How to Use Essential Oils
Essential Oils can be used in three ways: aromatically, topically, and internally.
First and foremost, starting with pure, high quality essential oils is key. All essential oils are not created equal, which is why I use doTERRA. Each doTERRA oil is tested using the strict CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® and sourced from experienced growers around the world where each plant grows and thrives naturally.
The healthiest plants make the best oils. If you're interested in becoming a doTERRA wholesale customer, click here to sign up and shop now, or contact me through Facebook, Instagram, or scroll down and use the form at the bottom of the page!
Knowing which of the three ways each oil or blend can be used is important and doTERRA makes it super simple.
The easiest way is to check the label on the bottle. Each label indicates which of the three ways, aromatic, topical, or internal, each oil or oil blend can be used.
Essential oils are extremely concentrated so a little goes a long way. Just one drop of peppermint oil is equivalent to the power of 28 cups of peppermint tea.
1 drop = 1 dose and there are 250 drops in each 15mL bottle so if used correctly, oils are only pennies per dose!
You can also check the doTERRA website and click "shop" or check the doTERRA Essentials guide that is free with all wholesale memberships. Each product page has a row of letters that indicate how the oil can be used and if used topically, whether or not it should be diluted. We'll talk more about topical use a little later.
You can use essential oils aromatically by inhaling them directly or indirectly with a diffuser.
Oils used aromatically can help to open airways, boost your mood, or simply freshen the air. Inhaling oils directly is one of the fastest and most powerful ways to feel their effects.
When you inhale an essential oil through the nose, the oil molecules hit olfactory nerve receptors in the nasal cavity. Those receptors then send signals directly to your brain via the limbic system. Your brain processes these signals, then releases neurochemicals that can affect your mood, emotions, energy level, hormones, etc.
You can use essential oils aromatically by inhaling them directly from the bottle or for a more intense effect, put a single drop oil in your palm, rub your palms together, then cup them around your nose and take a couple of slow, deep breaths.
Diffusing is another way you can use essential oils aromatically. Diffusers work by creating small vibrations to disperse the oil into the air. Diffusing is a great way to improve your mood, freshen or purify the air, help you sleep, open up your airways, help you relax, calm down, or destress. Even when diffusing oils, a little still goes a long way. You only need 3-5 drops for a smaller room like a bedroom and 5-10 drops for a larger living area or for a diffuser with a longer running time.
Other ways to use essential oils aromatically:
Make a room spray by adding 20-30 drops of doTERRA Citrus Bliss®, doTERRA Purify, or your favorite blend of oils to a spray bottle and fill with water. Shake well and spray liberally.
Put a few drops of doTERRA Motivate®, doTERRA Elevation, or your favorite oil blend on a cotton ball or car diffuser and put it in the air vent.
Put a few drops of doTERRA Breathe® around the outer edge of the shower or tub and allow the steam to diffuse the oil vapors while you shower. This is great any time you're feeling stuffy or congested to help open up your lungs and nasal passages. If you're more of a bath person, try this customizable bath bomb recipe!
You can use essential oils topically by applying them to the bottoms of your feet or to the specific area you want to target.
Your skin is not only your largest organ, it's also a great delivery system for essential oils. Essential oils easily penetrate the skin to when applied topically, they work quickly and effectively.
A carrier oil (such as Fractionated Coconut Oil) should be used to dilute essential oils for use on young or sensitive skin, for more potent oils, or when trying an oil for the first time. To dilute an oil the usual ratio is one drop of oil to three drops of carrier oil.
Before applying, remember to check the doTERRA website or your doTERRA Essentials guide (free with wholesale membership) to see whether or not an oil should be diluted.
Oils with an N for neat can be applied without dilution. Oils with an S for sensitive should be diluted for use on young or sensitive skin. Oils with a D for dilute are more potent and should always be diluted for use topically.
