Essential oils are made from steam distilling plants and extracting the delicate substance that is the life-blood of the plant. Their function in the plant is to carry nutrients into the cells of the plants, and it is the immune system of the plant. Unlike vegetable or nut oils which are sticky and viscous, most essential oils are light, non-oily substances that will evaporate if left uncovered. They are concentrated substances that carry the healing properties of the plants in a powerful form. One drop of essential oil of peppermint is equal to 26 cups of peppermint tea. It can take thousands of pounds of plant substance to make a small amount of essential oil.
Plant medicine has been used for thousands of years; we have an obvious symbiotic relationship with plants. We inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide - plants take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen! We cannot live without plants, and they have provided both food and healing properties to humankind throughout history. When a herb is cut and dried, the potency of the plant is greatly diminished as the essential oil dries out. The essential oil is the potent aspect of the plant and has many healing properties that provide immune enhancing benefits for us, and calming properties for mind and body.
Essential oils and human blood share several properties. Essential oils fight infection and support the immune system. When you study text about essential oils you will find they have many properties and are antibacterial, antiseptic, antifungal and anti-viral, and protect the plant from insects, bacteria, molds and repair damaged tissue of the plant. They are obtained through pure steam distillation, and are called essential because without them the plant will die.
Therapeutic grade Essential Oils
A drop or two of therapeutic grade essential oil can often produce quick and significant results. Blood studies show that essential oils penetrate into cells deep inside the body and can pass throughout tissue within minutes to benefit the body and mind.
Only therapeutic grade essential oils should be used, as they are pure and unadulterated. They should be carefully steam distilled at slow, low pressure to protect the delicate healing constituents that are contained in the plant material. Many essential oils that are sold in the marketplace are used for perfumes and flavorings, and contain chemical solvents to amplify fragrance and lower cost. They lack the fragile and complex constituents of therapeutic-grade oils. A synthetic or low-grade oil may actually cause rashes, burns, allergic reactions, nausea and indigestion, could be carcinogenic with prolonged use and should not be used when trying to get health benefits of pure essential oils.
Everything we put on our skin is absorbed into our blood stream and affects all the cells in our bodies. We should educate ourselves and make conscious decisions to protect ourselves and our loved ones from chemical laden personal care products. All Young Living Essential Oils are guaranteed for purity and therapeutic quality - choose the best for yourself and your clients.
How to Use Essential Oils1.) Essential oils may be applied directly to the body, either neat (without dilution), or diluted by a carrier oil (some type of vegetable, nut or seed oil). They penetrate the skin and deliver beneficial results in minutes. They can be applied to a particular part of the body, or worn as a fragrance - avoiding the use of synthetic chemical fragrances.
2.) Essential oils may be inhaled directly, either by putting a few drops in the palm of the hands and inhaling deeply, or using a diffuser to disperse the oils into the room. The best diffusers to use are those that do not use heat , as heat compromises the delicate healing properties of the oils. (YoungLiving offers 2 of these types of diffusers, and you will receive a half off coupon for your diffuser purchase when you buy your Start Living Kit and become a distributor.)
3.) Essential oils can be added to massage oils putting several drops in a small container of organic, food-grade oils, as the skin absorbs everything. Young Living has several pre-mixed massage oils - all of them in food-grade vegetable oils: Ortho Ease, Ortho Sport, Cel Lite Magic, Sensation, Dragon Time or Relaxation massage oils which are all excellent. You can also order the V-6 pure vegetable oil from Young Living, and add your essential oil to make up your own mixture.
4.) Essential oils can be added to a bath - use the Bath Gel Base to disperse the essential oil in the water, as otherwise the oil will sit on top of the water and may become uncomfortable when it comes in direct contact with certain delicate parts of the body. Or you can add the essential oil drops to Epsom salts or sea salt which will also disperse them in the bath water.
5.) Essential oils may be used in a compress.
6.) They can be taken internally in capsules and Young Living has some already in capsules, as well as suggested doses in the Essential Oils Desk Reference for making up your own caps. (for where to purchase the Desk Reference see Resources).
7.) Put a few drops on a tissue and wipe down the desk where you're working, or the surface of other furniture to enjoy the fragrance for several hours. You can put a few drops on a cotton ball and put in the AC vent of the car or house to add a fresh smell that will help kill bacteria. Especially helpful in a rental car filled with chemical cleaners or off-gassing, or in hotel rooms cleaned with chemical cleaners.
8.) Add a few drops of lemon to water and drink, to help alkalinize the system, or a drop of peppermint to a quart of drinking water to refresh the mind and aid digestion.
9.) Use Young Living's Thieves Household Cleaner for all cleaning jobs around the house, and get rid of your cleaners filled with chemicals and chemical fragrance.
10.) When journaling or doing some emotional work, use a few drops of essential oil to anchor in a positive intention, to keep the mind focused, or to shift out of a negative emotional state.
11.) There are many oils that can be used for specific conditons or situations. I have applied Young Living Lavender oil directly on a burn for immediate relief and healing. * For more information, and to learn about research that has been done, please contact me.
Experiment, having fun as you learn. *Read testimonials of how others have benefitted from use of the Young Living oils. (see Resources for a website of testimonials.)
All of Young Living's supplements contain essential oils which help carry the nutrients into the cells, enhancing absorption.
PLEASE ALSO READ GUIDELINES FOR SAFE OIL USE
