10 Non-beauty uses of essential oils you might not have known

1/10
Disinfect wounds
Fell down and received grazes? Well, have no fear, essential oils are here. Apply some helichrysum on a damp towel to reduce bleeding. Once the bleeding has slowed down, mix carrier oils (olive oil, for example) with a few drops of lavender or clove oil. Tea tree oil can also help to reduce infection. But always remember to dilute these powerful essential oils first (hence the carrier oil).
2/10
Wash produce
Apparently up to 98% of produce is contaminated with synthetic pesticides, so cleaning them before consuming them is a must. While merely rinsing them may be good enough, washing them with essential oils can provide a thorough cleanse. Start out with half a cup of vinegar, and add a few drops of essential oils of your choice. We are going with lemon, but grapefruit and orange are viable options too. Soak your vegetables for about 10 to 15 minutes, and you’re good to go!
3/10
Clean cooking utensils
If you’ve accidentally burnt your pan while attempting to flambé like Jamie Oliver, grab your stash of essential oils and get to work. Orange, tangerine and grapefruit oil have been tried-and-tested, so add in baking soda and hydrogen peroxide as per the recommendation in Recipies with Essential Oil, and you’ve got yourself nice clean silverware that’s picture-perfect and super shiny.
4/10
Clean floors
Harmful chemicals begone! To rid your floor of pesky marks without using toxic cleaners, essential oils are the way to go. You can’t go wrong with melaleuca and eucalyptus blend, or orange and cinnamon, but a lavender and lemon blend works amazing too. Plus, it will smell totally good and not like the harsh scent of chemicals you’d rather not know the names of.
5/10
Repel insects
At times when pests are rampant, it seems like pesticides are your only form of defense. Well, not anymore! Lemongrass, for example, is detested by flies, so they can ward off mosquitoes and fleas. Clove and peppermint are great to help you get rid of ants, while eucalyptus can be potent to some insects.
6/10
Carpet cleaner
For those who have large carpets in their house, we empathise with you. Cleaning that mammoth beast that is a lot heavier than it seems is a hassle, but not cleaning it results in a funky odour. Grab some vinegar and salt for a homemade cleaner, and add in a few drops of lavender to make use of its antibacterial properties.
7/10
Helps insomnia
Some people have trouble staying awake and others have problems falling asleep. If you are the latter, essential oils can help you to get that much-needed good night's rest. Lavender is a popular pick because of its calming properties, but don’t just stop there. Sandalwood is amazing as well, due to its therapeutic effect, but consider valerian and melissa as well.
8/10
Helps nausea
Feeling a little queasy? If you feel like throwing up, grab some ginger or peppermint essential oil. Ginger has been used for centuries for medicinal reasons, and it continues to be effective up till today. Peppermint can help your digestion, and also soothe your upset tummy.
9/10
Remove mould and mildew
Urgh, pesky mould in the air. While some have said that essential oils can only remove mould that is visible to the eye, mould particles could also be discouraged from growing with tea tree oil or clove oil. Apply the oils directly onto the surface or use a diffuser to get them in the air. It might also be best to use a blend, as opposed to simply the oils.
10/10
Relaxes your body
And, last but certainly not the least, aromatherapy has been used for ages for relaxation purposes. After all, spa parlous always smell incredibly good, so recreate that in your own home. Go for ylang-ylang to calm your nervous system down and bergamot to reduce blood pressure and heart rate. Lavender and chamomile also works magnificently.

Whether it be the fresh scent of lavender, the delicate smell of ylang-ylang, or the minty aroma of eucalyptus, essential oils smell as good as they are for your body. Not just a wonderful for your olfactory senses, essential oils can also effectively kill bacteria to help you clear your skin, can help you brighten up your complexion, and can also block nasty free radicals from damaging your skin. If that doesn’t sound impressive enough, some essential oils boast anti-aging properties so your skin can retain that youthful glow, and can also help to reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

But, did you know that they can do more than just that? Yes, on top of that extensive list of benefits it brings to your skin, essential oils are also brilliant in other ways, from getting rid of insects to soothing a wound. So, scroll back up and check out these non-beauty uses of essential oils that will change your life!

Lee Hui Bing

Photos: Getty Images

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