Other advantages to using a carrier oil:
helps moisturize dry skin
increases absorption by slowing the evaporation of the essential oil(s)
allows the use of fewer drops of essential oil(s) for the same effect
minimizes the risk of a reaction on young or sensitive skin
Remember, essential oils come from plants. Like food, they are metabolized by the body quickly, so it's better to use several small doses throughout the day rather than one large dose. Start with the smallest possible dose (1–2 drops) and repeat every 4–6 hours as needed.
Some common areas to apply essential oils are:
Forehead and temples for tension or headaches (doTERRA PastTense® or doTERRAPeppermint)
Sore muscles after a workout (doTERRA Deep Blue®)
Back of the neck for stress relief or emotional support (doTERRA Peace® or doTERRA Balance®)
Chest for clear breathing or congestion (doTERRA Breathe®)
Abdomen for digestive organs (doTERRA DigestZen® or doTERRA Slim & Sassy®)
Face for complexion, blemishes, or for inflamed sinuses (doTERRA Immortelle or doTERRA HD Clear®)
Wrists, palms, or behind your ears as a perfume (doTERRA Passion® or doTERRA Amavi)
The soles of the feet to limit sensitivity
Fun fact alert! The largest pores are on the bottoms of your feet which make for great oil absorption! Massaging the feet can also stimulate nerve endings and generate whole-body benefits. Check out the reflexology chart below and try applying essentials oils to the corresponding point you are trying to target.
Because essential oils are so concentrated, avoid applying them to the skin around your eyes, inside of your ears, and on broken or injured skin.
Other Safety Tips for Topical Application:
The citrus oils (Bergamot, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime, Tangerine, and Wild Orange) make your skin more sensitive to UV radiation and sunburn for up to 12 hours after applying. If you want to avoid this, you can diffuse them, use them internally, or use them on skin that will not be exposed to light.
"Hot" oils (Cassia, Cinnamon Bark, Clove, Oregano, Thyme) and "Warm" oils (Black Pepper, Lemongrass, Wintergreen, Peppermint) should always be diluted with a carrier oil for topical application especially for use on young or sensitive skin. Also, do not add "hot" or "warm" oils to bath water. Only use oils classified as "neat" for baths and mix with Epsom salts or soap first.
If you have a skin reaction to essential oils, apply Fractionated Coconut Oil to the area every few minutes until the reaction is subsides.
You can use essential oils internally under your tongue or in a veggie capsule.
You can also add essential oils to your water, smoothie, tea, or favorite cocktail. Essential oils can also be used in cooking and baking to replace fresh or dried herbs and spices. Remember, one dose is 1-2 drops so you only need to use a small amount.
Check the label first to make sure that the essential oil or blend can be used as an internally. Oils that can be used internally are labeled as a SUPPLEMENT. Also, when using hot oils internally, always put them in a veggie capsule and take them with food.
When using essential oils internally, using high quality oils is especially important. doTERRA uses a third party process to ensure that every bottle is CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® and free of any impurities or fillers.
Another even more convenient way to use essential oils internally are doTERRA softgels and supplements. doTERRA offers several of their blends in ready to swallow, pre-portioned softgels or tablets. These are great for travel, on-the-go, or if you just want to save time rather than make them yourself with empty veggie caps.
Whichever way you decide to use essential oils, make sure that you are using oils that are pure and free of fillers like doTERRA's CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® essential oils. Where you purchase your oils matters. Never purchase oils through a third party seller like eBay or Amazon because counterfeiters can easily refill an empty brand name bottle with lower quality oils and fillers and resell them as "new" by putting on a new cap with an unbroken seal. It is easier to do this than you think.
I hope this information is helpful to you and thank you for reading. If you're interested in becoming a doTERRA wholesale customer, click here to sign up and shop now, or contact me through Facebook, Instagram, or the form at the bottom of the page! If you're interested in becoming a doTERRA wholesale customer, you can contact me through Facebook or Instagram @cleanishmom or use the form at the bottom of the page!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.