Using Essential Oils

I need to point out that when I speak about essential oils I am only referring to the Young Living brand, unless otherwise stated. You cannot expect to get the same results or if the essential oil is not Young Living.

Topical application of essential oils is certainly the simplest and most common means of using therapeutic-grade essential oils. According to researcher Jean Valnet,M.D., an essential oil that is directly applied to the skin can pass into the bloodstream and diffuse throughout the tissues in 20 minutes or less.

More recent studies have also documented the ability of essential oils to penetrate the stratum corneum (the upper layer of the skin) to reach the subdermal tissues and blood vessels beneath. (Huang et al., 1999; Ogiso et al., 1995.)

Quality is Very Important

Young Living uses only therapeutic grade oils. Perfume grade or poor quality oils may possibly be harmful due to unknown additives and poor plant or distillation conditions.

US labeling for essential oils is governed by the Perfume Act, allowing labels to say “100% pure essential oil” and by law contain only 5% of any grade oils. Fortunately, Young Living does NOT operate by those standards.

Be safe, know what you’re buying!

New Age or Ancient Age

Many think that essential oils are “New Age” when in fact their history dates back to over 4,000 years. In my mind, this is not New Age at all but rather, Ancient Age. Essential oils were commonly used during biblical times and are mentioned hundreds of times in the bible.

Clearly, I am happy to see companies like Young Living helping to revive an ancient tradition and setting world standards in quality.

Unlike chemical drugs, therapeutic-grade essential oils do not remain in the body and they leave no toxins behind. They make more sense as air fresheners than commercial products, since they cleanse the air by altering the structure of the molecules creating the smells rather than masking the unwanted odors.

Essential oils are not “seed” oils, like we use in cooking. Therefore, they are not greasy, nor do they turn rancid.

Essential oils are “volaitle,” simply meaning they easily evaporate at normal temperatures and breakdown molecularly when exposed to heat (never heat your essential oils!)

An AFNOR-ISO essential oil that is properly stored and handled will last many years.

3 MAIN WAYS TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS

Direct Application

Because Essential oils are soluble with the lipid membranes of cells, they have an unmatched ability to penetrate and disperse within minutes throughout the body.

Apply directly over area of concern, but, avoid getting oils in the eyes, flush with V6 mixing oil if an essential oil accidentally gets in the eyes (NEVER use water to flush your eye or to dilute an essential oil).

The spicy oils such as Cinnamon, Clove, Thyme, Oregano and Peppermint can be warming to sensitive skin. Dilute your Essential oils with the Young Living V6 mixing oil, a pure Olive, or Almond oil if skin sensitivity is a concern.

Diffusing or Inhalation

The Young Living Cold-Air Diffuser is specially designed to disperse a super fine mist of essential oils that will fill a room in a few minutes. It disperses your oils without heating or burning them, which can render oils less therapeutically beneficial.

Diffusing can help reduce bacteria, fungus and mold, help with weight management, help you to relax and relieve tension, improve concentration and mental clarity and much more!

Internally as Supplements

Only a ISO/AFNOR grade essential oil, such as Young Living?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s, which are safe enough to ingest. By ingesting the oils, optimum benefits can be achieved. Put a drop or two in goat or rice milk, or in “00″ empty capsules and take internally.

It is indicated on each bottle (in the “Supplement Facts” box) if the oil can be taken internally as well as by application, so be sure to always read the labels! Yes, Young Living offers empty capsules too.

APPLICATION: WHY MORE IS NOT BETTER

?¢‚Ǩ¬¢ Respect must always be taken in regards to the power of an essential oil. In most cases, a couple of drops is plenty!

?¢‚Ǩ¬¢ Young Living essential oils are not diluted down like store bought oils, nor are they processed in such a way that render them useless therapeutically.

?¢‚Ǩ¬¢ They ARE potent and although one or two drops may not seem like much, I can assure you, it is far more than you might imagine!

If you would like more information please contact me through my website.

You can also take a look at the Foot Application page on this blog. This Foot Chart shows specific locations and which single and blends of Young Living essential might be beneficial.

