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What does it mean to you to “take charge of our health?” Over the last couple of years, my understanding has expanded as I have learned more about health and wellness. In this discovery I have loved how essential oils have been a great addition to all aspects of my health. We are going to look at what are essential oils? How to use them? And why choose doTERRA? Then learn how doTERRA’s Wellness Pyramid, along with living the doTERRA Lifestyle, can benefit you and your family!
What are essential oils?
If you have ever enjoyed the scent of a rose, you’ve experienced the aromatic qualities of essential oils. These naturally occurring, volatile aromatic compounds are found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of plants. They can be both beautifully and powerfully fragrant. Essential oils give plants their distinctive smells, essential oils protect plants and play a role in plant pollination. In addition to their intrinsic benefits to plants and their beautiful fragrance, essential oils have long been used for food preparation, beauty treatment, and health-care practices.
Essential oils can be used for a wide range of emotional and physical wellness applications. They can be used as single essential oils or in complex essential oil blends depending on user experience and desired benefit.
How to use them?
Aromatic
The sense of smell is a tool that can elicit powerful physiologic, mental, and emotional responses. Essential oils are quickly absorbed by the smell receptors, which have a direct link to the limbic system by way of the olfactory nerve. The limbic system is part of the brain that supports a variety of functions including smell, emotions, behavior, and memory. For this reason, essential oils have an especially powerful effect via aromatic application.
Some essential oils induce uplifting or invigorating effects, while others are more calming. Diffusion is one of the simplest methods for using essential oils aromatically. Diffusers that use cold air or water are ideal. However, using essential oils aromatically does not require any special diffusing devices.
You can achieve the same health benefits by simply placing a few drops of essential oil in the palm of your hand that is then cupped around the nose as you breathe deeply.
Additional aromatic uses For Essential Oils Include:
- Apply oil to a cotton ball and place in the air vents of your vehicle
- Mix oils in a spray bottle with water and mist over furniture, carpet, or linens
- Add oil to a batch of laundry or to dryer sheets
- Use in household surface cleaners
Topical
Topical application is a very effective method for applying essential oils. Because essential oils have low molecular weights and are lipid soluble, they easily penetrate the skin. Once absorbed, they stay in the applied area for a localized benefit.
Although essential oils are readily absorbed, there are many ways to increase absorption. Using a light massage will increase the blood flow to the area of application, in turn improving distribution throughout the body. Use of a carrier oil can also increase absorption, especially in skin that is dry or flaky as it helps moisturize the skin and slow evaporation of the oil.
To decrease the likelihood of developing a skin sensitivity, especially on young or sensitive skin, it is advisable to use a carrier oil (such as Fractionated Coconut Oil) to dilute more potent oils and when trying an oil for the first time. The recommend dilution ratio is typically one drop of essential oil to three drops of carrier oil.
It’s always advisable to use several small doses throughout the day rather than a single large dose. Start with the lowest possible dose (1–2 drops). A topical dose can be repeated every 4–6 hours as needed. Because every individual is unique, the dose will vary for each individual based on size, age, and overall health status.
Beneficial Areas You Can Apply Essential Oils
- Neck
- Forehead and temples
- Chest and abdomen
- Arms, legs, bottom of feet
Other Effective Methods of Topical Application
- Add a few drops of oil to a warm bath
- Make a hot or cold compress by soaking a towel or cloth in water, adding essential oils, and then applying to the desired area
- Add oil to a lotion or moisturizer and then apply to skin
Sensitive Areas to be Avoided:
- Some facial areas, such as the skin around the eyes
- Eyes and inner ears
- Broken, damaged, or otherwise injured skin
Internal
Certain essential oils have a rich culinary history and can be used as dietary supplements supporting a variety of healthy conditions. When you sprinkle cinnamon on your oatmeal, sip a mug of peppermint tea, or add fresh basil leaves to your spaghetti, you are actually consuming some volatile aromatic essential oil compounds.
Essential oil contributes many health benefits as well as flavoring and aroma properties to foods. When in their concentrated form, essential oils can be used as dietary supplements for more targeted and potent health benefits. Internal use is a very safe and effective method of application because of the sophisticated physiologic processes of our bodies.
