Emotional Benefits of Aromatherapy

Emotions and quality of life

No matter our age, lifestyle, or geographic location, one thing that all humans have in common is that we all experience emotions every day. Emotions are an inescapable part of being a human, and they have a serious impact on our happiness and well-being. Although emotions are somewhat mysterious, they can be characterized as complex internal reactions that will differ from person to person. 

Because we each have a unique personality and a unique set of personal experiences, each of us will experience emotions in different ways. We each have different methods for responding to and coping with emotions, and each person displays their emotions a little differently. While our emotions can affect our quality of life in several ways, we know that they are very influential in shaping our motivations—which can then shape our behavior and way of thinking. Our responses to emotions can have negative or positive effects on our quality of life, depending on how we choose to respond based on our personality or experiences. While each person experiences emotions differently, unchecked emotions can seriously affect anyone’s quality of life by impacting their emotional or physical health. Conversely, experiencing positive emotions and finding healthy ways to deal with negative emotions can lead to an improved quality of life. Whether we choose to deal with our emotions, or leave them unchecked, we will never be able to escape emotions entirely. 

A scientific look at emotions 

For decades, scientists have studied human emotions because of their mysterious nature and the vital role they play in our daily lives. Most scientists agree that emotions are complex, multi-factorial responses that are triggered by multiple mechanisms and stimuli. This explains why emotions are so complex and mysterious—they are multi-factorial, which means that they are dependent on a variety of factors or causes. Emotions are also complicated because they can be triggered by any number of means or stimuli. 

Simply put, emotions are your response to the environment around you. This “environment” includes your physical location, the people around you, any activities you are engaging in, and dozens of other factors (both in and out of your control.) Your brain will process these factors and determine how to respond emotionally. This response will usually lead to some sort of action, and is typically based on your previous experiences and survival instincts. 

As mentioned, emotions and responses will vary from person to person because of our unique personalities and life experiences. An individual’s personality and experience will influence how they perceive stimuli and their environment. This is why we each have unique responses and ways of dealing with emotions—the same stimuli can be perceived differently by two people. 

While there are a wide array of emotions, and countless possible responses, emotions can generally be categorized into one of two categories: positive or negative. As mentioned, positive emotions can help improve well-being and quality of life, while negative emotions can take a toll on the body, both mentally and physically when they are not dealt with properly. 

Scientific definition of emotions: complex, multi-factorial responses that are triggered by multiple mechanisms and stimuli. 

Multi-factorial: dependent on a number of factors or causes 

Mechanisms: devices, means, or methods Stimuli: something that stimulates or acts as an incentive, or creates a response

Negative emotions 

Any emotion that we might feel throughout the day can typically be categorized as either a positive emotion or a negative emotion. Positive emotions uplift our mood and usually motivate us to act in a way that will help us maintain that positive mood. Negative emotions can also motivate us to act in a way that will uplift our mood; however, if these negative emotions are left unchecked, they can have serious effects on overall health, especially emotional health. As discussed, negative emotions can impact our quality of life, and even alter how our body feels and functions.

Handling negative emotions 

To keep negative emotions from decreasing your quality of life, it is important to have healthy coping mechanisms. Because emotions vary from person to person, it should come as no surprise that methods for handling emotions will also vary depending on your personality, preferences, and other factors. For example, some people find physical activity and exercise to be an effective way to deal with negative emotions, while others prefer quiet reflection or meditation. Any number of activities (or a combination of several activities) can work to help an individual deal with their negative emotions. 

When it comes to handling negative emotions, it is important to find a method that works for you personally. Consider engaging in a favorite hobby or pastime, confiding in a friend or loved one that you trust, practicing meditation or simply setting aside quiet time for relaxing. Finding an activity that you enjoy and that will help you work through any negative feelings is a healthy part of dealing with emotions. 

Using aromatherapy to deal with negative emotions In addition to developing healthy habits for dealing with negative emotions, you might also consider incorporating the use of essential oils into your regular routine for mood management. Although methods for dealing with negative emotions will vary from person to person, there is a wide variety of essential oils to choose from when it comes to uplifting mood and promoting positive emotions. Because each person is unique, it is helpful to have an equally unique set of oils, each with its own unique chemistry, to help soothe, calm, or uplift the mood. Once you learn about how to use essential oils to manage your mood, you will find that they can become a regular part of your routine for combating negative emotions in your daily life.

