15 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE USING ESSENTIAL OILS

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Here are my 15 things to know before using essential oils.

This is a handy guide to help you if you are a beginner, so that you don’t make many of the common mistakes inexperienced essential oils users do.

Read on to make sure you can safely enjoy your beautiful oils in your everyday life, without fear of adverse reactions!

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Essential oils are extremely versatile and have endless applications and health benefits. They are safe for everyone to use, and of course they smell gorgeous! Therefore, starting to use them is certainly an exciting time in your life.

But, as exciting as it can be, using essential oils can also be quite intimidating, especially for a total newbie. 

This is why I’ve created this list of 15 things to know before using essential oils!

I hope you find it useful!

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15 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE USING ESSENTIAL OILS

Once your brand new essential oils have arrived, you might be asking yourself how to use them, if you never tried them before.

Therefore, it is a good idea to get educated on their safe use, so that you can enjoy them and make the most of them.

Indeed, there are a few safety precautions you should familiarise yourself with before using essential oils.

Indeed, while essential oils are natural plant extracts, and they can be safe for everyone to use, it’s important to remember that you’re using highly concentrated substances!

Just a few drops of essential oil will go a long way and some people might experience side effects and/or develop allergic reactions to them!

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS BLOG POST?

With this blog post, I’ll walk you through the 15 things to know before using essential oils: in other words, I’ll show you everything you should know before starting using them.

My intention with this post, is to show you that, with the right info and education, you can use essential oils daily and enjoy their many benefits.

Essential oils have multiple applications in every day life, and there’s almost nothing they cannot do: from DIY cleaning products, to flavouring your food, to beauty products, to support your immune system.

So, here’s my list of 15 things to know before using EO. Hope you enjoy!

WHAT to know before using essential oils? 

As mentioned above, when using essential oils for the first time, it’s normal to feel intimidated.

Learning something new is always difficult at first, and there are some common mistakes that people do.

However, getting to know your new essential oils is a wonderful adventure, and I want to make sure I provide you with the right tools to make the journey a little bit easier.

This is why I came up with this list of 15 things to know before using essential oils: A.K.A. what I wish I had known before starting using them!

IMPORTANT

The content of this blog post is intended for information purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice.

I am not a doctor and I’m only sharing my personal experience here.

If you are unwell or sick, always ask your trusted doctor or medical practitioner for advice. Pay particular attention if you are allergic or intolerant to any food and/or medication, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Children and elderly people should also seek medical attention quickly if unwell or experiencing any symptom.

Even if you don’t experience any symptom, always contact your trusted healthcare provider if in doubt. If you feel unwell and are worried, it is safer to ask for medical advice from a professional than to wait.

Always keep essential oils out of reach of children.

Never risk it!

BEFORE WE DIVE IN

Before we dive in, let me clarify that in my house we only use DOTERRA essential oils.

Doterra is the only company I trust when it comes to the health of my family, and I cannot recommend or mention any other brand. Please do your research before buying from any essential oils company.

Doterra only provides essential oils of the highest quality and purity. All their products are CPTG certified, meaning they are Certified Pure and of Tested Grade. In other words, you can trust Doterra to provide us with high quality and 100% pure and natural oils, that are safe also for internal use.

important

Only use 100% unadulterated and pure essential oils, from a reputable company. 

Never use essential oils topically unless properly diluted, and only use them after a patch test.

Pay particular attention if you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or on older people and young children.

Some people might develop skin irritations (especially if they have sensitive skin) or adverse effects.

Never ingest essential oils without reading the label first, as not all oils can be consumed internally.

Always talk to your trusted medical practitioner and/or certified aromatherapist before using essential oils, especially if you suffer from any allergy, intolerance, have an health condition, are ill or are already taking any medication.

1) MAKE SURE TO GET YOUR INFO FROM A REPUTABLE SOURCE

This is, in my opinion, the most important thing to remember.

Essential oils are very powerful. Therefore, when you decide to start using them, you need to do your research first.

Nowadays there is a plethora of articles available on Pinterest or just through a quick Google search, and it’s hard to know if you can actually trust that information.

Never use essential oils without familiarising yourself with them first, and always get your education from a reputable source.

For an extensive list of trusted publications and online resources, you can read my post here.

2) QUALITY IS IMPORTANT

Not all oils are created equals. Therefore, it’s important to know where the products you buy come from, and how they were sourced and produced.

The law surrounding the production and sale of essential oils is very lax unfortunately. As a result, in the essential oil market, any company could just bottle up some liquid and call it pure essential oils! Moreover, those companies are not obliged by law to fully disclose the ingredients used to create the final products and, as a consequence, consumers are not guaranteed the purity and safety of those oils.

HOW TO TELL WHEN AN OIL IS OF HIGH QUALITY?

Firstly, make sure you buy from a trusted company, and don’t waste your money on cheap essential oils.

Before purchasing, look for the following information:

• where was the oil sourced?
• was it ethically sourced?
• is it organic (no pesticides were used on the plants)?
• does it contain fillers and/or additives?

Does Quality OF Essential Oils Really Matter?

Yes, it most definitively does!

