The essential oils craze has continued to gain popularity.

It has made an appearance in my own family in the form of various gifts for the second Christmas in a row now. Should I be as essential oil crazy as my relatives seem to be? Is it a fad that’ll die down after a while, or is it the real deal that is here to stay?

Based on my initial experience, I think it very well could live up to the hype.

Even without going out of my way to venture into the “Essential Oils” stores in the mall, these products keep finding their way into my home. Without any daunting budget or routine changes, it’s been easy to take advantage of a variety of aromatherapeutic benefits. Due to its growing popularity, I’ve delved into some dependable resources for myself and any other curious mommas or health and home enthusiasts.

Last Christmas I received the doTERRA Diffuser along with several oils and a gigantic guide to essential oiling. At the time, I was still immersed in academic studies and writing papers to finish my psychology degree, and knew I would have zero time to make use of the all-inclusive, A-Z Bible for the hardcore essential oil user; which I haven’t. However, my family has sworn that there are recipes which have done wonders for different ailments, so I won’t knock it ’til I do my research.

I’m always interested in trying new things if they have a significant number of reputable claims for their health benefits and can improve quality of life. A big selling point for me is the way that these diffusers provide aromatherapy like a candle but without the flame. I don’t light candles due to the active child and fluffy cat in the house, but I do like having some form of ambiance or feel-good aroma around occasionally.

With this diffuser, I’ve found evenings to be the best time to turn it on. One, because this is when I’m at home to enjoy it, and two, there is a timer that can easily be set to turn off automatically after 1, 2, or even 4 hours. This is a key feature, because without it I would be way less likely to turn it on at night.

Whether you stay up and watch your favorite show for a while, read a book, or get straight to passing out, the scent and subtle bubbling sound is easy to get used to. I can’t speak for the exact sound of every diffuser, of course, but I would guess that the majority of them are similar since they have the same function.

Aside from the design of the diffuser providing a safer alternative to candles, which is appealing and reason enough for me to plug it in from time to time, what else makes these oils so trendy and worth incorporating into your life?

For one, it’s not just about the nice scents.

As you would expect based on the existence of books like the one I received, Essential Oils Natural Remedies: The Complete A-Z Reference of Essential Oils for Health and Healing, these oils are widely promoted in the health and wellness realm.

According to mindbodygreen.com, a 10-year leading resource for holistic health and wellness, and the functional medicine expert who contributed this article to their site, these are the top 5 must have essential oils:

1. Clary Sage-

• Termed the “best oil for the worst time of the month” (mindbodygreen.com)
• Reduces painful period symptoms and provides calmness during hormonal fluctuation
• Antidepressant effect of clary sage provides a natural alternative to chemical based prescription options
• Simply inhaling the aroma lowers cortisol levels to help release stress naturally

(I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to try this throughout the month to balance my fluctuating stress levels…)

2. Frankincense-

• Penetrates the skin and affects the body immediately upon application
• Helps with treating skin symptoms due to hormonal imbalance
• Anti-inflammatory effects for a variety of ailments including reducing tumor growth and cancerous cells

3. Lavender-

• Helps combat anxiety, depression, and insomnia, as well as issues stemming from menstruation and hormonal imbalance
• Can be used it as a spot treatment for skin irritation or added to your current skin care products to aid in complexion

4. Peppermint-

• Go-to relief for headaches, muscle cramps, alertness, and digestive issues including irritable bowel syndrome

5. Wild Orange-

• Uplifts mood
• Immune support
• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Helps children relax
• Bonus Tip: Add it to your toothpaste for removing stains

If you’re new to essential oils, here are two easy options to that you can’t go wrong with; both include all 5 of these top essential oils to get you started with these amazing health benefits.

Option 1: Aromatherapy Oils 100% Pure Basic Essential Oil Gift Set by Wasserstein

Option 2: 14 PURE Essential Oils Set Variety Pack.

Both sets include 14 essential oils at comparable prices ($29.44 & $24.99), have a suggested diffuser which makes bundling your order easier, and have received top ratings and reviews.

I have not tried all 5 of these top essential oils yet, but the peppermint and lavender are two that I have used and can attest to them being a fundamental starter for beginners. I’m easily convinced they are staples to have on hand after learning about their health benefits as well.

This is not anywhere near a complete compilation of the uses for essential oils, but I will share one last item that I have added to my beauty product cabinet: Brainiac Body Mist women’s body spray, made by Good Chemistry.

I am super picky when it comes to scents and girly products of any kind, so it’s very rare for me to make an impulse purchase of this kind, but I did. Prior to my lucky discovery of this women’s body spray, I had wanted to find a perfume that I liked enough to wear but didn’t know where to start.

When I found that this brand was promoting the use of essential oils and being free of all the usual unwanted ingredients, as well as being vegan and cruelty free, I was easily intrigued enough to sample it. When it comes to perfumes, it doesn’t get much simpler than that in my opinion. I like knowing what I’m putting on my body.

I only tried a couple scents before deciding the Brainiac was right for me. It’s fresh, light, and the combination of citrus, peppercorn, and vanilla is a nice blend for someone who gravitates more towards the citrus scents than the floral. For the price of $11, you can’t beat the quality of this body mist that functions as well as any perfume.

Here is a link to the Brainiac Body Mist, and there are other scents and forms of application to check out, including a perfume spray and rollerball.

To sum it all up:

There is so much still to learn about essential oils, and fortunately I have a complete source for everything I could need to know about how to use them in the Essential Oils Natural Remedies: The Complete A-Z Reference of Essential Oils for Health and Healing.

If you’re completely new and want to get started in the easiest way, I recommend trying the doTERRA Diffuser and experimenting with one of the sets above, or ordering the individual scents that appeal to you most. Even if you only use the diffuser as a candle alternative like I have for the most part, it’s a fun way to play with creating an appealing ambiance in your home and knowing you can also provide more health benefits to your family when needed.

Share your experience with essential oils in the comments below, and leave your recommendations for others! 🙂

~Dani