When ingested, essential oils directly enter the blood stream via the gastrointestinal tract, where they are transported throughout the rest of the body. Essential oils are lipid soluble so they are readily transported to all organs of the body, including the brain. Then, like all things we consume, essential oils are metabolized by the liver and other organs and are then excreted.
The composition of essential oils is highly complex. Each constituent possesses a unique set of biochemical properties that react with cells and organs in different ways. Although these mechanisms of action are not completely understood, the positive end results have been demonstrated. However, the body is only equipped to handle appropriate doses of essential oils.
Proper dosing according to labeling recommendations and other professional guidelines should be strictly followed to avoid toxicity.
Effective Methods of Internal Application
- Use oils in recipes for cooking or baking to replace fresh or dried herbs and spices
- Remember that essential oils are much more potent than dried or fresh herbs and spices, so start with a very small amount
- For more potent oils, it may be better to administer them by toothpicks (dip the end of a clean toothpick into the oil and then add to the food) rather than drops
- Add essential oils to water, smoothies, milk, tea, or other drinks
- Take essential oils internally in a veggie capsule or add to a small amount of applesauce or yogurt
Why doTERRA Essential Oils?
Testing—Purity
The more pure the essential oil, the more powerful the results. Many essential oils available to purchase are not pure. Often, they contain fillers or other elements that dilute and alter the purity, thus diminishing the healthful qualities of the oil. In order to guarantee that the oils you use are pure, doTERRA and a team of highly skilled professionals formulated a successful testing procedure that qualifies doTERRA oils as uniquely pure and free of contaminants. This quality protocol is called CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade.®
During the CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade process, each batch of oils is subjected to extensive and rigorous testing that ensures the purity, potency, and consistency of the essential oils. Because quality oils can empower individuals and families, doTERRA makes it their priority to provide you with the purest and most effective oils possible. With each doTERRA product, you can be confident that you are receiving the highest quality essential oils, and that our effective standard testing methods are created with you and your loved ones in mind.
Farming—Potency
Another crucial element in providing a quality essential oil is guaranteeing that there is maximum potency. For an essential oil to obtain a strong potency, the plant it originates from must be grown in the right environment. When plants are grown in optimal soil, temperature, and climate, they produce a higher quality of potency in the essential oil.
To maintain this level of potency, doTERRA networks with experienced farmers around the world that intimately know how to grow plants in their native environment. This process is called sourcing. The sourcing process ensures that plants are taken care of properly and harvested at the proper stage by growers who have generations of harvesting knowledge. Once the plants reach their prime, they are then gathered and carefully distilled by artisans, making oils that are potent, consistent, and pure.
What does it mean to you to “take charge of our health?” Over the last couple of years, my understanding has expanded as I have learned more about health and wellness. I have appreciated the wholistic approach that encompasses so many different factors that affect our well being. The doTERRA Wellness Pyramid is a great visual of areas to focus on and the doTERRA essential oils and wellness products are a great addition to each step!
Looking at the doTERRA Wellness Pyramid, how would you rate yourself from 1-10 in each of these areas?
How is your diet? What could you do to improve what you eat? Are you taking a whole food, high quality supplement?
How often are you getting up to move your body and increase your heart rate? What activities do you enjoy?
Stress anyone? Do you have techniques in place to help reduce stress and deal with daily stressers? How well do you sleep at night?
With all of the toxins and pollution that bombard us, how are you helping your body to detox and clean itself? What household cleaners and products do you need to replace?
Good news! Essential oils and other wellness products support each of these areas within your healthy lifestyle! At a recent conference, Dr. David Hill, Chief Medical Advisory for doTERRA, shared a wonderful protocol for incorporating the doTERRA oils and wellness products into your daily routine.
What I have personally experienced for myself and my family is that as I support my body in each of these areas I have more energy, greater focus, and more joy in my life! When we feel well the world opens up to us. Are you ready to give these oils and products a try? Let’s talk!