How to Use Essential Oils

Using Therapeutic-quality essential oils is life-changing!

With improved access to high-quality oils, essential oil research and education, aromatherapy has risen in popularity and is forging the way to becoming one of the best, and most affordable means of caring for our families naturally. Learn what therapeutic-quality essential oils are and why they are the best option, especially during pregnancy!

Here are just a few of the things I recommend using essential oils for...

Better sleep
Increasing energy levels
Managing stress
Improving focus and motivation
Easing pain
Eradicating inflammation
Mood balance

Hormonal balance
Raising libido
Better conception
Addressing common discomforts during pregnancy
Labor pain and other normal discomforts
Postpartum care
Infant and child care

There are three ways to use essential oils:

Aromatically

You can experience many benefits from essential oils by inhaling them.

This is called “aromatic” usage, or "aromatherapy". This includes any application method that helps you experience the aroma (smell) of the oil.

You can use essential oils aromatically by:

Vaporizing into the air in an essential oil diffuser
Applying a drop to your hands and inhaling through your nose
Wearing the oil as a personal perfume
Add a few drops of essential oil to a mug of hot water and inhale

Topically

You can use most therapeutic-quality essential oils on your skin and even on open wounds. Some oils may cause skin sensitivity if not dilutes with a carrier oil , especially during pregnancy and for children.

“Topical” application of an essential oil allows it to absorb into your skin. You might do this for skincare, to ease a bug bite or sunburn, for wounds, or for digestive or muscular discomforts.

You can use essential oils topically by:

Using oils with a Massage
Applying the oils to specific areas where you feel discomfort
Adding the oils to lotions, shampoo, soaps, and moisturizers

Internally

Ingesting an essential oil, also called “internal” or "oral" use, allows the oil to be transported throughout your body through consumption.

Internal use can be safe and effective with pure, therapeutic-quality essential oils that read "supplement facts" on the side of the bottle. This use is not recommended during pregnancy.

If not pregnant, you can use therapeutic-quality oils internally by:

Adding oils to a glass of tea with honey as an emulsifier
Taking in an empty capsule with a drop of jojoba
Adding essential oils to foods as flavoring

Essential oil safety guidelines:

Avoid applying oils to sensitive areas like the nose, ears, eyes, or broken skin. Avoid using “hot oils” on the face. (Hot oils are oils that would be considered "spicy" or warming, creating potential sensitivity. Some examples include Clove, Cassia, Oregano, Thyme and Cinnamon). These oils are best diluted with carrier oil with any topical application.
Always read labels and package instructions before using an essential oil for the first time. If you have a question about therapeutic-quality oils and reading labels, you can always contact me for guidance and information.
Use dilution to minimize skin sensitivity. “Dilute” or mix with a carrier oil for children, the elderly, or sensitive skin. See below for a super-simple dilution guide!
Be aware of oils with sun sensitivity warnings. Citrus oils react to light (with the exception of Green Mandarin essential oil), so don’t use Citrus oils on exposed skin and go into sunlight for 12+ hours.
Practice safe storage—keep oils out of reach of children.
Always supervise young children when applying essential oils.
If you have specific health concerns or take medication, talk to a healthcare professional before trying essential oils.

How to dilute essential oils?

Dilution is when you combine an essential oil with a “carrier" to spread small amounts of the oil more evenly, and reduce risk of skin irritation. Carriers can be fixed oils (such as coconut or sweet almond oil), water, aloe vera, lotion, witch hazel and more.

Dilute essential oil s when using oils with children, the elderly or anyone with skin sensitivities. Children, many women who are pregnant, and elderly people - or those with sensitive skin- can greatly benefit from using oils even in small quantities!

You can dilute essential oils with carrier oils like Fractionated coconut oil (coconut oil in liquid form), jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, or rosehip oil, among others. Many people use fractionated coconut oil because it’s non-greasy and neutral but if you have super dry skin, I would suggest exploring jojoba oil or even rosehip oil to hydrate your skin while using your essential oils.

Using oils during pregnancy & with children:

If you want to become an expert on using essential oils during pregnancy, birth and for babies, register for the e-Course.

Essential Oils for Maternal Wellness© is a complete online training course developed for birth professionals, moms-to-be, and essential oil educators who would like to learn how to safely and effectively apply essential oils during each phase of maternity and infant care.

Children have more delicate and sensitive skin than adults, so it is always necessary to dilute oils before applying them topically on your kids. We also know that our skin becomes thinner and more dry as we age - so it’s important to dilute and the carrier oil can help keep the skin hydrated. Many women notice that they have more sensitive skin when they are pregnant, so it is wise to dilute an essential oil during pregnancy when using it for the first time.

This dosage chart includes recommendations for effective usage- keep in mind that the dosages for children will always be much less than that of an adult because they have smaller, more sensitive and developing bodies and require far less oil to be effective.