Why essential oils are such good barter items when SHTF

June 24, 2022 Denis I

Plants have been a great help to mankind since the beginning of time. Every part of a plant, from its roots to its leaves, seeds, fruits and flowers, can be used in a variety of ways, such as for food, medicine and even as everyday tools. Thanks to their incredible physical and chemical properties, we continue to rely on plants to this day to supply our needs.

When SHTF and you lose access to all things convenient and modern, you can turn to plants for your survival needs. Plants provide a suitable alternative to many things, such as processed foods and conventional medicines. In fact, plants are way healthier and more nutritious than processed foods and are far safer to use than modern medicines.

According to a 2015 study, around 100,000 people die each year because of the adverse effects of conventional, supposedly “safe” over-the-counter drugs. [1] In the United States, synthetic drug toxicity accounts for 8% of hospital admissions. In comparison, hospitalizations or deaths due to the side effects of natural (plant-based) medicines are extremely rare. This is why more and more people are turning to herbs and other natural remedies to resolve their health issues.

When disaster strikes and medical services become unavailable, you can use plants to treat ailments that don’t require invasive medical procedures. Of course, not everyone has easy access to plants or has a home garden to grow medicinal plants in. Fortunately, herbal remedies exist in another form that’s much easier to store, carry and use during emergencies than fresh plants. This convenient form is commonly known as essential oil.

Why you should stock up on essential oils

Essential oils are plant extracts derived by distilling or cold pressing select parts (e.g., flowers, leaves or seeds) of a medicinal plant. Because doing so produces a highly concentrated oil that contains all the scent and flavor compounds of a plant, essential oils have a much stronger smell and taste than their plant sources. [2]

According to a study published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, essential oils are made up of a mixture of hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes, esters, ketones, oxides, phenols and terpenes. [3] Aside from giving essential oils their distinct odors, these active compounds also possess beneficial properties that make them such potent natural remedies.

But because plants have different chemical makeups, no two essential oils are completely alike, even those extracted from the same plant species. As reported by numerous studies, several factors, including growth conditions, soil type, climate and time of harvest, influence the composition of essential oils. [4] On the other hand, it is this variation in chemical constituents that gives essential oils great variety in terms of their uses and medicinal abilities.

Aside from being used as traditional remedies, essential oils can serve other purposes. For instance, some essential oils like lemon essential oil and tea tree oil have excellent natural cleansing properties, which is why they’re often used in household cleaning products. [5] Other essential oils like pine, bergamot and peppermint are natural insect repellents, so you’ll find them in topical or aromatic bug sprays. [6] Meanwhile, essential oils like cinnamon, lavender and rosemary contain compounds that can help eliminate bad odors and freshen the air in your home when diffused. [7]

Some essential oils can also be used in small quantities for cooking. Essential oils extracted from culinary herbs like oregano, thyme and basil are actually used as flavor substitutes. [8] However, these essential oils are processed differently from those intended as natural remedies to make them safe for consumption. If you want to use essential oils as culinary ingredients, make sure you get oils that are clean and food grade. [9]

Thanks to their versatility and medicinal properties, essential oils are great items to include in your survival stockpile. They will serve you well in emergency situations and make great barter items when SHTF because of their utility. Essential oils are easy to store and have a long shelf life. Depending on the compounds they contain, pure essential oils (no carrier oils mixed) can last from three to 15 years when stored properly. Here’s how long some commonly used essential oils will keep in storage: [10]

Essential oils rich in monoterpenes (e.g., cypress, frankincense, lemon, bergamot, sweet orange): up to 2 years
Essential oils rich in oxides (e.g., eucalyptus, rosemary, laurel leaf): up to 4 years
Essential oils rich in phenols (e.g., clove bud, oregano) and aldehydes (e.g., lemongrass): up to 5 years
Essential oils rich in ketones (e.g., clary sage, sage, hyssop), monoterpenols (e.g., peppermint, lavender, tea tree, basil, thyme) and esters (e.g., tarragon, anise, chamomile): up to 6 years
Essential oils rich in sesquiterpenes (e.g., cedarwood, ylang ylang, myrrh): up to 10 years
Essential oils rich in sesquiterpenols (e.g., sandalwood): more than 10 years

