If you’re new to essential oils then you may be asking yourself which oils should you get started with.
I know it’s a hard decision considering there are many different essential oils and recipes floating around on social media.
So here in this post, I’ll narrow the list down to six oils that are in the typical starter kit and recipes for how to use them.
Please note: Before you read on I must tell you that the information about essential oils has not been evaluated by the FDA. The information and products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is in no way intended to replace proper medical help. These are simply things that have worked for me personally or for my friends.
The Six Essential Oils Everyone Should Own
There are six basic oils I suggest for beginners.
These oils can be used in a variety of ways including cleaning your home, supporting your immune system, and soothing skin issues.
It’s amazing how versatile these oils are and even more amazing how these 6 oils can reduce your daily toxin exposure.
Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon oil is one of the most popular due to its various benefits, including antibacterial, disinfectant and stain removal uses.
Its fresh scent promotes energy and vitality along with focus and concentration.
Uses Around Your Home: You can use lemon oil as an antibacterial cleaner, degreaser, air freshener, fridge, and garbage disposal deodorizer.
Speaking About Reducing Toxins: Try making your own DIY Fabric Spray with one of these recipes
Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense oil holds a lot of value for its ability to bolster immunity, improve memory, and revitalize skin.
It has been found to help can reduce symptoms associated with PMS and can help with congestion, bronchitis, headaches, feelings of fatigue, and unpredictable mood swings.
Mixed with Myrrh essential oil studies find it to be especially antimicrobial.
Uses Around Your Home: Frankincense can be used to clean surfaces in your home.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus essential oil receives high marks for its multiple uses as a natural antiseptic and antibacterial.
Its health benefits are numerous and include wound healing, sinus pain relief, nasal congestion, itchy scalp relief, and cavity prevention.
Eucalyptus is available in various products including mouthwash, ointments, and rubs.
You can add this oil to hot water and inhale the steam, or you add it to a diffuser.
Uses Around Your Home: Use this in your home to keep bugs away, disinfectant, freshen the air, and clean up mold.
Read more about Eucalyptus here
Melaleuca/Tea Tree Essential Oil
Melaleuca essential oil, also known as tea tree oil, is an excellent oil with first aid qualities and is particularly useful for cuts, insect bites, and scrapes.
Studies also show it is antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral.
If you suffer from scalp conditions such as dandruff it can provide relief and it’s beneficial for earaches and athletes’ feet.
Uses Around Your Home: Use tea tree essential oil as a disinfectant, degreaser, or in your laundry.
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil is easily the #1 favorite pick among essential enthusiasts.
This oil is widely recognized for its ability to promote relaxation and improve sleep.
It is also known to relieve pain, boost the circulation of blood, disinfect the skin and scalp, and aid respiratory problems.
Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint oil offers a wealth of natural benefits from head to toe.
It serves as a natural analgesic and functions as an antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal agent.
Peppermint oil relieves respiratory issues, boosts energy, soothes an itchy scalp, provides clarity and mental focus, treats bad breath, and reduces stomach pain.
Also, it helps to increase blood circulation and reduce muscle stiffness.
Peppermint is a common ingredient in gum, candy, ice cream, soap, toothpaste, and tea.
Read more about peppermint here
Essential Oil Recipes For Cleaning Your Home
There are many different ways you can use essential oils in your home.
You can clean, disinfect, deodorize, and even clean windows with easy-to-make recipes.
Below you’ll find several recipes to get the most out of your essential oils.
These recipes only contain the top 6 essential oils I listed above but you can branch out and use a variety of oils.
My favorite glass spray bottle is this awesome one below with recipes actually printed on the sides.
All you have to do is decide what you need to mix up, gather the ingredients, and get to mixing.
The best place to purchase these awesome glass spray bottles is Tiny Yellow Bungalow.
Check out Jesse’s other toxic-free products while you’re there. (get them here)
DIY All-Purpose Cleaner
Fill a 16 oz water bottle with 4 oz vinegar, and 24 drops of your favorite essential oils then top with water.
Disinfect Your Cutting Boards
It’s good to give your cutting board a good cleaning and it’s easy with your essential oils.
Recipe:
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup of water
- 5-10 drops of Tea Tree or Lemon essential oil
Simply add essential oils to the vinegar/water mixture to the spray bottle.
How To Use:
- Spray the cutting board and allow it to sit for 10 minutes.
- Gently rise and allow to completely dry.
- After completely drying, follow with a light oiling with coconut oil to protect the surface.
Non-Toxic Glass Cleaner
Whip up this glass cleaner for mirrors and glass instead of using Windex.
