Are you intrigued by the world of essential oils but feel overwhelmed about where to start? Or perhaps you’re a seasoned user seeking to refine your knowledge and discover new applications? This A To Z Essential Oil Guide will serve as your comprehensive handbook, providing you with the information and guidance needed to confidently and safely incorporate essential oils into your daily life.
My wife and I have been using essential oils for many years, and we’ve learned so much on our journey. From experimenting with different brands to completely overhauling our medicine cabinets, we’ve become passionate advocates for these natural solutions. We’ve compiled our experience into this guide so you can benefit from our knowledge.
Essential Oil Usage: The Do’s and Don’ts
Before we dive into the specifics, it’s crucial to establish some ground rules. This a to z essential oil guide includes essential do’s and don’ts to ensure safe and effective use:
Daily Do’s:
- Inhale: Utilize diffusers, inhalers, spritzers, and other methods to enjoy the aromatic benefits of essential oils. Experiment with popular diffuser blends to discover your favorite combinations.
- Topical Application: Incorporate essential oils into your daily body care routine.
- Education: Learn the fundamentals. Resources like aromatherapy courses can provide a solid foundation.
- Enjoy Responsibly: Use essential oils in moderation, like adding a drop of lemon or orange oil to sparkling water for a refreshing treat.
- Empowerment: Embrace the empowering experience of using essential oils and natural therapies.
Daily Don’ts:
- Ingestion for Prevention: Avoid consuming essential oils daily for preventative purposes. This can be wasteful and potentially harmful. While I used to believe in taking a drop under the tongue, it led to esophageal irritation and acid reflux.
- Miracle Cure Mindset: Don’t believe that “there’s an oil for everything.” Essential oils offer significant benefits, but they aren’t a panacea.
Aromatherapy for Fragrance and Well-being
For centuries, cultures have recognized the power of aromatherapy, using plants and aromatic herbs for spiritual and medicinal practices. While modern distillation techniques offer us access to concentrated essential oils, the essence of aromatherapy remains the same: harnessing the natural properties of plants for well-being.
Replace toxic plug-in air fresheners with essential oil diffusers. Diffusers not only create a pleasant aroma but also release medicinal compounds into the air.
Studies have shown that inhaling diffused lavender essential oil can:
- Decrease oxidative stress
- Reduce postnatal depression and anxiety
- Improve mood for people suffering from PTSD
- Enhance sleep and decrease moodiness
- Increase overall health status
- Prevent allergic reactions
Furthermore, topical application of diluted lavender essential oil can accelerate the healing of cuts and burns.
- Burns: Mix a 2% dilution of lavender in thickened aloe vera gel.
- Eczema: A 2% lavender body butter can expedite healing. Combine equal parts beeswax, cocoa or shea butter, and sweet almond oil (or apricot kernel oil for those with almond allergies) to create your butter base.
- Sunburn or Dry Skin: Add 5 drops of lavender to 1 ounce of chilled aloe vera gel.
Essential Oils for Daily Body Care
In addition to inhalation, topical application of essential oils offers numerous benefits. When applied to the skin, essential oils are absorbed into the bloodstream within minutes and metabolized within hours. This allows the body to benefit from their healing chemical compounds. Plus, topical application provides the added benefit of inhalation as volatile organic compounds reach your nose.
Incorporate essential oils into your homemade body care products, from toothpaste to body lotion and hand soap. By using essential oils in your body care routine, you can avoid synthetic ingredients that may be harmful to your health. Your skin is your largest organ, and what you put on it is absorbed into your body.
All of your body care products can be made with essential oils.
Oil Pulling: An Ancient Detoxification Practice
Oil pulling is a simple yet effective way to detoxify your oral cavity and promote overall health. This ancient Ayurvedic practice involves swishing oil in your mouth to remove toxins and create an antiseptic oral environment.
Although I recommend oil pulling a couple of times per week, I don’t advise doing it every single day. It’s important to give your body a break from detoxifying treatments.
Oil pulling works by drawing out fat-soluble toxins from your mouth. Traditionally, oil pulling has been used to treat a range of systemic diseases, from headaches and tooth decay to diabetes and asthma.
To perform oil pulling:
- Swish 1-2 tablespoons of coconut, sesame, or olive oil with 1 drop of essential oil for 10-20 minutes in the morning.
- Spit the mixture into the trash or a container to avoid clogging your pipes.
- Rinse your mouth with warm water, preferably salt water.
- Brush your teeth as usual.
Oil Pulling & Essential Oils Guide Uses
I recommend oil pulling no more than 3-4x per week.
- Add 1 drop of clove, lemon, or orange essential oil with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil.
- If you’re battling an infection, you may want to would change it up and use 1 drop of an immunity blend as a holistic remedy.
Oral Care with Essential Oils
Enhance your oral hygiene routine by adding essential oils to your toothpaste or creating your own remineralizing toothpaste.
Here are some of our favorite combinations:
- One drop of clove, peppermint, or orange on your toothbrush will supercharge your fluoride-free toothpaste
- Himalayan pink sea salt, baking soda, unrefined coconut oil, and essential oils for homemade remineralizing toothpaste.
Boosting Immunity with Essential Oils
Essential oils can also be used to support your immune system.
Recent research studies suggest that frankincense can kill cancer. The essential oil also promotes health and vitality in neighboring non-cancerous cells through a process known as “cell selectivity,” which is pretty amazing when you think about it!
In addition to frankincense, my essential oils guide suggests using other EOs that pack a super-powerful antioxidant boost, with clove topping the charts. I like to make an immunity blend that includes 1 drop of each of these oils: cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, lemon, orange, and rosemary.
To help prevent getting sick around flu season and boost your immune system, try using my immune boosting shot 2- 3 times per week at the onset of a cold or around flu season.
Morning Immune Booster Recipe
This simple recipe can help boost your immune system:
Ingredients:
- 1 packet Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C
- 1 teaspoon raw organic local honey
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil, extra-virgin AND unrefined
- 1-2 drops Immune Boost Blend Essential Oils *
- ¼ teaspoon Pumpkin pie spice , organic
- tiny pinch Himalayan pink salt , ground
Instructions:
Mix together in a glass bowl and enjoy twice daily at the onset of a cold or once per day for prevention.
Wash down with pure, filtered water.
Be sure not to use it for more than two weeks at a time.
Quality Matters: Choosing the Right Essential Oils
Not all essential oils are created equal. Choose pure, organic oils from reputable brands to ensure you’re getting the best quality product. Look for oils that are “food grade” and avoid those with synthetic ingredients.
If I wouldn’t swallow it, I wouldn’t put it on my skin.
When buying essential oils, make sure they are pure and that you aren’t purchasing fragrance or adulterated oils.
Conclusion: Embrace the Power of Essential Oils
This a to z essential oil guide provides a foundation for incorporating essential oils into your daily life. By understanding the do’s and don’ts, exploring various applications, and prioritizing quality, you can unlock the numerous benefits of these natural solutions. Start exploring and discover the transformative power of essential oils!
