Which Essential Oils Are Best for First Aid Treatments?

There are many essential oils that can play a large part in our day-to-day life. When it comes to first aid treatment, some oils shine especially bright. Here are some of the essential oils to keep on hand in case of an emergency.

Lavender Oil

If you could only choose one oil to have on hand at all times, lavender oil would win hands-down. This oil is excellent for burns of any kind, and can be diluted or put directly onto the wound. It is calming, so when there is an emergency it will help everyone keep their cool.

Lavender is antiviral, antibacterial, anti-fungal and relieves pain naturally. It encourages healing, fights inflammation, and there's a huge list of other illnesses and conditions it helps combats naturally.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is excellent for disinfecting wounds, and is a strong antiseptic. It fights infections of all kinds, and is an excellent respiratory aid.

If you have an open cut or wound, first wash the wound thoroughly, and then apply tea tree oil to keep infection from growing.

Clove Oil

Clove oil is well-known for dental health. Because dental emergencies can strike us at the wrong time, even on evenings or weekends, it is wise to keep clove oil on hand for whenever it might be necessary to relieve tooth pain while waiting for a dental appointment.

It can be mixed with an edible carrier oil such as coconut oil and applied directly on the tooth where you are experiencing pain.

Eucalyptus Oil

This is the oil that should be in your first aid kit in case of sudden symptoms of a cold or flu. It can help relieve sinus problems of many kinds.

It is also handy to have available in case of insect bites. It is highly concentrated and can be toxic when exposed to too much of it, so always dilute it and never use it straight from the bottle.

Frankincense

Frankincense is known as "king of the oils". It generally has a higher price tag, but it is a valuable addition to any essential oils first aid kit.

It has calming effects that can be important in moments of panic.

Chamomile

Chamomile is known to be a natural painkiller. For this reason, it is useful as a standard oil in anyone’s first aid kit.

It can also help soothe skin, which is helpful in situations such as rashes, insect bites and bee stings. Chamomile oil is also known to have anti-inflammatory properties.

These are some of the best essential oils you can have in your first aid kit.

Long before an emergency happens, familiarize yourself with these oils, their uses, and the situations you can use them in.

Essential oils are a highly concentrated substance, so keep a carrier oil on hand for the oils that require dilution.

When you are in a moment of panic, or dealing with an emergency, you will be glad you took the time to prepare with some of nature’s best remedies.

Which Essential Oils Should You Avoid When Pregnant?

Essential oils are a wonderful and natural remedy to incorporate into many areas of your life. However, they are potent due to the fact that they are highly concentrated versions of the substances they come from, and therefore should be used only in moderation during pregnancy.

In fact, there are some essential oils that should not be used at all.

As with anything else you expose yourself and your baby to during pregnancy, gather information so that you can make a good choice for your situation.

For the essential oils that are considered acceptable, always be sure to use pure, high-quality, preferably organic essential oils from a reputable source.

Use only one drop at a time, and be sure to dilute in a carrier oil if applying topically.

Here are a few essential oils to stay away from when pregnant. This list is not extensive, and you should research carefully any essential oil that you plan to use.

Many of these should also be avoided during breastfeeding, as the baby is thought to be exposed to whatever their nursing mother is exposed to.

Essential Oils That Are Uterine Stimulants

* Rosemary essential oil is a uterine stimulant which may cause contractions, and should be avoided during pregnancy.

It can induce menstruation and cause your baby’s fetal sac fluid to become depleted because of its diuretic tendencies. It also has the potential to raise blood pressure.

* Clary sage is another essential oil that can stimulate the uterus, and although it can be used safely during labor by a midwife or other individual who is trained in aromatherapy, it should not be used before your baby’s due date.

* Peppermint essential oil can encourage menstruation and should be used sparingly during pregnancy, and it should be not used around newborns as it may cause respiratory issues for them.

* Citronella is another oil which can stimulate contractions, and deserves special mention due to its popularity as an effective bug repellent.