Don’t buy cheap essential oils and expect them to work in the same way as more expensive, pure ones.

Do your research first, and buy essential oils of the highest quality and purity, from a trusted brand.

3) YOU DON’T NEED TO KNOW EVERYTHING IN ORDER TO START USING ESSENTIAL OILS

Learning how to use essential oils is an ongoing process, and even the more experienced users still learn new things on a regular basis.

Don’t tell yourself that you need to know everything before you can begin to use essential oils, cause there is no such thing as “knowing everything”!

Learn the basics, as in educate yourself about a few oils to begin with; start using them, and then add more as you go.

You will be surprised at how fast you will progress.

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FIND A SUPPORT GROUP AROUND YOU

It’s always vital as a beginner user, to find support. You will need motivation as well as education, so look for a group of like minded people to help you in your journey.

For example, there are many groups on Facebook that you could join.

4) ALWAYS DILUTE

Not all essential oils are safe for NEAT use on the skin and, especially if you are a beginner user, it’s best practice to properly dilute essential oils, just to be safe.

Before applying essential oils on the skin, there are a few factors to consider, such as age and skin sensitivity. 

Therefore, not using a carrier oil is one of the biggest mistakes beginners might make.

Diluting essential oils with a carrier oil (such as fractionated coconut oil, avocado il, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, etc.) is the safest way to avoid skin irritation and unwanted reactions.

In addition to that, proper dilution matters.

To help you along, I have a blog post exclusively dedicated to the safe use of CARRIER OILS.

You can read the post, and ALSO DOWNLOAD THE FREE CHEAT SHEET I’VE CREATED TO GUIDE YOU ON HOW TO CHOOSE AMONG THE MOST COMMON CARRIER OILS!

Is a carrier oil necessary?

If you have a skin reaction, or develop an irritation as a consequence of using an oil topically, never use water on the skin! The water will only help the essential oil to penetrate faster into the skin, causing even more damage.

Instead of water, grab a carrier oil and start applying it on the affected area, to dilute and lessen the power of the essential oil.

A Note On Safety Regarding Topical Use Of Essential oils

Before using a new oil, you might want to do a skin patch test first. Don’t apply the untested oil all over your body.

ALSO REMEMBER THAT, REGARDLESS OF AGE AND SKIN SENSITIVITY, THE SAFEST AND BEST WAY TO APPLY ESSENTIAL OILS IS UNDER YOUR FEET (BUT ALWAYS DILUTE FIRST).

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If you are planning on making any DIY product using Essential Oils, make sure you know what containers are safe for use. Read my post here to learn how to choose safely.

5) Essential oils ARE NOT EXPENSIVE

High quality essential oils are certainly not cheap, and they shouldn’t be.

But even the priciest oils will help you save money in the long run.

Indeed, essential oils can help you budget better because you can make endless DIY products with them, and you only need a small amount (a few drops) to create powerful concoctions. As a result, a typical 15ml bottle of pure oil will last you for months, if not for years!

As mentioned above, essential oils have limitless uses

For example, you can:

• make your own cleaning sprays;
• make your own skin care products;
• save money by diffusing oils, instead of buying expensive (and toxic) scented candles;
• support your immune system naturally in order to avoid unnecessary doctor’s bills;
• flavour your food with oils, instead of purchasing flavoured cooking oils or other ingredients that you might only use once;

These are just a few examples of how you could save money in your household by using essential oils.

6) CHILDREN LOVE USING OILS, SO DON’T BE AFRAID TO TRY

I have an autistic son, and he’s the main reason why we started using essential oils in my home.

If you are a little familiar with Autism, you might know that many autistic people have sensory issues, and therefore don’t like to be touched, or don’t like the feeling of certain substances or fabrics on their skin.

Before starting using oils on him, I was afraid my son would not let me apply them on his body. But I WAS WRONG! He absolutely loves them and they are a part of his daily routine now.

So, in conclusion, if I can use essential on an autistic child with sensory issues, you can definitively use them on neuro – typical kids!

7) YOU DON’ NEED TO HAVE ALL OILS

Good quality essential oils are pricey, and I can appreciate that some people might feel they can’t afford them.

But you don’t need all oils to get started!

You can purchase just a few oils to get started (such as tea tree oil, peppermint oil, lavender oil, lemon oil, etc.), and you can slowly add to your collection if and when you are ready to do so.

Most importantly, if a particular DIY recipe calls for a specific oil you don’t have yet, remember that it is possible to substitute and swap oils with similar ones.

Pinterest is full of handy “swap charts” that you can download. 

8) SAFETY

It is very important to repeat that essential oils are very concentrated and powerful plants extracts, and therefore a little goes a long way.

This is why educating yourself about the safe use of essential oils is vital.

You should know that:

• not all oils can be ingested;
• some oils are “hot”, so you must never apply them topically without heavy dilution;
• some oils are photosensitive, which means you need to avoid sun exposure for at least 12 hours after application;
• not all oils are safe for pregnant women, nursing mams, children and the elderly (always consult with a medical practitioner BEFORE using essential oils);
• not all oils are safe for any type of use if you have a medical condition or health problem (always consult with a medical practitioner BEFORE using essential oils);
• always read the labels, for best and safest use of a specific oil;
• if taking oils internally, do it in a safe way, and remember that some oils (like Oregano for instance) should be taken on a 10 days on / 10 days off basis.