Ingredients:
- 16 oz glass bottle (like this one)
- 3/4 cup white vinegar
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 20 drops of Lemon Essential Oil
Combine the ingredients in the bottle and spray it on the glass then wipe off with a paper towel or cloth.
Wool Dryer Balls
Use Dryer Balls Instead Of Dryer Sheets
Dryer sheets are notorious for containing toxins.
The simple sheet makes your clothes smell better and reduce static cling but can wreak havoc on your health, especially children.
I quit using them cold turkey when my girls were younger.
I didn’t know at the time I could use essential oils and cotton dryer balls to get virtually the same results without the toxins.
Simply purchase dryer balls, add a few drops of your favorite essential oils to the balls and toss them in your dryer.
Our favorite essential oil for this is lemon!
Try this deal at MightyFix – For only $3 with promo code DRYERBALL3 and Get 3 Dryer Balls.
Immunity Boosting Diffuser Blend
The simplest way to boost your immune system with essential oils is to run a diffuser.
You’ll make your home smell great and promote good health at the same time.
I found this diffuser on Amazon and bought 4 of them.
Easy Fabric Spray
Stop spraying Febreeze and use this easy fabric spray to get rid of smells in dirty shoes, outdoor furniture, or anywhere you would use fabric spray.
Ingredients:
- 15-20 drops of your favorite essential oil
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup vodka or witch hazel
- 16 oz glass bottle
Shake well and use liberally.
Essential Oil Accessories You Should Buy
I’ve realized there are a few tools that are a must when making and using these recipes.
You probably even have most ingredients, however, you probably don’t have these 4 things.
Go ahead and click on the links and buy them now so you don’t forget.
Time and time again these are the tools I use daily with my essential oils.
Roller bottles, oil bottle openers, blank inhaler tubes, and this skin smoothing tool to apply your oils on your face (be sure to read the reviews, you will want one TODAY!).
Glass Roll-on BottlesEssential Oils Bottles OpenerSonic Face Massager Brush
Note: When you order the Simply Earth Subscription box the first time you will get an extra bonus box full of essential oil tools like roller bottles and carrier oils.
Use code STACYRUSSELLFREE to get a $45 rebate to use on a future order.
Recipes For Your Personal Use
Try some of these easy recipes to help you sleep, soothe skin issues, and boost your immune system.
Sleep And Breath Easy Diffuser Recipe
Diffuse lavender in your bedroom while you are sleeping.
This may sound simple but for many people, it’s just what they need to promote sleep.
If you are congested when you go to bed try this blend of Eucalyptus, Frankincense, and Lavender.
DIY Soothing Skin Spray
Use this spray on sunburns, bug bites, hemorrhoids, or cuts.
Add the following oils to a 1 oz spray bottle and top with witch hazel.
- 1 Drop Peppermint Essential Oil
- 3 Drops Lavender Essential Oil
Soothe A Sore Throat
Add a drop of lemon essential oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt to 8 oz of warm water and gargle to soothe your sore throat.
Natural Hand Sanitizer
Kill germs with this non-toxic DIY hand sanitizer.
Add the following ingredients to a small squeeze bottle and shake before using it.
- 10 Drops of Peppermint Essential Oil
- 20 Drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil
- 4 Oz. Aloe Vera Gel
Homemade Anti-Aging Serum
Dr. Axe has an amazing recipe for fighting wrinkles using Lavender essential or Frankincense essential oil.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 Tablespoon Jojoba Oil (get it here)
- 1/2 Tablespoon Evening Primrose Oil (get it here)
- 1/2 Tablespoon Pomegranate Oil (get it here)
- 15 Drops Vitamin E (get it here)
- 20 Drops Lavender Essential Oil or Frankincense Essential Oil
- 10 Drops Carrot Seed Oil (get it here)
Directions:
1. Mix all of the ingredients together into a dark glass bottle.
Note: A simpler anti-aging recipe is 10 drops of Lavender Essential Oil and 10 Drops of Frankincense Essential Oil mixed with coconut oil in a roller bottle. For either recipe apply it with the face brush to make your skin feel extra smooth in the morning.
You Might Like: 6 Amazing Anti-Aging Plant Oils For Your Skin
Simple Sunburn Relief Recipe
Mix a few drops of lavender essential oil with coconut oil into your palm and smooth over sunburned skin.
We use this simple recipe anytime we get the least bit pink from the sun.
It helps reduce redness, calms the skin, and inhibits skin damage.
Lavender Salt Ear Infection Remedy Recipe
A fast-acting and simple remedy for ear infection pain combines Himalayan Sea Salt and Lavender.