 Using essential oils for emotional benefit

Used anciently for their ability to influence emotions, essential oils are still useful today for managing mood and promoting uplifting feelings. Those who don’t know about the rich history of essential oils and aromatherapy might assume that using essential oils for emotions (and other purposes) is merely a new trend or fad that will soon pass. However, the popularity of aromatherapy has continued to grow since ancient times as essential oils have constantly proven an effective method for managing emotions. In addition to historic examples of aromatherapy, more recent research and scientific findings have also helped to prove the success of essential oils for managing mood.

History of aromatherapy 

Early usage 

Although it was not always referred to as aromatherapy, the use of essential oils for emotional benefit dates back to ancient times. People in ancient civilizations often used essential oils, plants, and other plant materials for things like cooking, bathing, promoting healthy skin, and a variety of healthcare practices. In addition to these practical daily uses, essential oils were frequently used during burials, rituals, and religious ceremonies, as many ancient cultures recognized the power of essential oils on emotions. 

Aromatherapy was used in ancient civilizations like Greece, Rome, China, and India—usually during meaningful events like religious ceremonies and other rituals. For example, Babylonians and Assyrians would burn Frankincense during religious ceremonies due to its warm aroma that promotes feelings of peace and relaxation. In ancient Rome, soldiers would use Fennel before going into battle to help make them feel strong and brave. 

While the idea of aromatherapy has developed and changed since ancient times, it is clear that the people of these ancient cultures recognized the power in using essential oils to influence emotions. 

Aromatherapy in the 20th Century 

Even though the practice of aromatherapy dates back to ancient times, it was not until the 20th century that the term “aromatherapy” was officially coined and scientists began to support the idea of using essential oils for emotional benefit. While many have enjoyed the benefits of aromatherapy for hundreds of years, it wasn’t until the 1990's that scientists were able to prove the connection between essential oils and mood management. 

In the early 1990's, substantial research helped biologists better understand how the brain reacts to aromas. This research proved what people of ancient civilizations had already put into practice—essential oils can be used to create responses within the body, particularly to benefit and influence emotions. Although the science of emotions still holds significant mystery, we know that there is a connection between scent and emotions. Because of this connection, we also know that aromatherapy is a useful tool for managing emotions and uplifting mood. 

Why use essential oils to manage mood? 

As mentioned, each person experiences emotions a little differently, and thus, the methods for managing emotions will vary from person to person. While there are many options available for uplifting mood and coping with negative emotions, there are several benefits to using aromatherapy and essential oils to manage emotions. 

A safe, natural way to manage mood 

Depending on the individual and the emotion, there are seemingly endless methods for altering or managing mood. However, many of these options do not promote good emotional health or physical health. Unfortunately, some people use questionable or even potentially dangerous methods to manage or alter their emotions, which can lead to more serious problems down the road. 

The benefit of using essential oils for mood management is that they can help soothe, calm, and uplift the emotions in a natural way. High quality essential oils are pure and potent, so only a little oil will be needed to help the user achieve the desired effect. Although essential oils are extremely powerful, they come from natural sources, so they are still safe to use. By providing a safe, natural way to manage emotions, aromatherapy is a good alternative to many of the other mood management tactics out there. 

Essential oils generate quick responses 

As discussed, high quality essential oils are extremely powerful and potent. Typically, you will start experiencing some sort of response from the moment you open the bottle, because you will be able to smell the oil from a distance. This power and potency means that you will only have to use a small amount of oil to help manage your mood. While some methods for managing emotions can be ineffective, essential oils will generate natural, effective responses. By using aromatherapy for emotional benefits, you can harness the power of essential oils to help you quickly and effectively deal with the variety of emotions you experience on a daily basis. 

As mentioned, each person experiences emotions differently, and thus, the methods for managing emotions will vary from person to person. While there are many options available for uplifting mood and coping with negative emotions, there are several benefits to using aromatherapy and essential oils to manage emotions. 

Essential oils provide a simple method that can be used in conjunction with other tactics 

One reason that aromatherapy has been a popular method for managing mood throughout history lies in its simplicity. You don’t need to be a professional in aromatherapy or a scientist to enjoy the emotional benefits of essential oils. Once you learn a little bit about essential oils and how they work, you can easily use them in your daily life to help manage your mood. After you learn the proper methods for applying essential oils, and understand which essential oils possess calming, uplifting, invigorating, relaxing, or other properties, it will be extremely easy to enjoy the emotional benefits of aromatherapy. 

