What are Essential Oils & How to use them
Essential Oils are the aromatic compounds found in flowers, leaves, bark, stems, roots, seeds and other parts of plants. Essential Oils are both powerfully fragrant and highly potent.
Essential oils give plants their distinctive smells, protect plants from environmental threats and also play a role in plant pollination. In addition to their intrinsic benefits to plants and their beautiful fragrance, essential oils have long been used for food preparation, beauty treatment and health care practices.
Click here to download doTERRAS 'Essential Oils for beginners' eBook
You generally use Essential Oils in 3 main ways.
Aromatically
The sense of smell is a tool that can elicit powerful physical, mental and emotional responses. Essential oils are quickly absorbed by the smell receptors, which have a direct link to the limbic system by way of the olfactory nerve. The limbic system is part of the brain that supports a variety of functions including smell, emotions, behaviour and memory. For this reason, essential oils have an especially powerful effect via aromatic application.
Click here to download doTERRA's eBook or audiobook on Aromatic Use of Essential Oils
Topically
Topical application is a very effective method for applying essential oils. Because essential oils have low molecular weights and are lipid soluble, they can easily penetrate the skin. To decrease the likelihood of developing a skin sensitivity and increase absorption, it is best practice to use a carrier oil like Fractionated Coconut Oil to dilute the essential oil. This is especially important when using essential oils on children or infants. Some of the common places to apply essential oils are - Pulse points, temples, back of neck & spine and soles of the feet.
Click here to download doTERRA's eBook for topical application
Internally
When ingested, essential oils directly enter the blood stream via the gastrointestinal tract, from here they are transported throughout the rest of the body. Essential oils are lipid soluble so they are easily transported to all organs of the body, including the brain. Then like all things we consume, essential oils are metabolised by the liver and other organs before being excreted. If you are adding oils to your water ALWAYS use either glass or stainless steel or ceramic containers, never drink from plastic. Essential Oils are very powerful cleaning agents and they will start cleaning a plastic container and you don't want to be drinking that!
Click here to download doTERRA's eBook on Internal Use of Essential Oils
