Things You Should Know About Essential Oils

Essential oils are one of natures best kept secrets. Essential oils are the untapped powerhouses of natural remedies. Most people just don’t know the potential these oils have! If they did, they might stop buying over-the-counter items like painkillers, rash creams and sleep aids. But everyone is a skeptic, including me! I did a lot of research before using these little miracles. So I thought I would give you a few facts that I think you should know about essential oils!

Essential oils have been used throughout recorded history for a wide variety of wellness applications.The Egyptians were some of the first people to use aromatic essential oils extensively in medical practice, beauty treatment, food preparation, and in religious ceremony. Frankincense, sandalwood, myrrh and cinnamon were considered very valuable cargo along caravan trade routes and were sometimes exchanged for gold. You will also find many of these oils in the bible!

Do you know how to see how pure your essential oils are? Or how long your essential oils will last? Or even how much of a plant is needed to produce a pound of essential oil? (It’s more than you think!)




 

Here’s the skinny on essential oils:

Things You Should Know About Essential Oils

• Essential oils are not really oils nor are the oily. They do not contain the fatty acids that constitute what we would consider an oil. Essential Oils are actually highly concentrated plant constituents possessing potent medicinal and cosmetic qualities. Or, as Stephanie Tourles  in Organic Body Care recipes said, “I consider essential oils the life force or the soul of the plant.”
• Essential oils are miniscule in molecular size, which means they are absorbed well by the skin – making them perfect ingredients in personal care items intended to heal, soften, and nourish. However, they do not accumulate in the body over time – they simply offer up their healing properties and then pass on through.
• Fragrance oils and essential oils are NOT the same thing. As a rule of thumb, if you see the word “fragrance” or “fragrance oil” or even “perfume” on anything, you can assume this is synthetic and NOT natural.
• Essential oils are wholly natural and cannot be patented; which means that you’ll never see an essential oil in a pharmaceutical drug.
• Enormous amounts of plants are needed to produce essential oil. In fact, on the extreme end, it takes 4000 pounds of Bulgarian roses to produce 1 pound of essential oil. Other plants like lavender only take 100 pounds of plant material to produce a pound of essential oil. Still, can you imagine how concentrated essential oils must be, in light of how many plants are used to produce them?
• Many essential oils are high in antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties: This makes them an excellent addition to your homemade cleaning preparations.
• Essential oils GRAS. Although there is no government agency that certifies or grades essential oils, there are many essential oils that are Generally Regarded as Safe by the FDA.
• They pass directly through our skin into our bloodstream, thanks to their very low molecular weight. That means that within seconds, they’re spreading through our bodies and passing through our liver, kidneys, lungs and heart.

Not all oils are created equally

• Not all essential oils are created equally, nor does more expensive necessarily mean “better.”
• To test your essential oil to see how “pure” it is, put a single drop of it on a piece of construction paper. If it evaporates quickly and leaves no noticeable ring, it is pure. If you have a ring left, then it is likely diluted by the manufacturer with an oil of some sort (this test will not work for myrrh, patchouli, and absolutes).
• Essential oils will last for at least 5-10 years, so one bottle could literally last you a decade. Hopefully that thought will help mitigate the cost involved in purchasing some essential oils. Because they are SO concentrated and only a tiny amount is needed in anything you do, they’ll last you a very, very long time. The only exception to this rule is citrus oils, which will see a reduction in potency after a year or two.
• Store your essential oils in dark glass bottles and out of direct sunlight. This is simply to help preserve their potency.
• Remember that what you’re allergic to in food, you will be allergic to in essential oils.So if, for some reason, you can’t eat sage without breaking out in a rash, steer clear of sage essential oil (or any product containing it).

Why aren't essential oils used more often?

It all boils down to one thing: essential oils are all-natural and cannot be patented. This means that you’ll never see an essential oil in a pharmaceutical drug. Because essential oils cannot be patented, drug companies will not waste money studying them.

