Essential Oils Starter Kit

If you're new to essential oils and aromatherapy, you can start your home or professional practice slowly; that way you can get used to how to use and blend the oils and begin to use them more frequently for health, therapeutic and household purposes. There are a few different oils that are considered "starter oils" due to their versatility and ease of use. The below oils should definitely be in your essential oils starter kit!

Lavender Oil is said to be the most versatile of all essential oils. It works as an anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, natural sedative and a top antiseptic. It is helpful for several skin conditions and is well-known for its relaxing effects. A few drops of lavender oil can be blended with any carrier oil and used on the skin, in a bath or around the house.

Peppermint Oil is known for its strong, clean, fresh, minty aroma. It is highly regarded for soothing digestive and improving gastric issues. A drop of peppermint oil can be added to your tea or combined with a carrier oil and used on the skin or added to a bath.

Lemon Oil has antiseptic like properties and contains substances that help improve immune system function. It has been said to improve vision and acts as a skin cleanser. Add a drop to a carrier oil and massage onto the face or hands.

Eucalyptus Oil is helpful for sinus problems, asthma, bronchitis, coughs, sore throat and mouth infections. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Add a few drops of Eucalyptus oil to some bath salts and soak a virus way. You can also combine with a carrier oil and massage the bottom of your feet for quick anti-bacterial protection.

Tea Tree Oil has countless healing characteristics, including anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic. It is helpful for the skin, digestive system and several other health issues. Ever have a problem with pimples? A drop of neat tea tree oil applied to a pimple will do amazing wonders!

Rosemary Oil can be used for hair care, as a mouth rinse and as a natural pain reliever. Again, a few drops added to a carrier oil, shampoo or tea is a great way to use this essential oil.

As you can see, there are several very versatile essential oils that have amazing health benefits. All of the ones listed here would be great additions to an essential oils starter kit, but there is a long list of others that are also good for beginners. Don't forget to learn the proper amounts to use and how to dilute them with a carrier oil so you don't irritate your skin. If you don't have success with one oil, that's okay, go down the list and try another!

Why Do We Get Joint Pain In Our Fingers?

There are many reasons why you can experience joint pain in your fingers. It could be due to an over extension, trauma or repetitive strain injury. However more and more people are getting joint pain because of rheumatoid arthritis.


Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the immune system malfunctioning. It can attack the cartilage lining of bone and socket and the synovium fluid, which lubricates the joints. This causes inflammation and swelling of the joint.

Rheumatoid arthritis is not caused by wear and tear or old age as that's more associated with the condition osteoarthritis.

A Faulty Immune System

As the joints become inflamed the immune system reacts by causing more inflammation as to try and heal the damage. If this vicious cycle of inflammation and swelling is not interrupted it can lead to joint damage and even joint deformity.

At this point in time there is no confirmed cause that makes the immune system do this. However, there are a number of possibilities that include genes which are more susceptible to disease, food allergies and lifestyle factors could also trigger an attack. For example, smoking can increase the production of enzymes that inflame the joints.

At the moment there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, however treatment, medication, and therapy has progressed to the point that the condition can be well managed so that sufferers can live a normal a lifestyle as possible.

The Potential Dangers Of Conventional Treatment

The conventional way to treat finger joint pain resulting from rheumatoid arthritis is to take a combination of medications. The aim of these drugs is to control and reduce the swelling and pain.

These anti-inflammatory drugs fall into two categories - non-steroidal drugs (NSAIDS) and cortisone based drugs. These can be taken orally or injected directly into the joints.

Although these types of drugs provide relief they should not be considered as a long term treatment. This will also be stated on the labelling of these drugs. The reason is because of the side effects these drugs can produce, which can range from gastric ulcers to even kidney failure.

As well as anti-inflammatory drugs many people with rheumatoid arthritis use non prescriptive pain killers, however their long term use can also damage the lining of the stomach as well as build up the levels of toxicity in the body.

Natural Alternatives Without The Nasty Side Effects

Fortunately, there are natural highly effective alternatives that do not cause the serious and life threatening side effects these chemical based drugs can cause.

Over the last 20 years there have been several studies about how the diet you eat can cause and affect joint pain in your fingers. Many of the processed foods eaten today are very low in nutrients and vitamins that are vital for supporting your immune system.

Furthermore, the modernisation and large production of food requires the use of chemical pesticides and fertilisers that contaminate the food. For example, nitrate a common food preservative can cause flare-ups in certain people with rheumatoid arthritis.

There are also foods that can help relieve the pain, swelling and also control the immune systems production of enzymes that cause inflammation in the joints.