Essential oils have many benefits to improve your health, mood, and home. If you are taking your first dive into the world of essential oils, there is a huge variety to choose from and a near endless amount of ways to use them. With so many options it can be overwhelming and hard to know where to start. Here are some staples that are great to start your collection and some easy ways to use them. You can buy these oils individually, or most essential oil retailers will offer a starter pack that contains a combination of these oils.

**Before you get started:**

• When shopping for oils you want to make sure you are purchasing 100% pure therapeutic grade essential oils. While it may be tempting to buy the larger cheaper bottle, it is better to get the real deal. The bottles may look small but most recipes require only a few drops and a little goes a long way!

• What is a carrier oil? Carrier oils are unscented oils that can be used to apply essential oils topically (to your skin). Since you only need a couple drops of essential oil this dilutes them for you and allows you to get a lot of use out of a little oil. Carrier oils can be found at grocery stores such as Trader Joe’s and Natural Grocers, or purchased through an essential oil retailer. Some commonly used carrier oils are almond oil, jojoba oil, and avocado oil. Check out this page for more info on carrier oils and the benefits to using each one.

• What is diffusing? A diffuser is an aromatherapy device. You fill it with water and add a couple drops of the oil you are using and it will put off a vapor that fills the room with the scent of your essential oil. You can find inexpensive ones on Amazon, or in most retail stores such as Target and Whole foods. There are tons of different styles of diffusers, so you are bound to find one that fits the vibe of your apartment home!

• Safety first! If you are diffusing around kids make sure the oils are kid safe. To avoid potential issues like skin irritation, do your research before ingesting oils or applying topically. Oils usually require dilution in a carrier oil before being applied to skin, and ingestion can be harmful so do your homework!

**Lavender oil**

**Relaxation:** Lavender is best known for its relaxing effects. Add a few drops to your pillow or in your diffuser to help you drift off to sleep. If you are looking to unwind after a long day, try adding a couple of drops to your bath.

**Skin relief:** Lavender is relaxing not only for your mood, but also for your skin! Add a few drops to an unscented lotion or carrier oil and apply to irritated skin, bites or burns. You can also apply the same lotion or oil blend to soothe sore muscles.

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**Tea Tree oil**

**Beauty:** Tea tree is a great oil to add into your beauty regimen. It works great to help soothe a dry scalp, just add a couple drops into your shampoo! It can also work wonders for acne prone skin. You can make a tea tree toner by adding a couple drops to a bottle with Witch Hazel.

**Congestion**: All stuffed up? Diffuse a couple drops of tea tree to your diffuser or put a few drops in a steamy bowl of water and inhale to help clear your head congestion.

**Orange oil**

**Relax:** Orange is great when mixed with Lavender for relaxation. Add a couple drops of each to a teaspoon of Jojoba oil and add to your bath to help you unwind after a long day.

**Mood booster:** Orange is also a great uplifting scent. Mix with other citrus scents like lemon and lime and diffuse to bust your bad mood!

**Digestive:** Add a few drops of Orange and Peppermint to an unscented lotion and rub on your stomach when it is upset.

**Lemon oil**

**Mood Booster:** Lemon is a great uplifting scent, add a few drops in your diffuser to lighten the air and make your apartment feel cheery.

**Cleaning:** Lemon is also a great odor eliminator and cleaning aid. Add a couple of drops to a damp sponge or put a couple drops in a spray bottle full of water to clean your apartment home.

You can also add a few drops to a cotton ball or paper towel and place at the bottom of your kitchen trash can to help eliminate unwanted smells. Check out other ways to use essential oils to clean your home here!

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**Peppermint oil**

**Breathe easier:** Suffering from a cold? Seasonal allergies got you sniffling? Peppermint can be combined with Lemon and Lavender and diffused to help fight those pesky allergy symptoms. Diffusing peppermint can clear out your sinuses and bring you relief with its cooling sensation.

**Mood booster:** Just like lemon, peppermint is a great oil to use to boost your mood. You can even combine the two for an extra cheery blend!

**Sore muscles:** Peppermint has a great cooling and soothing effect when applied topically. Add a couple of drops of Peppermint and Lavender to a carrier oil such as Jojoba and massage onto your skin post workout.

If you want to get a little bit more advanced you can find blends on most essential oil websites. These blends put together all the best oils for whatever your ailment or desired use may be. You can also look up recipes online and make your own blends! Here are some great blend recipes to get you started. Now go forth and create the perfect atmosphere in your apartment home!