We love all essential oils–each with their own unique abilities and aromas–but we can’t deny that there are a faithful few that are consistently at the top of the chart. Perhaps it’s due to their versatility or mainstream fame, but these oils are synonymous with aromatherapy. 

In today’s blog, we’re showing some love to 10 of our most popular essential oils by making a case for why these oils always come out on top. We’re also talking about common and not-so-common uses for these aromatherapy favorites. Read on to get introduced, or reintroduced, to the big 10. 

What Is An Essential Oil?

Before we discuss the most popular essential oils, let’s address what an essential oil is first. 

Essential oils are the essence of plants. To obtain an essential oil, plant material is oftentimes steam distilled or cold pressed and the oil is then collected. 

You may be familiar with the healing benefits of plants. For example, oranges and lemons. Both fruits contain significant amounts of antioxidants. These antioxidants, along with other benefits, are also found in the essential oils that are obtained from these fruits. What’s more, essential oils also share the same aroma as the plants they’re obtained from. 

How is this possible? Science shows us that plants contain natural constituents that lend them to be healing and aromatic. These constituents are then transferred to essential oils. In this way, essential oils are like a highly concentrated form of the plants they’re obtained from.

What Are The 10 Most Popular Essential Oils?

Now that you’ve been refamiliarized with what an essential oil is, let’s jump into the top 10 essential oils, starting with number 10.

10. Ylang Ylang  

Pronounced ee-layng ee-layng, this fragrant floral essential oil is so beloved at EG, that we offer three different varieties. It also comes as no surprise that Ylang Ylang oil offers a plethora of benefits, such as:

• Uplifting mood

• Reducing stress

• Improving sleep

• Relieving muscle aches and pains 

• Enhancing libido

• Boosting skincare

Its many benefits have led us to include Ylang Ylang essential oil in quite a few of our expertly formulated synergy blends, such as Good Night, Vanilla Ylang Ylang, Stress Relief and more. 

9. Geranium

Can’t get enough florals? You’re not alone, because our next most popular oil is none other than Geranium. And like Ylang Ylang, we offer two varieties–Egyptian Geranium and Rose Geranium–but of the two, Egyptian Geranium makes the cut into our top 10. 

From balancing hormones and boosting healthy hair to reducing pain and increasing circulation, Geranium promotes wellbeing in a variety of ways. But of Geranium’s many benefits, it’s most effective therapeutic properties include: 

• Anti-inflammatory

• Skincare

• Anti-fungal

• Anti-bacterial

• Anti-anxiety

Geranium can be enjoyed on its own or in an essential oil blend, such as Geranium Juniper Berry, Gal Pal, Skin Love and Spring Garden. 

8. Eucalyptus

Most people are familiar with the cool, crisp and medicinal aroma of Eucalyptus due to its popularity in chest rubs, cold medicine, soaps and more. Its penetrating aroma is easily remembered and has been enjoyed by humans for centuries. 

While Eucalyptus oil is powered by its entire chemical makeup, it’s primarily characterized by 1,8-cineole which gives it its soothing, spa-like medicinal aroma and therapeutic benefits. Scientists have found that this one constituent is responsible for many of Eucalyptus’ healing qualities, such as:

• Supporting the respiratory system

• Soothing aches and pains

• Enhancing memory

• Boosting immunity

• Promoting hair growth

If you’re looking to expand your oil collection, pick up Eucalyptus or try it in a blend such as Eucalyptus Cardamom, Breathe Easier or Fighting Five. 

7. Clary Sage

Many of our top 10 oils include oils that are known for their versatility, and Clary Sage is no different. A flowering herb native to the Mediterranean Basin, Clary Sage has historically been extracted from leaves and buds as a remedy for a number of symptoms.

Its herbal, tea-like and soft aroma is loved by aromatherapy users and perfumers far and wide. 

Clary Sage is also a relative of Lavender and offers many of the same benefits and components, including linalool and linalyl acetate. Its most effective properties include:

• Boosting mood

• Cutting back stress

• Improving skincare

• Fighting PMS symptoms

• Alleviating menopausal symptoms

Enjoy Clary Sage in Harmony, PMS Ease and Worry Less to obtain its benefits and experience its beautiful aroma. 

6. Bergamot

Many people consider Bergamot the most luxurious of all the citrus essential oils and it seems to be popping up everywhere. This small inedible fruit, grown in the Mediterranean climate was named after the town of Bergamo, Italy, where it is said, it was first distilled. It has long been used in Italian holistic medicine to reduce stress and improve the quality of sleep.

Along with reducing stress and improving sleep, Bergamot essential oil can improve the appearance of skin and hair. It's a great natural treatment for:

• Pimples

• Oily skin

• Cysts

• Blackheads

It also has analgesic properties which can reduce the sensitive pain that can sometimes accompany uncomfortable skin conditions. 

Experience Bergamot in Allure, Rose Bergamot, Fearless and Citrus Cream. 

