Welcome back. This is week 5 of A Mom’s Guide to Getting Started with Essential Oils. So far in this series, we have covered Where to Begin with Essential Oils, How to Safely Use Essential Oils, Inhaling Essential oils., and How to Choose an Aromatherapy Diffuser.

Next to diffusing them, applying essential oils topically is the most common way of using them. This week, we’ll tackle the safe and effective use of using essential oils on the skin.

Topical Use of Essential Oils

I mentioned a few articles back the importance of properly diluting essential oils for reasons of safety.

Preventing topical irritation, sensitivity, photosensitivity, and sensitization are important reasons you will want to dilute your essential oils with a carrier oil. However, in addition to the safety reasons are the financial ones. You have probably figured out that essential oils are not cheap, and since diluting oils does not decrease the powerful effectiveness, it makes sense to dilute them in order to be safe AND save money.

What is a carrier oil?

A carrier oil is simply an oil that is used as a base to dilute essential oils before they are applied to the skin. Probably the most common carrier oil used is Fractionated Coconut Oil (FCO). FCO is different from the unrefined (extra virgin) coconut oil you may be familiar with in the baking aisle at your grocery store. FCO is refined to remove impurities and extend shelf life. It will not become solid at room temperature the way unrefined coconut oil does. FCO mixes well with essential oils, absorbs quickly, does not clog pores, and does not stain your clothing.

You can use most any liquid oil as a carrier oil for your essential oils though — jojoba, grapeseed, sweet almond, avocado, and olive are common choices and most of these have healing properties of their own that FCO does not.

Roller Bottles

When it comes to topical use of essential oils, roller bottles are your best friend. I have them in my essential oils storage case, easily accessible in my kitchen cabinets, in my purse, on my bedside table, in the bathroom, in my first aid kit, in my refrigerator . . . I think you get the picture . . .  I have them pretty much everywhere. Many of them travel with me everywhere I go.

Once you have some blends that you love and are using frequently, making roller bottles with those blends makes using essential oils very convenient and portable.

The best roller bottles are the dark glass bottles that better protect the essential oils from light so that they remain effective longer, with steel rollers.

Using Your Roller Bottles

To get started, you’ll need some roller bottles, fractionated coconut oil (FCO), and your essential oils. It’s also nice to get some stickers for labeling your bottles — those round garage sale stickers from the dollar store work just fine. I usually cover them with tape so that the ink doesn’t smear.

For each roller bottle, you’ll add essential oils first, blending according to your expected use, and then the rest will be filled with FCO or another carrier oil. A common formula that works in most situations is a 3% dilution which is equal to 6 drops total of essential oils in a 10cc roller bottle.

To apply, you simply take the cap off and roll the oil wherever most appropriate. It makes for a quick application without fumbling with the carrier and essential oils bottles every time you need them, and as I’ve already mentioned,  is very portable.

10 Simple Roller Bottle Recipes  

As with diffuser recipes, it’s best to start out with a pre-made blend or a simple combination of two to four single oils you enjoy for your roller bottles. My Essential Oils Starter Kit contains 10 simple roller bottle recipes to get you going! If you have not yet downloaded your free copy of the kit, you can do so by entering your email below.  You will soon start to get the hang of what you most enjoy and what works well together and can begin creating your own blends for your roller bottles!

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Action Step

Choose three roller bottle recipes you think will be helpful for you and give them a try! Let me know what you think!

Up Next: DIY Natural Household Cleaners  

Precautions

Never use essential oils undiluted or in the eyes or mucous membranes. Do not ingest essential oils unless working with a qualified practitioner. Keep essential oils away from children. If applying an essential oil to your skin always perform a small patch test to an insensitive part of the body (after you have properly diluted the oil in an appropriate carrier oil).

For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

You’ve made it to week 4 of A Mom’s Guide to Getting Started with Essential Oils.  In the past three weeks, we discussed Where to Begin with Essential Oils, How to Safely Use Essential Oils, and methods of Inhaling Essential oils. This week we’re taking the information about inhaling essential oils a step further and discussing how to choose a diffuser.

