Essential Oils 101

Essential oils are my absolute go-to for grounding, creative and wellness support. There are literally hundreds of ways to use essential oils, infused home and wellness products to support daily life, in your creative work, and to complement your personal routines. After years of buying inferior oils at home goods stores, I was introduced to Young Living and was completely blown away by their quality, blends and business practices (so much so that I decided to become a Brand Partner! 😍 )

As the leader of the essential oils movement, Young Living (YL) is committed to establishing and maintaining the ultimate, industry-leading standard in essential oil products. YL products are not sold in stores and only offered direct-to-consumer through folks like me. They offer an extensive line of essential oils and essential oil-infused, plant-based products that represent the best of nature, through the standards of their Seed to Seal program. The Young Living website offers videos and a wealth of information and I invite you to go direct to the source to check it out.  Here's my quick overview to get you started:

WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL OILS?

Essential oils have been used for thousands of years but are finally becoming more mainstream. The first time I had ever heard of oils in church singing "We Three Kings of Orient Are" which is a solid testament to their age and use (one of the three kings brought the oil Frankincense to Baby Jesus), with many more biblical references to a number of oils and blends.

The best way to explain essential oils is to think about when you take a peppermint leaf (or any plant) and rub the leaves between your fingers. That smell that you get, that is the essential oil of the plant. The essential oil can be obtained from roots, trees, seeds, shrubs, flowers, bark or leaves. It's said to be the lifeblood of the plant, protecting it from disease, harm, and injury. These concentrated plant extracts that are carefully obtained through steam distillation, cold pressing, or resin tapping. 

The chemistry of an essential oil is extremely complex and could consist of hundreds of different chemical compounds, all of which are super interesting (and a bit over my head). Essential oils help eliminate toxins in our body and help support each of our body systems: nervous, muscular, digestive, immune, reproductive, lymphatic, etc. Within minutes of using an essential oil, topically, aromatically, or internally, they can be found in every organ of your body.

They can provide physical and emotional support when diffused, purifying and oxygenating the air. The ability of essential oils to act on both the mind and the body is what makes them truly unique.

THREE WAYS TO USE OILS

There are hundreds of oils and “recipe” combinations. Because YL oils are Grade A Therapeutic, they can be diffused, applied topically and ingested to support your personal wellness and other routines. 

They can provide physical and emotional support when diffused, purifying and oxygenating the air. When inhaled they can be detected in our blood stream within 26 seconds and are able to pass through the blood / brain barrier and the benefits can reach every cell in our body within 20 minutes when applied topically. 

There are three ways to gain the benefits of essential oils:

Inhalation/Aromatic: “The aromatic use of essential oils may be the most familiar. Perhaps you’ve wandered into a spa and been delighted by the aroma of Eucalyptus and Tea Tree oils or maybe felt the soothing calm of Lavender’s scent in one of your favorite at-home products.” -YL Website. When essential oil aromas are inhaled they reach the olfactory bulb at the top of the nose, which is an extension of the portion of the brain called the limbic system. The limbic system is composed of structures that deal with emotions, memories and stimulation, and it is here that essential oil molecules can trigger an emotional shift.

The most common way method for inhalation is through a diffuser whereby oils are added to water and misted into the air.  This is my absolute favorite diffuser (pricey but transportive and sooooo worth it!) Buy it with this starter bundle and the oils are almost free! This is also a great one paired with the Make a Shift Starter Bundle. Don't forget to use my code for 10% off your first order of 50PV or more SHAREYL.  

“Even without a diffuser, you can enjoy many of the aromatic benefits of essential oils. Add drops of your favorite essential oils to a cotton ball and place it in areas where you want to disperse the scent. You’ll be amazed by how well this simple solution works! The easiest way to get the aromatic benefits of an essential oil is by simply taking a few drops from the bottle into the palm of your hands. Cup your hands around your mouth and nose and inhale, breathing deeply for as long as needed—but, you know, take it easy so you don’t hyperventilate or anything.” - Young Living Website

Absorption/Topical: Essential oils can also be absorbed into the bloodstream through the skin. As the oil circulates through the body’s bloodstream it is delivered to the brain. “The topical use of essential oils is one of the most popular. Once you get the hang of this application, it will probably be one of your favorites! Usually, finding out how to use essential oils on the skin is what turns most people from casual oil users to devotees.” - Young Living Website

Ingestion: You can season your favourite dish or flavor a drink with certain grades of essential oils (some of my favs include lime in the guacomole and lemon for my water!). Ingesting oils lets you savor all their savory, herbaceous, spicy, fruity potential. "The simplest ways to take essential oils internally is to add them to a glass of water, take them in a capsule or use them as seasoning. Start off with a small amount. A little goes a long way, and even a single drop might overpower your recipe. One recommendation is to dip a toothpick in the oil and stir that little bit in as a starting point. Of course, before you use any oils internally, make sure the oil is safe to ingest. Unless it specifically says on the label that it’s safe for ingestion, assume it’s safe for external use only." - Young Living Website

Why Young Living Oils and not the cheap ones....?

Yes, oils seem to be popping up everywhere! Quality regulation does not exist regarding essential oils yet. Companies can put any filler or additive into what they call an “essential oil.” Most of what you find at retail stores contain additional ingredients or fillers. Young Living is the leader in the essential oils movement - with Young Living’s “Seed to Seal” standards you know that you and your little ones are using the highest quality product without ANY dilution or chemical additives. 

Read more about why I use essential oils (and where to get them):

Unleash Your Creativity with Essential Oils

Oils for Grounding

Create Success with Oils

Essential Oil Blends for Creativity

Interested in getting started with oils? Who you sign up with matters.  Not only do you get access to these amazing oils and products at wholesale prices, but you get ME! ;-)  I'll be here to help you get started, answer any questions and make the most of this investment in your wellness journey. Click below or shoot me a DM on Inst @groundedplace

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