Let's talk about essential oils. If you are at all familiar with my product line you will have noticed I use therapeutic grade essential oils in EVERY product. So, what does that mean? Today I want to give you some basic information on essential oils; when they are used, how they are used, and why so many people are completely obsessed with them.
So, what are essential oils?
Essential oils are the concentrated liquid form of plants, seeds, roots, flowers, and trees. When grown, harvested, and distilled properly the essential oils that are realized can have a variety of life-enhancing benefits. Essential oils have have been used for centuries to promote balance to all body systems and are revered for their restorative properties to the body, mind, and spirit.
How are they used?
Topically: Essential oils can be applied directly to your skin (though in most cases should be diluted first), mixed into a massage oil, or added to your health and beauty care products.
Aromatically: Inhale directly from the bottle. Diffuse in a diffuser. Add a few drops to a bowl of hot water, cover your head and bowl with towel and breath deeply. Use disks in the shower!
Internally: Add 1-2 drops to a glass of milk or water. Put several drops in a vegetable capsule and take with a full glass of water. *Only take internally if pure therapeutic grade and obtained from a trusted source. I love Amazon for many reasons but not for getting essential oils. There is just too great a risk of the oils being tampered with and I know this from experience.
What is Therapeutic Grade?
There are four grades of essential oils produced today.
1. Therapeutic grade EOs are pure, medicinal, steam-distilled essential oils containing all desired therapeutic compounds.
2. Natural Organic and Certified Oils pass oil-standard tests but contain just a few or no therapeutic compounds.
3. Extended or Altered Oils are fragrance.
4. Synthetic or Nature-Identical Oils are created in a laboratory.
At this time, essential oils are not regulated by the FDA or any other outside quality review board so just about any company can claim their oils are therapeutic grade. Many oils on the market today are extended or altered oils that are essential oil based but "enhanced" with lab created constituents to increase volume or fragrance and are still labeled as therapeutic grade. Be sure to obtain your essential oils through a distributor of a company that oversees each step of the production process. And remember if it seems too cheap to be any good... it probably is. I only use pure therapeutic grade essential oils from a company with decades of experience and rigorous quality controls that set the industry standard for purity and authenticity.
For more information on how to obtain your pure therapeutic grade essential oils contact me.
When to use essential oils? You mean, besides, all the time? Hehe.
Here is a look at what a day in MY life may consist of:
Apply facial serum with Frankincense, Rosemary and Lavender for moisture.
Diffuse Lemon, Lavender and Peppermint to relieve allergy symptoms.
Apply diluted Peppermint to temples to relieve headache.
Inhale Frankincense from bottle for emotional pick me up.
Diffuse Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus and Rosemary for immune boost... apply same oils in the form of hand sanitizer for on-the-go instant cleanser.
Apply Lavender, Cedarwood, and Vetiver on back of neck for focus.
Exfoliate and moisturize hands with Stress Relief Sugar Scrub containing Copaiba, Cedarwood, Vanilla, Ocotea and Lavender EOs with the added benefit of a mental boost.
Apply Lemongrass, Peppermint, Wintergreen, Helichrysum, Clove, Spruce, and Eucalyptus in castor oil to bottom of foot to address pain from plantar fasciitis.
Add Ginger and/or Peppermint EO to hot tea to help settle upset stomach.
Diffuse Geranium and Bergamot to relieve anxiety, uplift spirit, and balance emotions.
Apply Oregano, Clove, Lemon, and Frankincense to the pad of each foot (see Vita-Flex Foot Chart) to help fight off a sinus infection (or as preventative) or put same oils with carrier oil in vegetable capsule and take with full glass of water.
Apply lavender to the bridge of nose to relieve congestion.
Use facial toner with Lemongrass, Rosemary, and Tea Tree for cleansing skin and apply night cream with Frankincense and Patchouli which prevents wrinkles and acts as a relaxant.
Spray sheets with Lavender linen spray to promote sleep and/or apply some bedtime body balm to the bottom of feet for ultimate relaxation.
Yes, I do actually use this many A Mother's Nature products, if not more, in one day!
After seeing just some of the ways I use essential oils, can you guess why so many people are totally infatuated with them? Not only can they address many physical ailments without the need for pharmaceuticals, but essential oils also enhance mental or emotional and spiritual wellness.
You need to know how to use them. I've kept a journal since Day 1 full of notes for different "recipes" and instructions, what to do and what not to do. And having good resources to get you started goes a long way to ensuring you make positive life changes instead of treating oils as a passing fad. Just like medications, essential oils may work differently for different people. By all means, do your research and determine the best source to refer to when you get overwhelmed. I would personally love to answer any questions you may have about getting started or just talk oils. Best of luck on your oil journey!
*For informational purposes only. This article is not sanctioned by the FDA nor is it making claims that these products diagnose, cure, or prevent diseases. Please consult a healthcare professional before beginning any health regiment.