What a discovery: one essential oil can do all of the above and more! I tend to eat when I’m tense, but when I dabbed a couple of drops of this great-smelling stuff on in the morning, it was almost uncanny how noticeably less hungry I was throughout the day. It has anxiety-soothing properties, so maybe that was the secret. Also, I live in the Lyme Disease capital of the world and my doctor recommended this essential oil to repel the ticks that can carry it. (Historically, it was used to keep moths out of shawls and other fabrics making the sea journey from India to England.) And did I mention that it smells wonderful? In fact, some of us wore it for the scent alone, back in the hippie era.

It also eases water retention, soothes insect bites, and treats oily hair! Find out how to use this great essential oil for better wellness, here:

PATCHOULI ESSENTIAL OIL is the secret!

To suppress appetite and relieve stress, dab a drop or two on your skin, or use 2 to 3 drops in a diffuser. You can also bathe with 8 to 10 drops. Unlike most essential oils, the scent tends to last a long time and will permeate your clothing.

To relieve water retention, mix 2 or 3 drops in a good carrier oil and massage into skin, or use 8 to 10 drops in your bath.

To repel insects of all kinds, the massage oil described above will do the trick. To keep mosquitoes and other bugs away outdoors, put a couple of drops in a diffuser nearby. And to keep moths and other insects out of your clothing, soak a cotton ball with a few drops and place it in your closet.

Rub a drop on insect bites to soothe the itch or sting.

To reduce oiliness in hair, add 2 drops to a dab of shampoo and wash hair as usual, then rinse.