I know my blog name says it all, but I wouldn’t consider
myself to be a “crunchy” or “green living” mom. I don’t buy all organic and I don’t always
recycle! I do, however, try to be a
good steward to my family and to the world we live in. But, I will tell you that I don’t always
succeed. Now, being a mainstream mom, I do like to try new
things. I remember hearing about
essential oils a few years ago and rolling my eyes at the thought of an oil being
so drastically beneficial. I know oils
have been around for a long time, but I do feel like they’ve recently become
extremely popular.
*Disclaimer: I am not a Doctor, and this information is not
meant to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.*
I first became interested in essential oils when I hosted a
shopping event in my own home! My house smelled so good and I was interested in
learning more about these magic oils. I
am assuming this is about the same place that you are right now. You are/were hesitant about such oils, but
are open to hearing more about them! You came to the right place! I am here to
give you an unbiased opinion, because I have been where you have been and now I
am on the other side.
What are Essential
Oils?
Essential oils are highly concentrated liquids that are
extracted from plants, flowers, stems, and other plant parts. Whether or not you want to admit it, we all
know that there are some plants that are beneficial to us. Think of the roses your significant other
gets you on Valentine’s Day. Don’t you
just love putting your nose in them and inhaling the beautiful aroma? Doesn’t
it instantly make you happy and stress free? Did you know that there are other benefits to
Rose oil, such as purifying blood and boosting libido? I didn’t either, but this is the whole point
of essential oils. It’s not that they
just smell good, although some of them make me wrinkle my nose, but they have
other benefits to them too!
Where can I find these
oils and which ones should I buy?
Essential oils are becoming so popular that you can find
them at almost any store that sells bath/beauty products, including the big
chain stores. There are also independent distribution companies, such as Young
Living and doTerra. I am not here to
tell you which place is the BEST place to buy from. However, I will caution you to do a little
bit of research. See how the plants used are harvested and how the oils are
extracted. Essential oils should NOT have an expiration date on them. If they have an expiration date, I would
suggest to look for a different brand. These oils should be pure, without added water
or other ingredients. You will see that prices of different oils
vary. It takes roughly 50 lemons to make
a 15 ml bottle of essential oil. On the
other hand, it takes 30,000 roses for a 15 ml bottle of Rose oil! Just be
mindful of that, in case you get sticker shock!
How do I use
essential oils?
There are three ways to use essential oils; aromatically,
topically and internally.
Aromatically – You can
diffuse any oil you would like, in a diffuser.
There are so many good smelling oils out there, and they can be
beneficial to inhale. For example,
diffusing peppermint oil is great for a cough or congestion. Diffusing essential oils is a great alternative to candles!
Topically – Add a drop of
essential oils to some carrier oil (vitamin e oil, coconut oil, etc) and apply!
Essential oils absorb into your blood stream quickly, so they can be beneficial
with a backache, headache, or sore muscles!
Be sure to always read the labels and do research to see where they
should be applied. Typically, you can apply them to the bottoms of your feet, wrists,
neck and temples! Or, try adding a few drops of Lavender oil to a warm bath! Sounds relaxing, doesn't it?!
Internally – Always read the
labels first, but some oils can be ingested! Young Living has a “Vitality”
line, which are oils, specifically for ingesting.
Ingesting essential oils can help detox your body, aid digestions and
support internal organs! If you’re
looking for a place to start, try adding a few drops of lemon oil to your water,
or adding thyme or oregano oil to your favorite dinner recipes!
My family and I use essential oils every day in our
house. I diffuse oils in my kid’s rooms
during nap time and during the night and I, almost always, am wearing an oil
topically. If you are teetering on the edge of giving them a shot, go for
it! Essential oils have so many benefits
and uses! They can become a very useful tool in your home!