Not only are essential oils easy to use and apply, but they can be used in conjunction with other mood management methods to help you keep your emotions in check. Essential oils are often used with methods like massage or meditation, and even in conjunction with activities like exercise, bathing, or sleeping. This makes it easy to tailor essential oils and aromatherapy to your personal preferences—further helping you cope with negative emotions during your day-to-day routine. 

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Essential Oils and Children

Using Essential Oils on or around Children

Once you have experienced the effective power of essential oils, incorporating oils into your lifestyle and daily routine is the next natural step. For many people, that daily routine includes children. Many parents wonder, “Are essential oils safe to use on my children?” The simple answer to this question is yes, but it is important to remember that there are certain safety guidelines and recommendations to consider when it comes to using essential oils with children. Essential oils can be safely used on or around children, and just like anything you would use with your family—topical products, hygienic products, cleaning products, etc.—special caution should be used when applying oils to children.

Yes, essential oils are safe for children 

Because children are smaller and more sensitive than adults and are still developing, it is important to understand that the rules of essential oils are different for children than they are for parents. Once you have learned the special safety guidelines required for using essential oils with your children, it is easy to help your kids reap the benefits that oils have to offer. If your child has specific health conditions or concerns, it is always wise to consult with your child’s physician before using essential oils.

How do I know that essential oils are safe to use on my children? While special precautions should be taken when using essential oils around children, parents can still be confident that it is in fact safe for children to use essential oils.

Historic use 

First, parents who are new to essential oils should know that essential oils and plant parts have been used for centuries to promote wellness, and are not a new fad or trend, but a tried and true solution for many of life’s everyday problems. Families in ancient Egypt used plant extracts and oils for everything from cooking and beauty treatments to embalming and religious ceremonies. For centuries, families in China have continued practices that promote wellness by using plant extracts and materials. Plant extracts and oils were a major staple in the households of ancient Rome, as plant parts were used for their fragrance and calming properties. After centuries of safe use, parents can rest easy knowing that essential oils have been proven safe and effective time and time again.

Essential oils are likely in many of the products you already use 

Because essential oils are naturally occurring compounds found in plants, they are a popular ingredient for many commercial products. Essential oils are often used in perfumes, soaps, candles, lotions, and skincare products to add fragrance. Due to their powerful purifying properties, essential oils are also frequently added to cleaning agents. Chances are, you most likely already have products in your home that contain essential oils. The benefit of using pure essential oils on their own is that it allows you to avoid the harmful toxins and chemicals that are often added to household products. Because they are taken from plants, essential oils are also found in many of the foods that we regularly eat. Small amounts of essential oils can be found in many of the fruits and plants that are a part of our regular diets. This means that our bodies are already equipped to process essential oils when taken internally. Although the essential oil internal dosage for a child is far less than that of an adult, your children have most likely already been exposed to small amounts of essential oils through their diet and other household products.

Essential oils are natural, and can be safe when used properly 

High quality essential oils are pure, potent, natural, and safe when used properly. As with anything we use on our bodies, there are special safety guidelines that can help us stay within the perimeters of safe use. Even seemingly harmless substances like water can be damaging to the body when used in excess amounts—and essential oils are the same way. As long as you educate yourself about the proper uses, you can safely and effectively use essential oils on yourself and around your family. Just as you wouldn’t allow your child to eat something, drink something, or rub something on their skin without knowing what it is or what it does, the key to safe essential oil usage is to educate yourself. We will discuss proper application, dosage, and other safety guidelines in more detail in chapter two.

High quality oils go through testing to ensure safety 

Before you use essential oils on your children (or on yourself), it is important to understand that not all essential oils are created equal. Typically, high quality essential oils go through rounds of rigorous testing to ensure that the product is safe to use. Not all companies use these testing methods, and many essential oil distributors will use synthetic fillers that alter the efficacy of the oils. It is important to use essential oils that have been carefully produced and thoroughly tested to ensure safety for you and your family. For example, dōTERRA® essential oils are put through a rigorous testing process where they are checked for contaminants, potentially harmful substances, and any other components that could compromise the safety and quality of the oil. It is important to choose a high quality essential oil that has been tested and cleared for safe use before using it on your family.

Safety Guidelines

As mentioned, the key to safely and successfully using essential oils on children is observing the special safety guidelines that have been set to protect children from overexposure or sensitivity. As a parent, it is important to remember that the rules for using essential oils with children are different than those for adults. By observing specific guidelines when it comes to essential oil dosage, dilution, application, storage, and more, you can help your children safely and effectively enjoy the benefits that essential oils have to offer. Here are some basic rules to follow when using essential oils on or around children. Each of these guidelines will be covered in greater detail throughout this chapter.