How to Choose an Aromatherapy Diffuser

One of the more common ways essential oils are used therapeutically is by diffusion. This method is also considered the safest way to use essential oils. You will likely want to purchase a diffuser in the near future, so let’s take a moment to discuss what exactly a diffuser is and how to choose an aromatherapy diffuser.

What is a diffuser?

Basically, a diffuser is a machine that disperses (diffuses) essential oils into the air so that you can more readily inhale them as you go about your day. The oil floats up into the air and the particles are inhaled into your lungs where they are absorbed into your blood stream. The microscopic particles then interact with your bodily systems according to their therapeutic properties.

There are different kinds of diffusers available: Evaporative, Heat, Nebulizing, and Ultrasonic.

Evaporative Diffusers

Evaporative diffusers are the most basic of diffusers. In one type, drops of essential oils are placed on a filter or pad and a fan blows air through them. The air blowing through the pad causes the oils to quickly evaporate, and the air with the evaporated oil is blown into the room. In the other type, the oils evaporate naturally, without the help of a fan.

While this method of diffusion works well at getting the scent of the oil into the room, it is not terribly therapeutic. Anytime an essential oil evaporates, some of the lighter, more volatile components tend to evaporate faster than the heavier, less volatile components. So, instead of getting the whole oil all at once, you are getting a higher percentage of the lighter components at the beginning of the process and a higher percentage of the heavier components towards the end of the process.

While this may diminish the therapeutic properties that the whole oil had possessed, evaporative diffusion is still a good and relatively quiet means of getting the aroma of the essential oil throughout the room.

Heat Diffusers

Like evaporative diffusers, heat diffusers also cause the essential oils to evaporate quicker than normal but use heat instead of blowing air to accomplish diffusion. A “plug-in” diffuser is an example of this type, as is a “tea light” diffuser. Plug-in type diffusers are commonly used to diffuse in cars.

While some heat diffusers use high levels of heat to produce stronger smells, the best heat diffusers will only use very low levels of heat that produce more subtle aromas. This difference is important because high levels of heat can actually alter the chemical constituents of the oils, rendering them ineffective.

Although heat diffusers do share the same drawback of any diffuser that relies on evaporation—the potential of fractionating the oil into its components instead of putting the whole oil into the air––heat diffusers are a very economical and quiet method of diffusing essential oils.

Nebulizing Diffusers

Nebulizing diffusers are very powerful and effective diffusers for essential oils. They don’t require water, instead using an atomizer to distribute essential oil particles directly into the air. With these diffusers, the oil bottle usually connects directly to the unit. Nebulizing diffusers quickly distribute a lot of oil into the air in just a few minutes, but should only be used for short periods of time and intermittently or you might end up with much more oil in the air than is needed or even safe.

This is the type of diffuser you might consider using during times when your household is sick and in need of a quick dispersing of essential oils to treat your symptoms (for example, when everyone has coughs and congestion) because it will disperse the greatest concentration of essential oils the most quickly. The nebulizing diffuser I have and love using is the Opulence Nebulizing Diffuser from Organic Aromas. We have been using this diffuser since January when we all had the flu, and now into allergy season. It’s also become my favorite for when I know a migraine is coming on as well. This beautiful ceramic and glass diffuser adds beauty to my room decor and has an intermittent setting so that I am assured of safe diffusing.

Ultrasonic or Humidifying Diffusers
An ultrasonic diffuser is similar to a nebulizing one in that it distributes essential oils particles into the air, but it uses water and the fast vibration of an ultrasonic plate to break the essential oils into tiny particles, dispersing them in a fine mist. The tiny particles are then easily absorbed by the lungs for greater therapeutic effect.

This is the type of diffuser I use most on a daily basis. I keep one in the bathroom, kitchen, and in my son’s room. It is quiet, cost-effective, and the intermittent settings mean I can set it up and forget about it, while it works its magic. My favorite diffuser of this type is the AromaFuse carried by Plant Therapy.

