Welcome, friend! Let me guess: You’re here to look for essential oil recommendations, right? Perhaps you’re new to essential oils, or maybe you’re looking for the best essential oil for a certain situation.
Well, look no further. I, Ollie, have compiled a useful list of excellent essential oils just for my friends in Singapore.
Why use essential oils in Singapore?
Essential oils are super-concentrated oils made out of certain plants and fruits. Some are made from the bark, some made from leaves, some others from roots, others made from the flowers and some are even made from the skin of the fruit.
Whichever it is, pure essential oils contain all of that plant’s goodness and scent at a high concentration.
Many of us like to use essential oils for aromatherapy, simply because they smell good. But did you know that essential oils are a good natural remedy for common ailments in Singapore too?
Here are 10 Ollie-recommended essential oils and why they’re particularly good for us living in Singapore!
1. Lavender essential oil
According to the Health Promotion Board, Singaporeans are some of the most sleep-deprived people in the world! Whether it’s due to the fast pace of life here or the frequent use of blue light-emitting devices at night (or both), not sleeping well is a top concern here.
I care deeply about my and my loved ones’ sleep quality. Which is why I’m putting lavender essential oil first on this list!
The well-loved lavender essential oil does not just smell lovely, it is also known as a powerful antidote for sleeplessness and has been used to improve sleep since ancient times.
It’s so easy to reap the benefits too. Just diffuse it or dab a drop or two on your pillow, and allow the beautiful floral scent to lull you to sleep. See our blog post for more benefits and ideas!
2. Eucalyptus essential oil
Ever experienced a blocked nasal passage even though you are not in the least bit sick?
Congested sinuses are actually extremely common in Singapore, affecting as much as 90% of the population at some point. According to experts, this is due to our tropical climate. Strange but true!
If you are sick, please do see a doctor, but if it is simply persistent sinusitis, Ollie’s Nilgiri eucalyptus essential oil is the perfect natural cure for that awful congested feeling. My favourite way to use it is to put a few drops in a pail of hot water, drape a towel over my head, and breathe it in.
3. Lemon eucalyptus essential oil
Bzzz… bzzz… surely the mosquito’s buzzing whine ranks among many Singaporeans’ list of most hated sounds. But what’s worse than the mosquito’s sound, is its itchy bite!
With our hot, humid climate, Singapore is “blessed” with an abundance of mosquitoes, so much so that dengue can be a real problem at times.
An all-natural bug repellent, lemon eucalyptus oil is definitely a must-have in every Singaporean home. While there are commercial bug repellents based on ingredients like DEET, lemon eucalyptus oil is natural, earth-friendly, child-safe, and smells good to boot.
Spray on our natural mosquito repellent liberally when heading outdoors. At home, diffuse lemon eucalyptus oil to keep those little nasty things away.
4. Peppermint essential oil
Singapore is most definitely a foodie nation, with yummy dishes and snacks tempting your tastebuds at every corner.
But what happens when you, ahem, overindulge in char kway teow or prata with curry?
For indigestion woes, it’s Ollie’s peppermint essential oil to the rescue! My food-grade peppermint oil is edible when diluted properly, and is a fabulous way to alleviate tummy problems.
Just put a drop of peppermint oil in a pot of camomile tea to relieve an upset stomach, heartburn or diarrhea. Apart from soothing the tummy, peppermint oil has a plethora of other uses which you can check out on my blog! Remember though, peppermint is a strong oil, so do not forget to dilute.
5. Tea tree oil
With our late nights, oily food and work stress in Singapore, it’s no wonder that even adults (well past our adolescence!) suffer from pimple breakouts every now and then. That’s why tea tree oil is definitely on my list of top essential oils to use in Singapore.
Originating from Australia, tea tree oil has been used to treat wounds since time immemorial. It’s known to work miracles on skin redness, swelling and inflammation.
There are tea tree oil-based commercial skincare products, of course… but why dilute all that natural goodness with chemicals, am I right? Check out my blog for some skin-pampering tea tree oil treatments!
6. Cedarwood essential oil
Research has shown that spending time in nature is incredibly good for your health, especially your mental well-being. Unfortunately, in urban Singapore, it’s not that easy to immerse ourselves in nature.
While there’s no substitute for an actual hike in the forest, taking a time-out to meditate and enjoy some aromatherapy can work wonders in relieving us of our anxieties.
I really love the woodsy smell of himalayan cedarwood essential oil for exactly this purpose! Cedarwood oil doesn’t just have deodorising properties — it seems to really cleanse my mind as well.
Just diffuse a cedarwood oil-based blend, turn on your choice of meditation app, and spend 15 minutes (or more) tending to yourself.
7. Cinnamon bark essential oil
Singapore may have a hot climate most of the time, but when it rains, it sure pours. Whenever the monsoon season rolls around, I find myself reaching for a warming essential oil such as cinnamon bark oil.
Not only does it smell like a cozy warm hug, cinnamon bark oil also has anti-inflammatory properties and is said to help with coughs and colds. Perfect for rainy days!
If you have a bathtub, I highly recommend a hot soak with just a couple of drops of cinnamon bark oil to warm you up. Or simply dab it on a piece of cloth and inhale deeply.
8. Sandalwood essential oil
We know that essential oils are great, but how many are actually believed to have sacred properties? Well, sandalwood essential oil is one such divine oil!
The masculine, woody-sweet sandalwood oil is known as a magic potion for skin ailments like burns, insect bites and cuts. It is also purported to have amazing effects on the skin and hair.
Whether you are interested in its beautifying qualities or not, sandalwood essential oil is definitely a Singaporean household staple for its many uses and its exotic yet calming scent.
9. Lemongrass essential oil
Singaporeans love a good Thai massage, don’t we? And there’s nothing quite as evocative as a Thai spa as the smell of lemongrass essential oil!
While we patiently wait for travel restrictions to lift, lemongrass essential oil can be a creative way to make your home feel a bit spa-like. Diffuse it to scent the air, or add it to your massage oil to allow the gentle, lemony fragrance to relieve headaches or muscle aches.
Bonus: Lemongrass is also a natural bug repellent! That’s why it’s one of the ingredients in Ollie’s natural mosquito repellent spray.
10. Lemon essential oil
You probably already know about the health benefits of lemon — how its high Vitamin C content can boost your immunity and brighten dull skin. Lemon essential oil has the same benefits, only in much more potent form!
But the real reason why I think lemon essential oil is, well, essential to use in Singapore? Its cleaning properties!
Yup, lemon essential oil is a powerful cleaning agent and can be used in all kinds of household cleaning. Perfect for our hygiene-conscious COVID-19 times.
Use this oil to make your own super-powerful, lemony-fresh, all-purpose cleaning spray to wipe down surfaces without any harmful chemicals like bleach or soap. Baby and pet-approved!
Which is the best brand of essential oils in Singapore?
Essential oils are not regulated in Singapore or any market. So there are tons of brands and a huge range in quality.
Some essential oil brands sneakily add impurities to their oils. Others do not specialise in essential oils and may outsource the essential oil sourcing and production to third parties.
I, Ollie, wholeheartedly believe in the power of high-quality, 100% pure essential oils and travel the world to source for the very best. I personally work with farmers and distillers to produce only the very best oils at affordable prices, so I can share my passion with everyone here.
Find the very best essential oils in Singapore, only at Ollie.