Always supervise children during essential oil usage 

Perhaps the most important safety guideline when it comes to essential oils and children is to ensure that your child only uses essential oils under adult supervision. Even if your children are used to essential oils and know how to apply them, it is always best to supervise any oil application to ensure safety. Essential oils are extremely potent and powerful, and many children do not understand concepts like dosage, dilution, and sensitivity. In addition to teaching your kids about applying essential oils safely, it is important to always be present when any essential oils are being used around your children.

Dosage 

Because children have a smaller body mass; have thinner, more sensitive skin; and are still developing, their dosage level of essential oils should always be smaller than adult doses. Remember to always consult your child’s physician about any specific health conditions or concerns before using essential oils on or with your child. Because oils are so potent, you will only need a very small amount for them to be effective on your children. When using essential oils with your kids, start with small doses—smaller than what you would use on yourself—and then give your child ample time to experience the benefits of the oil before applying more.

Dilution 

Many parents have concerns about the topical use of essential oils with children because of their sensitive skin. The best way to protect a child’s delicate skin when using essential oils topically is to dilute before application. Diluting an essential oil with a carrier oil like dōTERRA® Fractionated Coconut Oil before applying it to your child’s skin will help reduce the risk of sensitivity.

Sensitivity testing 

It is usually a good idea to do a sensitivity test on your child when trying a new oil, to ensure that it does not cause any irritation. To perform a sensitivity test, simply dilute the oil that you want to use, apply it to an inconspicuous spot on your child’s skin (the feet are usually the best place because that is where the skin is thickest), and observe the spot over the course of a few hours. This will give you the chance to see how your child’s skin reacts to that particular oil.

Avoid sensitive areas 

In addition to sensitivity testing, you can help your child avoid irritation or sensitivity when it comes to using essential oils by avoiding application in any sensitive areas. As mentioned, any application of essential oils on your children should always be supervised— with your younger children, you should be the one to apply the oils; with older children, you should always be present during application. When applying essential oils topically on children, there are a few areas that should be avoided to help prevent sensitivity:
• Eyes
• Skin around the eyes
• Inner ears
• Broken, injured, or damaged skin
• Inner nose

All of these areas of the body tend to have more sensitive skin, and should be avoided when applying oils topically. Remember, a child’s skin is even more delicate than an adult’s, so application methods will always be a little different when it comes to using essential oils with children.

Sunlight exposure 

Some essential oils, particularly citrus oils, can cause sunlight sensitivity if exposed to sunlight after applying the oil on the skin. The risk for sunlight sensitivity is especially prevalent for children, because they tend to spend a lot of time outside. Before topically applying essential oils on your children, it is wise to consider first how much time your child will be spending in the sun over the next 12 hours, and second, whether or not the oil you are applying includes a caution for potential sunlight sensitivity. As mentioned, it is typically the citrus oils that present a risk for sunlight sensitivity; however, parents must always read essential oil labels to see if an oil comes with a warning about sunlight exposure. When an essential oil or essential oil product contains a sunlight sensitivity warning, it is best to avoid sunlight and UV rays for at least 12 hours after the product is applied.

Essential oil supplements 

Supplements that contain essential oils can be extremely beneficial for adults; however, children should not take adult supplements unless the product has been designated as safe for children. Luckily, there are many essential oil supplements (including dōTERRA® products) that are designed specifically for children. Kids can reap the benefits that essential oil supplements have to offer, Dilution ratios for children: 5 drops of carrier oil for 1 drop of essential oil CHEWABLE™ 60 TABLETS and can still take some adult supplements when they are designated as safe for the whole family. Before giving your child any supplement, read all labels or instructions to ensure that it is appropriate for children. It is always wise to consult with your healthcare provider if you have any questions about giving your child a supplement of any kind.

Essential oil storage 

One of the best ways to ensure safe use of essential oils with your little ones is to practice safe storage habits—always keep your essential oils and essential oil products out of the reach of children. Kids do not understand how powerful and potent essential oils are, or how important it is to follow dosage guidelines. By keeping your essential oil collection in a place where it cannot be accessed by your children, you will help ensure their safety.

Remember, essential oils should not be stored in direct sunlight or anywhere they will be exposed to heat, as this can damage the delicate chemical profile of the oils and even detract from their benefits. Always make sure that an essential oil diffuser is placed in a safe area where children will not be overexposed to an oil and cannot reach the diffuser. While it might seem convenient to keep essential oils out in the open, proper storage is a key component of successfully and safely using essential oils in a home with children.

