Essential Oils and Africa

Recently I was fortunate to be part of a group of 20 people that went on a mission trip to Africa for 16 days. The group went over to offer support to a family that is there doing trauma counseling for the people affected by the war with the Lord's Resistance Army, a militant group that was based in Northern Uganda. We went to help with building swing sets, visit orphanages, discipleship at some IDP (Internally Displaced People) camps and to pamper the women at a facility called Living Hope. Living Hope also provides trauma counseling, spiritual discipleship, skills training and empowerment to raise their children and bring change to their communities.


When I first decided to bring the oils over to Africa ~ my first obstacle was how to get them over there without checking them. Also if I was to bring large quantities ~ would that cause me trouble at the airport.

My other decision was, what to bring? We went over and worked under a group that was doing trauma counseling. So ~ I needed to pick oils for trauma. Then I needed to add to that equation … us. I needed to bring oils that would protect us. The group of gals that were going to be part of the pampering group, had never done that sort of thing and I needed to think about fungal infections, lice, seeing the physical trauma of the women and the emotional aspect of administrating massage. I then wanted to include oils for travel and general well being.

As much as my intention was to use the oils on the people of Africa ~ I mainly used them for our group. The people of Africa are simple people that live off the land. The people in the bush already use some type of herbal remedies from their ancestors. We were the ones that needed the oils. We left our safe environment (USA) and went to a world of unknowns.

I did bring about 64 10ml oils along with pounds of tea tree, our therapeutic blend, a bug blend and my Thieves pure. I did check all the oils with no problems.

The oils that were used the most.

Tea tree ~ Melaleuca Alternifolia

• Lice ~ we started using tea tree in our hair about 2 weeks before we left. This was to ensure that the oil was in the shaft of the hair to help keep lice away. We brought the shampoo that had it in along and used it thru out the trip.
• Fungal ~ we made a spray bottle with water and tea tree and sprayed our hands before and after we touched a person. We added lavender to that to help with the odor, as well as making it a friendlier solution for our hands. We also used it as a disinfectant on surfaces.
• Open sores ~ any open sores that we came across we applied tea tree directly. We left a large amount at the facility that helps with medical checkups to use for open wounds, sores, and fungal applications

Lavender ~ Lavendula Officinalis

• A must have everywhere we went. It was used neat or mixed with most of the oils to relax, to deal with stress, wounds, sunburn and to integrate our spirituality into our day

Peppermint ~ Mentha Piperita

• Water ~ to keep my digestive system safe, 1 drop in a water bottle thru out the whole trip. When people had to take meds - I was fine.

Ravensara ~ Ravensara Aromatica

• Cold sore ~ a cold sore showed on one of the gals during the trip. She applied it neat to the sore until the tingle went away and then applied lavender until it healed.

Therapeutic Blend ~ this blend is a combination of eucalyptus, fir, lavender, rosemary, naiouli, peppermint and tea tree.

• This blend was chosen for its trauma properties; alleviating anxiety and stress, revives the spirit by bringing the higher and lower chakras into harmony, it clears thoughts while overcoming feelings of inferiority. Good for physically delicate individuals who struggle not only with their bodies but with the feelings of victimization.
• Trauma ~ made spray bottles of this blend with water and sprayed the area where the women placed their faces during their massage. This was also added to their hand/foot bath.
• It was also diffused in areas when we weren’t using it in other ways.

Peace and Calm blend ~ a blend of patchouli, orange, blue tansy, tangerine and ylang ylang extra.

• It promotes relaxation and a deep sense of peace, helping to dampen tensions and uplift spirits. It calms over-active and hard to manage children. The oils in the blend have historically been used to help reduce depression, anxiety, stress and insomnia.
• This blend for selfish reasons I brought for any unknowns that we come across. I would apply it straight to my hair in the morning.
• Crying baby ~ on the last leg to Africa, we had a crying baby on the plane. I think about 2 hours had gone by and the baby was still unsettled. I put Peace & Calm on my hands and touched his head with my hands and the baby calmed down right away. I explained to the father who I was and asked permission to put some oil on his blanket. The baby slept the rest of the 6 hours on the plane. The father was very grateful.

Bug Blend ~ Citronella, copaiba, lemongrass, cinnamon and geranium.

• Protection ~ I brought this blend for one of the gals was concerned about bed bugs. We mixed 3 drops with 4oz water and sprayed our beds.
• We also sprayed our thresholds, and around our beds and in the morning, our little friends were not moving.

Thieves Pure blend ~ a blend of the cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, lemon, ravensara and rosemary.

• This blend used for immune protection.
• Roll on ~ used on the bottoms of feet.
• Inhaler ~ closed, contaminated areas
• And because of the cinnamon in this blend, diffusing it the air helped with insects.

This trip really brought these oils to the attention of the members of our group. I carried the oils every where we went and they were used daily by most everyone.

I did leave quantities of the tea tree and the therapeutic blend at Living Hope. The tea tree for treatment of fungal infections, sores and the therapeutic blend to diffuse in the areas that the women gather to help support what Living Hope is doing to help the women in Northern Uganda.