Once you’ve chosen a diffuser, you can start using it right away with the 10 simple diffuser blends found in your Essential Oils Starter Kit. You’ll find help with sleep, allergies, focus, relaxing, and more here. If you have not yet downloaded your Starter Kit, you can do so by entering your email below.

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Be sure to compare the ingredients with the information I gave you earlier in the course for using essential oils safely if you will be diffusing around your children. You can make substitutions as needed. All essential oils are compatible, but you’ll want to find a blend that pleases your senses and works for its intended purpose.

Next Up: Using Essential Oils Topically

Precautions

Never use essential oils undiluted, in the eyes or mucus membranes. Do not ingest unless working with a qualified practitioner. Keep essential oils away from children. If applying an essential oil to your skin always perform a small patch test to an insensitive part of the body (after you have properly diluted the oil in an appropriate carrier oil).

For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Welcome back, Friends! You’ve made it to week 3 of A Mom’s Guide to Getting Started with Essential Oils. Today we’re discussing methods of inhaling essential oils. I hope you are enjoying the series so far and have learned a few things you didn’t know. Please know that if you have questions along the way, feel free to leave a comment.

In the past two weeks, we discussed Where to Begin with Essential Oils and How to Safely Use Essential Oils. Last week I briefly mentioned how essential oils are typically used for our benefit. Today, let’s begin going a little deeper into that.

Inhaling Essential Oils

One of the most common ways essential oils are delivered is through inhalation. Inhaling essential oils is particularly effective for ailments such as sinus congestion, bronchial congestion, sore throats, coughs and colds, bronchitis and for flu symptoms due to the ability to deliver the oils directly to the nose and lungs. However, inhalation is a quick and safe way of getting the essential oil properties to other areas of your body as well.

Inhalation works by distributing essential oil molecules through the air. Once in the air, they are inhaled and come into contact with nerves that send them directly to the brain. Since the brain is the center of memory and emotion and where blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, and hormone balance, are controlled, it is thought that essential oils can effect positive change on all of these areas. The oils also enter the bloodstream through the lungs and are then carried to other bodily systems.

Methods of Inhalation

There are a few ways in which you can deliver essential oils to your body through inhalation. The most common method is by using a diffuser. You are probably already familiar with diffusing essential oils, so let’s begin there.

Diffusing Essential Oils

As I mentioned last week, diffusing essential oils is a quick and easy way to administer the therapeutic effects of the oils to your family. It is generally safe and effective and has the added benefit of offering up the benefits of essential oils to your entire family all at once (just be sure you are following the age recommendations for the oils you choose to use).

Diffusing essential oils is commonly used for multiple reasons including:

• general health and wellness
• deodorizing a room
• immune support during a viral illness
• assistance with sleep and relaxation
• reduction of depression and anxiety

Steam Inhalation Therapy

An alternative to using a diffuser (especially when you are ill or have very young children) is steam inhalation therapy. This is one of my favorite ways to use essential oils when I have an upper respiratory infection, sinus infection, or an attack of allergies. It has also been quite effective for me at the onset of migraines. It is particularly effective when using oils that have decongestant, antibacterial, and antiviral properties

The method is simple: place 4-6 drops of essential oil into a large bowl filled with boiling water. Cover your head and the bowl with a bath towel and breathe deeply for up to 10 minutes or until the water cools. Keep your eyes closed and be careful not to put your face so close that you’ll get burned!

Some of my favorite essential oils to use for steam inhalation include:

• Eucalyptus
• Rosemary
• Lemon
• Thyme
• Tea Tree
• Peppermint

Please Note: This is not a method appropriate for young children or for those with asthma.