Many essential oil bottles come with an orifice reducer, which allows only a small amount of oil to be released at a time. Parents will often remove this extra lid to make for easier pouring or diffusion of essential oils, but this orifice reducer can help to limit the amount of essential oils that your child can get if they do happen to find a bottle. While it is tempting to leave this lid off for convenience, it is best to make sure that the orifice reducer is on when storing your essential oils.

Educate yourself as a parent 

As with anything you would give your child—food, medicine, treatments, topical products, etc.—the greatest way to safely use essential oils on or around your children is to educate yourself as a parent. If you are new to essential oils, educate yourself about how they work, best practices, and safety guidelines. Once you have learned how to properly use essential oils yourself, you’ll be better equipped to share the benefits of essential oils with your entire family—including your children. While learning about and staying up to date with safe essential oil application methods is a major part of responsibly protecting your children, it is also important that parents always carefully read warnings, labels, cautions, and distributor instructions before using essential oils on their children. By combining your essential oil knowledge with safety guidelines given by the manufacturer, you can give your child a safe, enjoyable essential oil experience.

Consult with a medical professional 

Consulting with a healthcare professional before using essential oils is a safety guideline that applies to both parents and children. This rule is even more important if you or your children have specific health concerns. Each person has a different health history, and specific health conditions may change the way that you use essential oils. By consulting with your child’s physician before using essential oils around your child, you can be prepared for any special conditions that may change how you use the oils in your home.

By following these general safety guidelines, and any other recommendations from the essential oil distributor, or suggestions from your physician, you can enjoy the safe use of essential oils around your children. Remember, as the parent, you set the example for your children when it comes to safe and proper use of essential oils in the home.

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How Do I Use Essential Oils?

Before you continue reading, make sure you know what an essential oil is and where essential oils come from. Now, you are ready to learn how to use them. Once again, you don’t need to be an expert to enjoy the wide benefits that essential oils hold. All you need is a basic understanding of how to safely and simply use essential oils during your daily routine.

Aromatic 

One way to experience the benefits of essential oils is aromatically, or by breathing them in. Using essential oils aromatically can offer many benefits; however, it can be particularly helpful for improving or managing mood. Depending on the chemical structure of an essential oil, it may provide invigorating or uplifting effects, or it might produce calming or soothing feelings.

Studies have shown convincing evidence that simply inhaling the aroma of an essential oil is effective for calming nervous or anxious feelings in a variety of settings.

Diffusion 

Diffusion is the most effective way to enjoy essential oils aromatically and is most efficiently accomplished by using an essential oil diffuser. Essential oil diffusers take a whole oil and transform it into a mist, or microscopic droplets, that allow the user to experience the aroma of the essential oil for an extended period of time. It is important to remember that essential oils have a delicate chemical structure, so you never want to use a diffuser that could alter the chemical profile of the oil by using heat. It is best to stick with diffusers that use water or cold air to diffuse the oil. While diffusers make it easy to use essential oils aromatically, you can also reap the aromatic benefits of an essential oil without a special diffusing device. Simply inhaling an essential oil straight from the bottle, or placing a drop in your hands, rubbing the palms together, and inhaling the scent will allow you to yield the benefits of essential oils through the air.

Effective methods for aromatic application 

Safety Tip: Typically, aromatic use of essential oils is considered very safe and tends to be well tolerated by most individuals. However, as with any application method for essential oils, it is important to consider doses and appropriate use. For maximum benefits, diffusion should be used multiple times throughout the day, in small doses.

Topical Use 

Applying essential oils topically is a safe, effective way to yield the benefits that essential oils hold for the skin and other aspects of the human body. Due to their chemical makeup, essential oils can easily penetrate the skin and offer a localized benefit to the applied area. Essential oils are easily absorbed into the skin; however, you can prolong the benefits of an essential oil by using a carrier oil to slow down the evaporation of the oil, allowing it to moisturize the skin.

What is a carrier oil? Carrier oils are lipid-based substances that can be used to dilute essential oils. The carrier oil will literally help to ‘carry’ your essential oil to the desired area. Using a carrier oil like Fractionated Coconut Oil allows you to effectively apply an essential oil topically without altering the potency of the oil. When you dilute an essential oil, it enhances absorption by increasing the surface area of absorption, and helps prevent skin sensitivities.

