Beginners Guide to Essential Oil Safely 101
There are the 3 common ways you can use your essential oils and why all three matter.
Using Oils TOPICALLY:
> Before you start, remember to test a small area of the skin first. Apply one oil or blend at a time. When layering oils that are new to you, allow 15-30 minutes between each oil to give your body a chance to respond before applying a second oil. Please note: If you have any health concerns, known allergies to certain plants, taking certain prescriptions that may interact with certain plants, or are pregnant please consult with your doctor before starting essential oil use.
> Direct application onto the skin is one of the easiest ways to use essential oils. It is also a highly effective method because essential oil shares several properties and molecular structure similar to that of human cells and tissues. That makes them easily accepted and compatible with human protein so they can be readily used by the body! I was pretty amazing myself after learning this. Tip: The bottom of the feet is a great place to apply oils directly because many nerve endings are found there and the pores of the skin are large in that area.
> The longer essential oils stay in contact with the skin, the more likely they are to be absorbed. To reduce evaporation and enhance benefits of the oil, putting socks on after applying can help.
> Carrier oils extend the use of your oil when they are applied to a large area and can decrease skin irritation as well. When applying essential oils to children, always use a carrier oil. Examples of common carrier oils include coconut oil, grapeseed oil, vitamin-e oil, sweet almond oil, & olive oil.
>'Neat' Application or applying without a carrier oil is not recommended because these oils are super concentrated they could cause skin irritation if not with a carrier oil. |
Using Oils AROMATICALLY:
>Diffusing essential oils is a perfect way to improve your home, work, or living environment. Diffusing can purify the air and neutralize mildew, cigarette smoke or other odors as well as protect you and your family from harmful things we breathe in the air; it's a great alternative to a non-toxic option for mainstream air freshners. Diffusing can also help with mood regulation. With essential oils lipid soluble structure is very similar to the cell chemistry in the human body. So when inhaled molecules go directly into our limbic system of the brain, which is directly connected to areas that control heart rate, stress response and hormonal balance allowing them to have profound physiological and psychological effects! Using a diffuser is more than just for aroma purposes. I have the 'Dew Drop' diffuser which comes in one of the premium kits (you can choose from a variety of diffusers).Young Living’s Dewdrop, functions as a humidifier and atomizer in one simple-to-use product. It has up to four hours of continuous diffusion, automatic shut-off, and a blue ambient light you can shut on/off with your preference (works as a night light for the kiddos). Tip: I recommend starting off diffusing 30 minutes at a time if you're new to this method.   
>To inhale essential oils, try the following:
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Using your Oils INTERNALLY:
>Young Living’s Seed to Seal guarantee gives you the confidence to know EVERYTHING in their oil bottles and that is absolutely highest quality 100% pure therapeutic essential oil. This means that if you choose, many of the oils can be taken internally! Follow the directions on your bottle as an indication of what is safe (they will say “Dietary Supplement” if so!). The Vitality line is a line of Dietary oils, all safe and intended for internal use. *Always inform your health practitioner before use.
>To ingest essential oils, try the following:
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Now, that you know the suggested WAYS to use your oils and all about sensitivity--So what is CARRIER OIL, how do you DILUTE, and why?
>Here is a really good YL Blog post on carrier oils (click here)
>Dilution ratios specifically for kids/babies (click here)
CARRIER OILS are important to help stretch your essential oils, both to help carry the oils to a greater area on the body and to adjust the heat in those hot oils (wintergreen, clove and peppermint are some that get pretty warm on the skin). Using carrier oils makes your oils last longer because you avoid over-applying.
Carrier oils you might like:
- V6 Vegetable Oil Complex (a specially formulated carrier oil blend from Young Living) - Coconut Oil (we like unrefined and organic, if you can find it. I found mine at Walmart!) - Grapeseed Oil (find it in the cooking oil aisle) - Fractionated Coconut Oil - Sweet Almond Oil - Jojoba Oil (I found mine at luckyvitamin.com) - Avocado Oil - Argan Oil (this is a Moroccan oil that absorbs quickly and is good for skin and hair) ....AND MUCH MORE. 
