Getting Started with Essential Oils:
Did you know that essential oils are one of the only substances known to be able to cross the blood brain barrier?
That’s right! The molecules are so microscopically small that they are able to penetrate to the most remote regions of our body to do some major goodness on a cellular level.
There are many types of oils out there, you must be diligent in making sure it’s a high grade, undiluted, quality essential oil to ensure you are not taking in any chemicals that can become toxic to your body. To help know if it is a pure grade oil, the bottle should have supplemental information on it & should say it is ok to ingest it.
To reap the most benefits of essential oils, you must use them on a regular basis.
Ways to use Oils:
You can Diffuse (make sure its high grade plastic, BPA free) , apply topically or ingest.
I would like to discuss one of the most universal oils and one you should always have on hand in your oil toolbox Lavender Oil!
With a distinct aroma and countless applications, Lavender has been used for centuries. Anciently, the Romans and Egyptians would use Lavender as perfume and for bathing and cooking. Since that time, many have discovered the myriad benefits that Lavender holds—using Lavender oil topically for skin, internally to ease feelings of tension and promote restful sleep, treatment of issues with the nervous system, insomnia, pain relief, urine flow, respiratory disorders, skin care, hair care, blood circulation, indigestion, immune system health calming, analgesic, disinfectant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antifungal and more. The versatile properties of Lavender essential oil make it a favorite, and a must-have oil to keep on hand at all times.
Fun Fact: It takes 35 pounds of Lavender flowers to produce just one 15mL bottle of Lavender essential oil.
Chemistry of Lavender Oil
Main Chemical Components: Linalool, linalyl acetate. Lavender falls under the chemical compound group known as esters, which are typically characterized for their calming properties. The main chemical components of Lavender oil are Linalool and linalyl acetate. Essential oils that are high in Linalool, including Lavender, are known for their ability to reduce sad and anxious feelings. When taken internally, Lavender essential oil can help reduce anxious feelings and promote restful sleep. As an essential oil with chemical components known for its calming properties, Lavender can also be used to help ease feelings of tension.
Here are just some of the many uses & benefits of lavender essential oil:
Treating Burns (hot pan or sunburn)- Just add this oil neat (without a carrier oil) to the skin every 1/2 hour or 15 minutes until the redness fades. DO NOT use a carrier oil with this as it will trap in the heat instead.
Soothe minor cuts- Lavender oil can soothe a minor cut, just add it to the wound. It will also help slow bleeding.
Combats Seasonal Sniffles- Fantastic to combat seasonal sniffles, lavender essential oil is awesome to help stop the itch and runny nose when taken internally, applied to the stomach or to the spine. my favorite recipe for this ailment is to put 2 drops each of lavender, cedarwood, and tea tree to a disposable essential oil “inhaler,” (found on amazon).
Detox Bath – Use lavender essential oil for detox baths. 1 cup Epsom salt, 10 drops Lavender oil to bath water.
Stop a Nosebleed- Just add a drop to a tissue and apply to the nose.
Refresher – Combine Lavender oil with water in a spray bottle to create an instant solution for the unwanted smells that might be plaguing your home or belongings. Spray a light mist from your Lavender spray bottle into your car, linen closet, on your mattress, or any other areas that could use some freshening up. Put a few drops on your AC filter to run through your vent and make your house smell wonderful.
Calming Car Ride – put several drops on a cotton ball and stuff in your car vents to use on a long car ride or cope with that lovely commute.
Natural Perfume – Put a drop behind each ear lobe or in your hair.
Put a few drops on a dryer ball for clean smelling clothes
Put a few drops in your hand, rub together & breath in 3-4 times to relax
Bug Repellent – The smell of lavender essential oil is potent for many types of bugs like mosquitoes, midges, and moths. Apply some lavender oil on the exposed skin when outside to prevent these irritating bites. If you do happen to be bitten by one of those bugs, lavender essential oil has anti-inflammatory qualities that will reduce the irritation and the pain associated with bug bites. Just apply lavender directly to the bite.