6 Must-have essential oils for your emergency stockpile

As emergency medicine, essential oils can be used in many ways. Some essential oils that offer benefits for the skin can be used topically when mixed with a gentle carrier oil like coconut oil, jojoba oil or sweet almond oil. Because they are highly concentrated, you must first dilute pure essential oils in a carrier oil before applying them on your skin to avoid skin irritation. [11]

Essential oils can also be inhaled to experience their benefits. In aromatherapy, essential oils are either diffused in the air or placed in a bowl of steaming water and inhaled so that their pleasant scent can be enjoyed at leisure. [12] According to research, the active components of essential oils travel directly to your brain, where they exert their influence on brain regions like the amygdala, which is responsible for processing emotions. [13] This is why many essential oils are known for supporting emotional health and wellness.

Since there are as many essential oils on the market as there are medicinal plants, choosing which oils to stock up on can be tricky. To help you decide, here are 6 useful essential oils to have in any situation and their science-backed benefits:*

Lavender essential oil

Lavender essential oil is extracted from the flowers of the Lavandula angustifolia plant using distillation. Aside from its sweet floral aroma, lavender essential oil is known for its calming effects and its ability to support your body’s natural healing processes. [14] In fact, a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine confirmed that lavender essential oil can support your body’s natural ability to heal. [15]

Aside from this, lavender essential oil has also been found to help reduce anxious feelings. [16] Meanwhile, researchers at Wesleyan University in Connecticut reported that lavender essential oil can support deep and restful sleep. [17]

Lab verified for cleanliness and purity, Health Ranger’s Organic Lavender Essential Oil is a therapeutic grade essential oil that you can use for many things. Add it to your bath water to help relieve stress, keep you grounded and focused, and induce relaxation. You can also diffuse this fragrant oil to freshen your linens and clothes, as well as the air in your home. This premium lavender essential oil is non-toxic, non-GMO, non-China, certified organic and extensively lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.

Sweet orange essential oil

Sweet orange essential oil comes from the rind of the Citrus sinensis fruit. According to studies, this pleasant-smelling oil contains high amounts of limonene, the compound responsible for its citrusy smell, and linalool, which smells like sweet lavender with a touch of citrus. [18][19] These compounds allow sweet orange essential oil to support healthy skin, optimal immune function and a positive mood. [20][21] Limonene and linalool also have natural cleansing properties, so you can use sweet orange essential oil as a non-toxic cleaning agent around your home. [22]

Thanks to its abundance of active components, Health Ranger’s Organic Sweet Orange Essential Oil can naturally uplift your mood and support healthy skin, as well as the optimal functions of your immune system. Bursting with the sweet scent of Mexican oranges, this therapeutic grade essential oil is certified organic and contains no GMOs or chemical preservatives. It is also thoroughly lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.

Lemon essential oil

Like orange essential oil, lemon essential oil is extracted from fruit peels, specifically those of the Citrus limon fruit. This fresh-smelling, versatile oil is often diffused into the air and inhaled or applied to the skin to enjoy its health benefits. [23] According to a study published in Stress & Health, lemon essential oil contains powerful compounds like limonene, citral and y-terpinene that can support a healthy stress response. [24] Lemon essential oil is also packed with antioxidants that can help protect the skin from oxidative damage caused by harmful free radicals. [25] In a more recent study, Tunisian researchers found that lemon essential oil can also be used as a natural food preservative, thanks to the presence of antioxidants like limonene and B-pinene. [26]

If you’re a fan of lemon essential oil, it’s time to try Health Ranger’s Organic Lemon Essential Oil. This all-natural, food grade essential oil is extracted from the fresh peels of high-quality organic lemons and is lab verified for cleanliness and purity. With its refreshing aroma and natural cleansing properties, lemon essential oil is ideal for use as a non-toxic surface cleaner and air freshener. It is non-GMO and non-China and does not contain artificial coloring, flavoring or additives. It is also vegan, certified Kosher and organic, and lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.

