How to use your essential oils: a beginners guide

Let me guess, you got your starter kit and then said something like "now what?" 

My kit sat in a drawer, I pulled out the bottle of lavender because we all feel comfortable enough with that one, and used it all up before discovering that I basically had a swiss army knife box of oils that could support me in many, many ways. I hope I can show you a few ways to use your oils (confidently) after getting your kit. 

So let's clear the air on the "how?" "where?" "which one do I use for what?" questions. 

Open your starter kit of oils and pull that top section out. Prop it up so it is on display in your home in a common area. Mine are between my living room & kitchen in my one bedroom apartment. Very visible ;) The next step is to consider these first for any type of support you may need. These are pure oils, they were created to protect plants, and they have those same properties (if distilled correctly) that support our bodies. Wayyyy cool.  

As far as using oils, there are three ways that they can actually be applied to your body. 

First, you can use them topically. You may be unaware but I promise, you have some oil common sense. Does it smell "spicy?" or "hot" like cinnamon or eucalyptus? Then you may want to add a carrier oil (like coconut oil, or v6). If it smells mild and calming, like our friend lavender, that one can go directly on the skin. One drop will do, these are potent. Still scared? Peel back the label and read if dilution is recommended :)  I also choose topical application when it makes sense. Head tension? you might want to feel the cooling sensation of peppermint to support that. Try putting oils on the bottom of your feet (this is a great area for absorption, and safe for kiddos because it is not near the eyes). I also love to make oil rollers and roll them right on my wrists, spine, and neck depending on the scent, and the purpose of the oil. 

Second, oils can be inhaled. Twist the cap off, and take a deep breath. This will get the molecules into your system faster than you think! Or fill your diffuser with water to the fill line, and put a few drops (3-4) in the water to diffuse. This will purify the air, and get the oils into your body. We diffuse 2-3 times a day here in our home. This is a great alternative to candles and air fresheners since many of them have toxins that are damaging to our health. With the different combinations of oils in your diffuser, you will be able to pull off any of those cozy holiday scents that you love. Try lavender and frankincense in the diffuser at nighttime. Or raven and lemon in the diffuser during the winter months for happy breathing. 

Ingesting. With my posts and oil advice, I am always referring to Young Living products. Quality is extremely important when it comes to oils, and detrimental when it comes to ingesting them. This is a personal choice, and one way that I love using oils. It is as simple as putting a drop of lemon or peppermint in your water. If I need seasonal support, I make a vegetable capsule with peppermint, lemon, lavender, and copiaba. Digize and peppermint in a capsule are wonderful if you need digestive support. Lavender or peppermint could be added to lemonade or brownie recipes. The combinations and uses for them are endless. 

Confidence using your oils will come, someday you'll wonder how you actually lived without them.. But for now try exploring one oil at a time to watch/feel how they work with your body. They were designed for a reason ;) and are always considered as my first line of defense.

Have any questions about your oils or how to use them? Please comment below!