What’s up Dimes! Today’s post is all about essential oils and how I use them! I started using essential oils because my mom diffused them throughout the house over the years, so I accredit my love for oils to her. Shoutout to my bomb-ass mama!
Anyway, I’m not an expert, but I have benefitted from the magic of essential oils and am here to share my experience. Also, if you’re skeptical about essential oils and think they’re just a scam I’d like to say to you; what’s the harm in trying? Harpreet Gujral, program director of Integrative Medicine at Sibley Memorial Hospital says it best;
“Essential oils don’t work for everyone, but there’s no harm in trying them as long as you use them in a safe way… Even if they just boost your mood, it can make a positive impact on your health and well-being.”
Alright, now let’s get into it. There are many ways to utilize the powers of essential oils, but the most popular uses are aromatic and topical.
Using Essential Oils Aromatically:
Diffusing has to be the most widely known aromatic use. I have two essential oil diffusers that I love. (You can purchase one here and the other here). But there are other ways to use oils aromatically aside from diffusers such as in a facial spray, breathing in through steam, or simply inhaling the oil droplets. Here are my favorite aromatic uses organized by oil:
- Peppermint: When I have a cold, my allergies are bad, or I have sinus pain I create a facial steamer situation. I boil a pot of water, put a few drops of peppermint oil in it, and put my face above the pot with a towel draped over the back of my head and neck, and breathe in the steam for a few minutes. Within seconds I can feel a huge difference – I can actually breathe again! It clears up congestion only temporarily but it really helps to relieve the pain associated with congestion. I also do this when I have migraines.
- Grapefruit: This has been my absolute FAVORITE oil to diffuse recently you guys. Not as citrusy of an aroma as lemon or orange oils (which is why I like it), but still a fresh scent.
- Lavender: I diffuse lavender in when I’m going to bed or when I’m having anxiety and need to calm myself. It’s a great way to promote sleep and create a relaxing environment.
- Eucalyptus: This is one of my all-time favorite smells because it reminds me of the Eucalyptus trees in the backyard of the house I grew up in. It’s very refreshing, invigorating, and clarifying. Aside from diffusing it, I also like to add a few drops to the bottom of a shower before I get in.
- Mental Focus Blend by NOW: This is a blend of oils my mom got me to help with my ADHD. The scent is fresh, vibrant, and citrusy. Sometimes I put a drop or two on my wrist and smell it while I’m studying.
- Peaceful Sleep Blend by NOW: This is a great blend for unwinding at night. It contains orange, tangerine, lavender, chamomile, ylang-ylang, and sandalwood oils. I use this much like I use the pure lavender oil – to settle me in before going to bed.
- Liquid Sunshine Blend by Saje: This is a great uplifting blend to diffuse to brighten up your day. It contains grapefruit, bergamot, orange, lime, and mandarin oils.
Using Essential Oils Topically:
In general, when using essential oils topically, you need to dilute them with a carrier oil of some kind. My favorite carrier oils are sweet almond oil and vitamin E oil. Other carrier oils that are commonly used are olive oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, and argan oil.
- Peppermint Halo by Saje: This stuff is THE BEST. The blend contains peppermint, lavender, and rosemary as well as carrier oils. It comes in a rollerball and is intended to relieve tension and headaches – and it works. App it to the back of your neck, shoulders, and hairline (creating a halo effect hence the name). In seconds you will feel the cooling and relaxing effects.
- Tea Tree: Tea tree oil has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties so it can be very useful! I like to dilute a few drops of TTO in some witch hazel and use a Q-tip to apply to acne as a natural spot treatment. I’ve also just gotten a cotton pad soaking wet, put one drop of TTO on it, and used it to tone my problem areas.
- Lavender: Add a few drops to a carrier oil and use it as a massage oil for a relaxing spa-like experience in your own home!
- Moon Cycle Blend by Saje: This blend was created to ease the side effects of periods. It contains roman chamomile, geranium, and lavender oils as well as carrier oils. This also comes in a rollerball and supports feelings of balance and comfort. I apply it to my lower abdomen, lower back, hips, and thighs when I’m on my period.
A Few Thing to Keep in Mind:
- Be very careful when using oils topically because they are extremely concentrated and not all can be used on the skin, so make sure to read the labels for instructions and uses.
- Unless you are purchasing a blend, make sure to get 100% pure oils and not mixtures that include unnecessary ingredients.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with mixing your own unique special blended scent.
Using essential oils is a personal endeavor, so have fun with it and explore all different types of oils. Try to keep track of how you feel or what the effects are of each oil you use, so you can get a list of favorites like mine!
♡ xoxo DD ♡
