t have taste them.

Carrier Oils

When using essential oils, it is important to dilute them in a carrier oil, unless the recipe specifically says to use neat oil, which means undiluted. Now, for your safety, I would suggest always diluting the essential oil before putting it on your skin, since neither you nor I are professionals in aromatherapy. A carrier oil is used because essential oils are exceedingly strong when applied directly to the skin, especially when undiluted. Carrier oils are nothing fancy, and can often be found in the cooking aisle of your grocery store, including olive oil and coconut oil. Here’s a list of carrier oils that you can use:

• Sweet Almond Oil
• Apricot Kernel Oil
• Avocado Pear Oil
• Borage Seed Oil
• Carrot Oil
• Coconut Oil
• Corn Oil
• Evening Primrose Oil
• Grapeseed Oil
• Hazelnut Oil
• Jojoba Oil
• Olive Oil
• Peanut Oil
• Safflower Oil
• Sesame Oil
• Soya Bean Oil
• Sunflower Oil
• Wheatgerm Oil

There are many more oils that can be used, but these are just some of them. I can almost guarantee that if you look up carrier oils online, every list will have some of the same oils and some different oils that you could use. Often times, the recipe that you’re using will specify which oil they used. Also, they’ll probably tell you other options, or to use any carrier oil you have available.

Now, to dilute your essential oil with a carrier like we’ve discussed, there are proportions, so as to keep the effectiveness of your oil without putting yourself at risk. The simplest ratio to use is 12 drops per 1 fluid ounce, which makes a 2% dilution. You can also use this in lotions and salves, adding 12 drops per 1 fluid ounce of lotion, giving the healing effects without sensitivity.

These are just some of the basics of herbs and essential oils. Again, I am not a professional, and I suggest that you discuss the use of herbs and essential oils with your doctor or physician before you use one of these natural treatments, especially if you are already taking medication of any sort.