Curious About Essential Oils? Learn the basics right here!

Curious About Essential Oils? All you need to know to get started with oils is right here!

You’ve heard about essential oils. You’re curious. Wondering what the hype is all about. Wondering what they can do for you. Here is the lowdown on the oils. Get ready to be schooled, oil style ;)

First, take a look at the ingredient lists of the products that you have in your bathroom and kitchen. Can you even pronounce them all?! Never mind know what they actually are! Every day we put products on our skin, in our body, and breathe them, but many of these products contain damaging synthetic chemicals. The average person applies 300 synthetic chemicals to their body every single day, and 80 of those chemicals are applied before breakfast! Most are from four things – soap, makeup, shampoo and hair care. The biggest pollutants in our home are fabric softener, dryer sheets, air freshener plug-ins, and candles. You could be harming your family every day with the stuff that you can’t even pronounce that’s in the products in your home. Health and safety data only exists for 15% of all of the synthetic chemicals out there, even though so many are known to cause asthma or endocrine (hormone) disruptions.

[If you want to check out how bad some of the products in your home actually are, check out the Think Dirty app - https://www.thinkdirtyapp.com/ ] 

Essential oils are a better way! 
They are totally chemical free, they are steam distilled or cold pressed, and come from pure plants. There’s nothing in the essential oil other than that one oil, whether it is lemon, orange, lavender, peppermint, cinnamon or others. There are so many uses for essential oils which range from cleaning supplies to personal care products (i.e. toothpaste, hand soap, lotion, and deodorant) to aromatherapy through a diffuser to even oil-infused nutritional supplements.

It all seems like a lot, I know. But don’t be too scared. As many of you know, I’m a teacher turned stay-at-home mom. Just because I’m no longer in the classroom, doesn’t mean I don’t like to teach! Oils are something that I have become passionate about. So this is where I get my teacher fix in!

Keep reading here in my “Curious About Essential Oils?” which is free information about how you can get rid of the chemicals in your home! I will walk you through step by step. It’s easy, simple, and it’s a small change you can make to protect your family and take charge of what’s in your house.

WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL OILS?

They are the most powerful part of the plant. They are distilled from shrubs, flowers, trees, roots, bushes, fruit, rinds, resins, and herbs. Oils consist of over 100 different natural, organic compounds.

In humans, essential oils provide support for every system in the body, including your skeletal system, your muscular system, circulatory system, endocrine system and your hormones, respiratory system and immune system. They support brain health and a healthy weight. They are used for helping with emotions and for spiritual support in prayer life. An essential oil in a diffuser can soothe a child’s tough day at school or provide a calming effect when you’ve had a stressful day at work or a long day at home with the kids. Oils can be used as an alternative to toxic cleaning chemicals in the home. You can literally start swapping out the chemical cleaning toxins in your home with oils to live a more simple & pure lifestyle. Even better is that you can do it without going broke! (Seriously! We’re on a tight budget here!)

There are about 300 essential oils on the earth, but you really only need about 10-20 oils to build a good base oil kit.  And contrary to what most people think, you do not need to be an aromatherapist to use them! In most cases, you just rub the oil topically into the skin.

There are 3 main ways to get oils into your system:

1. Topically, by rubbing the oil on the skin

2. Ingesting and cooking with the oil

3. Diffusing and inhaling, which can be the most effective method because the oil doesn’t have to pass through the digestive system.

How do they enter and how long do they last? 
Tests have shown that oils reach the heart, liver, and thyroid in 3 seconds when inhaled; they were found in the bloodstream in 26 seconds when applied topically. Expulsion of essential oils takes 3-6 ours in a normal, healthy body.

ESSENTIAL OILS HISTORY

Essential oils were first mentioned by name in the Bible in the book of Genesis, chapter 37, when Joseph was sold to salve traders. They carried spicery, balm and Myrrh. Genesis ends with the burial of Joseph’s father anointed with myrrh. Oils were even used by Jesus! When he was first born he was given gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. Frankincense is sometimes referred to as “the coconut oil of essential oils” because it has over 10,000 uses. Oils are mentioned 1100 times directly or indirectly in the Bible.

[And let's be real for a second - does it really come to a surprise to anyone that God gave us everything we needed from the very beginning? In Genesis 1:29 it says, “And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.” – This “food” from plants can satisfy not only hunger needs in our bodies, but other needs as well, hence essential oils. God had a plan to care for us from the beginning!]

Some of the oldest cultures on earth also used essential oils. The Babylonians placed orders for Cedarwood, Myrrh, and Cyprus. The Egyptians used essential oils for beauty and embalming and they have the oldest recorded deodorant recipe made with essential oils. Pakistan and Rome used essential oils in the communal bath houses. Essential oils were used by the Medieval Europeans, many of whom brought oils back during the Crusades. It was only after World War II when essential oils were “rediscovered,” and the science on their uses grows every single year.

