How do you use essential oils?

Usually one of the first things I'm asked about essential oils, after the "What are they" question, is "How do you use them?"  Typically people think they are just for smelling.

Essential oils can be applied topically, inhaled, or ingested.  How an essential oil should be used depends on the goal of use, the properties of the oil, and safety concerns. Depending on the desired effect of the oil, many people use a combination of delivery methods.

Safety Issues. With all of these applications, it’s important to research into proper use for each essential oil, especially for children and pregnant and nursing mothers.  Not all oils will work for you, the way they work for someone else.  And, just like everything else you eat or ingest, make sure that they do not have a reaction to any type of medication you are taking.  Some oils should not be used with certain medications.  DO YOUR RESEARCH FIRST!  Some oils are considered "hot" which means they can irritate skin easily, so may need to be diluted, and should not be ingested.  

Topical Application. Essential oils can be applied to the skin, which is somewhat permeable, to be absorbed into the blood stream. Some areas of skin (under arms, head, palms, soles of feet, etc.) are more permeable than others. The most common place of application is the soles of the feet, however some oils used for stress and headaches are often applied to the head or neck.  Warming or massaging the skin may also increase absorbency.  However heating the oils is not recommended, as the oils do not keep their composition (remember learning in science class that heat is one way to chemically change a substance?  It's the same here.)  There are some who apply them in a certain manner, on the spine and feel that the order in which they are applied is important as well.  I've not yet dug into that research!  I apply Deep Blue directly to the spot that causes pain.  It gives a sensation, and smells, much like Ben Gay.  That's the wintergreen oil.

Essential oils are most often applied to the skin along with a carrier oil such as coconut or olive oil, or as an ingredient in lotions and other beauty products. Some essential oils can be applied to the skin neat (alone without a carrier oil), although there are some who feel that the oils should never be applied neat.  I am not one of them.  I apply my oils neat nearly all the time.

Inhalation. When essential oils are inhaled, or used aromatically, droplets of the oil are absorbed by the lungs. They can be inhaled by diffusing them in a special essential oil diffuser, a scent pod, humidifier, or simply by smelling the bottle of oil. many people just put a drop in their palm, rub their hands together and cup their hands over the nose and inhale.  That's what I do as well.  The effectiveness of each of these delivery methods varies. An essential oil diffuser is expensive but seems to be the best method of inhalation, as it does not heat the oil.

Ingestion. This is also a debated use of essential oils. Some argue that they should never be ingested while others ingest them all the time. The most important aspect of ingestion is to use only certified certified therapeutic grade oils, like the one that are sold by doTERRA.  and as always DO YOUR RESEARCH.. Some oils should never be ingested; even if they are made by doTERRA.

Does quality matter?

The quality of the oils used will impact their function and potency. Quality is indicated by how pure the oils are, grade and integrity.

None of these factors are defined or regulated by the government. In other words, if you see a purity/quality claim by a company, they get to define what that actually means and are not held accountable to an external standard. However, quality has a big impact on how much you pay and who you buy your oils from. 

Low quality oils are usually less expensive, have "fillers" and synthetic (chemical) components to them.  These types of oils are NOT oils you want to ingest.  They are NOT purely natural.  I only use doTERRA oils. Even though they may be a little more expensive, I know they are pure, and feel confident that I am getting the best quality I can get.