11 Steps to Using Essential Oils Safely

1. Always keep a bottle of Young Living’s V-6 Mixing Oil, Massage Oil Base or any pure vegetable oil handy when using essential oils. Vegetable oils dilute essential oils if they cause discomfort or skin irritation. Never try to dilute an essential oil with water!2. Keep bottles of essential oils tightly closed and store them in a cool location away from light. If stored properly, essential oils will maintain their potency for many years.

3. Keep essential oils out of reach of children. Treat them as you would any product for therapeutic use.

4. Do not use essential oils rich in menthol (such as peppermint) on the throat or neck area of children under 5 years of age.

5. Lemon, bergamot, orange, grapefruit, tangerine, Joy, White Angelica and other citrus oils may cause a rash or darker pigmentation if applied to skin exposed to direct sunlight or UV rays with 3 to 4 days of use. Do not apply these oils when going out into the sun or tanning booth. Yes, it is ok to add citrus oils to your water and other beverages without risk of photosensitivity.

6. Keep essential oils away from eye area and do not put into ears. Do not handle contact lenses or rub eyes with essential oils on fingers. Essential oils with high phenol content ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú oregano, helichrysum, cinnamon, thyme, clove. Lemongrass, bergamot, Thieves and ImmuPower, may damage contacts and irritate eyes.

7. Pregnant women should consult their health care professional before using essential oils containing constituents with hormone-like activity, such as clary sage, sage, tansy, juniper and fennel.

8. Epileptics and those with high blood pressure should consult their health care professional before using essential oils. And avoid using hyssop, fennel and Idaho tansy oils.

9. People with allergies should test a small amount of oil on a small area of sensitive skin, such as the inside of the arm, before applying the oil on other areas. The bottom of the feet is one of the safest, most effective places to use essential oils.

10. Before taking GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe) essential oils internally, always dilute with an oil-soluble liquid like honey, olive oil, rice or goat milk. Note: I don’t mention soy milk because it is “not” the healthy food we have been led to believe it is.

11. Do not add undiluted essential oils directly to bath water. Use Young Living’s Bath Gel Base, Epsom Salts or Bath Salts as a dispersing agent for oils in the bath.

Other Things to be Aware of:

Some essential oils that make the Thieves blend so powerful also make it very hot. Exercise caution when applying and dilute with V-6 Oil ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äù 1 to 3 drops of Thieves to 1 tsp. V-6. More dilution may be needed.

Special caution should be exercised when applying Thieves to skin that has been exposed to cosmetics, personal care products, soaps and cleansers containing synthetic chemicals. Some of them?¢‚Ǩ‚Äùespecially petroleum-based chemicals?¢‚Ǩ‚Äùcan penetrate and remain in the skin and fatty tissues for days or even weeks. Essential oils may react with such chemicals and cause skin irritations, nausea, headaches or other uncomfortable effects.

Essential Oils can react with toxins built up in the body from chemicals in food, water and work environment.

Types of products to avoid in general:

?¢‚Ǩ¬¢ Cosmetics, deodorants and skin care products containing aluminum, petrochemicals or other synthetic ingredients.

?¢‚Ǩ¬¢ Synthetic chemicals in strong perms, hair coloring and hair sprays. Avoid shampoos and soaps containing chemicals such as sodium lauryl sulfate and lead acetate.

?¢‚Ǩ¬¢ Garden sprays, paints, detergents and cleansers containing toxic chemicals and solvents.

V-6?¢‚Äû¬¢ Enhanced Vegetable Oil Complex can be used to mix with Thieves, or other “hot” essential oils, to create a massage oil. This oil complex nourishes the skin, has a long shelf life, and will not clog pores or stain clothes.

Ingredients 3.8 fl oz. or 15.5 fl.oz.
?¢‚Ǩ¬¢ Fractionated coconut oil
?¢‚Ǩ¬¢ Sesame seed oil*
?¢‚Ǩ¬¢ Grape seed oil
?¢‚Ǩ¬¢ Almond oil*
?¢‚Ǩ¬¢ Wheat germ oil
?¢‚Ǩ¬¢ Sunflower seed oil*
?¢‚Ǩ¬¢ Extra Virgin olive oil*

* Organically grown in accordance with the California Organic Foods Act of 1990

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Disclaimer: Consult your health care professional about any serious disease or injury. Do not attempt to self-diagnose or prescribe any natural substance as a substitute for professional medical assistance. The information here is provided for your better understanding of holistic health.