Diffusing (with some recipes), safety and other beginner topics.

Diffusing Tips 

Young Living diffusers are multi-functional; humidifier, air purifier, atomizer, and aromatherapy diffuser. 

Cold air diffusing does not damage the properties of the essential oil molecules 

Inhaling essential oils is the avenue to the brain. Essential oils can actually pass the blood brain barrier, and they reach the limbic system of our brains where our memories and emotions are housed!

Essential oil molecules suspend in the air and allow us to experience aromatic benefits

Cleaning your diffuser Fill the reservoir of your diffuser with distilled white vinegar, let sit for about 20 minutes, wipe clean inside and outside with a clean towel, rinse thoroughly (this is not something I do often….only every other month or so, but don’t necessarily follow my lead.) 

Start “low and slow” When you first start using essential oils, you should begin with just a few drops of oil, 1 or 2,. You can always add more if you feel you need it. We diffuse all day every day in our home, but we didn’t always—when you’re first introducing oils, you may want to diffuse for 30 minutes to an hour then give it a rest, & turn it back on later. I generally use about 6-8 drops of essential oil in my diffuser, as we have a big open floor plan & I love smelling the oils all through out. Typically just 5-6 drops will give you the therapeutic benefits you’re looking for in an average sized room without wasting.  

Here are a handful of my favorite diffuser recipes. It’s also fun to play around and create your own! Also remember that an oil will smell completely different when it's diffused than it does from the bottle. Inhaling from the bottle gives you a very powerful aromatic effect and can sometimes be overwhelming for someone just starting out. If you don't enjoy the scent of an oil from the bottle, try diffusing it and it will likely surprise you! 

Makes Me Happy

3-4 drops Frankincense OR

3 drops Lemon & 3 drops Frankincense OR

4-5 drops Citrus Fresh OR

3 drops Stress Away & 3 drops Lavender

Seasonal Wellness (Allergies)

2 drops lavender, 2 drops lemon & 2 drops peppermint

Sweet Dreams (Sleep)

3 drops lavender + 2-3 drops Frankincense OR

3 drops Lavender + 3 drops Stress Away OR

3 drops Frankincense + 3 drops Stress Away

Clean Air/Immune Boosting

5 drops Thieves around the clock! OR

3 drops Thieves + 3 drops Citrus Fresh OR

3 drops Thieves + 3 drops Lemon OR

2 drops Thieves, 2 drops Frankincense & 2 drops Lemon

Respiratory Support

5 drops Raven OR

3 drops Raven + 2 drops Lemon OR

3 drops Raven + 2 drops Peppermint

Stinky House

5 drops Citrus Fresh OR

5 drops Lemon OR

3 drops Lemon + 3 drops Thieves

Uplift

4 drops Stress Away + 2 drops Peppermint OR

5 drops Citrus Fresh OR

3 Drops Citrus Fresh + 3 drops Frankincense

Unwind

5 drops Stress Away OR

3-4 drops Lavender OR

Combine 3 drops Stress Away & 2 drops Lavender

Wake-Up Call

4-5 drops Lemon OR

4-5 drops Peppermint OR

Combine 3 drops Lemon + 3 drops Peppermint

Safety Tips

1. When storing essential oils (EOs), it's important to keep them in a cool, dark place with lids tightly closed (and always out of reach of children). You'll also want to keep carrier oils (like coconut, olive, vitamin e, sweet almond oil, etc.) on hand for dilution. Always use and store EOs in glass containers, especially when drinking them in water, since most plastic products contain chemicals that can be broken down by the oil. 
2. Most EOs are generally safe for use during pregnancy, but need to be used with common sense. As with any health program, you may want to consult with a health care professional beforehand. A great resource is the book Gentle Babies. 
3. Citrus oils are photosensitive and when applied to skin (that is exposed to UV rays or direct sunlight within 1-2 days after application), they may cause a rash or dark pigmentation on skin. 
4.  Keep EOs away from eyes and never put them directly into the ears. Should irritation or accidental contact with eyes occur, never use water to clear the EO (they are not water-soluble). Instead use a V6 vegetable oil complex or other carrier oil (such as coconut oil or sweet almond oil) to cleanse the area and reduce discomfort. 
5. Epileptics and people with high blood pressure should use extra caution when using EOs with high ketones like basil, rosemary, sage, or tansy. 
6. For people with allergies or sensitive skin, it's best to test a small area (like the inside of the upper arm) then wait 30 minutes before applying to other areas. In general, the bottoms of the feet are safe for topical application. 
7. Direct inhalation (not the same as diffusing) can be a deep and intensive application method, particularly for respiratory congestion and illness. This method should not be used more than 10-15 times throughout the day without first consulting a health care professional. 
8. When adding EOs to bath water, start with 1-3 drops first mixed with Epsom salt to help disperse the oil. Never use more than 10 drops in one bath. If a dispersing agent is not used, serious discomfort can be caused because the oil tends to float undiluted on top of the water. 
9. Young Living states right on the bottles if an oil is able to be consumed as a food additive. DO NOT use any Essential Oil internally that is not specifically indicated for that purpose. 

What's a Carrier Oil?

A carrier oil is a base oil which is used to help dilute the essential oil. They can "carry" the value of the essential oil deeper into the skin, enable you to spread a small amount of EO over a larger area as well as “hold” the aroma of the Oil on top of the skin. Common carrier oils are… 

• Coconut oil 
• Olive oil 
• Jojoba oil 
• Almond oil 
• Grapeseed oil 
• Avocado oil 
• Rose hips oil (great for beauty products) 

But you can also use shea butter or cocoa butter-- it doesn't have to be an actual oil!

Supplies and shopping list

My favorite thing to do with my oils is make DIY products. From rollers to lotions to sprays, the options are endless! 

Here are some things you'll want to have on hand:

• Witch Hazel (for making sprays) 
• Carrier Oils (coconut oil, grapeseed oil, etc, for diluting) 
• Glass roller bottles 
• Glass spray bottles 
• Glass jars and salve containers 

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