Known for its detoxing properties, a few drops of myrrh essential oil can help with expelling toxins and mucus when you’re down with the flu. It’s also a natural antioxidant and comes with anti-bacterial benefits, so feel free to diffuse this in your room when the flu bug is going around. Have a fever? Drop a few drops of this onto your cold compress. Just remember that this a complementary thing and you still need to see a doctor for medical help.
Citrusy scents can be a good pick-me-up, so if you have the tendency to go into a post-lunch slump, just a whiff of lemon essential oil to perk yourself up. This scent purportedly helps with alertness and concentration too, so feel free to add it to your diffuser if you’re rushing against tight deadlines. You can also add a few drops of lemon essential oil to your laundry load so that your clothes will come out smelling extra fresh. A work of caution before you use this oil on your skin: citrusy essential oils are acidic in nature, so if you’re putting it directly on your skin, be careful not to expose that spot to direct sunlight.
Remember how your grandma would always rub some medicated oil on her temples when she has a headache or when she’s feeling dizzy? Well, peppermint works the same way, and with the added bonus of smelling good to boot. You can simply sniff your bottle of peppermint oil, add a few drops of it to your tea, or put a bit of it onto a handkerchief to use as an inhaler. If your sinuses often get congested, this is a good essential oil to have within reach.
This purple flowering plant is noted for its calming properties, which is why it’s a common ingredient in room sprays and candles. So if you’re feeling stressed out or even suffer from insomnia, spray some lavender essential oil onto your bed sheets or pillow to help you get a good night’s rest. Also, if you feel like your blood pressure goes through the roof at work, get a diffuser for your work desk.
A version of this story was originally published on www.cleo.com.sg.