Remember, deciding when and how to dilute your essential oils is a personal decision that should be based on the oil’s chemistry, your usage preferences, and any personal sensitivity to certain oils.

Skin sensitivity and dilution 

If you have particularly sensitive skin, or when applying essential oils on children, it is a good idea to use a carrier oil like Fractionated Coconut Oil. By diluting the essential oil with a carrier oil, you can avoid the development of a skin sensitivity, especially when you are trying a new oil for the first time.

The recommended ratio for dilution is typically three drops of carrier oil for every single drop of essential oil. As mentioned, the dose for applying essential oils topically will vary depending on the individual and their needs, age, size, and overall health status. When you are first starting out, try a few small doses throughout the day instead of a single large dose all at once. Start with a small dose (one to two drops.) This dose can be repeated every four to six hours as necessary.

Some essential oils should always be diluted when used topically. Always follow usage suggestions for oils like Cinnamon, Geranium, Lemongrass, and Oregano, as they should always be diluted before topical use. Recommended dilution ratio: 3 drops of carrier oil to 1 drop of essential oil. 

What oils should I start with? 

Whether you are using essential oils aromatically or topically, you might be wondering about the best place to start. At dōTERRA®, we suggest starting with simple essential oils that have a variety of applications so that you can get used to the potency, power, aroma, and characteristics of essential oils and how to use them. When you are first starting out, consider using any or all of the oils below: Lemon essential oil is one of the top selling oils at dōTERRA®, and with good reason. If you are looking for an uplifting, versatile oil to start off your essential oil collection, Lemon is an excellent choice. If you are looking for an introduction to the world of essential oils, Lavender oil is a wonderful oil to start with. Not only does Lavender provide a calming, pleasant aroma, but it is very useful in everyday life as well. When you want to experience the potent power of essential oils, Peppermint oil can be used topically or aromatically for impressive results.

Lavender

• Reduce the appearance of skin imperfections or soothe occasional skin irritations by applying Lavender oil to the skin
• Place a few drops of Lavender oil in your essential oil diffuser to help ease feelings of tension
• Promote an environment for restful sleep by adding a few drops of Lavender oil to bedding, pillows, or the bottoms of your feet before bedtime
• Combine a few drops of Lavender oil to a spray bottle of water and spritz over your mattress, couch, or in the linen closet to add freshnesss.

Lemon

• Place a few drops of Lemon oil in your diffuser to help create an uplifting environment
• Soak a cloth or rag in Lemon oil and use it to protect, clean, and shine wood finishes around the home
• When you need to remove grease or residue from your hands, wash with Lemon oil and water
• Add Lemon oil to a spray bottle of water and use it to clean countertops and other surfaces.

Peppermint

• Place a few drops of Peppermint in your essential oil diffuser when you are feeling low on energy
• Add Peppermint oil to your shampoo or conditioner to give yourself a stimulating hair massage
• When you want a morning energy boost, rub Peppermint oil on your temples when you first wake up
• Diffuse Peppermint oil to help promote feelings of easy breathing and clear airways.



Are essential oils safe?

When you use high quality essential oils in the appropriate amount, they can absolutely be safe enough to use at home on yourself and your family. High quality essential oils will have gone through extensive testing to ensure they are safe, are pure, and have the correct amount of concentration. Like anything else that you would use in your home or on your children, essential oils are safe when you adhere to recommended dosage amounts and use them within proper parameters. Among the many benefits of essential oils, one major advantage is that they offer peace of mind to parents who worry about using chemical-ridden products on their children, or in the home for cleaning and other tasks. Essential oils are a safe alternative to many of the products you see on grocery store shelves that contain synthetic toxins or chemicals that could be harmful. Learning about proper use and dosage will allow you to safely use essential oils at home and on your family, while enjoying the benefit of a natural product.

Recommended ideal amounts

As mentioned, essential oils can be used safely when users stay within recommended amount ranges. Using the suggested dosage for essential oils not only helps the user avoid consuming unsafe levels, but also allows them to enjoy the maximum benefit of the essential oil. Of course, each individual needs to consider their own level of experience with essential oils and any personal health concerns when following suggestions for daily amounts. Always consider the advice of your health-care provider as you seek to benefit from the use of essential oils.

How can I be sure that I’m using essential oils safely? 