* Cinnamon leaf and jasmine essential oils are ones that may stimulate contractions, as are the lesser known aniseed, angelica, cumin, thyme and laurel oils.

Essential Oils That May Cause Other Health Issues during Pregnancy

* Sage and rose essential oils may cause uterine bleeding, and should therefore be avoided during pregnancy.

* Basil oil is thought to put unborn babies at risk for abnormal cell development and should be avoided for obvious reasons.

* Juniper can have negative repercussions on the kidneys when used by pregnant women.

* Nutmeg is an essential oil that is not safe to use because it may interact with drugs used at birth for the purpose of pain relief, and the combination may cause hallucinations.

Essential oils can be a wonderful addition to a healthy pregnancy, and in many cases are a preferable choice in comparison to the alternatives.

You can add them to vinegar to make safer cleaning products for your home so that you are not exposed to the many chemicals in on-the-shelf products.

You can also use them to help yourself relax, and they can be used for first aid and many other things.

They are potent though, and need to be used with knowledge and caution.

With a little information about which oils to use and which to avoid, you will be able to find the ones that are safe and right for you and your growing baby.

The Shelf Life of Essential Oils and How You Can Extend It

All essential oils have a shelf life. Not all bottles indicate an expiry or "best before" date, though, so if you cannot find it, check with the manufacturer.

Here are some general rules you can follow to determine whether your essential oil is still fine for use, or whether you should throw it away.

Expiry Dates

Some essential oil manufacturers print the expiration date on their bottles. This gives you a clear indicator of how long you can use your oil.

If you are buying essential oils from the store, look on the bottle to see when it expires, and choose the bottle with the furthest future expiry date if you don’t plan on using it quickly.

Ask the individuals in the store if there is a way to find the date if it is not clearly marked.

Keep in mind that the oils you buy were not created on the day you bought them, so try to purchase your oils from a store or supplier that keeps their product moving regularly.

In this way, you aren’t purchasing an essential oil that is already far along on the way to expiration.

If there is no expiry date on the bottle, keep a list of all your essential oils and when they were purchased. This will allow you to quickly check how long you have had an oil before using it each time.

General Shelf Life of Popular Oils

Each essential oil has a given amount of time before it expires. There is a range between about 1 to 6 years depending upon the type of oil.

Some of the more popular oils and their general shelf life are listed here.

Essential oils with a shelf life of about 1 year are lemon, orange and mandarin. Oils with approximately a 2-year shelf-life are lime, all varieties of frankincense, and tea tree.

Oils that expire in about 3 years are rosemary, neroli, oregano, melissa, bergamot and blue tansy.

Oils in the 4-year range include cinnamon bark, cardamom, peppermint, ylang ylang, lavender, geranium, clary sage, and chamomile.

Oils that are good for 6 or more years include cedarwood, vetiver, sandalwood, wintergreen, rose, myrrh, copaiba and ginger.

Of the popular oils, patchouli has the longest shelf life, which is usually more than 10 years.

General Rules

There are three factors that cause essential oils to lose their potency and effectiveness quickly. These are light, oxygen and heat.

The best way to keep your oils in the best condition possible is to fight these factors by storing your oils properly.

To counteract exposure to light, buy your essential oils when possible in amber glass bottles (so the light does not penetrate the bottle as it does with clear glass) and keep them in a dark place.

Keep your essential oils in a cool area, or in the refrigerator if you have room.

Always keep your bottles tightly closed when not in use, and don’t leave them sitting around with the lid open for any amount of time.

Protect your essential oils from contamination by not using rollers that can pull random particles back into the bottle with your essential oils.

Essential oils have a specific shelf life. Oils won’t instantly go bad on the expiry date, but at that point they are on their way to losing their potency.

Learn this general information so you know how long to keep your essential oils, and when to replace them.

Related Reading https://www.discoveryhub.net/aromatherapy-benefits.html

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