Recommended Essential Oils to Get You Started

What I hear most often and I how felt in the beginning: There are so many oils I don't know where to start!

To help people get started, Young Living has created a Premium Starter Kit. This kit has 11 everyday essential oils in it. With this kit you can do most of the things you are looking to do with your Essential Oils. The kit is highly discounted and once you buy it you are considered a wholesale member which means everything you buy from Young Living there on is discounted.

Most people purchase this kit and start using their essential oils little by little until they get the hang of it. Then one day you will think, "I wonder if there is an oil for that." The answer of course will always be, Yes! Then you will research your ailment and find the oil that is just right for you and purchase it at a wholesale price. Eventually your oily arsenal will be huge and you will notice the lack of pharmaceuticals, chemicals and colds in your house!

Click here for more information about the Premium Starter Kit!

To order your starter kit from Living Wright, click here! If you have questions please call, text or email!

Roller-ball Remedies

Roller-balls are by far  my favorite method of applying oils.  Whether I’m treating a headache and need to apply an oil to my the temples of my forehead, or trying to treat a fresh scrape that one of my boys has just earned, the roller ball allows a nice, easy, and smooth application.  What I really like to do is make my own roller-ball blends!

So I have compiled a list to make your life as easy as mine!

A few things you need to know first:

What is a carrier oil?

• This is an oil that you mix your essential oil with to dilute it and also to carry it out farther. You can use Young Livings v-6 oil, coconut oil, olive oil or any kind of oil you please!

How To  Assemble The Roller-ball?

• Remove the clear plastic top that comes with your Young Living Essential Oil bottle.  Then simply set the rollerball in the bottle’s opening.  While the rollerball is not quite in place, go ahead and put the bottle’s cap on and twist until the fitment is securely in place.

How To Remove The Roller-ball?

• The removal of the roller-ball is quite easy.  You loosely set the bottle’s cap on the end of the rollerball, Then cock the neck of the lid to the side. It will pop right out.

Where do I buy Young Living Essential Oils?

• I have full instructions on my website, just click here!

What is the best recipe to start with?

• If you buy the premium starter kit, you can do most of these recipes! This option is the most for you money. You get a whole list of oils and a diffuser!

Where can I buy extra roller balls?

• You can transform your empty bottles of oil by using these: Young Livings Roller-Balls
• You can purchase them on Amazon here!

Roller-ball Recipes

 

Does Lavender Really Help You Sleep?

Its been known for ever that spraying a lavender linen spray on your bed or giving your baby a lavender scented bath will help with sleep. But, does it really help with sleep?

I have soaked my sheets in this lavender linen spray and all I ever got out of it was a nice smell. I also always gave my babies baths with lavender scented soap and I can't say that my kids were the best sleepers....

So why is it a known "fact" that lavender helps you sleep?

 




What We Know Research shows that the scent of lavender eases anxiety and insomnia. In one study done at Britain's University of Southampton, researchers tracked the sleep patterns of 10 adults. For a week, half of the participants slept in a room where lavender essential oil was diffused in the air throughout the night; the rest snoozed in a similar room where a placebo--sweet almond oil--was released. After a week, the groups switched rooms. At the end of the study, the volunteers ranked the quality of their sleep 20% better on average when in the lavender-scented room.

What New Research Shows Psychologists at Wesleyan University asked 31 men and women to sniff lavender essential oil one night--and then distilled water the next--for four 2-minute periods just before bedtime. The researchers monitored their sleep cycles with brain scans. On the night they whiffed the herb, subjects slept more soundly; they also felt more energetic the next morning.

The researchers found that lavender increased slow-wave sleep, the very deep sleep in which the heartbeat slows and muscles relax. During this phase is when the brain organizes memory as well!

After reading this research, why is the store bought spray not working for me?