DO ESSENTIAL OILS WORK?

I started really getting into oils about 3-4 years ago. Lavender smelled nice in my bath water with some Epsom salts and orange and peppermint appealed to me as scents that could calm or distract me during labor. Tea tree was highly recommended and used for blemishes and scrapes. But none of them ever really had a truly significant effect on my body. I used to buy my lavender in the local grocery store for $10 or less, or online for even cheaper.[I didn’t know there was a difference!]  In the United States, there is no rating system for essential oils. The closest we get is a FDA requirement that in order to label a bottle of essential oil “pure” or “therapeutic grade,” the contents of that bottle must contain at least 5 percent essential oil! That’s it! Only 5%! Whaaaaaat?!?! [The math teacher in me goes crazy over this!]

All oils in the world fall into one of 4 categories: Grade A, Grade B, Grade C and Grade D

1) Grade A is therapeutic, made from organically grown plants and distilled at low temperatures

2) Grade B oils are food grade, but may contain synthetics, pesticides, fertilizers, chemical extenders, or carrier oils.

3) Grade C oils are perfume oils that often contain adulterating chemicals. They usually use solvents, for example, hexane, to gain a higher yield per harvest. Solvents can be cancerous, and are in many store bought oils. They may also be diluted 80-95% with alcohol.

4) Grade D is called “floral water,” which is aromatic only and is usually a byproduct of Grade A distillation. After all the oil is pulled out, the leftover trash water is sold to companies which will fill 5% of the bottle with this leftover trash water, top off the rest with carrier oils, and label it “pure.”

Grade A is the only true pure oil. Grade D would be like walking into your fridge, taking a glass of orange juice and diluting it 95% before you drank it! It wouldn’t have the full benefits of orange juice. That’s why you want Grade A oils. Before you purchase, check to see if the company grows their own plants, owns their own fields, and controls the entire process from Seed to Seal – from the farm to the sealed bottle. Pesticides, pollution, and previously farmed land can all affect the quality of an oil. Young Living’s oils are all Grade A. Why would you go the extra step of using an essential oil to get away from a toxic synthetic chemical, and then use an oil that’s loaded with other chemicals? It makes no sense!

One of the things that is really important to me is Young Living’s Seed to Seal process. It’s a promise of integrity. Gary Young has said he never makes an oil for a profit, he makes it for a purpose.

Seed to Seal process means:

- each plant is hand-weeded  [For real!]

- no pesticides are used

- no synthetic chemicals

- no weed killers

- plants are harvested at their peak

- plants are put through a vigorous testing process

- they go from the farm directly to your home

Seed to seal is not a slogan, it’s a promise. You can learn more by checking out the Young Living story, and fall in love with the company as I have, at seedtoseal.com.

WHY DO OIL COMPANIES SELL OILS MORE CHEAPLY?

Bottom line - to save money. If you spray your crop with pesticides, you have more crop to distill. If you use a chemical solvent to extract the oil, you pull more out of the plant. If you dilute it with a cheaper oil or a carrier oil, you stretch the oil you have distilled. Most essential oils are sold more cheaply because companies cut corners!

HOW OILS ARE MADE

It takes a great deal of work to produce a tiny amount of essential oil! Here are some examples:

             -60 thousand rose blossoms provide only 1 ounce of rose oil

            -Lavender is abundant – 220 pounds will provide 7 pounds of oil

-Jasmine flowers must be picked by hand before the sun becomes hot on the very first day they open, thus making it one of the most expensive oils in the world! It takes 8 million hand-picked blossoms to produce 2.2 pounds of oil

-A Sandalwood tree must be 30 years old and 30 feet high before it can be cut down for distillation

But a little bit of essential oil goes a long way! Most oils are about $10 to $30 a bottle. A 5ml bottle contains about 90 drops, and a 15ml bottle contains about 250 drops. Each application is one to three drops, meaning even a small bottle will get you 45 to 90 applications. Thieves cleaner is made of only  plants and costs about $1.50 a bottle to make. You can’t even get that in the organic section at the grocery store! It replaces a multi-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, and floor cleaner. The organic versions of those can run you $4 to $6 per bottle. How can you go wrong with this easy switch in your home? [I use this and LOVE it! It's the first cleaner I feel completely at ease with using to clean the counters, sinks, toilet , high chair tray and toys!]

ARE THEY SAFE?

There are certain oils that are photosensitive, meaning you don’t want to wear them when you’re going outside. These are mostly citrus oils, like grapefruit, lemon, etc.

When using on your skin, always watch for redness and dilute with a carrier oil. Dilute oils on children, because their skin is more permeable and absorbs the oils more quickly.

What is a carrier oil? It’s a fatty oil like olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, etc. and its molecules are much larger than those of essential oils. Using a carrier oil with an essential oil slows down the rate the body can absorb the essential oil, because it has to ping pong through the large molecules of the carrier oil to get into your skin.

