Curious about all the hype around essential oils? Wondering if they’re right for you? Well, you’re in the place! Here is the epic guide to essential oils: everything you need to know!
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are made from all different parts of plants. Think the rind, leaves, stems, petals, etc.
They are made through a low heat slow steam distillation process during which the molecules that make up the essential oils become highly concentrated.
Disclaimer: I am an independent distributor of Young Living. This information is for educational purposes only. I am not a doctor, all opinions are my own. This information is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. I cannot promise you any certain results. Read full disclaimer here.
Therapeutic grade oils may have the following benefits:
- Help eliminate toxins in your body
- Help support the different systems of the body: digestive, nervous, muscular, and more
- Promote cellular regeneration
- Pass through the blood-brain barrier
- Work on emotions via the limbic system of your brain
- Promote healthy emotional wellness and relax and clear the mind
- Transport nutrients
- Be powerful antioxidants
- Remove toxins in the air
- Promote healthy, breathable air
- Be a great alternative to chemical or toxic fragrances
How To Safely Use Essential Oils
Two of the best questions you can yourself ask are, “How do I use essential oils” and, “How do I use them safely?” This guide to essential oils will answer both!
Safety is important when it comes to using essential oils. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with all of the information available but using common sense and starting gradually will help ease any sort of intimidation you might feel as you begin using essential oils in your everyday life.
If you are ever in doubt you can always check on your bottle of essential oil for suggested use, to know if dilution is recommended, etc. You can also check the Young Living website for a plethora of useful safety information.
When storing essential oils, it’s important to keep them in a cool, dark place with lids tightly closed (and always out of reach of children).
You’ll also want to keep carrier oils (like coconut, olive, vitamin e, sweet almond oil, v6, etc.) on hand for dilution. Always use and store EOs in glass containers, especially when drinking them in water, since most plastic products contain chemicals that can be broken down by the oil.
Two Ways To Use Essential Oils
TOPICALLY
Topically means to be applied directly to the body. You should always dilute your essential oils with a carrier oil – like coconut oil or grapeseed oil – until, at the very least, you know how your body is going to react to the oils.
Some essential oils are “hot” oils so you’ll always use a carrier oil with those particular oils (Thieves, PanAway, and Peppermint are all examples of hot oils that should be diluted.) Always use a carrier oil when applying oils topically to children.
AROMATICALLY
Aromatically means to breathe in the oils. In your YL starter kit, you’ll receive a diffuser and that’s the easiest way to use essential oils.
You can also put a drop or two in your hands and cup them over your nose and mouth and breathe deeply. You could even put a few drops of essential oil on a cotton ball and stick it into the vents of your car!
Starter Oils
If you’re looking for oils to get started with the premium starter kit is a great place to start! It comes with 12 oils that have so many amazing uses. Here are the amazing uses of these essential oils for beginners.
Lavender
Lavender is considered “the swiss army knife” of all oils and you will likely find yourself reaching for it often. Just a drop will help soothe minor skin abrasions or if you’ve been in the sun too long! A drop in a new tube of mascara can result in fuller, longer eyelashes.
Need seasonal support? Combine Lavender, Lemon, and Peppermint to support healthy respiratory function and help you enjoy the seasons with ease.
Lavender is very calming and it can be used to support a good night’s rest and relaxing environment.
Lemon Vitality
This oil can be used for cooking (creamy lemon pasta), baking (lemon bars), and for a balanced health and wellness regimen (a drop in our water in the morning!)
A drop or two of Lemon will also help you get sticky, hard to remove items or residue off of windows and other surfaces with ease.
I also clean with Lemon often. Talk about the entire house smelling wonderful. I love to add it to our DIY cleaning recipes!
Stains on clothes? Yep, just add a drop of lemon and let it soak in before you wash!!
Lemon is very cleansing for our bodies and sometimes I use this topically on problem areas on our skin, too. Talk about versatile!
Peppermint Vitality
This oil can be used to support healthy digestion, as part of healthy weight management, in the diffuser to give us a little afternoon pick me up and more!
It is my go-to oil for head tension as well. Also amazing to add a drop to your coffee or hot cocoa in the winter and in almond peppermint chocolate bars!
Valor
This is the courage and bravery oil!
Valor has a woodsy, grounding aroma that is great for massages and other topical and aromatic uses. Use it to greet each morning with a positive attitude or to refocus at the end of a challenging day.
Citrus Fresh Vitality
This blend of Orange, Tangerine, Grapefruit, Spearmint, and Lemon will brighten up your mood and your home!
It provides a clean, fresh scent for any environment and also purifies the air.
Don’t forget to try this one for emotional support, too! Wear it on your wrists, and inhale to help support mental clarity, calm emotions + reduce stressful feelings.
Panaway
Trust me when I say that this oil right here just might become your favorite!
It’s a perfect companion after a workout or a lifesaver for those days that you’ve overexerted yourself physically. This blend of Wintergreen, Helichrysum, Clove, and Peppermint essential oils can be used in a massage to help ease muscle discomfort.
DiGize Vitality
This is a blend of Ginger, Anise, Fennel, Peppermint, Tarragon, Lemongrass, Patchouli, and Juniper essential oils that was formulated to aid healthy digestion.
It’s rich unique aroma and taste can be calming and comforting. You can use it as a dietary supplement in your water to help support a healthy digestive system.
Raven
Raven is a powerful blend of Ravintsara, Lemon, Wintergreen, Peppermint, and Eucalyptus Radiata. It is a favorite go-to EO for respiratory support for ages 6+. It helps support healthy body temperature and makes a soothing chest rub with Raven and a carrier oil!
Tip: Try diffusing it in a steamy bathroom or adding a drop to the corner of your shower!
Have littles under 6 that need lung support? Try our kidsline of prediluted oils, SniffleEase.
Stress Away
Stress Away pretty much does what the name suggests! It helps bring relief to everyday stresses we all can feel. This blend of Copaiba, Lime, Vanilla, Cedarwood, Ocotea, and Lavender essential oils smells amazing and when diffused or applied topically provides a calming aroma and feeling.
It feels like a beach getaway combined with Citrus Fresh in the diffuser!
Frankincense
Frankincense is known as the “holy anointing oil” and is arguably one of the most recognizable essential oils due to its wide range of supportive properties, as well as being one of the gifts given to baby Jesus.
It is honestly INCREDIBLE at supporting the skin. It can be rolled onto your face at night and even used with a Jade roller. It’s so great to add to facial moisturizers.
It’s also great for diffusing during meditation or while journaling. It helps support focus and grounding of emotions.
Thieves Vitality
Thieves Vitality is one of my favorite oils because it smells like Christmas!
This proprietary blend of Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus Radiata, and Rosemary essential oils may help support a healthy immune system and promote overall wellness.
Apply a drop to the bottom of your feet daily to help support a healthy immune system. It can also be used to make wellness tea!
Peace & Calming
This oil encourages deep relaxation and is incredible for supporting nighttime routines.
It is known for quieting and calming the mind, uplifting the mood, and smells incredible!
Add this oil to your diffuser for a comforting fresh aroma. This blend features tangerine, orange, ylang ylang, patchouli, and the coveted blue tansy.
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