How to use Essential Oils

dōTERRA's Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® essential oils can be used safely by your family for a variety of wellness applications. However, there are several safety guidelines that you should follow when using essential oils and essential oil products.

• Be sure to use only 100% pure therapeutic-grade essential oils and follow all label warnings and instructions. If redness or irritation occurs when using essential oils topically, apply a vegetable oil such as fractionated coconut oil or olive oil to the affected area. 
• Essential oils should not be used in the eyes, inside the ear canal, or in open wounds. In the event of accidental contact with the eye, dilute with vegetable oil NOT water. 
• Do NOT consume an essential oil internally unless labeled with a Supplement Facts box with specific dietary supplement use instructions and warnings. 
• Discontinue the use of an essential oil if you experience severe skin, stomach, or respiratory irritation or discomfort. 
• When using on children, apply a very small amount of oil to test skin or other sensitivity. Do not use oil on a child's hand as they may transfer to their eyes or mouth.
• Consult your physician before using essential oils if you are pregnant or under a doctor's care or have other safety questions regarding essential oils.  

THREE WAYS TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS

Essential oils are usually administered by one of three methods: diffused aromatically, applied topically, or taken internally as dietary supplements.

Aromatic Uses
Our sense of smell influences many physiological pathways including the stimulation of hormones and other metabolic processes. Aromatherapy is founded on the body's predictable response to specific olfactory stimuli. Essential oils are widely used in aromatherapy applications.

•  Certain essential oils, when diffused in the air, can be very stimulating while others can be calming and soothing. Beyond emotional benefits, diffusing essential oils can purify air of unwanted odors and some airborne pathogens.
•  Low or no-heat essential oil diffusers are recommended as they do not change the chemical structure of the oil being diffused. Essential oils can also be used as cleansing and purifying additives to laundry and surface cleaners throughout the home. 
• Breathing them in, either by diffusing them or putting them in hands and inhaling. Gets into the brain the quickest this way. They are not just for smelling good -- they also have the ability to affect mood immediately. You can wear them on a terra cotta pendant, where they can diffuse all day long.

Topical Uses
Due to their natural molecular composition, essential oils are easily absorbed by the skin and can be safely applied topically. Application of essential oils can have immediate, localized benefit to the target area of application. They have restorative and calming properties and can be used effectively with massage and beauty therapy. They are also natural disinfectants. The chemical structure of essential oils also allows them to be absorbed into the bloodstream via the skin for internal benefit throughout the body. The skin is the largest organ of the body. Since the essential oils are lipid soluble and molecular in size they can penetrate cell walls and quickly reach your bloodstream.

• You can rub it on the area of concern. 
• You can always put the oils on the feet, which have the biggest pores. 
• Watch this video on how putting one drop of Breathe oil blend can have an amazing effect on the health of your red blood cells within 30 seconds. 

Dilution suggestions: Infant: 1-2 drops oil per tablespoon of carrier oil (coconut/olive/etc.) Child/Sensitive Skin: 1-2 drops of oil per teaspoon of carrier oil (coconut/olive/etc.)

Internal Uses
Essential oils can also be used as dietary supplements supporting a variety of healthy conditions. Some essential oils have powerful antioxidant properties while others help support healthy inflammatory response in cells. Many essential oils are generally regarded as being safe for dietary use, but some oils should not be taken internally.

• Do not use any essential oil product internally that does not have the appropriate dietary supplement facts on its label. This only applies to doTERRA essential oils and internal use is not recommended for non-therapeutic essential oils, which are not for internal use. The majority of doTERRA oils can be taken internally. The back cover of the Modern Essentials book provides a great list of the ones you can and cannot consume internally.The label on the bottle also provides this information.
• Put in water. Make a tea using half cup hot water and add some honey, then add some cold water to bring down the temperature before adding your oils. You can make teas with peppermint, roman chamomile, lavender, wild orange. Put lemon, wild orange, peppermint, bergamot, grapefruit, slim and sassy – sip throughout the day and you are hydrating and getting all the health benefits of the oil.
• Put them in your green smoothies in the morning. Cook with them, there are tons of recipes on line using doTERRA oils and some you tube videos that are fantastic. For example, wild orange vinagerette is very good.
• Put them in capsules and take them. Some oils can be a little stronger so some like to take in a capsule rather than take in water (e.g., OnGuard, oregano, melaleuca, thyme, digest zen, clove).

For a list of shot glass essential oil recipes (e.g., for allergies, immune booster, for illness), click here.

The following oils and blends are not to be taken internally, but may be used topically or diffused:

• Birch Cypress Eucalyptus Wintergreen Aromatouch Breathe Citrus Bliss Deep Blue Elevation Immortelle In Tune Past Tense Purify Serenity Solace Terra Shield Whisper.