Moving into Confidence
As we use essential oils, we learn more and more about them. Our firsthand experiences increase our knowledge and confidence. We learn to trust our intuition about what oil to choose, how much to use, and via what method (aromatic, topical or internal).
This is the process through which we move into competence, performing a skill so easily we do it without thinking.
Allow your curiosity to facilitate new cycles of learning. Ask better questions and you’ll get even better answers.
FAQs
The most frequent questions I hear fall into three main categories: Use, Efficacy, Safety. I’ve selected the top five questions about the effectiveness of oils to provide answers to help you along your journey!
1. There are so many oils; how do I choose which one?
One of the easiest ways to select an essential oil is to get to know them by category. Start with the outcome you seek, select the appropriate category best able to deliver those benefits, and then choose your preferred aroma. (For example, if I want to soothe an upset tummy, I’d suggest an oil in the spice category, like ginger or fennel.)
· Tree Oils (leaves of the trees)
Trees are the lungs of the universe; essential oils made from the leaves of the plant are ideal to support both our respiratory system and to promote better cellular respiration. Tree oils are great to help open airways and ease our breathing.
Examples of tree oils: Cypress, Eucalyptus, Peppermint, and Tea Tree.*
· Wood Oils (trunk, bark, roots, stems, etc)
The trunk, roots, and stems of a plant are its support system. They are grounding and stabilizing and bring nourishment to the rest of the tree. So, essential oils made from the wood of the plant are grounding and stabilizing for us too! They have a calming effect on the nervous system and help us feel less anxious or tense.
Examples of wood oils: Cedarwood, Frankincense, Sandalwood, and Vetiver.*
· Citrus Oils
Citrus oils naturally uplift our mood. They have clean, bright, and happy scents which can energize and revitalize our experiences, bringing a sense of joy to the heart. Citrus oils are powerful antioxidants; they have strong disinfectant properties which make them great cleansers, both internally and externally.
Examples of citrus oils: Grapefruit, Green Mandarin, Lemon, Lime, Tangerine, and Wild Orange.*
· Culinary or Spices Oils
Herbs are Mother Nature’s digestive aids. They are good to soothe digestive discomforts, along with a wide array of other supportive properties. The digestive system is home to 70% of your immune system, so a healthy digestive system can also improve the function of your immune system.
Examples of spice oils: Basil, Cassia, Cilantro, Cinnamon, Clove, Coriander, Fennel, Ginger, Marjoram, Oregano, Rosemary, and Thyme.*
· Flower Oils
Flower oils are soft, soothing, pleasant, and relaxing…good for soothing irritated skin or to soothe our ruffled emotions. They are grounding and restorative and bring balance and peace to the body and soul.
Examples of flower oils: Clary Sage, Geranium, Helichrysum, Jasmine, Lavender, Melissa, Patchouli, Roman Chamomile, Rose, and Ylang Ylang.*
2. What are the health benefits of essential oils?
Essential oils provide many health benefits, supporting many systems and functions of the body.
“Our bodies are amazingly equipped to handle challenges. The body's natural and desired state is health. We have multiple systems and mechanisms that work tirelessly to maintain a state of homeostasis. Sometimes these systems need additional support, and this is where essential oils come in. When ingested, they support healthy bodily functions by interacting with cellular receptors and organelles within cells, aiding healthy expression of genes, and generally supporting healthy mechanisms in the body designed to keep us feeling our best.” ~ Dr. Scott Johnson, Science Behind Essential Oils, August 24, 2021
Let’s look at the numerous benefits associated with one of my favorite essential oils, Copaiba:
“When taken internally, Copaiba promotes healthy cellular function and supports the nervous system.* It also contains powerful antioxidant properties, supports the immune system, and helps soothe anxious feelings.*” ~ Life is Better with Copaiba, www.doterra.com
Copaiba interacts with the system in your body responsible for helping to regulate the inflammatory system, immune function, sleep, pain receptors, hormones, and more!
Need more examples? Cinnamon Bark and Cassia essential oils can promote healthy circulatory and cardiovascular function when taken internally.* Internal use of Marjoram may promote healthy cardiovascular health. If supporting heart health is a special concern for you, take one to two drops in a veggie capsule each morning.*
3. Are there emotional benefits, too?
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Do you have a smell memory? When you recall that memory, there’s also an emotional response. Aroma instantaneously prompts powerful emotional responses through the olfactory system. These aromatic signals can quickly influence the limbic brain which is responsible for memory, mood, and emotion.
Simply open the bottle’s cap and breathe in deeply to begin a powerful, emotionally uplifting experience! Try this with Wild Orange essential oil to put a smile on your face or Frankincense essential oil to calm and soothe an anxious moment!
4. How do I maximize effectiveness?
The first way we maximize effectiveness is to use them safely! Here are some simple guidelines to follow:
ü Follow recommendations and label instructions.
ü Know the temperature of the oils you want to use. While “Neat” oils can be used safely without dilution, “Warm” or “Hot” oils should be diluted with a carrier oil to minimize skin sensitivity. The recommendation is 1:5 ratio for most oils and 1:10 for those with strong chemistry, like Cassia, Cinnamon, Clove, Oregano, and Thyme.
ü It is also good to dilute with a carrier oil or cream to reduce flash off. This helps hold the volatile oil against the skin longer and will help increase absorption and overall effectiveness.
ü Avoid putting oils into the nose, inner ears, eyes, or broken skin. Avoid using “HOT” oils on the face.
ü Be aware of oils with sun sensitivity warnings, like most citrus oils.
The next way we maximize effectiveness is to use them wisely! Here are some tips:
ü Start with a single drop and slowly increase the amount over time.
ü As you continue to incorporate them into your daily routine, use a small amount more frequently rather than a large amount all at once. After the first application, simply reapply as needed to maximize health outcomes and benefits.
ü When approved to do so, consider taking the oil internally to provide the body with a variety of powerful benefits. Consume no more than 20 drops (divided into smaller doses) in a 24-hour period.
ü Use only high-quality essential oils capable of delivering the health benefits you seek. Select essential oils that are thoroughly tested for potentially harmful contaminants and other substances that could compromise the safety or quality of the oil; and look for a company which willingly shares these test results.
5. How can I get comprehensive answers to my particular questions?
Find a knowledge person you trust and ask them your questions. Or simply contact me directly to schedule your free lifestyle overview and enjoy some free samples! I am excited to answer your questions and help you feel more comfortable!
Note: This article focuses on essential oil efficacy. Questions on safety will be addressed in a future article. For questions on essential oil usage, refer to the March 2022 issue of this publication.
As you use oils and learn more about them, you’ll build a repertoire of experiences to support your decisions. Each new experience gives you more complete answers to your questions. Give yourself permission to use them NOW even though you may not know all there is to know. This will increase your own confidence.
Success Tip: Use them, join our community events in person and online, and build your competence and confidence! Join us at our Oils, Habits & Solutions workshop on Monday, April 25th at 7:30pm. Register here for more information:
https://snsintro2022.eventbrite.com
Own Your Health with wellness lifestyles and natural products!
What’s next?
Want to learn more? https://oils.link/TerriPace is a great resource of educational and fun opportunities to connect with our community! Join us each month for a variety of free online and in person workshops to learn more and get your questions answered!
*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.