Induces Sleep – Lavender essential oil induces sleep and is thus used as an alternative treatment for insomnia. Place a few drops on your pillow and or sheets. You can also apply a few drops to the bottoms of your feet with a carrier oil (fractionated coconut oil) to soften your feet and relax at the same time, combine that with a couple of drops of peppermint oil to relax tired feet.
Relieves Stress & Anxiety – Lavender essential oil has a calming scent which makes it an excellent tonic for the nerves and anxiety issues. Therefore, it can also be helpful in treating migraines, headaches, depression, nervous tension and emotional stress. The refreshing aroma removes nervous exhaustion and restlessness while also increasing mental activity.
Treats Acne- According to dermatologists and aromatherapists, lavender essential oil is one of the most beneficial oils in the treatment of acne. Lavender essential oil inhibits the bacteria that cause the initial acne infection, helps to regulate some of the over-excretion of sebum by hormonal manipulation and can reduce the signs of scarring after the acne has begun to heal. Adding a small amount of lavender essential oil to other skin creams or ointments can greatly increase the potential for relief and healing.
Relieves Pain- Lavender essential oil is known as an excellent remedy for various types of pains including those caused by sore and tense muscles, muscular aches, rheumatism, sprains, backache, and lumbago. A regular massage with lavender oil can provide relief from pain in the joints.
Treats Respiratory Disorders- Lavender oil is widely used for various respiratory problems including throat infection, flu, cough, cold, asthma, sinus congestion, bronchitis, whooping cough, laryngitis, and tonsillitis. The oil is either used in the form of vapor or is applied to the skin of neck, chest, and back. It is also added to many vaporizers and inhalers that are commonly used for cold and cough. The stimulating nature of lavender essential oil can also loosen up the phlegm and relieve congestion associated with respiratory conditions, thus speeding up the recovery process and helping the body naturally eliminate phlegm and other unwanted material. The vapor of lavender essential oil also has antibacterial qualities which can battle respiratory tract infections. Apply lavender to the feet and down the spine.
Hair Care- Lavender essential oil is useful for hair care because it has been shown to be very effective on lice, lice eggs, and nits. Furthermore, lavender essential oil has also been shown to be very helpful in the treatment of hair loss, particularly for patients who suffer from alopecia, an autoimmune disease where the body rejects its own hair follicles.
Improves Blood Circulation- Lavender essential oil is also good for improving circulation of blood in the body. Research suggests that aromatherapy using lavender oil has beneficial effects on coronary circulation. It also lowers blood pressure and is often used as a treatment for hypertension.
Treats Eczema- It is used to treat various skin disorders such as acne, wrinkles, psoriasis, and other inflammatory conditions. It is commonly used to speed up the healing process of wounds, cuts, burns, and sunburns because it improves the formation of scar tissues. Lavender oil is also added to chamomile to treat eczema. Apply a little coconut oil and lavender over patches of skin irritations and end the itching.
Yoga Mat Spray
¾ cup distilled water
¼ cup alcohol-free witch hazel or white vinegar
5 drops Lavender oil
3 drops Melaleuca oil
Glass spray bottle
Note: Not all yoga mats are treated the same. Using essential oils may ruin some yoga mats. Spray a test patch on a small part of your mat first to make sure it doesn’t affect it.
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in glass spray bottle, Shake until combined, Spray on mat and wipe dry with towel.
Oils that blend well with Lavender oil
As a floral, calming oil, Lavender oil blends well with bright, citrus oils like Bergamot or Citrus Bliss The light aroma of Lavender oil also makes it a good companion to herbaceous essential oils like Marjoram or Basil oil.
Cautions
Possible skin sensitivity. Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, nursing, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician. Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas.
If you are new to the oil world and would like to learn more, there is a great podcast titled “the Essential Oil Revolution” that educates about the whole oil concept (uses, types, making blends, different ailments to use oils for, and endless topics). The best part, its free!
Where to Buy Lavender Oil
When it comes to essential oils, there are a lot of ways to source, harvest, and produce a product. doTERRA believes in responsible sourcing, and efficiency during harvest and production, to provide the highest quality Lavender oil as possible. You can contact Melissa Busch, buschmm@gmail.com or 813-951-4390 if you are interested in purchasing oils.
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