I have essential oils, now what?
Whether you are thinking of using essential oils in your
home or recently purchased essential oils, it can be overwhelming. Believe me,
I know.
There is a lot of information to consider when you introduce
essential oils into your home and use them on your family. What’s accurate?
What’s safe? What’s important? I am here to help you sort through it all.You will see terms such as dilution, carrier oils,
topically, diffuser, etc… don’t be overwhelmed and don’t get intimidated.
Dilution
Dilution is used in reference to carrier oils and safety. When
you appropriately dilute essential oils, you are protecting yourself from sensitization
and irritation. You will see a dilution chart similar to the following:
learningabouteos.com
Also, you can find out more about dilution and when to
dilute at what percentage here: http://www.learningabouteos.com/index.php/2013/08/07/properly-diluting-essential-oils/
Carrier Oils
Carrier oils are oils we use when applying essential oils
topically (on the skin). Some examples of carrier oils are fractionated coconut
oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, olive oil etc… You can find these carrier
oils at your local health food store. I commonly use fractionated coconut oil
because it is odorless and colorless. According to www.aromaweb.com, “a carrier
oil is a vegetable oil derived from the fatty portion of a plant, usually from
seeds, kernels or the nuts.”
Three ways to use
essential oils
There are three ways to use essential oils: topically,
aromatically & internally.
Topical application is the process of placing the oil on the
skin. This can be done by placing the essential oil on any part of the skin,
mouth, hair or nails. The area of direct placement can be irritated if the
essential oil is not diluted and applied neat. Refer to dilution charts when
preparing any kind of blend.
Aromatic application is the process of inhalation of the
aroma of the oil. The most common way to use an oil aromatically is by using a
diffuser. A diffuser releases a vapor from room temperature water that
disperses the oil within a space. You can also open a bottle of essential oil
and hold close to your face and inhale.
Internal application is the process of ingesting essential
oils. You must be careful when using this method because you do not want to
ingest essential oils with additives and other unnecessary ingredients in them,
it can be harmful. Honestly, I do not practice and would not practice taking
essential oils internally without being under the supervision of someone
qualified.
Storing Essential Oils
Only store essential oils in dark glass bottles and in cool
dark environments. Essential oils can breakdown plastics and sunlight can
damage the essential oil, therefore making the therapeutic benefits deteriorate.
What can I do with
essential oils?
SO MUCH! There are recipes out there for making your own
deodorant, lotions, diaper rash creams, face serums, house cleaners, healing
salves, laundry detergent and more. The possibilities are endless. My whole
idea of using essential oils is fading out the use of mainstream cleaners and
products that use harsh chemicals that aren’t too great for us.
Stay tuned for an
article on safety…
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food
and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure,
or prevent disease.
Please dilute
appropriately when using essential oils.
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