Essential Oils have been quite the rage but I only hopped on the bandwagon since I started learning more about natural skin care remedies 2 to 3 years back. Now that I’m starting to get an interest in soap and candle-making, I got in-touch with Eo4kids where I learned that there is much more to essential oils beyond skin care and making your home smell good.Here I compiled everything I’ve learned into one post as a Guide to Essential Oils for Beginners.

• Ways to Use Essential Oils.
• Essential Oils for Beginners and how to use them.
• Where to purchase safe Essential Oils.

Ways to Use Essential Oils

Diffuser

I believe most people use essential oils this way. A diffuser acts as a vaporizer for your home/office. Put water in your diffuser, add 4 to 6 drops of oil depending on how strong you want the aroma to be and how big your diffuser is. This carries the oil into the air in tiny droplets so you can breathe it in, helps to calm you down and make the environment feel more inviting.

Put a couple of drops of oil in your bath as hot water will help it diffuse into the air.

Topically

You can apply essential oils on your skin with a carrier oil. Essential oils on their own can be very potent and can burn or irritate your skin. So a carrier oil is a way to dilute the essential oil and make it more comfortable for application.

There are a number of essential oils that I use topically. Frankincense, Tea Tree Oil and Rose Oil are some of the essential oils that I use with my skin care, adding Rose oil with water as a toner and mixing Tea Tree or Frankincense with my moisturizer when I’m having a breakout. I apply a drop of Peppermint behind my neck before I go out to run to keep cool in our hot weather and when I’m having a headache. You can purchase a roller ball applicator and mix your essential oil with a carrier oil if you’d like to have it with you in your handbag or diaper bag when you’re travelling.

Carrier Oils for Essential Oils:
Coconut Oil, Jojoba Oil, Almond Oil, Vegetable Oil, Non-scented Moisturizing Cream.

Ingestion

A drop of peppermint or lemon essential oil is a nice way to give you natural energy. You can also use it for baking and cooking. I mostly use a drop of lemon essential oil in my drinking water in the mornings and peppermint for when I’m having flu or swipe just a hint of peppermint behind your 2 top front teeth and you’ll feel better almost instantly.

Please note that NOT ALL brands and types of oils are made for consumption! Please ALWAYS read the bottle! Purchase oils for ingestion only from a trusted source. Look for oils that are GRAS, which is on the FDA-approved list of oils that are Generally Recognized As Safe for internal use.

Essential Oils on GRAS List:
Basil (Ocimum basilicum), Bergamot (Citrus bergamia), Black Pepper (Piper nigrum), Cassia (Cinnamomum cassia), Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea), Clove (Eugenia caryophyllata), Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) , Cumin (Cuminum cyminum), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Grapefruit (Citrus X paradisi), Juniper Berry (Juniperus communis), Lemon (Citrus limon), Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus), Lime (Citrus aurantifolia), Marjoram (Origanum majorana), Melissa (Melissa officinalis), Oregano (Origanum vulgare), Peppermint (Mentha piperita), Petitgrain (Citrus aurantium), Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Spearmint (Mentha spicata), Tangerine (Citrus reticulate), Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), Wild Orange (Citrus sinensis), Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata)

Essential Oils for Beginners

Lavender

Lavender has been used since ancient times. The Egyptians and Romans used Lavender for baths, relaxation, cooking and as perfume. It is widely used for it’s calming qualities.

• Rub lavender oil on dry skin or chapped lips.
• Add a few drops into your washing to give your laundry a fresh scent.
• Add a few drops to your pillow to help you sleep better.
• Apply to the bottom of your feet for relaxation.
• Add to bath water to soak away stress or apply to temples and back of your neck.

Price: SGD$48 (15ml)

Lemon

Lemon revitalizes your mind and lifts your mood. It is a powerful anti-oxidant and cleansing agent that contains numerous health benefits that can be used for a variety of purposes on a daily basis.

• Add 1 drop of lemon into a glass of water for a wake-me-up drink.
• Add 2 drops of lemon to a sink full of water when cleaning fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Apply lemon to nails to soften cuticles and restore the health of your nails.
• Use a cloth soaked in lemon oil to preserve and protect your leather furniture and other leather surfaces or garments.
• Rub a drop of lemon on your hands after using the public bathroom or before pushing shopping carts.

Price: SGD$23 (15ml)

Peppermint

Peppermint dates back to 1000 BC when dried peppermint leaves were found entombed in ancient pyramids. It is a multi-purpose plant and it’s components are now used by cosmetics, culinary and health industries around the world.

• Apply a drop of peppermint to the back of your neck before going out for your run during a hot day.
• Add peppermint to cold water compress or foot bath when over heated.
• Rub 1-2 drops of peppermint on to the palm of your hands and inhale deeply for clearer airways.
• Add a drop of peppermint behind your 2 front teeth when having a flu for relieve and clearer breathing.
• Apply to temples or inhale to help relieve motion sickness.

Price: SGD$46 (15ml)

Tea Tree

Tea Tree aka Melaleuca hails from Australia and it was a necessity for the natives. The Aborigines would crush the leaves and inhale to promote clear breathing or apply the leaves directly to the skin for a cooling effect.

• Combine Tea Tree with moisturiser for added cleansing properties.
• Add a drop of Tea Tree with your shampoo for each wash to keep your hair strong and healthy.
• Apply 1-2 drops of Tea Tree on acne, pimples and affected areas.
• Clean off minor cuts with a few drops of Tea Tree 1-2 times a day.
• Mix Tea Tree with distilled water in a spray bottle for a quick cleaning of various surfaces.

Price: SGD$43 (15ml)

Frankincense

Frankincense is also known as the king of essential oils as it has a variety of notable benefits, promotes overall wellness and was highly esteemed by ancient civilizations and reserved for the most sacred of practices, valuable enough to be given as a gift to Christ after his birth.

• Diffuse with Frankincense for yoga practices for relaxation and peace.
• Apply a drop of Frankincense to your temples during meditation to help you relax and reduce stress.
• Add 1-2 drops of Frankincense to your daily moisturiser to reduce the appearance of blemishes and to rejuvinate the skin.
• Apply to bottom of your feet to balance mood swings.
• Rub Frankincense to soothe dry overworked hands.

Price: SGD$158 (15ml)

Purchasing Essential Oils

There are many essential oils out there but not all of them are 100% pure and some may not even be safe for application or consumption! If you’re using essential oils for the sole purpose of diffusing then I guess it won’t be as important but you’ll really be missing out on all the benefits essential oils can bring to you and your family. Less doctor appointments, cleaner home, happier family.

The doTERRA Introductory Kit includes Lavender, Lemon and Peppermint in 5ml bottles for starters retailing at SGD$47. Contact Nicole from EO4Kids for your prefered essential oil and for a customized consultation.

Nicole Eo4Kids
Tel: +65 9387 6822

Facebook: Eo4Kids
Instagram: @eo4kids

Reference:
Eo4Kids