How I Use Essential Oils

Essential oils.

You've probably heard a thing or 2 (or twenty!) about them. I'd been listening to friends, family, co-workers and internet strangers alike gush about essential oils for years before I finally bit the bullet and got some for myself. And oh baby, am I glad I did! Incorporating essential oils into my life has been a real game changer for me. There are so many ways to use oils, and so many amazing benefits that they offer. Here are a few of the ways I use them in my everyday life!

Allergies

I've struggled with seasonal and pet allergies since I was a little girl, and it's really affected my quality of life. From spending camping trips holed up in bed because I couldn't breathe from all the pollen in the air, to never owning my favorite animal (a dog) because snuggling with a pup meant swollen eyes and a stuffy nose... allergies are a real bummer.

Over the holidays, my co-worker went out of town and needed someone to watch her adorable puppy, Kramer. I just couldn't resist - I mean, look at that face!

That first day was absolute hell, allergy-wise. A few hours in, I was stuffed up, wheezing and exhausted... until I remembered the dōTERRA Breathe® respiratory blend sitting on my nightstand. I put a couple drops in my hands, rubbed them together and cupped them over my nose and mouth - the effects were instant. I could actually breathe again! For the remainder of Kramer's stay with us, Breathe® was always running in the diffuser. I even slept with him next to my face a couple times, and was totally fine!

The Breathe® blend includes Laurel Leaf, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Melaleuca, Lemon, Cardamom, Ravintsara, and Ravensara. If you don't have this particular blend, a combination of lavendar, lemon and peppermint will also do the trick! Even just a couple drops of peppermint can really help to clear your airway :)

Immune Support

I have a terrible immune system. Like, the worst. If someone else near me is sick, you can bet I'll pick it up! It's gotten so bad that my boss has taken to scolding co-workers who come into work sick, because more than likely it'll mean me catching it too.

I had heard about dōTERRA's On Guard® blend for a while, and I got a hold of it just in time. As temperatures started to get colder and my colleagues started dropping like flies, I began diffusing On Guard® every day. Guests came and went over the holidays, hands were shaken, hugs were given - I even went out of the house with wet hair one evening (so wild!). And somehow, I didn't get sick. I wish I could explain how crazy it is for me to not get sick this time of year. Let's just say, I honestly can't remember a winter where I didn't get sick at least once.

A couple weeks ago, I started feeling a little something creeping up on me. The Family Essentials Kit I bought from dōTERRA to get me started had come with On Guard® beadlets. As soon as I noticed it, I started taking a few beadlets each day. And I managed to stave it off! Big win in my book.

Hormonal Balance

If you've been following my blog until now, you may already be farmiliar with my hormonal "journey" over the past year. Coming off of birth control has been an interesting roller coaster, and it's affected everything from skin to weight to emotions. I've found relief in a few things, including essential oils. Here's how I'm using them to help with hormonal balance:

• Lemon: I make it a goal to drink 8-10 glasses of water a day. In each glass. I add a couple drops of lemon oil. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, lemon has been shown to help the liver detoxify and assist in regulating hormones like glucose and leptin. In just a couple months, I've begun to feel fuller in between meals and the number on the scale has started to drop. My skin is also beginning to clear up!

• Lavender & Frankincense: A few months after coming off of birth control, my skin started to go haywire. Dryness, oiliness, breakouts, you name it! I got myself on a good cleansing routine, washing, toning and moisturizing twice a day and gently exfoliating once a week. It helped, but barely. Things really started to change though when I incorporated lavender & frankincense into my regimen. I add a drop of each in my palm and mix with my moisturizer before applying, morning and night. Lavender is incredibly soothing for skin, and has been known to help with acne, redness and skin damage. Frankincense helps to tone the skin and reduce appearance of blemishes and scars. In just a few short weeks of consistent use, I've noticed a reduction in blemishes and overall redness. Today was the first day in a long time I haven't felt the need to wear makeup to work!

• ClaryCalm®: Another awesome blend by dōTERRA! The ClaryCalm® blend is a mixture of Clary Sage, Lavender, Bergamot, Roman Chamomile, Cedarwood, Ylang Ylang, Geranium, Fennel, Carrot Seed, Palmarosa, and Vitex oils. It comes in a roller bottle, and every morning and night I roll it onto the back of my neck and abdomen. The main ingredient, clary sage, is known to aid in balancing hormones, regulate your menstrual cycle, relieve PMS symptoms, treat infertility and PCOS, and even reduce the chances of uterine and ovarian cancer. It also serves as a natural remedy for emotional imbalances, like depression and anxiety. I find the scent to be very soothing, and the cooling effect really helps during "that time" of the month.

If you're interested in incorporating essential oils into your life, you can visit here to purchase some of your own! You can also always contact me via the button at the bottom of this page with any questions you might have.

If you're already using essential oils, I'd love to hear how! Drop a comment below and let me know how you've incorporated them into your everyday life :)