You can also do steam inhalation in the shower. Read this for more information about how I do that for headaches: My 15-Minute Cure for Head Pain

Personal Inhaler

Here’s a confession for you — my husband doesn’t love essential oils. I know, there is something seriously wrong with that man, but he is very sensitive to all kinds of smells. Because of this, I am an avid user of personal inhalers, for more than just making my husband happy. They are actually very handy. If you think about those Vick’s Inhalers you may have used for sinus congestion, the idea is the same. You add essential oils to a cotton wick that is inserted inside the inhaler. You can then carry it with you anywhere you go and deliver your essential oils by inhalation, without diffusing into the entire room. Even your children can use these safely. My favorite personal inhalers are from Rivertree Life. You can also simply open a bottle of your favorite essential oil or blend and inhale directly from it as needed. I don’t generally recommend this method often because frequently opening your bottles is not a good idea. In a pinch though, it works quite well!

Linen Spray

Another simple way to inhale essential oils, especially at night to help you sleep, is with a linen spray. Simply add 10 drops of lavender or other calming oil to a 4 oz spray bottle with 3 oz distilled water + 1 oz witch hazel and spritz it onto your pillow and bed linens at night. Alternatively, you can add a few drops of the essential oil to a cotton ball, tissue or square, and place it near your pillow.

Diffuser Jewelry

Health meets fashion with this latest trend in essential oils. Diffuser jewelry has been gaining popularity in the past couple of year, and I own a few necklaces and bracelets myself. They work similarly to the personal inhalers only with a cotton disc placed inside a locket-style necklace, or a lava beads in bracelets.  I don’t find this type of inhalation tremendously beneficial, but it is a nice way to wear your favorite scent. My favorite creator of essential oils jewelry is The Oily Amulet, but Plant Therapy has a few nice pieces as well. (be careful . . . there’s a lot of cheap jewelry out there that will break easily — ask me how I know).

Action Step

Begin making a list of reasons you may want to diffuse essential oils in your home. Also, take a look back at the essential oil recommendations from Week 1 and make yourself more familiar with their uses and properties. Also be sure to enter your email below to receive my  Essential Oils Starter Kit. It includes 10 simple recipes you can use in your diffuser, and that top list of essential oils will be included in most of the recipes.

You don’t have a diffuser yet? No worries. Next week, I am dedicating an entire part of the series to choosing a diffuser.

Next Up: Choosing a Diffuser  

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Precautions

Never use essential oils undiluted or in the eyes or mucous membranes. Do not ingest essential oils unless working with a qualified practitioner. Keep essential oils away from children. If applying an essential oil to your skin always perform a small patch test to an insensitive part of the body (after you have properly diluted the oil in an appropriate carrier oil).

For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Welcome to Week Two of A Mom’s Guide To Getting Started with Essential Oils. As I’m mentioned before, my goal is to give you an easy-to-follow guide to getting started with essential oils in your own family, so that hopefully you will find essential oils a safe and effective way to improve the health and wellness of your family. Last week, we learned about how to get started with essential oils. If you are new to using essential oils and missed that, please read that part of the series first before you continue. Today, we will discuss how to use essential oils safely.

How to Use Essential Oils Safely

There are a LOT of issues to consider when it comes to the safe use of essential oils. I’m not going to cover everything here but the main thing you need to keep in mind is this:

You need to do your own research.

In this series, I attempt to give you the very basics based upon my own personal use and research, but as you begin learning more about using essential oils, you’ll quickly find that opinions and levels of comfort in certain areas vary greatly.

Last week I gave you a list of great oils to try out for your family. I am 100% comfortable recommending them, however, there’s one idea that I really want to impress upon you:

YOU are responsible to make sure you know enough about an essential oil before you use it on yourself or your family members.

And please let me caution you that there are a lot of self-proclaimed “experts” out there, and some of them are giving some really bad and — dare I say it — dangerous advice. This is why it is imperative that you do the research yourself instead of taking what anyone (including me!) says at face value.

Make notes about an oil as you research whether to use it. Here are some things to jot down:

• Age restrictions (not every oil is safe for young children or the elderly)
• Use by pregnant or nursing moms
• Contraindications with certain medical conditions or medications
• Potential risk of photosensitivity (greater risk of sunburn)
• Is it a “hot” oil? (May cause problems for skin sensitivities and children)
• Whether to use topically, by diffusing, or both

This research and note-taking may be the one thing that helps ensure the safest and most effective use for your family. You can also get a few great books to keep on hand, and I’ll provide you with my recommendations for those later on in the series. For now, begin with The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood.

