Beginners Guide to Essential Oils

New to the essential oils game? That’s ok. So was I until just a few months ago. I had heard people raving about them but my skeptical personality means I’m usually the very last person to jump on board, which is why you can trust me when I say that these essential oils are magical little bottles of the greatest natural healing & wellness I've experienced.. ever.

Here's what you need to know when getting started with essential oils:

What are essential oils?

Essential Oils are concentrated liquids derived from plants, trees and flowers.  When grown, harvested and distilled properly, they can have a variety of health benefits.  It is important to purchase pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils that are concentrated naturally through steam distillation, as the use of synthetic materials to extract oils will alter their properties and affect their therapeutic value. Many of the less expensive oils sold in stores and online are cut with alcohol, preservatives or diluted. Be sure to ask before you buy.

Three ways to use essential oils:

Topical application

Essential oils may be applied directly to the skin. Be sure to check the label on any oil you are using as there are slightly different recommendations for topical application for individual oils. Some oils may be applied directly from the bottle and some should be applied through a carrier oil such as coconut & grape seed oil. Read the instructions on the bottle for proper application.

Aromatherapy
The aromatic properties of essential oils stimulate the pineal gland (responsible for releasing melatonin), sense of smell and positively affect our bodies, moods and minds simply through inhalation. Oils may be inhaled directly from the bottle, your hands, bath or diffused in your home or work space.

Internal uses
While there are some essential oils that should not be ingested, many can be safely used in an empty capsule or combined in a favorite recipe or with liquids (Therapeutic-grade only, as lesser quality oils are often cut with preservatives and not safe for ingesting). Safety is key, so always check the label or with a health care professional first to ensure an oil is meant to be used internally.

*Please Note: Never use therapeutic–grade oils in plastic bottles – only use in glass or stainless steel. Therapeutic–grade oils are so potent, that they begin to break down the petro-chemicals and leech plastic particles into the water.

What do I use them for?

There are so many possibilities when it comes to how to use oils. Here is an infographic to get you started (click graphic to enlarge):

Essential Oils can be ordered through our affiliate distributor Tammy Fodrey. For more information about essential oils, contact her directly at tammyfodrey@yahoo.com