I discovered this recipe at Wellnessmama.com.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup Himalayan salt crystals (or regular coarse ground salt)
- 2 TBSP dried lavender flowers (or 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil, added after heating)
Instructions:
- Place the salt and lavender flowers in a muslin bag or sock and seal tightly.
- Carefully, heat the bag in a pan over low heat until warmed or microwave for about 30 seconds.
- Make sure the pack is warm to the touch but not hot enough to burn and place over the painful ear.
- Warm and repeat as needed for relief of ear infection pain.
Kate’s notes about her recipe:
Caution: While this remedy will help draw moisture out of the ear and provide relief through heat, it is not a complete remedy for an ear infection. Consider using other remedies and check with a doctor if you suspect the infection is serious. Signs of infection and/or rupture include a very high fever and/or fluid coming from the ear.
Equipment Note: These are the muslin bags that I like. Also, while regular coarse ground salt will work fine, the Himalayan salt crystals seem to hold heat better and don’t contain as much salt dust.
Reduce Swelling From Cold Sores
Mix a few drops of Tea Tree Oil with coconut oil and dab on cold sores with a Q-tip. Roller Bottles Labels, Opener, Funnel, Dropper, Brush Included)
This will help reduce the swelling while working to kill the cold sore virus.
Soothe Scrapes and Small Cuts With Personal Roller Bottles
This oil combination can be used on scrapes, cuts, or pimples. Just dap on when needed.
Add the following essential oils to a roller bottle (get some here) and top with coconut oil (get it here)
- 5 Drops Lavender Essential Oil
- 5 Drops Tea Tree Essential
- 5 Drops Frankincense Essential Oil
Color code or put a name label on each bottle so everyone in your family has their own personal bottle.
Extend The Life Of Your Mascara
Mascara can be a breeding ground for bacteria.
Add a drop of lavender oil to a fresh tube of mascara to keep out mites and bacteria.
Relieve Congestion From Allergies or Colds
Diffuse the following essential oils to help relieve congestion.
- 3 Drops Lavender Essential Oil
- 3 Drops Lemon Essential Oil
- 3 Drops Peppermint Essential
Vicks Alternative Recipe
It’s another blend to try for congestion due to colds and allergies.
They can be added to a blank inhaler, roller bottle with coconut, or put in your diffuser.
Soothe Sore Muscles
Soothe sore muscles by soaking in a warm detox bath.
Just add 2 cups of Epson Salt plus 5 drops of Eucalyptus essential oil and 5 Lavender essential oil to your bath water and enjoy.
Relieve PMS Symptoms
Combine 2 drops of Lavender essential oil with a small amount of coconut oil and rub on your stomach when you have cramps.
According to this study in the NCBI, lavender was found to be more effective than a placebo or massage alone.
DIY Dark Circle Eye Serum
Make this recipe and have it on hand when you wake up with dark circles under your eyes.
Ingredients:
- 15 Drops Frankincense Essential Oil
- 15 Drops Lavender Essential Oil
- 15 Drops Lemon Essential Oil
- 2 Vitamin E Gel Pills
- Coconut Oil or Rose Hip Oil
Eliminate Bad Breath
I carry a small bottle of peppermint in my purse all the time. I just dab a drop or 2 of peppermint on my finger and rub it on my teeth or gums to freshen my breath without gum or mints.
This way I avoid the extra calories or artificial sweeteners in gum or mints.
Afternoon Energizing Diffuser Blend
Diffuse a few drops of peppermint essential oil and lemon essential oil to lift your mood or get you out of an afternoon slump.
You’ve Just Been Given Many Ways To Reduce Toxins
You now have an arsenal of essential oil recipes that will help you reduce toxins in your home.
Use these DIY recipes to do your household chores, treat burns, provide pain relief, repel insects, elevate your mood, and eliminate stress –just to name a few.
Should you decide to enter the world of essential oils, you have the foundation to push forward.
Remember always select pure oils and store them in a cool and preferably dark place in your home.
Do You Still Need To Purchase Your Essential Oils?
If you still need to buy your oils I suggest starting with a simple starter kit that contains high-quality oils.
My go-to brands for high-quality essential oil kits are Isagenix and Simply Earth.
The Simply Earth Subscription Box includes 4 essential oils, recipes, and a box full of accessories.
(use STACYRUSSELLFREE when you check out for a $40 rebate coupon)
Note: I am an affiliate for Isagenix, Simply Earth, and Amazon.
I Would Love To Hear From You
Let me know if you’re using these 6 essential oils and which are your favorite.
Keep Reading
My Simply Earth Review
100 Practical Uses And Recipes For Your Essential Oils
Oh, I love this, and need to read it again! you have the basics laid out so clearly! Great job,