Essential Oils: What Are They & How To Use Them

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If you have been anywhere near the internet the past couple of years [very unlikely, right?] I’m sure you have seen the new craze… Essential Oils!

I was very intrigued when I first started seeing all these reviews and suggestions from people who used them regularly.

Have a headache? There’s an oil for that.

Kids having trouble falling asleep? There’s an oil for that.

Need a deeper clean for your house? There’s an oil for that!

It almost seemed irresponsible to not check out what these oils could really do and how they could benefit my family!

*This post contains affiliate links from Amazon, meaning I may earn a small commission should you choose to purchase through post links. This is of course at no extra cost to you and helps keep the blog up and running.

Let me start by making this statement… This post is purely opinion based on my knowledge of the oils I have actually used and had experience with. I hope you see this as a beginner’s perspective, and please offer any tips of your own if you have them! Let’s break it down:

Who Are Essential Oils For?

Simple answer… anyone and everyone! I have seen many bloggers, friends and even family who use them. This makes me feel tons better about trying them, because people I actually know and trust use them on a regular basis.

Let’s go over a couple terms before we get TOO far in…

• Essential oils or EO – an undiluted pure oil or blend
• Carrier oil – an oil like coconut, avocado, grapeseed, or any other oil you use when applying essential oils topically
• Diluting – “watering” down an essential oil depending on use
• Diffuser – the device you use to “mist out” essential oils for aromatherapy

What Brand Of Essential Oils Should I Use?

Yeesh.

There are SO many brands out there! I have personally tried Young Living and Revive Essential Oils. I recently made the switch to Revive but not because I don’t like YL! They are just more budget-friendly without sacrificing great quality!

I highly recommend doing your own research before choosing what type of oils to use.

How Do You Use Essential Oils?

So. Many. Ways.

They can be used topically with a carrier oil, ingested (I still don’t know how I feel about that one!) or diffused.

Diffusing

My favorite way to use the oils are by diffusing them.

[A diffuser just takes the oils and water and puts them out in the air through a mist]. ❤

I place however many drops of a mix of oils into the diffuser with lukewarm water, and let them diffuse until it runs out. The diffuser featured in the starter kit above has worked so well for me! I have had it a little over a year now and it still works as well as the day I got it. It also has a shut-off feature, meaning I can turn it on and have oils diffusing right before bed, without worrying about it staying on all night.

You can also mix a few drops of your favorite smelling oil with water and make a room freshening spray! I love using tangerine or lavender to spray on our bedding and pillows!

Topically

Essential oils can also be used topically.

From the research I have done, you need a carrier oil to mix. You can look up each and decide what you think would be best! I personally use this brand of almond oil from Amazon. I double the number of drops for the carrier oil per drop of EO [2:1].

Always test a spot of skin before rubbing it in a big area!! I’ve never personally had any irritation or reaction to any of the oils I’ve used on my skin.

One of my favorite oils is PanAway from Young Living. My husband tends to get a lot of kinks in his neck and shoulders, and massaging this oil into those places really makes a difference! If he can notice a difference after using it, I know it is legit 😉 I will typically use 2 drops of PanAway and 4 drops of the carrier oil for that area.

Another oil I use topically often is Peppermint oil. This is great for relieving headaches!

A while time ago I had a friend give me some to use when I told her that I had a terrible headache, and within 20 minutes I noticed a huge relief! Ever since then, I will try the peppermint oil first before I take any medicine if it gets to that point. I only use one drop of Peppermint and 2 drops of the carrier, and just rub it on my temples (not close to your eyes!) and the back of my neck. It works wonders!

Accessories You’ll Need:

Some accessories you’ll need to start using oils today:

• Carrier oil – use this or another kind of carrier oil with a 2:1 oil to essential oil ratio before applying topically
• Diffuser – I LOVE my diffusers from Young Living… they are pricey but so beautiful and have lasted me for years! I also have this cheaper one from amazon I use for smaller rooms, it would work to get you started. 🙂
• Glass roller bottles – create your own recipe using your carrier oil and whichever EO you want! For example, make your own headache remedy or smell good perfume fragrance to simply roll on.
• Glass spray bottles – for mixing oil and water to use as a room spray.

My Favorite Essential Oil Recipe:

I love diffusing Peppermint, Lemon and Lavender.

The smell is just uh-ma-zing! This blend is especially useful for when my husband or I are struggling with seasonal allergies. Just last week my husband was feeling pretty crummy, so two nights in a row I diffused this blend and guess what? He woke up feeling ten times better! It makes me happy every time when I can help my family using a method outside of medicine!

Keep reading for the recipe…

Ta-da! You’re ready to go.

I will usually let this diffuse at night when we are going to bed and until it runs out; usually it lasts about 6 hours so. It can also be used for just a nice and clean smell for your home.

So there you have it! A beginner’s perspective on essential oils 🙂 If you have any questions or know any other tips on using essential oils, please comment below! I would love to hear from you.

Here is a $10 off $50 coupon for your first Revive EO purchase!

*I want to clarify that these are ALL my opinions and you should always consult with your physician before using oils on or around your kids, pets, etc. 🙂

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