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
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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