Body hacking is all the rage right now.
From Bulletproof coffee to infrared saunas, hot-cold water therapy, heart-rate variability monitoring, and apps that monitor the quality of your sleep, we’re constantly looking for the “next big thing” to help take our health to the next level.
Essential Oils are a “body hack” practically as old as time—dating back to ancient Egypt as well as Chinese and Indian medicine practices, as healing herbal therapies, around 3000-2500 B.C.
Like “Windex” in the movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”—essential oils are often cited as a “cure all” for practically any body imbalance you are experiencing.
Sore throat? Reach for tea tree oil.
Back pain? Try peppermint, frankincense and cypress oils.
Stressed out? Try lavender or lemon.
Essential oils can be used one of three ways:
Topically (on your skin)
Ingested (on your tongue)
Aromatically (in the air)
*if you’re looking for a natural air freshener—without the added chemicals and toxins in aerosol sprays—check out this diffuser
Make sure you buy the blend that is appropriate for the proper use (i.e. don’t consume a concoction meant to go on your skin).
Here is a simple cheat sheet for incorporating essential oils into your life:
Acne: Tea Tree, Lavendar, Juniper Berry, Jojoba Oil
Allergies: Perppermint Oil, Basil Oil, Lemon
Anxiety: Orange, Lemon, Lavender
Back Pain: Peppermint, Frankincense and Cypress Oils.
Burns: Frankincense, Lavender
Colds: Thyme, Lemon, Tea Tree oil, Lavender, Peppermint, Oregano Oil, Eucalyptus
Energy: White Fir, Lemon Oil, Eucalyptus, Orange, Grapefruit, Cinnamon, Peppermint, Spearmint, Cedarwood
Gas, Bloating & Indigestion: Ginger, Lavender, Chamomile, Cumin, Peppermint
Headaches: Peppermint, Rosemary, Eucalyptus, Rosemary
Inflammation: Frankincense, Tea Tree Oil, Eucalyptus, Thyme, Rose, Bergamot, Fennel, Clove
Low Mood: Lemon, Frankincense, Lavender, Chamomile, Bergamot
Muscle Cramps: Lemongrass + Peppermint, Majoram
Nausea: Ginger, Peppermint
PMS: Clary Sage, Lavender, Peppermint
Sore Throat: Tea Tree Oil
Toothache: Clove