I am completely head over heels in love with essential oils. I seriously cannot get enough of them. I use oils every single day for everything under the sun. I have no idea how I got by before without them! Because I love them so much, I want to share them with all of you…my friends and family…random passersby on the street. They are that life changing and fabulous. Truly.
One major concern for people new to essential oils is their safety. Essential oils, though growing in popularity for very good reasons, are not “mainstream.” People aren’t automatically familiar with what they are or how to use them, and that makes trying them a bit scary for some. Imagine if you had never heard of over the counter pain medicine, and someone out of the blue told you to swallow a strange pill to alleviate your headache. Having no idea what it was, you’d be a little cautious before taking it! It makes sense that we all tend to balk — at least a little — when presented with new, “strange” things outside of our realm of familiarity.
Most people are in that position when it comes to essential oils. In fact, it takes on average at least four interactions before a person new to essential oils decides to finally try them. Although EOs are effective and natural wellness aids, they are a little bit foreign to most people. If you are in that place where you are new to essential oils and aren’t sure how to use them, I want to shed some light on how you can incorporate oils into your daily life and the life of your family — and how to do so safely.
The good news is this: essential oils are generally safe. They are certainly not a high-risk thing. However, like with any health supplement, there are some guidelines to be followed and things to keep in mind when using essential oils to ensure that we are using them properly. Knowing when and how to use oils is the best way to start out on a journey toward an empowered and enriched life, all thanks to these beautiful brown bottles and the liquid gold inside of them.
Basic Do’s and Don’t’s of Essential Oils:
Do buy from a reputable company that has rigid standards of sourcing, collecting, and testing their oils to ensure that each oil is 100% pure therapeutic grade, free from pesticides or other impurities, and consists of the correct properties. Pure essential oils beyond organic and are the safest and most effective oils on the market. An impure or contaminated essential oil will be less effective at best and may even be harmful at worst. Contact me to learn which brand of oils I use and recommend.
Do follow the appropriate use guidelines for each specific oil or oil blend. Each oil has specific intended and safe uses. Oils can be used aromatically, topically, or internally, and many can be used in more than one way. However, some oils like wintergreen are toxic when ingested. Never disregard safety information. If you ever have any questions about appropriate usage, I’m always just a message away.
Do test new oils on a small patch of skin before using topically. If you’ve never used an essential oil, it’s a good idea to test it on your forearm for a few hours before applying to larger area of your body. Each body is different, and some people may have sensitivities to certain oils.
Don’t continue use of an oil if you have an allergic reaction. If you test an oil and experience a negative effect, discontinue use. If you place an oil on your skin and experience a negative reactions, such as burning, dilute the oil with a fatty carrier oil, not water. Water and essential oils do not mix, and adding water to the oil on your skin may actually make your reaction worsen.
Do dilute oils with a carrier oil. While some oils can be used neat (without a carrier oil), most will need to be diluted with a fatty carrier oil such as olive or coconut oil. When using EOs on sensitive skin or children, they should be diluted even further. As with almost everything, children need a smaller dose than adults. Luckily the my most trusted oil company offers guidelines for all of their oils so you never have to wonder!
Don’t use oils on cats or small pets like hamsters. While essential oils can be used safely on some pets and livestock, cats and small animals are a different story because they metabolize things differently and are extremely sensitive. Their bodies aren’t the same as ours.
Do research each oil or blend before use. This goes back to knowing the appropriate use of each oil before using it. You also need to be sure that the oil you want to use is safe during pregnancy, or if it can cause sun sensitivity, and the general safety protocols for that particular oil. It’s important to know what an oil supports or promotes before using it. For example, if you were on a long drive and wanted to diffuse an oil to promote alertness, you certainly wouldn’t want to reach for a relaxing oil such as lavender! (You might, however, want to diffuse some peppermint in that situation.)
Don’t use oils in a way that makes you uncomfortable, even if someone else does so without any problems. If you are not comfortable with a certain usage of an oil, don’t let the fact that others use it that way make you go against your own personal feelings. Each body is different, and each person should use their oils not only in the appropriate way for the oil, but also in the appropriate way for the person. I am happy to help you determine which oils may be right for you! We can even set up time for a one-on-one conversation to discuss the options that best fit your needs.
Do keep essential oils in a safe place away from children, pets, flames, and sunlight. They should also be stored in dark bottles like the ones they are originally packaged in as light exposure may degrade their quality. Keeping your oils in a safe place keeps your children and pets safe and prevents the EOs (which last a minimum of 5-10 years if stored correctly) safe from damage caused by direct sunlight or extreme heat.
Don’t forget that essential oils are highly concentrated. A drop goes a long way! You only need a drop or two at a time for most essential oils. Using them in larger amounts is unnecessary and may increase the chance of a negative reaction.
Do be careful about buying essential oils from anywhere other than directly from the company or wellness advocate. Essential oils from iffy sources may be diluted, stuffed with synthetic fillers, or it may not even be the essential oil it claims to be at all. Quality matters and you won’t find it from the cheapest sources. It’s also very risky to purchase from individuals selling online, even if they claim to be selling a certain brand — they can easily tamper with the product. If you want to know how to buy essential oils and know you’re getting the real deal, contact me and I’ll let you know how to get the best oils shipped directly to you straight from the source.
Don’t use essentials oils in your eyes, ear canal, or other sensitive body parts. These areas of your body are especially sensitive and oils shouldn’t be applied there. EOs can be used around the outside of your ear, just not inside your ear.
And finally….
Do remember that each body is different. I have pointed this out a couple of times already, but it bears repeating. Your body may respond differently to certain essential oils than mine does. Always keep this in mind when someone tells you about how a particular oil works for them, because it may not work in the exact same way for you. I can apply peppermint neat to my forehead, but my mother’s eyes will burn if it’s diffused too strongly. She could never apply it neat to her face like I can, simply because we are two different people and we often react differently to the same things.
I hope this helps you better understand how you can incorporate essential oils into your daily life in a way that is safe and comfortable for you. If you have any questions, want to purchase essential oils, or want to learn how to get the highest quality oils for free, contact me!
Cheers
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