• Always keep the safe amount-per-day guidelines in mind.
• Avoid applying oils directly to the nose, ears, or around the eyes.
 • For topical application, it is important to consider dilution. Dilution helps you avoid sensitivity with essential oils, and is particularly helpful for young or small children, or those with sensitive skin. It is also important to remember that some essential oils (Cassia, Cinnamon, Geranium, Lemongrass, Oregano, and Thyme) should always be diluted before topical use.
• Make sure to store essential oils out of the reach of children. This will help prevent accidental ingestion.
• When storing essential oils, you’ll also want to keep the oils away from excessive light or heat, because this can alter the chemical properties of the essential oil significantly.
• Always help younger children apply essential oils to make sure they get the proper amount. It is also a good idea to encourage teenagers to set a good example for younger children by always following guidelines for proper usage.


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Why Use Essential Oils?

While essential oils and plant extracts have been used for centuries, essential oils still hold relevant applications today. With advancing technology, improved quality, potency, and safety, essential oils are now more accessible and easy to use in everyday life. Although essential oils were often used as a part of cultural practices and traditions of the past, we now have increasing scientific evidence and research to show the effectiveness and safe nature of essential oils in our day and age. Historically, essential oil usage was both popular and practical, but we now have resources and research that make essential oils useful in daily life, for a variety of people.

Essential oil everyday use

Each individual has their own set of needs and preferences. Luckily, essential oils are versatile enough to provide a wide range of benefits for anyone who uses them. Some think they need professional training in order to use essential oils, but with a basic understanding of how essential oils work, it is easy to include them in your everyday routine. If you are wondering, “Do I really have use for essential oils in my normal, everyday life?” answer the questions below to see how essential oils might fit into your daily routine:

Q: Do you worry about using household cleaners that may expose your children to harsh chemicals or toxins? Q: Do you ever look for ways to strengthen damaged hair or a distressed scalp?

Q: Are you ever in need of products to keep your skin feeling and looking healthy and young? Q: Do you ever experience occasional digestive discomfort?

Q: Do you ever experience discomfort associated with occasional tension in the neck or head?

Q: Do you suffer from discomfort associated with seasonal and environmental threats?

Q: Are you ever in need of products to help support a healthy immune system? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you might have more use for essential oils in your life than you think. While some view essential oils as mysterious or complicated, they can be used for household cleaning, cooking and baking, improving well-being, and more. Along with the applications for everyday life, many enjoy essential oils because of their support in health, as well as their positive effects on emotions.

Using essential oils for health benefits 

In ancient times, people used essential oils and plant parts to improve their health and well-being. Because essential oils can be used to soothe occasional skin irritations, promote healthy digestion, support good oral health, create feelings of clear airways, and more, they have long been a popular choice for those who want to maintain good health.

As mentioned, essential oils offer a variety of benefits, and each individual experiences essential oil use in their own way. Fortunately, the diversity of essential oils makes them a helpful way to maintain health, even for those who have specific health concerns, seek diverse health benefits, or experience sensitivity. Using essential oils for health benefits has become popular because it allows the user to tailor the experience to their specific wants and needs, rather than settling for a generic solution.

The emotional benefits of essential oils 

With unique chemical structures, each essential oil holds a variety of benefits for the user. Some essential oils hold soothing, toning, and grounding properties, while others are known as energizing, uplifting, warming, or renewing. As our bodies go through an array of emotions and physical states throughout a single day, essential oils can help us manage and maintain well-being.

The chemical design of an essential oil gives it specific benefits. Some essential oils are helpful for cleansing or purifying, while others provide a soothing sensation to the skin. The aroma of essential oils can also create a chemical reaction in the brain, eliciting emotions and internal responses.

When you inhale a deep breath of an essential oil from the bottle, the oil’s scent is processed in the olfactory system of the brain through the olfactory nerve. As discussed earlier, the olfactory system is the part of the brain that is in charge of controlling your sense of smell. The olfactory system connects to the limbic system of the brain where your emotions and memories live. As you breathe in Our sense of smell can produce powerful, mental, physiologic, and emotional responses. the scent of an essential oil, the limbic system creates a response in your brain based on your memories associated with that particular aroma. Many times, the responses triggered by your limbic system can be emotional responses that are calming or uplifting, depending on the unique chemical structure of the oil. More importantly, because responses in the limbic system are based on memory, each person experiences each essential oil a little bit differently.


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Essential Oils for Beginners

What are essential oils? 

A variety of plants cover the Earth in different shapes, sizes, colors, and scents. Many of these plants contains compounds that typically can’t be seen with the naked eye—they hide within the roots, flowers, seeds, bark, or other areas of the plant. These compounds are known as essential oils. They are highly concentrated, making them extremely potent. Also referred to as volatile aromatic compounds, essential oils give a plant its aroma, protect it from harsh environmental conditions and insects, and even play a part in plant pollination.

