Essential Oils for Everyday Wellness — Complete Guide

Last Updated: August 2026 | Written by Wow Herbs Team | 11 minutes read

Essential oils have emerged as one of the easiest and most versatile ways to get into a natural wellness routine: a few drops in a diffuser can instantly alter the ambiance of a room, a well-diluted mixture can transform a plain massage into something truly relaxing, and the right oil at the right time can help with breathing, help you feel calm before bedtime, and so much more. It's evident that more people want to know not only what essential oils are, but what essential oil is the right one for them because those search terms are all seeing a surge in activity.

The Essential Oils range from Wow Herbs consists of 20 different pure, steam distilled and cold pressed oils, each with a unique traditional use. These are divided according to the most common search terms people look for when visiting this site, and grouped together for the convenience of selecting the right oil for your purpose, safety rules, and proper application.They are categorized by their most common search terms, sleep and relaxation, breathing and congestion, focus and energy, skin and hair, and warming digestive support, so you can easily find the right oil for your specific need, learn safety precautions and how to use it properly.

The following is a brief overview of essential oils.

Essential oils are highly concentrated aromatic substances derived from plants, mostly from leaves, flowers and bark by steam distillation or from citrus peel by cold-pressing. The effects of each oil depend on the specific volatile plant compounds that it contains; lavender's linalool content is linked to relaxation, peppermint's menthol content is associated with cooling and alertness. Essential oils are highly concentrated and are not applied directly to the skin, but rather diffused in the air, mixed into a carrier oil for use in massage or blended into bath water.

Essential Oils for Sleep and Relaxation

Relaxation oils: Lavender Essential Oil is the most recognized relaxing oil used in aromatherapy, and is traditionally used to help soothe the onset of sleep and to relieve everyday stress; lavender is a very gentle floral oil that is well suited to evening diffusing or as a diluted pillow spray.

Frankincense Essential Oil: Deep, comforting and earthy with a woody note, it is used in meditation, calming massages and as a part of wind down sessions.

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil: A sweet and floral oil that is generally used to promote relaxation and calm, and is often blended with lavender for use in the evening.

Bergamot Essential Oil: Citrus oil with a very calming reputation, traditionally used for relaxation and for lifting the mood at the same time, rather than most citrus oils which are energising.

Essential Oils for Respiratory issues and breathing congestion.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil: This is the most popular oil in this category and is traditionally used to improve breathing health and relieve congestion, due to its eucalyptol content, perfect for use with steam inhalation or diffusing during colds. Read our full guide: Eucalyptus Oil Benefits.

Tea Tree Essential Oil: Also renowned for use in skin and hair care, its fresh, medicinal scent is used in aromatherapy to purify and cleanse.

Peppermint Essential Oil: A cooling Essential Oil with menthol scent, it has traditionally been used to soothe the body and help to alleviate headache; it is well-compatible with eucalyptus Essential Oil for use in respiratory blends.

Camphor Essential Oil: A warming, penetrating oil commonly included in general chest use topical blends for comfort in the respiratory area.

Rosemary Essential Oil: This herbaceous and fresh smelling oil is traditionally used for both the upper and lower respiratory system, and also for mental agility. Useful for double duty use in a diffuser blend.

There are a number of essential oils that provide sharpness and energy, such as:

In addition to its use in the respiratory system, peppermint essential oil is renowned for its stimulating scent, which is often used to enhance concentration and alertness for tasks or work.

Rosemary Essential Oil: In aromatherapy, rosemary is known for its memory and concentration-enhancing effects, and is often used in diffusers for studying or working on tasks that require concentration.

Basil Essential Oil: A fresh herbal aromatic oil perfumed for diffuser use throughout the day, and traditionally used for the mental freshness.

Lemon Essential Oil: A refreshing, stimulating citrus scent, typically used for use during the day.

Orange Essential Oil: A warm, sweet, citrus oil, typically used to promote an uplifted, positive mood and is a favorite in diffusers and massage blends alike.

Mandarin Essential Oil: Like lemon or orange, but lighter, softer, and gentler, traditionally used for day time use for a light and cheerful citrus scent.

Essential Oils for Skin, Hair and Massage

Rosehip Seed Oil is a nourishing carrier oil (not one of the fragrance essential oils), containing essential fatty acids, cold-pressed to nourish skin, tone and reduce the appearance of scars — read our full guide: Rosehip Seed Oil Benefits.

Grape Seed Oil: A light and fast-absorbing carrier oil that is great for mixing with other essential oils for massage, which don't get as heavy as some base oils.