In the meantime, make a practice of jotting these things down. You’ll end up with handy reference that fits your family’s needs and preferences.

Why You Need to Use Caution

Essential oils are incredibly concentrated and very easy to absorb by the body. Generally speaking, anything “concentrated” needs to be diluted. Think about that can of orange juice concentrate in the freezer. You don’t just open it and start drinking; you add water first. It’s like that with essential oils, too. Only you won’t generally be adding water, except to most diffusers. You’ll be adding another oil, known as a carrier oil.

As you are researching, you will find a lot of opinions out there about essential oils safety. You will have to do your research and come to your own conclusions about what you’re comfortable with.

There are several ways to use essential oils. In the next few weeks, I’ll be looking at this topic more closely, but here are the basics:

Topical Use

Essential oils can be applied to your skin where they are then absorbed into the bloodstream. It is argued that applying oils in certain areas (soles of feet, temples, wrists, underarms, etc.) is most effective because they are pulse points or are more permeable than other locations. I’m not 100% convinced of that. I believe it’s likely that essential oils are best used wherever the symptom you are treating is. So for example, I only apply essential oils to my feet if I’m treating a foot problem. If I have a cough, putting them on my feet does little to help. But applying to my chest where I can breathe in the aroma is quite helpful.

Properly diluting essential oils provides a measure of safety. Topical irritation, sensitivity, photosensitivity, and sensitization are the main concerns when essential oils are not properly diluted.

The more conservative uses of essential oils are very effective and powerful, so I have yet to feel the need for any other approach. Rarely does an adult need a dilution of greater than 5%. Practically speaking, the really great news is that diluting your essential oils will also save you a lot of money. If you can use less essential oil and achieve the same results, and be safer in your use, why not dilute?

Diffusing Essential Oils

Diffusing essential oils is a quick and easy way to administer the therapeutic effects of the oils to your family. Of course, you’ll need to be aware of whether an oil can be safely diffused for everyone who will be inhaling it (no Eucalyptus globulus for young children, for example), but many times diffusing an oil is the quickest, easiest, and safest way to deliver oils to everyone in the household.

A Word on Ingesting Essential Oils

You will discover as you begin your own research that one of the most controversial topics in essential oil use is whether or not it is safe to ingest them. I rarely use essential oils “neat” (without diluting them in a carrier oil), so you might guess that I never ingest them. I have found that appropriate topical use and diffusing essential oils has met my health and wellness needs, so I have not had a reason to consider ingestion of essential oils. I’m not 100% opposed to the idea, however if you do choose to ingest essential oils, please only do so under the advice of a certified clinical aromatherapist or other healthcare professional trained in the medicinal use of essential oils, no matter what you read on the internet or are told by an essential oils distributor.

Again, oils are very powerful AND deserve our respect. Not to mention that I want to make them last as long as possible to stretch my dollar. Therefore, I believe that a good approach is to always dilute, starting with the lowest percentage of essential oils in your recipe or dilution and slowly adjusting the levels up from there until you see the results you want. Whether or not you choose other approaches should be dependent upon your own research, experience, and comfort level.

Action Step

If you will be using essential oils with your children, read this article on Using Essential Oils Safely with Children. Then start a simple journal as you explore essential oils. Begin by taking notes on the first few oils you’d like to try, using the guidelines above, or feel free to enter your email below to receive my Essential Oils Starter Pack. It contains a helpful worksheet.

Next Up: Inhaling Essential Oils (publishing March 25)

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Precautions

Never use essential oils undiluted or in the eyes or mucous membranes. Do not ingest essential oils unless working with a qualified practitioner. Keep essential oils away from children. If applying an essential oil to your skin always perform a small patch test to an insensitive part of the body (after you have properly diluted the oil in an appropriate carrier oil).

For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.