5. Frankincense

Frankincense’s popularity and health benefits have stood the test of time, earning its place in the pantheon of exceptional essential oils. In fact, one market research report, stated of Frankincense oil:

“Among all the segments, the use of frankincense oil is more in the cosmetic and personal care segment as it is mostly used in aromatherapy in order to relieve anxiety and stress...The growing demand of [sic] organic products among the consumers is expected to drive the frankincense oil market to a significant rate.”

And since this article was written, we’ve seen Frankincense essential oil grow tremendously amongst our very own EG family of customers who can’t seem to get enough of its many benefits, including: 

• Stress relief

• Anti-inflammatory

• Antioxidant

• Pain relief

• Sleep enhancement

• Skincare 

• Anti-bacterial

For these reasons and more, Frankincense has been formulated into our Frankincense & Myrrh, Frankincense Lime, Awake & Aware and Be Still blends. 

4. Tea Tree

If you’ve ever been to a health food store, you know that Tea Tree is a popular addition to everything, from home cleaning solutions and chest rubs or even shampoos. But what does Tea Tree oil do?

Thanks to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, Tea Tree essential oil is an incredibly versatile oil for topical use and aromatherapy alike. Some of its most effective uses include:

• Calming and soothing

• Boosting immunity

• Supporting sleep

• Clearing skin

• Strengthening hair and nails

• Cleansing

Try Tea Tree alone or in Tea Tree Around The World oil, Immunity, Deep Breath or Aroma Fresh.

3. Lemon

For a zesty and fresh aroma, look no further than Lemon oil. This citrus essential oil has a long history of reviving stale air and revitalizing moods, and it’s a frequent addition to aromatherapy blends. But, believe it or not, Lemon essential oil benefits extend far beyond the borders of what you might think.

Our favorite uses for Lemon include:

• Antibacterial 

• Antifungal

• Anti-inflammatory

• Antioxidant

• Blemish control

• Brightening skin

• Deodorizing

• Reducing nausea

You’ll find that there’s very little Lemon can’t do in Lemon Around The World oil, Mandarin Lemon, Joy and Sweet Ambiance. 

2. Peppermint

We’re getting down to the wire with Peppermint essential oil (Mentha piperita). A close second to our number one essential oil, Peppermint oil is a classically cool, refreshing and minty aromatherapy frontrunner. 

Along with providing powerful support to the respiratory system, soothing sore muscles and promoting energy, Peppermint can also:

• Improve exercise performance

• Support the digestive system

• Boost hair growth

• Enhance memory

• Reduce nausea

At EG, we offer three varieties of Peppermint including Indian Peppermint and Peppermint Around The World oil–all of which can be used interchangeably to benefit from its powerful therapeutic properties. 

1. Lavender

And the winner is...Lavender oil! But seriously, if there were an essential oil yearbook, Lavender would be voted ‘most likely to succeed at everything.’ It leads one to wonder, what can’t this essential oil do? Very little, it turns out. 

Along with being one of the most researched essential oils, it’s also one of the most heavily used in aromatherapy, cosmetics, perfumes, pharmaceuticals, flavorings and more. 

Among its many benefits, Lavender essential oil is best used for the following:

• Sleep

• Skincare

• Stress

• Inflammation

• Pain

At EG, we simply love Lavender which is why we offer six different varieties and several blends featuring it. Explore a bouquet of pure essential oil in the Lavender set. 

How Do You Use Essential Oils?

We’ve discussed our most popular essential oils in depth, so now the question remains–how do you use them? Here are a few of the most effective ways to obtain the benefits of essential oils:

Inhalation

Inhaling essential oils can deliver their benefits quickly and efficiently, especially for issues such as sleep, mood, stress, energy, headaches and respiratory problems. 

Inhalation can be achieved by using an essential oil diffuser, inhaling the oil straight from the bottle or using an essential oil scent strip. 

Topical

Applying essential oils topically is a great way to assist with skincare issues, inflammation, local pain, insect repelling and more. 

Unless using an essential oil in a prediluted roll-on, it’s recommended that you first dilute your essential oils using a high quality carrier oil, such as Fractionated Coconut oil, before topical application. Its also a good idea to perform a skin patch test if you’re using an essential oil topically for the first time. 

More Ways To Enjoy Essential Oils

Discover more ways to use essential oils on our blog through DIYs, diffuser blends and more. And in addition to essential oils, Edens Garden also offers many natural aromatherapy products such as bath salts, soaps, perfumes and more. 

One question that may be lingering for you is, can essential oils be ingested? This is not something we suggest unless you’ve received professional guidance. But luckily, essential oils can effectively be used through inhalation and topical use. 

Sources:

1. Frankincense Oil Market Set for Rapid Growth and Trend, by 2025. https://agreatertown.com/albany_ny/frankincense_oil_market_set_for_rapid_growth_and_trend_by_2025_0005858676