4 essential oils for your home

I became a certified aromatherapist in 1995, the same year I became a yoga teacher and both aromatherapy and yoga have been my passions ever since. People always ask me about oils for the home so today I am going to share with information on four essential oils.

Essential oils are liquids that are distilled (by steam or water) from the leaves, stems, flowers, bark and roots of a plant. Highly concentrated, these oils contain the 'life force' of the plant and are one of the great untapped resources of the world. This life force contains the powerful healing properties of the plant and helps provide our family and home with health and pleasure without polluting our bodies or the environment.

Here are my top 4 Essential Oils and why you should have them in your home:

1. LAVENDER:

If you have nothing else, this is the oil you should have at home. Not only does it smell out of this world but lavender is a natural antibiotic, antiseptic, antidepressant, sedative and detoxifier that promotes healing and prevents scarring. It also helps with burns. I use it when my kids have cuts or sunburns. I put it on my pillow at night to help me sleep, and if I had a particularly stressful day, I take a lavender bath. Most of all, I use it as a spray (add distilled water and put in a spray bottle) when one of the kids have a cough or cold to prevent it spreading around the house and to promote quick healing.

2. TEA TREE:

Found in Australia, the Aborigines have used this plant for centuries for its antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Tea tree is helpful for all sorts of infections, acne, fungus (including the hard-to-get-rid-of nail fungus) and athlete's foot and is a fantastic all-natural household cleaner.

3. PEPPERMINT:

Jamaicans have long known the healing properties of mint tea. However, the distilled oil is 100 times more powerful. It is an excellent digestive, aids the respiratory system and is antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. Peppermint oil can be used for gas and bloating, bad breath, headaches and fatigue. Just a tiny bit rubbed on the stomach can help indigestion. Instead of popping a pill next time you have a headache, try rubbing a few drops on your temples and breathe your headache away.

4. EUCALYPTUS:

I don't know what I would have done without eucalyptus when my kids were babies! Used for chest problems and colic, a few drops on a cotton ball in the crib helped to clear stuffy noses in minutes. Now that the kids are older, if they have a bad cough, I rub five drops on their feet at bedtime and their coughs quickly subside.

Sharon McConnell-Feanny is a certified yoga instructor and co-owner of Shakti Mind Body Fitness in St Andrew. She has more than 25 years experience in health and fitness; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.