Becoming an "Oiler": How to Use Essential Oils

Thought it was time to share another "basics" post for my visitors who may not be familiar with aromatherapy. There are three basic ways to use essential oils: inhalation, topical application, and internal consumption.
Inhalation

The inhalation of essential oils heightens the senses and can trigger numerous desired responses in the body.

Below are several techniques used to inhale essential oils:

1: Direct inhalation-simply smell them.

2: Diffuse the oils using a Young Living diffuser which disperses the oil in a micro-fine vapor into the air. The Young Living diffuser will not heat the oils, thus ensuring full benefits, as extreme heat can damage important constituents in the oil.

3: Fill a humidifier with water. Put a tissue or small cloth, sprinkled with a few drops of oil, in front of the escaping steam. ( Do not put oil in your humidifier. It will float on top of the water instead of rising with the water vapor and may cause damage to your humidifier.)

4: Carefully pour hot water into a bowl and add a few drops of oil. Cover your head and bowl in a tent-like fashion with a towel. Breathe deeply and slowly.

Topical Application
Apply essential oils directly onto the skin where indicated. Dilute with V-6 Enhanced Vegetable Oil Complex or a pure vegetable oil (e.g., olive or almond ) before applying if dilution is indicated in the Application Chart. Dilution may protect against possible skin sensitivities. Key points of application on the body are:To apply topically on any of these areas, follow these simple steps:

1. Carefully tip the oil bottle and drop 2-3 drops in the palm of the hand or directly on the desired application area.

2. If dropping oil in your hand, rub palms together in a circular motion and then massage oil onto the desired point of application. If applying directly to the desired area, use your hand to massage the oil in a circular motion into the skin. Repeat if desired.

Attention: Essential oils are very potent, and some may be irritating to the skin. If irritation occurs, immediately apply V-6 Enhanced Vegetable Oil Complex or pure vegetable oil to the area to dilute. Please read label directions for each individual oil before using.

You can also create your own massage oil blends by mixing your favorite essential oils with V-6 Enhanced Vegetable Oil Complex or by using Young Living’s pre-mixed massage oil blends (e.g., Relaxation, Ortho Ease) to relax, uplift, soothe, and relieve.

Where to Topically Apply Essential Oils

Crown of head
Temples
Behind ears
Neck
Upper back
Abdomen
Over vital organs
Soles and top of feet
Ankles

Suggested internal consumption methods (Young Living Essential Oils labeled as a dietary supplement only! Never ingest any other brand of essential oils unless it is clearly labeled for internal use):

1: Put several drops of oil into an empty capsule and swallow with water.
2: Add 1-2 drops to a glass of water or rice milk.
3: Put 1-2 drops onto a piece of bread or add to your meals when cooking.
4: Add 1-2 drops onto a teaspoon of Blue Agave and swallow.
5: Drop directly onto the tongue and swallow.

Exercise extreme caution when using this method. Many oils are very strong and should be tested by pouring a single drop onto a spoon and tasting a small portion to determine the amount of oil to be used. Keep all essential oils out of reach of children and pets.

Young Living essential oils are pure, which makes them powerful and effective. For the responsible use of essential oils, read the complete label on each bottle and follow the safety guidelines and tips found in the Essential Oils Desk Reference (see left sidebar to order).

Subscribe to the Oils For Wellness free e-newsletter to learn more tips and benefits of therapeutic essential oils! Young Living products may also be ordered through this site, just click Get Started Now once you enter the website to see product catalog.

Be well,
Jen

A Reader Asks....

Recently an Oils For Wellness follower (and a top commenter I might add) asked some great questions. I thought it would be helpful to the other readers to answer them as a post rather than just a comment so here goes.

PJ at PJ's Prose says:

I do have a couple of questions if you don't mind. =)

If I read correctly, you can use essential oils in many different ways, including ingesting them. Is it just as effective inhaling them as it is ingesting them?

OFW: ONLY therapeutic grade essential oils that are labeled as a dietary supplement are safe to take internally. Look for a white box that says "supplement facts" on the label. Young Living Essential Oils is one of the very few aromatherapy companies in the world that grow, test, research, and distribute these pure plant oils to use as medicine.

Inhalation of oils is particularly useful for respiratory and emotional issues, as well as cleansing environmental air. Spinal or muscle injuries benefit the most by topical application to the spine, reflex points of the feet, or specific injured area. Internal use of essential oils is extremely beneficial for digestion, boosting the immune system, and in the case of a major health crisis like infections, cancer, and parasites. In some cases, all three methods of application of essential oils (topical, inhalation, and ingestion) are interchangeable and may produce similar benefits.

Do you use a diffuser or can you use an oil burner or does it matter?

OFW: A cold air diffuser, preferably an ultrasonic one, is the best way to disperse the essential oils into the air with the therapeutic molecules intact. Heating essential oils in ways such as an oil burner can destroy the delicate chemical make up of the EOs which gives them their healing properties.

Wouldn't the size of the room affect how much of the properties of the oils were getting into your system?