Tea Tree Essential Oil: Popular in scalp care formulas and skin care products, appreciated for its refreshing and purifying characteristics.

Turmeric Essential Oil: This is a potent extract of turmeric's traditional skin-supportive properties, which are often added to a more comprehensive skin care formulation, but are used sparingly and mixed with other oils.

Essential Oils For Warming and Digestive Support.

Ginger Essential Oil: Warming and spicy oil traditionally used to help with digestive comfort when diluted and applied to the abdomen and massaged in, or when diffused for its grounding aroma.

Cinnamon Essential Oil: A rich, warming oil, traditionally associated with comfort, loved in autumn and winter diffuser blends, for digestive support.

Clove Essential Oil: A strong, spicy oil with long traditional use in applications for comfort of teeth and stomach; always used well diluted.

Lemon Grass Essential Oil: Lemon-grass herbaceous, bright, natural fragrance commonly used in digestion and as a natural freshener for the house.

What to look for when buying essential oils

Different brands of essential oils have different quality and purity. Prior to purchasing, look for:

100% pure, correctly labelled oils: A good label should explain how the oil was produced, and specify the botanical name (check the range, for example, at Wow Herbs, the oils are clearly marked as Fragrance Oil or Massage/Essential Oil — whichever you need).
Steam-distilled or cold-pressed (as applicable): Method of extraction depends on the part of the plant being used – leaves and flowers are usually steam distilled; citrus peels are cold pressed.
100% pure: A true essential oil must consist of a single oil (unless specified as a pre-diluted blend).
Dark glass packaging: Dark glass bottles are used to protect the essential oils from degradation when exposed to light.
Vegan and cruelty free certification (where applicable): The oils from Wow Herbs are vegan and cruelty free where applicable (Please check each individual listing).

Check out the full Collection here: Wow Herbs Shop the Essential Oils Collection.

Safely using essential oils.

Diffuser use: Drops in a diffuser to scent and freshen a room — this is typically the easiest and most accessible method to use diffuser.

Massage blend: We suggest diluting this essential oil with a carrier oil (Grape Seed or Rosehip Seed Oil) before applying to skin, never apply undiluted essential oil to skin.

Use a bath oil blend: Dilute a few drops in a carrier oil before pouring into the bath water instead of placing directly in the bath water.

Steam inhalation: This is a traditional treatment that involves breathing in a few drops of a hot (but not boiling) water bowl, covered with a towel over the head, which is traditionally used for eucalyptus, tea tree and peppermint.

Important cautions:

Use external only — essential oils are not to be taken internally.
Dilute before applying to the skin and patch test before using in large areas.
Avoid contact with eyes and sensitive areas of skin.
Be extra cautious around children and if pregnant or nursing, please check with your health care provider first.
Make sure to consult with your doctor if you are taking medication or are under any health diet.
Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best essential oil to aid in sleeping? Lavender is the most traditional one, and can be blended with frankincense or ylang ylang for a more sleep inducing blend to use in the evening with a diffuser.

May I use a blend of Essential Oils? Yes — many traditional blends include oils, for example, eucalyptus and peppermint for respiratory support or lavender and bergamot for relaxation. When diluting for topical application, always keep within safe limits.

Essential Oil vs Carrier Oil? Essential oils are highly concentrated aromatic oils (such as lavender, eucalyptus) that are usually mixed with a carrier to prevent irritation when applied to the skin and may also be used alone for skin nourishment; Carrier Oils are mild base oils (such as Grape Seed or Rosehip Seed Oil) that can be used alone for skin nourishment, or also as a base oil for essential oils to help dilute the concentration for safe application.

Can you use Wow Herbs essential oils in a diffuser? Yes, the range is intended for aromatherapy use such as diffusers, massage blends and bath oils, and usage notes can be found on the specific product listing (always check the product listing for any oil specific notes).

Conclusion

From an evening of relaxation, to fresh air during the winter months, to staying focused at work, to making your home smell terrific, there's a pretty good chance that there's an oil in the 20 different oils in Wow Herbs' line that's designed for you. Find all the Essential Oils and find your match here: Buy Essential Oils from Wow Herbs.

Use code FIRST10 for 10% off your first order from the Essential Oils Range at Wow Herbs. Free delivery.

For any questions, please reach out to a Holistic Practitioner at your local holistic shop.

Note: This is for information only. The products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Directions for external use only. Patch test prior to first use and dilute before skin application. If pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or around children, please consult GP before using.