Pure essential oils are potent.

I highly recommend that you read product labels and follow the suggested guidelines for safety when using essential oils because I want you to enjoy your essential oil experience as much as I do.

Consult a medical professional before using essential oils on yourself, children, the elderly or pets.

• When applying a new oil, test one drop on a small patch of skin first (e.g., on the underside of the forearm). Skin sensitivity is highly individual. If the skin feels hot or turns red, apply a vegetable oil (V-6™ Vegetable Oil complex or olive oil) to the area to dilute. Washing the area with water is less effective
• Use only one new oil at a time to determine how your body responds. Wait 30 minutes before applying a new oil
• Certain oils may sting eyes and other sensitive areas. Essential oil residue on the fingers may damage contact lenses or cause discomfort.  If accidental stinging does occur, put 1-2 drops of pure vegetable oil into the eye. Avoid putting essential oils directly into the ears
•  Pure Citrus oils may compound the effects of sun exposure. Limit prolonged exposure to direct sunlight for up to 12 hours (up to 24 hours for Angelica and Lime; up to 48 hours for Bergamot)  after applying these undiluted essential oils to the skin. Cosmetics, personal care products, or cleansers with synthetic ingredients penetrate the dermal layer of the skin.  Avoid applying essential oils to areas where you use these products, as it may take chemicals deeper into skin, fatty tissue, or bloodstream
•  Avoid using essential oils on skin that has been damaged or affected by chemical burns. When adding essential oils to a bath, first mix 5 – 10 drops of essential oil to 1/4 cup of Young Living Bath & Shower Gel base or Epsom salt and then add running water. Limit the diffusion of unfamiliar essential oils to 10 minutes a day, increasing the time after determining their effects. The length of time should depend on the size of the room and the potency of the oils
• See individual label directions or check with the health professional before using essential oils if you have a serious medical condition, are pregnant, nursing, or planning to become pregnant. Do not use Tansy, Clary Sage, Sage, Fennel, Wintergreen or Hyssop during pregnancy. 
• Consult a health professional about any serious disease or injury. Do not attempt to self-diagnose or prescribe any natural substances for conditions that require professional attention

HOW to Essential Oils

1. Aromatically

Engage your sense of smell through aromatherapy to support your body. Inhaling essential oils stimulates the olfactory system, the part of the brain connected to smell.

• Inhale the oil directly from the bottle or rub 1 – 2 drops in your hand, cup your hand over your nose and inhale deeply
• Add hot water to a bowl and add a few drops of an essential oil. Carefully cover your head and bowl with a towel. Breathe deeply and slowly
• Add a few drops to 1 – 2 cups of Epsom salt and soak in a hot bath. Inhale the aroma as you relax in the tub

2. Dietary

Essential oils can be used for dietary and culinary use or taken as a supplement. Quality of the essential oil matters when ingesting internally. I only use Young Living’s Vitality™  dietary line of essential oils.  Each of the Young Living Vitality™  dietary essential oils are labeled in white bottles (different from the topical essential oils). Read product labels for instructions.

3 Ways to use Vitality™  dietary essential oils

• Put them in empty vegetable capsules and take as a pill
• Add Thieves® or Peppermint oil to a hot cup of water to make a natural immune-supporting or digestive tea
• Add to food for a delicious kick of concentrated flavor

3. Topically

Topical application is the process of applying an essential oil on the skin, hair, mouth, teeth, or nails. Determine if the oil needs to be diluted. Applying essential oils directly on the body without any dilution is referred to as “neat”.

• Apply 2 – 3 drops directly on the skin and massage in. Always follow label directions for dilution with a carrier oil as instructed

Learn more about the basics of essential oils in my blogs:

What are Essential Oils

When: History of Essential Oils

How to Use Essential Oils

Essential Oil Safety

My Story: Why I  Started Using Essential Oils – Coming Soon

Why Young Living – Coming soon