Why Essential Oils
** This article contains information and links that I will be compensated from. I am a Wellness Advocate with dōTerra Essential Oils and use the Amazon Affiliate Program.**
It’s all the buzz. They are sold at health food stores, they are all over the Internet, and are now even popping up stores that have nothing to do with health and wellness.
ESSENTIAL OILS BASICS
But what are they?
First, here is a quick definition of what they are and what to look for. Let’s break it down in simple terms.
When you peel an orange and the first scent of citrus from the peel breaks into the air…. ESSENTIAL OIL.
When you pick a fresh mint leave and the mint scent immediately releases onto your hand… ESSENTIAL OIL.
By definition, essential oils are small chemical compounds; “any of a class of volatile oils that give plants their characteristic odors and are used especially in perfumes and flavorings, and for aromatherapy.” (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/essential%20oil?src=search-dict-box)
Essential oils are naturally occurring and give plants their smell as they are found in the roots, stems, bark, seeds, flowers, and other parts of the plant. They have many benefits to the plant such as protection and pollination. These are small organic molecules that tend to change rapidly from their liquid state to a gas at room temperature. That is why they are often referred to as volatile aromatic compounds. Over 3,000 of these have been identified and have been used throughout history for thousands of years.
So now you have the official definition. But, what does all that mean. Honestly, to me that means I should do more research! Having studied some chemistry, I realize that anything that has claims should be researched and should have protocols and reports to indicate they are selling what the label actually says. We live in a world full of contamination and mis-labeling. It is on the news regularly: romaine lettuce contamination recall, dog food contamination recall, and more! So I how do I know that an oil I am using is actually what it says? Many inexpensive oils are not pure or potent. After doing a fair amount of research, I found a company I TRUST! dōTerra Essential Oils is a privately held company in Utah. They have extremely stringent testing and processes that ensure each bottle of essential oil I open has the correct documentation to show that it is pure. In fact, they use five different methods to ensure the oils are not only pure, but potent as well. Each bottle has a lot number that can be entered online to view the reports associated with that very bottle.
THE WHY AND HOW
All of this became VERY important to me as I realized how much negative impact synthetic chemicals have on our body and overall health. Everything from perfumes and scented candles to household cleaners and beauty products. I was exposing myself and my family to something dangerous over and over everyday. The studies are numerous that show chemicals in these products can do more harm than good. So, finding an alternative became important to me. And that’s WHY essential oils have found a permanent place in my life.
Knowing I have little bottles that are pure and potent gives me the confidence to now use dōTerra essential oils for a variety of purposes in my life:
eliminating harmful chemicals in typical household products by using essential oils as a replacement for air fresheners, overpowering scented candles (you know, the kind that give you a headache), and harsh cleaning products
use a variety of oils to support and strengthen general wellness, immunity, and health
oils to the rescue….. fabulous options for first aid with kids, support for bumps and scrapesI love using oils and creating blends for self care…cuticle cream, bath salts, foot soaks, moisturizing, and more
ease tension and stress with oils including relief for headachese
motional support and mood management such as blends for increased focus or calming
oils for workouts – YES! Energizing, support breathing and circulation, grounding in yoga, cleaning equipment, ease sore muscles, and more!
naturally repel bugs and little critters in my home, on dogs, and on people!!!
promote restful sleep
soothe skin irritations and occasional stomach upset
The study and use of aromatherapy opens up a beautiful array of ways to compliment your own self care and household environment. By using a resource book, researching credible supporting evidence online, and truly learning how essential oils work based on their makeup can offer a multitude of solutions in life, all while doing it naturally and eliminating the alternative synthetic stuff that is just plain YUCKY!
There is an active body of research happening to further evaluate and pinpoint ways essential oils can support health and wellness. This is such an exciting time to revisit natural options that are responsibly sourced. I honestly use my essential oils as a first option for many needs in our life. I find they are the perfect compliment to our traditional health and wellness options.
HOW TO GET STARTED
So how do you get started?
First, purchase oils from a company you trust. I, hands down, always recommend using oils from a company that is committed to safety, purity, and quality. For me, that’s dōTerra. I believe in the company so much, that I do represent them as a Wellness Advocate. You can jump online to order here form my website. Essential oils are primarily used topically and aromatically. (some are also approved for internal use, do your own research to determine what is best for you) Having a few accessories that support these uses will be important, such as fractionated coconut oil and a diffuser.
Second, I would purchase a book to guide you through the process of using oils. The Essential Life book is one of my favorites. You can order it here. Last, I would find a network to plug into that uses essential oils where you can attend classes, ask questions, and learn about how to safely and responsibly use essential oils in your life. If you have health concerns or specific questions, talk to a health care provider or doctor that is familiar with the use of essential oils too!
*** This post is not intended to diagnosis or treat any conditions and no statements are approved by the FDA. If you have questions or special medical circumstances, consult a healthcare professional.