Oregano essential oil

Oregano essential oil is steam-distilled from the leaves and stems of the Origanum vulgare plant. A well-known spice and medicinal plant, oregano contains monoterpene phenols like carvacrol and thymol, which are potent antioxidants that can neutralize free radicals. [27] Thanks to these compounds, oregano essential oil has shown great potential as a natural food preservative in numerous studies. [28] When applied topically, the carvacrol and thymol in oregano essential oil also allow it to support your body’s natural ability to heal and combat external threats. [29][30]

Experience the wonderful health-supporting properties of oregano with Health Ranger’s Organic Oregano Essential Oil. Thanks to its bioactive components, this potent oil with a spicy, camphor-like aroma can provide your skin with broad-spectrum protection against threats. For excellent skin support, you can blend oregano essential oil with other oils that offer skin benefits, such as tea tree oil. Our pure, therapeutic grade oregano essential oil is 100% organic and contains no fillers, additives or synthetic chemicals. It is also extensively lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.

Cinnamon bark essential oil

Like oregano essential oil, cinnamon bark essential oil can also support your body’s natural defenses when applied topically, thanks to powerful components like cinnamaldehyde and eugenol. [31] Cinnamaldehyde, in particular, has many beneficial properties, including antioxidant activity, which can help you maintain healthy skin and joints. [32]

If you enjoy the spicy, sweet yet woodsy smell of cinnamon, then you’ll be pleased to know that inhaling cinnamon bark essential oil also offers mental health benefits. In fact, a study published in the Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences found that this particular oil can help reduce anxious feelings and support a positive mood. [33]

Health Ranger’s Organic Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil is a pure, therapeutic grade essential oil that offers all the beneficial properties of organic cinnamon. Derived from the bark of the Cinnamomum verum (true cinnamon) tree, which has a long history of use in traditional medicine, this high-quality essential oil can support your physical and mental health in various ways. It is also certified food grade, so you can use it to add flavor to your favorite foods and beverages. Our cinnamon bark essential oil is not only potent and versatile but is also certified organic and meticulously lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.

Peppermint essential oil

Derived from one of the oldest herbs used in European traditional medicine, peppermint essential oil is widely used to relieve minor skin issues like itching. When used in aromatherapy, this wonderful oil with a delightful scent can also help soothe coughs and reduce stressful feelings. [34]

Peppermint essential oil also offers oral health benefits. In fact, it can help keep your teeth and gums clean and your breath fresh if you dilute and mix it with your toothpaste or mouthwash. [35] Peppermint essential oil contains a variety of antioxidant polyphenols, as well as bioactive components like menthol and menthone, that all contribute to these benefits. [36]

If you’re looking for clean, high-quality peppermint essential oil, try Health Ranger’s Organic Peppermint Essential Oil. Extracted from the leaves and topmost flowers of the Mentha x piperita plant, this pure therapeutic grade essential oil contains high amounts of menthol (50-60%) and menthone (10-30%), which possess invigorating and cooling properties. This premium, lab-verified essential oil is certified organic, contains no additives or synthetic chemicals and is thoroughly lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.

Essential oils are safe and versatile natural products that possess a wide range of health-supporting properties. You can maximize these properties by mixing essential oils that go well together. For your convenience, we’ve formulated two essential oil blends that can help fulfill your home and self-care needs.

Health Ranger Select Organic Immunity Essential Oil Blend is a combination of some of our favorite aromatic oils, such as organic lemon, cinnamon bark, clove bud, eucalyptus radiate and rosemary essential oils. Each of these oils is therapeutic grade and carefully chosen to help you create a protective and healthy environment wherever you are. When SHTF, you’ll be happy to have this potent oil on hand to help keep you and your family safe and healthy. Our certified organic essential oil blend contains no additives or synthetic chemicals and is lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.

Like our immunity blend, Health Ranger’s Organic Breathe Essential Oil Blend is a combination of therapeutic grade essential oils including organic peppermint, clary sage, tea tree, cardamom, eucalyptus radiata, lemon and laurel leaf. This particular blend is specially formulated to help clear your mind and improve your focus so you can respond appropriately to any situation you might find yourself in. When diffused, our organic Breathe essential oil blend can also freshen the air and fill any room with a crisp, clean smell you’ll surely love. Like all our essential oils, this product is USDA organic and meticulously lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.

Be prepared for any type of scenario by stocking up on useful survival items like pure, therapeutic grade essential oils and essential oil blends!

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose any diseases.

References

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[2] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com

[3] https://www.sciencedirect.com

[4] https://www.sciencedirect.com

[5] https://www.homerev.com

[6] http://essentialoilsacademy.com

[7] https://achs.edu

[8] https://www.tasteofhome.com

[9] https://blog.publicgoods.com