How do I use Essential Oils?

There are three ways that you can use essential oils to receive health benefits. Aromatic, Topical & Internal.

Aromatic

Using an oil aromatically is when you breathe the oil in through your nose. When you breathe in a Pure Therapeutic Grade essential oil that is certified, the affects of the oil reach the limbic system, which is close in anatomy to the olfactory system. The limbic system includes structures such as the hippocampus (long term memory), the amygdala (emotions), the hypothalamus (autonomic nervous system and hormones) and the cingulate gyrus (regulates blood pressure, heart rate and attention.) It is due to the fact the olfactory system is so closely connected to the limbic system that essential oils have such profound physiological and psychological effects.

How to Use Aromatically:

1. Buy a diffuser and diffuse the essential oil through the house. The aromatic effects are felt by all in the house. Find a diffuser that diffuses the oil with water, allowing you to blend any oil you desire.

I also like to put my diffusers on a timer so that I do not have to constantly be managing them. You can buy these at www.aromatools.com

2. Place a drop of the essential oil in your hand, rub your hands together, cup your hands over your nose and mouth and breathe in deeply. Some oils have more powerful aromatic smells than others and you may want to hold the hands a few inches from your nose and mouth. I do not recommend doing this with hot oils that can burn the skin, such as: oregano, cinnamon, & thyme. A respiratory blend oil will help support the lungs.

3. Place the essential oil bottle under your nose and take a deep breathe.

How much oil do I use?

This is personal preference. My suggestions:

Diffuser – when first starting to use essential oils in a diffuser I would start light with 1-3 drops. Over time, as you get used to the smell and the benefits you can up it to 6-10 drops. I consistently put 6-12 drops in my diffuser.

In your hand – 1-3 drops is effective

(I do not suggest diluting oils when using them aromatically.)

Topical

To use an oil topically is the process of placing an essential oil on the skin, hair, mouth, teeth, nails, or mucus membranes of the body. Applying essential oils directly on the body without any dilution is often referred to as “neat.” Since essential oils are so potent, and because some essential oils may irritate the skin or other areas of the body, they are often diluted with a pure vegetable oil (usually called a carrier oil) such as fractionated coconut oil, almond oil, sunflower oil, jojoba oil, etc. When rubbing or some kind of light massage is used when applying essential oils, the essential oils topically efficacy can go up to 80%. Make sure you add a light massage to the application of all oils topically.

How do I use an essential oil topically?

The rule of thumb for topical is “put it where it hurts.” If you have a want to soothe your head, put it on your head or temples. If you want to soothe your stomach, rub it into your stomach. If you want to soothe a certain muscle, rub it right into that muscle.

The most efficient places to put an essential oil to go through all the systems of the body is on the bottom of the feet. The essential oil is absorbed within 30 seconds. Layering (the act of applying more than one oil at a time) is most effective when 30 seconds is given between the application of each oil. The essential oil travels through the body reaching each main system, organ, muscle and cell within 20 minutes.

Places to put essential oils topically

-Area of concern

-Bottom of the feet

-Wrists (major artery, faster absorption into the blood)

-Neck (over the jugular, again faster absorption into the blood)

-Base of the skull ( Ex: Frankincense)

Caution: When applying oils to small children you should always dilute the oil with a carrier oil. 1-3 drops of essential oil to 1 tbsp of carrier oil.

Never put an essential oil in your eye or ear canal!

How much oil do I use?

This is personal preference. For me it depends on the oil I am using and why I am using it. Depending on what your body needs, adjust how much oil you use. I usually use between 1-6 drops. Every person’s body is different, so experimentation for you is the key.

Listen to your own bodies signals.

Internal

Internal use is the process of consuming or otherwise internalizing the essential oil into the body. Only Therapeutic grade essential oils that have supplemental food grade labels should be used for consumption. Internalizing non Therapeutic grade oils can expose you to pesticides, harsh chemicals, non pure oils and watered down effects. There are many oils that are approved for internal use and given the designation of GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe for human consumption). Oils without this designation should never be used internally without first consulting with a certified healthcare professional.

Internal benefits of using Therapeutic essential oils are vast. Internal use of oils is one of my favorite ways to support my body with receiving healthy nutrients. I have found it supports my bodies immune functions so well that many of my complaints clear up in 24 hours.

How do I use essential oils internally?

Sublingual – place an essential oil under your tongue. This is the fastest way to get it into your body because the blood capillaries are so close to the surface of the tissue under the tongue. Many essential oil constituents are able to pass directly into the bloodstream. The blood takes the essential oil where it is needed in the body.

Capsules – Some essential oils are too hot (oregano, thyme, cinnamon), or have a taste that you do not prefer. In these cases it is easier to take the essential oil in a capsule, you get the benefits of the oil without the taste, (unless you drop some on the outside of the capsule.) You can buy empty vegetable capsules from many health food stores and stores on the internet. You open up the empty capsule, place the oil in the capsule and then close the capsule back up. I prefer to use a dropper when putting my oils into capsules. With the dropper I can accurately choose how many drops to place into my capsule. There are also essential oils books that you can buy online that have recipes in them.

Beverage

Put the essential oil into a beverage. Lemon, Lime, Wild Orange, and Grapefruit are divine in water! Yummy. You get the benefits of the alkalizing effects of the oil in your body as well as the great taste. For taking oils, like oregano, that do not have a great taste, I recommend putting them in some sort of juice.

Cooking

Essential Oils can be incorporated into cooking. Health benefits & great taste! Use a small amount of oil when cooking, the oils are very powerful. For some oils, I even suggest just dipping a toothpick in the oil and adding that to the dish.

How much do I use internally?

Again, this is personal preference. I suggest starting with 2-4 drops of an oil. If you do not have the desired effect from the oil, up the level to 6-12 drops or a full capsule, or try another oil. Listen to your body to find what works best for you.

Essential Oils- The Missing Link

This is Julie Reed saying “Claim Your Whole & Complete Living Today!”