Essential Oils 101

What is an essential oil?

Essential Oils are made from plants for physical and emotional benefits. They are distilled from leaves, flowers, tree bark, seeds, or rind of fruit in concentrated amounts. Typically, one drop of an essential oil has a powerful effect making them affordable at just pennies per use!

 

How do I use essential oils?

There are many ways to use essential oils, including relaxation, personal hygiene, household cleaning, cooking, and supporting a healthy body. Every oil has at least one of three application methods: Aromatic, Topical, or Internal.

 

For Aromatic Use ~ Breathe in or use a diffuser to open up airways, improve mood, or freshen the air.

For Topical Use ~ Use a carrier oil when applying to target specific needs.

For Internal Use ~ Never consume essential oils just in water. Use in a smoothie, hot chocolate, or as a culinary aid when cooking, or diluted with a carrier oil in a veggie capsule.

 

What are some basic safety tips?

1) Photosensitivity - No sunbathing after applying citrus essential oils. Citrus oils are sensitive to the sun since they are made from the rind of fruit. Avoid direct sunlight to the exposed area for at least 12 hours or that location may have a skin irritation or burn.

 

2) Hot Oils - If it starts to burn, skip the water. Use a carrier oil or whole fat milk. Because essential oils don't mix with water, applying water to the area can actually drive the burn in deeper. Ouch!

 

3) Avoid These Areas - Never put essential oils in your eyes, inside ear canal, or up nose. However, you may apply diluted oils around the eye bone in a C shape, on ear cartilage and behind ear bone, or diffuse essential oils.

 

4) Dilution - Use a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil when applying essential oils topically to avoid skin sensitization.

 

5) Safe Storage - The majority of all adverse reactions to essential oils by children have been as a direct result of accidental overdose and ingestion in large amounts. Keep out of reach of children. Use child proof safety caps.