Beginner’s Guide to Essential Oils
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read my terms of use policy for more info. Thanks for supporting a small business!
Essential oils have surged in popularity and rightly so. The benefits it can bring to yourself and your household are tremendous. But where do you begin? Which oils are truly the must-have’s to start with?
Today we will cover
What are Essential Oils?
How they Improve your Health and Daily Life
Best Oils to Start With!
How to Use- Diffuser, Topical, Inhalation??
What are Essential Oils?
They are highly concentrated oils that come from distilling or extracting the different parts of plants, including the flowers, leaves, bark, roots, resin and peel. They have been used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes.
Today we use them for their powerful health benefits as well as household, skincare, spiritual and other wellness applications.
How Essential Oils Improve your Health and Daily Life
The uses of these amazing oils are too many to count! Here are some of the main ones:
Reduce stress and anxiety
Boost your immune system and fight off infections
Increase your energy
Relieve headaches, and other aches and pains
Enhance skin and hair health
Promote a restful night’s sleep
Help balance hormones
Aid in meditation practices
Cleaning and disinfecting your house
Best Oils to Start!
The top 3 essential oils to begin with are ones that pack a powerful punch and can be used in many different ways. These 3 oils are so versatile. There are so many ways you can use them for healing, skincare, or household cleaning.
Lavender
This is the absolute first oil I always recommend. This essential oil has a floral, fresh, sweet aroma and is so gentle. It can be used for so many applications!
It is calming and can be used for anxiety, stress and depression, improving your mood or getting to sleep.
It is antibacterial and works for cuts, scrapes and burns.
Try it out for skin issues like acne, oily skin, stretch marks, rashes, scars and wrinkles. Or freshen laundry!
2. Lemon
Lemon essential oil has a fresh citrus scent that is uplifting and energizing.
It can boost your immune system, fighting off colds and flu. Just open the bottle and smell the wonderful fragrance to uplift your mood and energy.
This is my go to for cleaning and for clearing odors from a room. Use it to clean kitchens and bathrooms and freshen your house.
3. Peppermint
Peppermint has a fresh, minty, uplifting scent. It contains menthol and helps with headaches, aches and pains.
It is stimulating and enhances alertness and stamina. Use this oil to overcome nausea and stomach queasiness. It also reduces fever and supports digestion.
Ready to get started? Grab all 3 of these essential oils, HERE!
This is my set of oils. I love the storage box it comes in!
Plant Therapy is one of my favorite brands, and I’m so excited to share them with you! They state clearly on the website if each oil is safe for kids, pregnancy, or pets. They have a ton of organic oils and a large section of oils safe for kids. They are cruelty free and do rigorous third party testing. They provide tons of info on how to use the products and offer free shipping and free returns.
How to Use- Diffuser, Topical, Inhalation??
So how do you actually use these oils to reap all of the amazing benefits?
1. Inhalation
Diffusing is very popular and so easy. Simply place a few drops of your favorite oils right in, add water and you’ll be on your way to feeling great! Keep diffusing to 30 minutes to an hour and take breaks. Many oils are not safe for pets so keep pets in another room.
This is one of my favorite user friendly diffusers.
My favorite method: Smelling directly from the bottle. This method is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and its effects are felt Fast! Just open and smell directly from the bottle.
Couldn’t be easier!
2. Topical
If you use it on your skin, it must be diluted with a carrier oil since they are so concentrated. Use oils such as coconut oil, jojoba, argon or grapeseed, among others.
General guideline for healthy adults: 2% dilution is 12-18 drops of essential oil in 1 ounce (30 ml) of carrier oil.
Sensitive skin, immune compromised, elderly, pregnant: 1% dilution is 6-9 drops of essential oil in 1 ounce (30 ml) of carrier oil.
Use more or less drops based on your own health and sensitivity!
Here are some high quality carrier oils to get started, click HERE.
3. For Cleaning
I keep some essential oils in the kitchen so I can just reach for them when I need it. Try putting a few drops down the garbage disposal to freshen it.
DIY RECIPE:
You can make your own all purpose cleaner! You’ll need:
essential oil(s) of your choosing (Try lemon and peppermint)
white vinegar
castile soap or dish soap
water (filtered or distilled is best)
spray bottle
Mix 10-15 drops of essential oils with 1 tsp castile or dish soap in a spray bottle. Add 1 part vinegar with 3 parts water. Shake!
Don’t use on porous surfaces like granite as it can dull the surface over time.
Some oils are photosensitive. This means your skin can turn red or inflamed if going out in the sun within 12 hours of topical application. These oils include Lemon, Lime, Bergamot, Grapefruit, Orange, Tangerine, Angelica root, Cumin, Mandarin.
Remember to use only 100% pure essential oils, never synthetic. The oils that are best for you are the ones that you think smell amazing! Trust yourself and listen to your body!
Enjoy and comment below on which oils are your favorites!
Pin for Later!