Not all products are created equally! The sprays I tried in the past had a wonderful lavender aroma with out a doubt. That lavender aroma had somewhat of a calming effect on me as different smells trigger different things. But, I never felt like I got better sleep...why? Most of these sprays are simply fragrant. The science behind why lavender helps you sleep has to do with the essential oil of the lavender plant and what happens to you when you inhale and absorb the oil from a lavender plant, not just simply smelling the scent.

Lavender Essential Oils Also Known As The Everything Oil

What to Use For the Best Sleep Results?

Young Livings Pure lavender essential oil. Sprinkle a few drops on a piece of tissue and tuck it under your pillow, or use a diffuser.

To purchase, click here and sign up a retail member or a wholesale member. If you sign up as a wholesale member (which gives you 24% off all purchases) and buy the premium starter kit, it comes with lavender and a diffuser!

If you sign up as a retail customer, search lavender once you're in!

Lavender Bonus:

Lavender is what us oilers call the "everything oil". Lavender is one of the most adaptive plants, therefor its oils is very adaptive! Lavender is a go to, must have!

Below is what I found about Lavender in my Essential Oils Pocket Reference Guide:

Botanical Family: Lamiaceae

Plant Origin: Utah, Idaho, France

Extraction Method: Stem distilled from flowering on top

Key Constituents:

Linalyl Acetate

Linalol

Cis-Beta-Ocimene

Trans-Beta-Ocimene

Terpinen

Historical Data: The French scientist Rene Gattefosse was the first to discover lavender's ability to promote tissue regeneration and speed would healing when he severely burnt his arm in a laboratory explosion. Today, lavender is one of the few essential oils to still be listed in the British Pharmacopoeia.

Medical Properties: Antiseptic, antifungal, analgestic, antitumoral, anticonvulsant, vasodilating, relaxant, anit-inflammatory, reduces blood fat/cholesterol, combats excess sebum on skin

Uses: Respiratory infections, high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, menstrual problems/PMS, skin conditions (perineal repair, acne, eczema, psoriasis, scarring, stretch marks), burns, hairloss, insomnia, nervous tension

Fragrant Influence: Calming, relaxing and balancing, both physically and emotionally. Lavender has been documented to improve concentration and mental acuity. University of Miami researchers found that inhalation of lavender oils increased beta waves in the brain, suggesting heightened relaxation. It also reduced depression and improved cognitive performance (Diego MA, et al,. 1998). A 2001 Osaka Kyoiku University study found that lavender reducedc mental stress an increased alertness (Motomura, 2001).

Application:




Apply 2-4 drops on location

Apply on chakras and/or Vita Flex points

Inhale Directly

Diffuse

Take as a dietary supplement

You can purchase your starter kit here! Also like me on facebook and message me with any questions!

Young Living VS DoTERRA

A very common question...

Why do I chose Young Living over doTERRA?

My goal here is not to bash any other companies but to have a place to send people who ask this common question and to inform!

Why I went with Young Living

• They have been around for 20 years and have truly forged the way for therapeutic grade oils.
• They own most of their own farms (and are highly involved in the process on the farms they don’t own) and they worry about soil fertility, proper distillation, purity, and many other things they don't necessarily have to worry about in order to stay in business.
• Their oils are simply amazing. I have loved the results I’ve seen using them.
• My research has led me to believe that they are an honest company with a quality product… and I can’t necessarily say that about some of the other companies I researched.

I hope you’ll do your own research before deciding… or do some research now, even if you’ve already been using oils for a while. I’m amazed how many people make the switch to Young Living when they really look beyond savvy marketing.

Some of the information that helped me decide:

Young Living Seed to Seal Process

Third Party Research

A Comparison of Young Living and doTERRA




doTERRA or Young Living – You Decide

Why Young Living Essential Oils and not doTERRA

Ready to try the best?

By purchasing any starter kit you will become a wholesale member and get your oils for 24% off! Click here to get started!

Check out the member benefits here!