How should I use this Essential Oil??  Wear it?  Sniff it?  Or Eat it??

That is the question!  And the short answer is, YES!! :)  But how about a more detailed answer?  Ok, read on...

Before we delve into the different ways to use essential oils, it's very important to understand one simple reality, and that is this...  No matter how you use it, you will be bringing that essential oil into the body and into the bloodstream, to reap its wonderful benefits. Inhaling an essential oil through your nose results in absorbing it into your bloodstream. Putting an essential oil on your skin (diluted or neat) results in absorbing it into your bloodstream. Eating an essential oil results in absorbing it into your bloodstream. And so, the difference in how to use an essential oil isn't about whether or not it's going to be 'absorbed' or 'consumed' or 'ingested', because the simple use of an essential oil in any way results in absorption, consumption, ingestion by the body, through the bloodstream. It's simply that the way an essential oil is applied to the body (on the skin, through the nose, or down the hatch) affects how quickly and effectively it may support specific areas of the body or specific emotional or physical challenges. And so while all applications may be helpful, can be safe, and are often used, one type of application may be more comfortable and/or effective in a specific situation.

So what IS the best way to use essential oils?  Well, that depends!  :)  Let’s take a look…

AROMATICALLY – otherwise known as ‘through the nose’. :)

When you take essential oils into your body through your nose, they find a quick route to your brain, and enter your blood stream through your lungs. 

Aromatic use of essential oils is a great way to support...

• the immune system
• the respiratory system
• deep sleep
• emotional, mental, and intellectual well-being

Diffusing is a favorite way to use oils aromatically.  Using a diffuser, to reduce the essential oils to tiny particles and project them into the air, is a great way to both freshen and improve the quality of the air and to take the actual oil particles into your body through your nose, and to a lesser extent, through your skin.  Diffusing essential oils is a FANTASTIC way to offer general support for the bodies in your family (large, small, and furry!), because it's gentle (small amounts of oils over a longer period of time) and it's easy to do. Click here to read Choosing the Right Diffuser for details on how to choose the right diffuser for each situation, and here to read Diffusing with Purpose, to help you choose the right oils for each situation.

There are other ways to get the benefits of aromatic use of essential oils as well; you can also simply inhale the oils straight from the bottle, put a few drops on a cotton ball and stick it in a vent in your home or car or, for more intense therapeutic results, you might like a FUM or an AromaDome. 

TOPICALLY – otherwise known as ‘directly on the skin’. :)

Oils can be applied ‘neat’ (which means not diluted) or diluted with a carrier oil such as coconut oil, olive oil, or Young Living’s V-6 blend.  *For children and other more sensitive people, and for all 'first timers', I always recommend diluting – diluting doesn’t reduce the effectiveness of an oil, it simply slows its absorption making it less intense.  You’ll also want to dilute whenever you’re using a ‘warm’ oil such as clove, cinnamon, oregano, thyme, etc., and whenever you’re using an oil on a more sensitive area of your body, such as your face or other sensitive areas.  You’ll want to avoid applying essential oils in the eyes, in the ears, and in other very sensitive areas of the body.  If you use an essential oil that proves to be uncomfortable for you, or you accidentally get an oil in an eye, ear, or other sensitive area, dilute with coconut, olive, or V-6 OIL, NEVER DILUTE WITH WATER!  Water will just spread the heat and discomfort!  Ouch!  As you use your oils, and as you read and learn from whatever reference books you choose for your family, you’ll begin to know which oils you enjoy most diluted, and which ones you prefer to use neat.  Just remember, it’s always ok to err on the side of caution, because a diluted oil is just a beneficial as a non-diluted one, it just won’t ‘get to work’ quite as quickly or intensely. 

Topical application is most often done 'on location' - on, at, or over the area of the body you are seeking to support, and it's a great way to support...

• the musculoskeletal system
• the circulatory system
• the endocrine system
• the skin
• the nervous system
• the digestive system
• the cardiovascular system
• the respiratory system
• the lymphatic system

And finally, INTERNALLY – eating, drinking, putting in capsules to swallow, mixing into foods and beverages, etc.

Just as you would otherwise eat peppermint leaves, lemons, ginger, etc., it is also completely safe to eat a truly pure essential oil from those same edible plants! 

However, picture what I’m about to say, and then always remember the picture… “there’s an entire garden-full of peppermint in just one bottle of peppermint oil!”  Literally, it takes about 8 pounds of peppermint leaves to extract the essential oil in one 15ml bottle.

So, go easy!!  I like to say…  “For the most part… one drop’ll do ya!”  Too much of anything, even a good thing, is hard on our bodies. One of the beautiful things about essential oils is their concentrated potency – 1 or 2 drops at a time is going to be easier on both your body and your pocket book. :) 

Responsible internal use of the Vitality line of therapeutic quality Young Living essential oils is a great way to support...

• the digestive system
• the endocrine system
• the immune system

The bottom line is that there really isn't a wrong application of essential oils, but there is usually a best application. For kids and other sensitive individuals, gently diffusing and/or applying topically, diluted, is usually the best application. For others, let the situation guide you. And ALWAYS have and refer to a good reference guide for guidance!