How To Use Essential Oils
3 Different Ways To Use Essential Oils
Essential oils can be used in three different ways. Here you’ll learn about the three methods and how to do them safely. If you have any questions on essential oil usage, please feel free to reach out to me. Please note that these three different ways that I recommend to use essential oils only applies to doTERRA oils. The reason for that is their quality. I don’t recommend using and applying low quality essential oils found in stores that can have additives and chemicals added to them. You might end up with an allergic reaction or other adverse reaction. Also I do not recommend taking any other essential oil brand than doTERRA internally. The reason for this is that most essential oils sold on the market today are not pure enough for internal use. If you are pregnant or have existing medical concerns or you take prescription medicines, please use caution when using essential oils internally and discuss with your doctor. I’m be happy to give you further guidance as well. Just feel free to contact me by filling the form below.
1. TOPICALLY (on the skin)
Using essential oils topically is the most common way to use them. I always recommend using a carrier oil when applying essential oils unless you are applying them on the bottoms of your feet but even then it’s good to dilute. This is to minimize skin sensitivity and possible allergic reactions. Some “hot” oils should never be used “neat” meaning without a carrier oil. Some of the hot oils are oils like cassia, cinnamon, clove etc.
What’s a carrier oil?
Carrier oil is any vegetable oil that is mixed with the essential oils prior to application. My favorite two carrier oils are fractionated coconut oil and sweet almond oil. Fractionated coconut oil is very light and absorbs quickly without having the scent of coconut since it’s odorless. Almond oil is great if you are looking to add more moisture to the skin at the same time. Argan oil is similar and is great for facial application.
How Much To Use?
Use about 1 teaspoon of carrier oil and about 1-5 drops of essential oils depending on the oils used and the age of the person. You wouldn’t use as much of oils on children or babies as you would for adults.
Photo sensitivity
It’s best to avoid direct sun expose of the skin for 12-24 hours if you use certain oils that can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. These essential oils include Angelica, Bergamot, Cumin, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lemon Verbena, Lime, Yuzu, Orange, Tangerine, Mandarin
Pregnancy
Certain essential oils should be avoided during pregnancy especially in the beginning. Many essential oils can be used during labor and delivery to aid the body in the process. Here is a list of essential oils that are generally considered safe during pregnancy (always check with your doctor if you have concerns): Bergamot, Cilantro, Coriander, Fir Needle, Frankincense, Ginger, Grapefruit, Helicrysum, Holy Basil, Juniper Berry, Lavender, Lemon, Lime, Orange, Patchouli, Peppermint, Sandalwood, Turmeric, Vetiver and Ylang ylang.
2. INTERNALLY (ingesting)
Some essential oils can be taken internally but with caution. It’s best to discuss this with a professional (I’d be happy to help) and your own doctor if you have health concerns prior to ingesting essential oils. Some essential oils can interfere with prescription medicines so you want to be careful before ingesting oils. Also some essential oils are not recommend to be taken internally if you have a very sensitive stomach, IBS or any related condition or you are pregnant or nursing. Always take essential oils with food.
Essential Oils Not Intended for Internal Use
Certain essential oils should never be taken internally. Here is a list of essential oils not to be taken internally: Basil, Birch, Black Pepper, Cardamom, Cedarwood, Citronella, Clary Sage, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree (Melaluca), Rose and Wintergreen.
How to Take Essential Oils Internally
The easiest way is to use vegetables capsules like the ones offered by doTERRA. I can help guide you through how and what oils to take if you are interested in taking essential oils internally. doTERRA makes internal usage very easy with their essential oils since they are verified to be ok for internal use. Also the oils that cannot be ingested are noted on the doTERRA oil bottles. You want to be extremely cautious of the essential oils you ingest because not every essential oil brand or essential oil can be used internally. Just because an essential oil bottle says 100% pure doesn’t mean it’s 100% pure. It can only contain 25% essential oils and the rest is fillers. You wouldn’t want to ingest an essential oil like that not knowing what the other fillers are and how your body might react. This is why I personally recommend doTERRA essential oils if you are interested in trying the oils for internal use. Always start with the smallest amount and be extremely caution if you have an existing medical condition. Also be sure to check with your doctor if you are taking prescription medicines or have an existing medical condition prior to using essential oils internally. The safest ways to use essential oils are topically and by diffusing.
3. AROMATICALLY (smell)
Using essential oils aromatically is another great way to get the benefits of oils without having to apply them on your body. You can smell the aroma of essential oils directly from the bottle or put a drop on your hands, rub together and inhale. You can also diffuse the essential oils to purify the air or lift the mood etc. There are several different type of essential oil diffusers on the market. I love doTERRA diffusers but have bought some from Amazon as well. I recommend getting a cool mist diffuser that has an automatic water shut off meaning it will shut off if the water runs out. You always want to use filtered water, if you can, to avoid diffusing chemicals from the water into the air. You just fill the diffuser with water to the level listed in the manual and add 3-5 drops of essential oils depending on how strong you want them. I would avoid diffusing essential oils with cats due to their delicate bodies. If you do diffuse essential oils with cats around I would keep a close eye on them and also make sure they are not locked in a room with a diffuser running. Typically others pets are ok. We have 2 dogs and a bunny and have never had any issues with diffusing at our house. Diffusing is a great way to use essential oils because you can make your own scents/blends. Some oils can help with concentration and lifting the mood so it’s fun to experiment with different oils. My favorite oil blend is sandalwood and rosemary for getting homework/work done. You can also apply essential oils on essential oil jewelry made from lava rocks and enjoy the scent/aromatherapy on the go. I personally design essential oil bracelets which can be found here.