 The science behind essential oils 

When you hear the word “volatile,” you may think it holds a negative connotation; however, in the case of essential oils, volatility refers to a substance’s ability to change its state quickly. The chemical makeup of volatile aromatic compounds in essential oils allow them to disperse quickly through the air. This is why you can instantly smell the potent aroma of an essential oil from the moment you open the bottle—even from a distance. As volatile aromatic compounds move quickly through the air, the essential oil user will experience the scent when the compounds interact directly with the brain’s olfactory sensors. (You’ll learn more about how essential oils interact with the brain in chapters two and three). With over 3,000 types of volatile aromatic compounds discovered so far, it is important to note that these compounds greatly determine the benefit, aroma, and nature of each essential oil. Because of unique chemical makeup, each essential oil will vary from species to species, and even from plant to plant.

Essential oil use throughout history 

While some view essential oils as a new trend, the use of plant extracts and plantbased products is deeply rooted in traditions of the past. Ancient civilizations used plants for things like aromatherapy, personal care, health care practices, religious ceremonies, beauty treatments, and food preparation. The infographic below shows that essential oil use is not a fad, but rather a long-time tradition started centuries ago in civilizations all over the world.

Egypt: Egyptians used plant-based products in beauty treatments, food preparations, burial rituals, and religious ceremonies.

Greece: In ancient Greece, men like Homer and Hippocrates explored the aromatic uses of plants, building on discoveries made by early Egyptians.

Rome: Ancient Romans often used plant extracts for massage, perfume, and scented baths.

Iran: In medieval times, people in the region of Iran often used and traded spices or resins for perfumery and maintaining health. India: Ayurvedic medicine, a holistic healing system native to India, has developed over the span of 5,000 years and includes the use of aromatic and plant compounds.

China: For centuries, traditional Chinese practices have included the use of plant materials to promote wellness.

France: Rene Gattefosse, a French chemist, is credited as the first to coin the phrase “aromatherapy” as he studied and researched essential oils thoroughly in the 19th century.

How are essential oils produced? 

Now you know that essential oils are derived from plants, but you may be wondering, “How does it work?” While there are several methods for producing essential oils, dōTERRA® focuses on steam distillation and expression in order to produce high quality oils. Both of these processes are organic, and allow the aromatic compounds to retain their potent, powerful aroma. It is important to remember that not all essential oils are created equal. The purity of an oil can change depending on geographic location, distillation methods, weather, and other factors. Additionally, no matter how well a plant is selected, cared for, and harvested, the quality of an essential oil can either be preserved or destroyed during the distillation process. Because of the attention to detail and precision necessary in distillation, it is often less of a process and more of an art form. Distillers must be precise and pay careful attention to harvesting, temperatures, time of distillation, the amount of pressure used, etc. To learn more about how a plant part becomes an essential oil, read about steam distillation and expression below.

Steam distillation

 As you may have guessed, the process of steam distillation uses heated steam (as well as pressure) to extract essential oils from their plant parts. Because this method produces clean, pure essential oils, it is the most commonly used process for producing essential oils. The pressurization used during steam distillation protects the complex chemical compounds of essential oils, because it allows the oil to be distilled at temperatures well below the normal boiling point.

The chemical profiles within the oil would be damaged or destroyed with other processes that use higher temperatures. Steam distillation begins with boiling water, which results in steam that passes through the plant material. As the steam passes through the plant part, the heat and pressure release the essential oil from microscopic protective sacs within the plant. The steam then carries the volatile aromatic compounds that were released from the plant into a collecting tube. Here, the steam cools and is condensed back into water, yielding a layer of oil. The layer of essential oil rises to the top, where it is separated from the water and collected. Since essential oils are lipid soluble, it is easy to separate them from water.

 Expression Unlike the process of steam distillation, expression (often called “cold pressed”) doesn’t use heat to extract the essential oil. Typically, this process is used to extract essential oils from the peels of citrus fruits like grapefruit, lemon, lime, orange, and bergamot. During expression, the rind of the fruit passes across grated cylinders that grind the peel’s surface, breaking open tiny sacs that contain essential oil. After the essential oil sacs are opened, the fruit is sprayed with water in order to collect the essential oil after it is released. This watery mixture then goes through a filtering process to get rid of any excess peel pieces, and the water is separated from the oil.

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