OFW: Diffusing in a smaller room does concentrate the number of molecules that are inhaled in short time period, however the molecules can remain suspended in an indoor environment for several days and are still beneficial even if diffused in a larger area. If there is respiratory congestion, for instance, it would be a good to get a larger concentration of EOs into the system quickly to break up the mucus/phlegm and fight infection.

Would the actual herb/flower be just as effective if brewed into a tea?

OFW: Essential oils are the therapeutic properties or "life essence" of a plant. When herbs are dried 30-90% of the essential oils evaporate. So when EOs are distilled, it makes them very concentrated. An acre of lavender can be distilled into one bottle of essential oil. One drop of peppermint EO is equal in strength to 28 cups of peppermint herbal tea! While herbal teas are certainly still useful, essential oils offer a broader spectrum of therapeutic properties that work in synergy to affect body, mind, and spirit.

The ability of essential oils to act on both the mind and the body makes them truly unique among therapeutic agents. The fragrance of some essential oils can be very stimulating- both psychologically and physically while the fragrance of other essential oils may be calming and sedating, helping to overcome anxiety or hyperactivity. On a physiological level, EOs may stimulate immune function and regenerate damaged tissue. Essential oils may also combat infectious disease by killing viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens. All of these things can occur simultaneously, which makes the use of clinical aromatherapy so exciting and fascinating!

Subscribe to my free e-newsletter to learn more about how essential oils can benefit your health everyday!

Yours in wellness, purpose, and abundance,

Jen

AromaTalk Tip of the Week: Respiratory Congestion

"My husband has always struggled with congestion, so we use R.C Essential Oil Blend. He says it helps him breathe easier and relieves stress in his chest. In fact, he says using R.C has helped him feel better than he has in ten years!" ~Kristina Jones, CMT

*One of the best ways to utilize this EO blend is by consistantly diffusing in the home so the microfine mist can be inhaled and absorbed into the lungs.

Transform Indoor Air With A Home Diffuser

Diffusing essential oils is one of the easiest and most effective ways to utilize the powerful germ-fighting, deodorizing, and uplifting qualities of therapeutic essential oils. This beautiful fountain style diffuser was just launched at Young Living Convention last month and I love the sleek new look! It has whisper-quiet ultrasonic technology and user friendly features. You can see how easy it is to operate in the video below.

This diffuser wholesales for $85 and during the holiday season includes a small bottle each of Christmas Spirit Essential Oil blend and Orange Essential Oil. Diffusers are available for 50% OFF with a coupon included in a Start Living kit like the Start Living With Everyday Oils kit which also opens a wholesale account with Young Living for future savings.


Some of Young Living Essential Oils most popular oils for diffusing:

Thieves®: University tested for its cleansing abilities.
Abundance™: Believed to attract positive energy.
Purification®: Excellent for cleansing the air of impurities.
Peppermint: Diffuse or apply topically for an energy boost.
Lemon: Revitalizing and uplifting, this essential oil is high in antioxidants.
Orange: Good for relaxation, this oil brings peace and happiness to the mind.
Grapefruit: Has a great citrus aroma that is refreshing and uplifting.
Citrus Fresh™: A relaxing, calming blend—great for adults and children.
Joy™: Diffuse this oil for a refreshing, uplifting effect.
Lavender: The most versatile of all essential oils, lavender oil is good for quieting the mind before bed.
Peace & Calming®: Helps calm tensions and uplift the spirit.

Facing Influenza With Essential Oils

You have probably seen the billboards and the TV ads asking the question "Are YOU the face of influenza?" To me, this question has victim written all over it. Don't get me wrong, we should definitely be concerned about contracting the flu, but should not fear it. With its dramatic tone and ominous black and white photos, the influenza awareness campaigns really play up the fear factor in a very subtle way. If one pays close attention, this campaign is actually an advertisement for vaccines.
My question would be "Is your immune system ready to face influenza?" Powerful bacteria and virus fighting essential oils are a great asset to your medicine cabinet for supporting the immune system. Here are some of the simple things that can be done to assist the body's natural defenses:

#1 Pray for your immune system and for the protection of your loved ones health many times daily. Do not be afraid, only believe!

• Wash hands often, and avoid using unwashed hands to touch eyes, mouth, or nose. Cover nose and mouth with a sleeve or tissue if possible when sneezing or coughing. Avoid close contact with individuals that are not well.


• In between washing, use a natural hand sanitizer with germ fighting essential oils such as Young Living's Thieves Waterless Hand Sanitizer. Avoid Purell, Dial, and many other common commercial sanitizers since soaking up all those synthetic chemical antibacterial agents and perfumes through our skin isn't promoting good health!


• Get enough restful sleep.


• Avoid sugary foods, this is especially tough during the holiday season. Sugar promotes acid and mucus production in the body. This can throw off proper ph levels which then creates a welcome environment for bacteria and viruses to thrive. NO high fructose corn syrup! Daily probiotics before bed encourages healthy intestinal flora with good bacteria.


• Be aware of psychoneuroimmunology, the study of how emotional and other psychological responses influence the biochemistry of the brain, hormone production, and the immune response. Our thoughts affect our bodies' immune system responses. Stress, fear, and worry can lower the production of the cells needed to fight disease.