Be wary of putting oils topically near your eyes. Some oils, like peppermint, can cause a burning sensation. If you are placing oil near your eye, apply the oil to a Q-tip instead of tipping the bottle toward your face.

What about the internal use of oils? Young Living has created a Vitality line with distinctive [white] labels so you can easily recognize which oils are safe to take internally. These vitality oils are also only sold in 5ml bottles.

USING ESSENTIAL OILS

When you use Young Living’s essential oils, you’re using a product with one single ingredient, like Lemon, Oregano or Tangerine. There are no additives and no yucky synthetic chemicals. Just pure, plant-based oils.

I know it can all seem a bit overwhelming. I was there once too. I knew I wanted to start getting rid of all of the chemicals in my life and replacing them with oils. In order to do this though, I knew I’d need a small collection of oils to meet many of our everyday needs. So, I decided to kickstart my oil journey with a Young Living starter kit. It’s the only thing you’ll find on the Young Living website that is half off! And honestly, we’re on a budget here, so I wanted to find something that was the best bang for my buck. The kit comes with a diffuser [$65 value] and 11 bottles of essential oils which average out to be less than $10 per bottle [You can’t find Grade A oils for that price anywhere!]

WHAT COMES IN A STARTER KIT?

Frankincense – One of the top skin oils. It helps to smooth the appearance of skin. It is a key ingredient in Young Living’s “Brain Power” essential oil blend. Diffuse it during prayer time to help with grounding and purpose. I use this in a nightly face serum.

Lavender – The oil of relaxation. Diffuse it for a calming, soothing aroma. Unwind by adding a few drops to a bath. It is one of the top oils to support healthy skin. It’s called “the Swiss Army knife” of essential oils because of its many uses. I use lavender like the father in My Big Fat Greek Wedding uses Windex :)

Peppermint – Supports gastrointestinal comfort. Promotes healthy bowel function and enhanced healthy gut function. Helps maintain efficiency of the digestive tract. May support performance during exercise. I use one drop in my coffee grounds each morning for digestive health and morning alertness.

Purification – Diffuse to freshen the air and eliminate odors. Add to a carrier oil to moisturize your skin or for a soothing massage on your feet. Use in a spray to enjoy an annoyance-free outdoor experience. This one is my stink saver for laundry! I put it in the washer on the forgotten overnight wet clothes and I also add a few drops to my wool dryer balls. It has also replaced all room sprays, deodorizers, etc. 

Thieves – Helps maintain a healthy respiratory system  and helps maintain overall wellness by boosting immunity. You can add a drop to hot drinks for a spicy zing. This is the oil that really pulled me into Young Living! Not only does it smell great, but it also does a big job in helping with all of my little germ-catchers!

Stress Away – Promotes wellness and may be an important part of a daily health regimen. One of the top emotion oils! I wear this one as a perfume many days. And diffuse it during nap time :)

Lemon – Its citrus flavor enhances the taste of food and water. It is a key ingredient in Thieves and NingXia Red. It may help support the immune system. And it has a clean, fresh scent!

PanAway – You can apply this oil blend after exercise to help soothe sore muscles. It has a stimulating aroma. Applied to the back and neck, it gives a soothing aromatic experience. It also supports the appearance of helathy skin coloration.

Copaiba – Promotes overall wellness. It supports nearly every system in the body. Also a great skin oil. I use this one when we have teething issues and monthly cramps.

DiGize – This is the top oil for supporting the digestive system. Add two drops of this along with a drop of Peppermint to water for a stimulating beverage. You can also take it in a veggie capsule internally. You can apply topically when you have a yucky tummy.

R.C. - Supports a healthy respiratory system. Diffuse for a comforting aroma. Contains eucalyptol. Rub on feet and chest. It encourages an atmosphere of comfort. When colds & coughs hit us, we diffuse this in the bedrooms to help us get through the night.

HOW DO YOU ORDER?

Go here: https://www.youngliving.com/vo/#/signup/new-start?sponsorid=10706388&enrollerid=10706388&isocountrycode=US&culture=en-US&type=member

My member number is 10706388 – you use this as the sponsor & enroller number

When you sign up with me as your Young Living sponsor, I will be like your oils & healthy living coach! I will provide you with the proper resources, links to where you can buy the needed materials, lots of oily recipes and opportunities for oil education, both online AND in-person. You will become a member of our HUGE (and continually growing!) oil education support group on Facebook.  I also send out monthly emails and try to keep up with oily posts on my blog.  

And I’m available to answer questions whenever you may have them! 
You will not be left alone to figure out oils on your own!


DISCLAIMER
The information presented here is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, prescribe or treat any health condition and should not be used as a substitute for consulting with a professional health care provider. This information applies solely to Young Living products and should not be used in conjunction with other brands of Essential Oils.

Many thanks to Sarah Harnisch at Oil Ability :)