Essential oils are natural aromatic compounds found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of plants. They can be both beautifully and powerfully fragrant. If you have ever enjoyed the gift of a rose, a walk by a field of lavender, or the smell of fresh cut mint, you have experienced the aromatic qualities of essential oils. In addition to giving plants their distinctive smells, essential oils provide plants with protection against predators and disease and play a role in plant pollination.
Many essential oils have antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antibiotic properties. In addition to these impressive qualities, they often also transfer very pleasurable sensory experiences within minutes because of their fragrances and restorative natures, making them impactful on our brain chemistry, emotional well-being, and spiritual wellness.
In modern times, the powerful healing properties of essential oils were rediscovered in 1937 by a French chemist, Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, who healed a badly burned hand with pure lavender oil. A French contemporary, Dr. Jean Valnet, used essential oils to successfully treat injured soldiers during World War II. Dr. Valnet went on to become a world leader in the development of aromatherapy practices. The remarkable uses of essential oils can only be maximized when purity is involved. But government regulations vary from country to country and are subpar in assuring quality and purity. Knowing where your oils come from and how they are created is crucial to ensuring safety and effectiveness. I personally use and recommend doTERRA essential oils. Please do your own research before deciding which essential oils to invest in.
It's important to understand that each oil can NOT be used in the same way! Do your research carefully on each oil, use your judgement, and start small.
Whether you're new to essential oils or not, this Application Guide will hopefully help you learn some new ways to incorporate the oils into your life to support the health and wellness of your entire home in safe and effective ways.
Learning how to use essential oils does not have to be overwhelming. It just takes a little knowledge, the desire to learn as you go and some guidelines.
Many essential oils have antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antibiotic properties. In addition to these impressive qualities, they often also transfer very pleasurable sensory experiences within minutes because of their fragrances and restorative natures, making them impactful on our brain chemistry, emotional well-being, and spiritual wellness.
In modern times, the powerful healing properties of essential oils were rediscovered in 1937 by a French chemist, Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, who healed a badly burned hand with pure lavender oil. A French contemporary, Dr. Jean Valnet, used essential oils to successfully treat injured soldiers during World War II. Dr. Valnet went on to become a world leader in the development of aromatherapy practices. The remarkable uses of essential oils can only be maximized when purity is involved. But government regulations vary from country to country and are subpar in assuring quality and purity. Knowing where your oils come from and how they are created is crucial to ensuring safety and effectiveness. I personally use and recommend doTERRA essential oils. Please do your own research before deciding which essential oils to invest in.
It's important to understand that each oil can NOT be used in the same way! Do your research carefully on each oil, use your judgement, and start small.
Whether you're new to essential oils or not, this Application Guide will hopefully help you learn some new ways to incorporate the oils into your life to support the health and wellness of your entire home in safe and effective ways.
Learning how to use essential oils does not have to be overwhelming. It just takes a little knowledge, the desire to learn as you go and some guidelines.
- Personal judgment matters. Your judgment (and your nose) is usually one of the best guides to learning how to use essential oils. Trust yourself and your medical practitioner. You know more than you think you do about what's right and wrong for your body, and with very little trial and error you'll get better at discerning between your intuition, your needs, and everything else./li>
- Safe doesn't mean foolproof. Even drinking water used the wrong way can be harmful. And the oils we use and recommend are very potent. Know your body, your sensitivities, the properties, and the precautions of the oil you're about to use, and ease yourself in to what you use by diluting, patch testing, and starting with smaller amounts and more conservative uses, especially if your immune system or health is compromised.
- Follow precautions wisely. The techniques and recommendations on essential oil uses below are there to both give you knowledge on the precautions necessary to use these oils wisely, as well as inspiration on ways you may try. Learning the art of how to use essential oils takes time and common sense, but can be implemented easily when done so wisely. Again, start conservatively, use less first, and don't overdo it.