How To Start Using Essential Oils
There are so many benefits and ways to use essential oils and uses for essential oils that we will just start with some basics here, and go into more detail in future blogs.
Enhance your physical wellness
Modern lifestyles don’t always create optimal conditions for physical wellness. Poor diet, lack of exercise, and an overabundance of environmental toxins can leave the body unbalanced and diminish energy levels. From cleansing and weight management to supporting every system of the body, essential oils and essential oil-infused supplements can provide the targeted solutions you need to restore balance and feel your best.
Inspire a positive emotional state
Love the way the spritz of fragrance from a fresh orange peel can brighten your day? Each essential oil’s complex, pleasant, and unique scent activates the limbic system—the brain’s center of emotion and memory—differently. While some essential oils may uplift the spirits, others may empower you to release negative thoughts and habits. Essential oils can be your key to a more fulfilling and balanced emotional life.
Purify your home
Harsh chemical formulas aren’t your only home cleansing option. Enjoy peace of mind without compromise when you polish countertops, clean sticky messes, and cleanse dirty surfaces with the gentle but effective power of essential oils and our Thieves™ line of products.
So here are some basics to get started with. =)
Direct Application / Topical Application
When essential oils are applied to the skin, their healing components are absorbed into the bloodstream. From there they disperse to the specific organs and systems on which they work. Some of the essential oils’ components, carried via the bloodstream, can also pass through the blood-brain barrier to the limbic system in the brain, where they can influence the endocrine and autonomic nervous systems.
Whether inhaled or applied topically, essential oils can help bring about fundamental changes in physical, mental and emotional wellbeing by triggering, and strengthening, our bodies’ own natural responses.
Some of the common effective places to apply the oils are the crown of the head, temples, behind the ears, neck, upper and lower back, under the nose, abdomen, and the collarbone.
Apply the oils directly on the area of concern using 1-6 drops of oil. Usually just a couple drops will achieve the desired results. More oil is not necessarily better. A large amount of oil could trigger a detoxification effect.
If you put an oil on your hand to rub onto another area of your body then cup your hand over nose and inhale. When you are doing that with peppermint you will find that it is stronger after rubbing your hands together then smelling it right out of the bottle.
A few guidelines for direct application are:
- The feet are the one of the fastest area of the body to absorb oils because of the large pores.
- Other quick absorbing areas are the wrists and behind the ears.
- When massaging a large area always dilute the oils V-6 Oil.
- Layering oils refers to applying one oil applying one oil, rubbing it in, and then applying another oil. There is no need to wait more than a couple of seconds between each oil, as absorption occurs quite rapidly. Layering individual oils is preferred over mixing your own blends. Do not mix oil blends, the chemical properties can be altered when mixed improperly.
- Hot moist compresses can be applied over the application area, the moist heat will force the oils deeper into the tissues.
- Some essential oils are topical analgesics and provide a powerful pain-killing effect.
- When applying to infants and small children dilute with V-6 Oil.
Using Oils on Pulse Points
Pulse points allow for easy absorption.
Essential Oils can be applied to numerous pulse points, however the most popular point is on the inside of the wrist. Apply to inside of wrist and inhale through the nose.
Inhalation:
When essential oils are inhaled through the nose, aromatic molecules are carried through the lining of the nasal cavity via tiny olfactory nerves, located in the roof of the inner nose, to the part of the brain called the limbic system. The limbic system in turn influences the endocrine system and the autonomic nervous system.
The endocrine system is a major regulatory force in the body. It consists of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream; these hormones act as chemical mediators to regulate many bodily functions including mood, metabolism, and growth and development.
The autonomic nervous system operates, for the most part, below the level of our awareness. It connects the brain and spinal cord to the limbs and organs and directs, via electrical impulse, basic instinctive bodily functions such as heart rate, digestion, respiration rate, salivation, perspiration, and sexual response.
While it may seem counterintuitive, inhalation can be the most direct method of delivery for the healing components in oils. Through the nasal cavity, the chemical messengers have direct access to the brain and can go straight to work on the systems that moderate the body.
DiffuserDiffuse – with cold mist diffuser
A diffuser will disperse the essential oils into a micro-mist that will stay suspended for several hours. When oils are diffused they release oxygenating molecules, as well as negative ions. They freshen the air. They also help to create physical and emotional harmony. Read the post on how essential oils work to understand more about how this happens.
You can find a link to purchase a diffuser, as well as the oils here at http://essentialoilsenhancehealth.com/
Feet Massage
Your feet are one of the fastest areas of the body to absorb oils. 3-6 drops per foot are usually adequate.
Body Massage
When massaging a large area of the body always dilute the oils V-6 Oil.
Baths
Add 3-6 drops to the bath water as the tub is filling.
Perfume or Cologne
Wearing the oils can provide wonderful physical and emotional support, plus the wonderful fragrance.
Cooking
Essential oils can easily be incorporated into your cooking, just remember they are very concentrated. Usually 1 drop or less is all that is necessary. You may use a toothpick to use smaller amounts of oil, then stir it into the food.
Other therapies we will talk about in another blog are Vita Flex Therapy, Auricular Therapy and the Raindrop Technique. They all will require more explanations.
Only oils with the GRAS FDA designation are recommended for internal use.