I couldn’t stress this enough: always do your research properly before starting using essential oils!

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9) IT’S OK NOT TO LOVE THE SMELL OF ALL OILS

Yes, it is perfectly ok NOT TO LIKE ALL OILS!

Actually, that’s pretty common.

Our body instinctively knows what’s best for us and what we need. The fact that you don’t like the smell of one or more oils, might mean that your body associates that smell with a specific emotional issue you are dealing with.

There’s a very interesting publication that will explain this in more details, and far better than I could. I highly recommend you read this book.

I’m talking about the book called “Emotions and Essential Oils”.

You can purchase this book on amazon, and it comes in a paperback or kindle format.

Emotions and Essential Oils: A Guide for Emotional Healing

YES, I WANT TO GET IT!

10) REUSE AND RECYCLE EMPTY BOTTLES OF ESSENTIAL OILS

A bottle of essential oils will last you a very long time, because you only need a few drops, but sooner or later you will have some empty bottles lying around the house.

DON’T THROW THEM AWAY! We are trying to save money, remember?

If you are looking for ideas on how to reuse and recycle empty essential oil bottles, I have just the post for you!

11) EVERY OIL HAS MORE THAN ONE USE

Essential oils are such versatile products and I’m always advising people to think outside the box!

These products are not like any other one, and one single oil has so many different properties that it would be a shame to fill limited!

Not using essential oils to their full potential is a mistake many beginners make, and my job is to show you exactly how to make the most of those gorgeous oils.

Like mentioned above, in order to get started you don’t need tons of oils, because one single bottle can do so much for you!

12) Essential oils ARE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

Using essential oils in your every day routine, whether it’s for cleaning, laundry or personal care, will ensure you do your part to help the environment.

Firstly, by ditching store bought cleaning supplies, you will only be using 100% natural and pure products. No more man made, toxic chemicals being thrown into our oceans!

Secondly, by making simple products (like shampoos or shower gels) yourself, instead of buying new all the time, you will use less plastic.

See where I’m going?

13) PET SAFETY

Essential oils can be used safely on pets as well as people, but it is important to research first what oils are safe for what animal in particular.

Cats and dogs for example differ enormously, and it would be best to ask a specialised aromatherapist before applying oils topically on them (there are many available resources online as well, and specific Facebook groups you could join).

When diffusing essential oils around animals, make sure to leave the door open, so that if your pet finds the smell overpowering, he/she can safely leave the room.

14) SAFETY FOR PREGNANCY AND NURSING MUMS

You should always consult with a medical practitioner BEFORE using any essential oils if you are pregnant or nursing, because not all oils are safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Clary Sage oil (and all essential oil blends that contain it) for example, is a fabulous oil when it comes to hormonal support for women, but it should be avoided in the early stages of pregnancy, because it might bring on early labour.

Peppermint on the other hand, is certainly an oil you want to have around in your home regularly, due to its many properties and its ability to help with stomach upset, headaches, nausea, focus….. But breastfeeding women should avoid it cause it might reduce milk production.

In conclusion, if you are pregnant or nursing, as a doctor first!

15) KEEP THE OILS WHERE U SEE THEM, AND STORE THE REST

Last but not least, if you want to succeed in learning how to use essential oils safely and efficiently, you have to use them every day!

And, in order to do that, you need to have them around your house, where you can see them.

Having them around means you will be more likely to use them, and get better at it more quickly.

On the opposite, if the oils are locked in a drawer, you will soon forget about them and just won’t be bothered!

So, a great way is to create little “Essential Oils stations” throughout your home.

Here’s some examples:

• have oils in your laundry room, to help you with that chore;
• have oils in the bedrooms, to diffuse at night for a good night’s sleep (lavender essential oil is very beneficial to promote good sleep);
• place a few bottles in the kitchen, to flavour your food;
• have oils in the bathroom, to support a healthy and youthful complexion;
• support your kids during studying and homework by diffusing in their bedrooms or homeschool rooms.

See, the possibilities are endless!

The important thing to remember is to have the oils around you, so that you can use them every time you need them.

15 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE USING ESSENTIAL OILS: CONCLUSION

So, these are my 15 things to know before using essential oils for the first time.

I hope that this post was helpful to you.

If you are thinking of getting started with essential oils, my advice would be to just do it!

Most likely it will be the best decision you’ll ever make for yourself and your family.

If you have more tips to add to this list, feel free to share them in your comments cause I’d love to hear from you!

IMPORTANT

When using Essential Oils, make sure to use only CPTG Certified, Pure, Tested Grade ones, like Doterra Essential Oils. The content of this blog post and any information provided here has not been evaluated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), any government entity or medical practitioner. It is NOT intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, illness or condition. It is NOT intended to be a substitute for medical counselling. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or suffering from any medical condition or illness or injury, you SHOULD consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any product.