• Educate yourself about vaccine risks and think twice about getting the flu shot. As with many vaccines, the often permanent damaging effects to our health can be much worse than getting the disease/virus.


• Maintain proper Vitamin D and antioxidant supplement intake as well as eating a healthy diet rich in essential fatty acids, fiber, and antioxidant fruits and vegetables.

Diffuse, diffuse, diffuse!
If you don't have a high quality cold air diffuser in your home yet, now is the perfect time to get into the practice of diffusing essential oils daily to create an unfriendly environment for the flu virus to hang out. Heating essential oils can damage the fragile therapeutic molecules, so candle burners, light bulb rings, and a pan of hot water on the stove are not good methods for diffusing. Some cold air diffusers like Young Living's Ultrasonic model have a built in timer. Running a diffuser in a central room of the home for 15 minutes every hour works well to disperse the micro fine oil mist and circulate it through the air where they can remain suspended for days. In very large homes, one diffuser is needed on each level for maximum therapeutic benefit.

Below are the essential oils that should be stocked in every home's medicine cabinet this fall!
Top virus-fighting essential oils for diffusing:
Young Living's Thieves Essential Oil Blend (see the full Thieves line of products)
Lemon
Ravensara
Tea Tree (melaleuca alternifolia)
Eucalyptus radiata
Top virus-fighting essential oils to apply topically:
Young Living's Thieves Essential Oil Blend
Young Living's Di-Gize Essential Oil Blend
Young Living's ImmuPower Essential Oil Blend
Peppermint
Mountain Savory
Oregano
Top virus-fighting essential oil supplements for internal use:
Young Living's Inner Defense Softgels
Young Living's Digest and Cleanse Softgels

DILUTE one EO single or blend 50:50 with a carrier oil and massage 2-4 drops on the chest, stomach, or lower back 2-4 times daily. Rotating singles and blends for each application works well so there aren't too many scents combining at the same time!
COMPRESS: Apply diluted oils above to lower abdomen and place a very warm damp towel 1-2 times daily.
Influenza Recipe for bath (from Essential Oils Desk Reference, 4th edition)

• 2 drops Eucalyptus radiata


• 6 drops frankincense


• 3 drops blue cypress


• 6 drops spruce


• 15 drops ravensara


• 1 drop wintergreen

Stir above essential oils thoroughly into 1 cup of Epsom salt or baking soda, then add mixture to hot bath water while tub is filling. Soak in hot bath until water cools. If you have very sensitive skin do a hot foot soak with a quarter of the mixture instead of full bath.

Every person's immune system responds in its own unique way when exposed to a bacteria or virus. There are no guaranteed silver bullets that will make us invincible, however essential oils have proven to be very beneficial and effective before, during, and after illness. To get the full therapeutic potential, essential oils MUST be therapeutic/medicinal grade products and MUST be used consistently. Playing around casually with them here and there just won't be effective especially in the face of a tough virus like H1N1. Learn as much as you can and arm yourself with these powerful, natural virus-fighting gifts from nature! Ask me about getting a Young Living wholesale account so you can save 24% off Customer prices on all your purchases.

These tips are for educational purposes only and not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Anyone who has a compromised immune system or thinks they may have the flu should consult with their health care provider.

The Essence of Thanksgiving

Since my childhood it has been a common practice to stuff the turkey and let it slow roast overnight. This year I got a 25 pounder to insure that there would be plenty of leftovers to share with other family members. My roaster just barely accomodated the huge bird, but I was pleased that it did indeed fit into my oven. I was looking forward to that traditional turkey fragrance when I woke up in the morning. My nose detected something unpleasant before I was fully awake. As I decended the stairs I could see a smoky haze over the living room. Uh Oh!

The roaster accomodated the meaty fellow, but apparently not all of the oily juice which was now bubbling over onto the bottom of the oven,creating a nasty burnt greasy smoke. Yucky! I flung open the windows, and hoped the stove and ceiling fan would move the smoky air out of the house. Thankfully we have another stove in the lower level, to which I promptly moved Mr. Turkey so he could continue roasting, minus a quart of oily juice. I turned on the diffuser down there which contained Purification essential oil blend and filled another one upstairs with Christmas Spirit to freshen the air.

As much as I dreaded it, the greasy oven was next on my list. Yay! Oven cleaning before my eyes were open, I groaned. First, I wiped out the pooling oil with several paper towels, then sprayed Thieves Household Essential Oil cleaner on the inside of the entire oven. I let it sit for a few minutes, then wiped. I repeated this a few times just with the cleaner and paper towels. It came clean without any harsh oven cleaners or scouring pads. When my family arrived I told them about the scary incident this morning. The house had a pleasant cinnamony scent and everyone said that they could hardly smell any smokiness at all. Whew, essential oils to the rescue and yes, the turkey turned out delicious to my great relief!

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

Essential Tip of the Week-Freshening Bathrooms

No need for those synthetically fragranced toilet paper roll deodorizers!

Simply apply a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the inside of the cardboard tube. The fresh scent can last for days while purifying the air.

For bathrooms with moisture/mildew issues, I recommend Purification Blend.