Literally just take a spoonful of coconut oil + a couple drops of the oil you’re wanting to use, and rub together and onto whatever you’re applying it to! (Remember to test on a small patch of skin first)
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What to know:
First of all, the best safety decision in choosing YL over other brands because the only thing in these bottles is the essential oil listed on the ingredients, 100% therapeutic grade and a distinguished dietary line so you know what is safe for ingestion. That cuts down on a lot of safety concerns that other oil companies have associated with them.
Here are some other safety things to keep into consideration when using your products:
1. When storing essential oils (EOs), it’s important to keep them in a cool, dark place with lids tightly closed ALWAYS out of reach of children just as you would your cleaners or medicines. You’ll also want to keep carrier oils (for example coconut oil, olive oil, vitamin e oil, sweet almond oil, etc.) on hand for dilution. Always use and store essential oils in glass containers, especially when drinking them in water, since most plastic products contain chemicals that can be easily broken down by the oil.2. Most essential oils are generally safe for use during pregnancy. As with any health program, you may want to consult a healthcare professional beforehand. A great resource is the book Gentle Babies. 3. Citrus oils cause photo-sensitivity when applied to the skin. They may cause a rash or dark pigmentation on skin exposed to UV rays or direct sunlight within 1-2 days after application. 4. Keep EOs away from eyes and never put them directly into the ears. 5. Should irritation or accidental contact with eyes occur, never use water to attempt to wash off the EO (they are not water-soluble). Instead, use a V6 vegetable oil complex or other carrier oil (such as coconut oil or sweet almond oil) to cleanse the area and reduce discomfort. 6. Epileptics and people with high blood pressure should use extra caution when using EOs high in ketones like basil, rosemary, sage, or tansy. 7. For people with allergies or sensitive skin, it’s best to test a small area (like the inside of the upper arm or bottom of the foot) and wait 30 minutes before applying to other areas. In general, the bottoms of the feet are safe for topical application. 8. Direct inhalation (**Not the same as diffusing) can be a deep and intensive application method, particularly for respiratory congestion and illness. This method should not be used more than 10-15 times throughout the day without first consulting a healthcare professional. 9. When adding EOs to bath water, start with 1-3 drops first mixed with Epsom salt to help disperse the oil. Never use more than 10 drops in one bath, Young Living Essential oils are very pure and potent. If a dispersing agent is not used, serious discomfort can be caused due to the fact that oils tend to float undiluted on top of the water. 10. Young Living states right on the bottle if an oil can be consumed as a food additive or “dietary supplement.” DO NOT use any EO internally that is not specifically indicated for that purpose. 11. Application of oils on children is not recommended until after 6 months of age, and must always be heavily diluted. Start with the bottoms of feet before applying to other areas of the body. Again, the book Gentle Babies is an incredible resource to learn more on EO safety in pregnancy, while breastfeeding, and with children. Diffusing around babies and children is, however, the safest route.  |
There are TONS of groups you can be added to for questions about oil usage. If you decide you'd like a kit (Click Here). You'll be apart of a HUGE community to help you along your journey!
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what’s the difference?
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They are the same oils just different labeling...see why!
That lemon vitality has a twin oil, it's “lemon” essential oil (without the white labeling and they’re the exact same oil in both bottles. Both bottles labeled as Essential oil and those labeled Vitality Oil contain 100% pure YL essential oil. The ONLY difference is the instructions for use! In an effort to be compliant with the FDA labeling regulations, bottles with a regular essential oil label have instructions for topical and/or aromatic use; those with the Vitality label contain only directions for dietary supplement or culinary usage. That’s is all! You can rest easy knowing that both bottles contain nothing but pure essential oil. Just same oil, different label.
You can still diffuse vitality! Don’t worry. And you can still ingest regular lemon oil without the vitality label. Watch a video (here) to see how you can use them. I diffuse my lemon and I can also put it in my water win-win.
If it has a vitality twin, it’s safe for ingestion.
(notice panaway doesn’t have a vitality twin? Please don't ingest that one.)
>>Look at the current products at Young Living (click here)
>>Learn more about Young Living's Seed to Seal Promise (Click here)
*All information on Green Mountain Mama Blog is meant for educational and informational purposes only. The statements on this blog have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any products mentioned and/or information are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease. Readers are advised to do their own research and make decisions in consultation with their health care provider. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition or are taking any medication, please consult your physician.
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