This article discusses recommendations on how to build your own essential oil collection (or “aroma kit”) in case you plan to use the oils for therapeutic purposes.

When choosing essential oils for your home collection, keep in mind the following recommendation: it is better to have less, but with the widest spectrum of action. Many essential oils have similar therapeutic and energetic qualities, and even fragrances, so it makes no sense to keep many at home. In terms of variety and depending on your taste, you can also take into account the type of aroma, for example: citrus, floral, woodsy, camphor, herbal, coniferous, spicy, fresh, etc. No preference or you like variety? – Choose oils from different aroma types. You love citruses (for example), but don’t really tolerate camphor? – Choose several essential oils from the citrus range and look for camphor replacement among essential oils of similar properties, but from a different aroma type. If in doubt about what type of aroma an essential oil belongs to, you can always find this info on Internet.

So here are my recommendations for broad spectrum essential oils for the ultimate home kit:

1. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), floral herbal aroma – soothing action; helps with bites and burns; soothes migraines and headaches; effective against insects and pediculosis; can be used in aroma baths and facial massages; safe for all ages (when inhaled) and can be applied undiluted to the skin (to treat burns, for example). It blends well with almost any essential oil.
2. Orange (Citrus sinensis) or Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi), citrus  aroma type – overall tonic; helps with depression, fatigue, effective for nervous breakdown; often used for air purification; for shining hair – add couple of drops to rinse water; blends well with other oils, can be used in any mixtures; suitable for children from 2 years of age by inhalation method; always dilute when using on skin (adults only), do not go out in the sun after application (some citrus oils are phototoxic).
3. Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), camphor-spicy & fresh aroma type – the most effective remedy for all known pathogens: viruses, bacteria, fungi, mold; effective for home disinfection in any form; add to mold treatments; helps with ear pain; better not to use in blends, this oil has strong properties and aroma in itself.
4. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) *,  camphor, strong, fresh aroma type – * for children under 10 years old, it is better to choose a milder oil with botanical name of Eucalyptus radiata – used for the prevention and treatment of any respiratory disease; strong antiviral action; air disinfection; helps to ease cough – rub the chest with a mixture of vegetable oil with eucalyptus and peppermint (blend essential oils in the ratio of no more than 5% of the total volume of the mixture); mosquitoes protection; the best oil for household cleaners in terms of action and fragrance.
5. Peppermint (Mentha piperita), fresh menthol, strong aroma type – refreshing effect, often used for mental focus; helps with migraines in combination with lavender (dilute in vegetable oil); can make an effective mixture for refreshing and purifying the air – eucalyptus, orange and mint in equal proportions.

The properties and uses indicated above are the most common ones. For more information on when and how to apply the essential oils (including for energy work), follow the links and refer to separate articles.

If you would like to purchase the ready-made aromatherapy kit with above mentioned essential oils PLUS additional supplies and detailed instructions on how to address the most common conditions with aromatherapy at home, please check out our product “Aromatherapy first aid kit” here.