How To Use Essential Oils

Essential oils can be used in several different ways for optimal healing affect. The application methods below are the most popular and safest way to use essential oils. Depending on the type of oil and the desired outcome you can use one or more of these methods.

Diffuse: Use a diffuser by adding a few drops twice a day to absorb oils through the respiratory system. This route is fast and effective and is great for almost all the oils especially the oils that are anti-viral,  anti –bacterial, calming and relaxing. You can also diffuse oils by putting two drops directly on a hot light bulb or by adding to a bowl of steaming hot water and inhaling.

Direct application: Using a few drops of oil on the wrists, neck, bottoms of feet, ankles, spine and the chakra points can be a good method to absorb the oils quickly through the skin and into the blood stream. Adding oils to a rag in the shower and rubbing on skin is another direct application and you can also inhale the oils with this method. Some oils require dilution with a carrier oil such as coconut, olive, sesame or jojoba oil.  Dilution is important for oils that cause skin irritation and a skin patch test is recommended especially for those that have sensitive skin. Check the label on the bottle to see if your oil of choice needs dilution.

Bath:  Adding a few drops to your bath can be a calming and soothing way to enjoy your oils while benefiting from their healing properties. Add 2-5 drops or more to a bath with Epsom salts.  Caution should be used and oils should always be tested on skin prior to using in the bath.

In recipes: Oils can be a great addition to your recipes. Add a few drops of lemon oil to water and make lemonade! Only high quality therapeutic grade oils such as those sold by Young Living should be ingested and only oils that are marked as a dietary supplement on the bottle should be used. Oils are very potent so use caution and only use a drop or two to taste in recipes so you don’t over -do it.

It’s important to find the highest quality therapeutic grade oils you can such as Young Living oils. Other oils are often mixed with chemicals or and are not as affective.

Some oils can be used with animals such as dogs and horses with great results. Extreme caution should be used when using oils around cats as many oils are toxic to cats. The advice and supervision of a trained veterinarian or certified pet aroma-therapist is advised before using oils on cats