EO Basics

EO Basics

User's Guide
Therapeutic-Grade Essential Oils

Welcome to the exciting world of essential oils! Nature's purest plant products essential oils have properties that will soothe the senses, invigorate the body, and promote physical well-being. The following guide has been prepared by Young Living Essential Oils to help you get the most benefit from the oils that suit your life-style needs.

Methods of Use

Direct Application

Essential oils may be applied topically to promote soothing and wellness of body and spirit. Because they are soluble with the lipid membranes of cells, they have an unmatched ability to penetrate and disperse throughout the body within minutes.

Massage

Allowing the body to experience relaxation and relief through massage brings one to a condition of rest and transformation. Young Living's therapeutic-grade essential oils are designed to work aromatically and functionally, and provide a well-needed delight to the senses. To create your own custom massage oil, mix 3 or 4 drops of essential oil with 1/2 teaspoon of a massage oil base, such as V-6^TM Enhanced Vegetable Oil Complex. You can also use Young Living's premixed massage oils for a relaxing, stress-relieving massage. Pamper yourself and get in touch with your senses.

Dietary Supplements

All essential oils that are identified as safe for consumption can be taken as a dietary supplement to promote physical well-being. Some oils (e.g., valerian, lemon, grapefruit, orange, nutmeg, tangerine) are more effective when taken orally. Essential oils should be diluted in oil-soluble liquids such as vegetable oil, olive oil, Blue Agave, goat milk, or rice milk prior to ingestion. More or less dilution may be required, depending upon how strong the oil is. Usually no more than 2 or 3 drops should be ingested at one time during any 4 to 8 hour period. Essential oils should not be given as dietary supplements to children under 6 years of age. Parents should exercise caution before administering essential oils orally to a child, and oils should always be diluted prior to ingestion.

Diffusion

To enhance the mood and perspective of your home or workplace environment, essential oils can be diffused. The Young Living diffuser is specially designed to disperse a fine mist of oils that will generally fill a room in a few minutes. Essential oils are renowned for improving meditation and mood, purifying the air, and refreshing a room.

Research has shown that diffusing certain oils may also: improve concentration, alertness, and mental clarity; help you relax, relieve tension, and clear the mind; help with weight management; and reduce unpleasant odors.

Start by diffusing oils for only 15 to 30 minutes per day. As you become accustomed to the oils and recognize their effects, you can increase the time of diffusion up to 2 hours per day.

Guidelines for Safe Use

Young Living therapeutic-grade essential oils are in their purest state. Because of the potency of these oils and because skin sensitivity is highly individualized, always skin test an essential oil before applying it topically. Certain oils that may cause a burning sensation on certain individuals (e.g., cinnamon, clove, lemongrass, Sacred Mountain^TM, etc.) are better diluted.

If you have concerns about skin sensitivity, apply one oil or blend at a time when using them for the first time. When layering oils that are new to you, allow enough time (15 to 30 minutes) for your body to respond before applying a second oil.

Always keep a bottle of any pure vegetable oil (e.g., olive oil, V-6^TM Enhanced Vegetable Oil Complex) handy when using essential oils. Vegetable oils can dilute essential oils if the essential oils cause discomfort or skin irritation.

Keep essential oils out of the reach of children. Treat them as you would any product that is used therapeutically.

Lemon, bergamot, orange, grapefruit, tangerine, White Angelica^TM, and other citrus-based essential oils may cause a rash or dark pigmentation if applied to skin that is then exposed to direct sunlight or UV rays within 3 to 4 days.

Pregnant women should consult their health care professional before using essential oils and should avoid wild tansy and oils containing constituents with hormone-like activity, such as clary sage, sage, fennel, and rosemary.

Those with the allergies should test a small amount of an oil on a small area of sensitive skin, such as the inside of the arm, before applying the oil to other parts of the body. The bottom of the feet is one of the safest, most effective places to use essential oils.

Keep bottles of essential oils closed tightly and store them in a cool location away from light. If stored properly, essential oils will maintain their potency and properties.

Essential oils rich in menthol, such as peppermint, should not be used on the throat or neck area of children under 3 years of age.

Keep essential oils away from the area of the eyes and do not put them into ears. Avoid handling contact lenses or rubbing eyes with essential oils on your fingers. Oils with high phenol content, such as oregano, cinnamon, thyme, clove, lemongrass, bergamot, Thieves^TM, and ImmuPower^TM, may damage contacts and irritate eyes.

People with epilepsy or high blood pressure should consult their health care professional before using essential oils. Avoid hyssop, fennel, wild tansy, rosemary, and peppermint oils.

Before taking essential oils that are Safe for Consumption internally, it is recommended that you dilute them with an oil-soluble liquid such as almond oil, olive oil, or rice milk.

Aqua Essence^TM Bath Packs are the perfect addition to a warm bath. Aqua Essence^TM packs are designed so you can diffuse a restorative blend of essential oils in water, creating a comforting, rejuvenating, and soothing bath experience. Oils may also be mixed with Bath & Shower Gel Base or Epsom salts as an alternative. Adding undiluted essential oils directly to bathwaters is not recommended, as most essential oils do not disperse evenly in water.

Reprinted with permission of Young Living, Lehi, UT 84043 U.S.A.

Hand & Body
Lotions

Shampoos & Conditioners

Toothpastes &
Mouthwashes

Nutritional
Supplements

If You Have an Emergency

- Immediate dilution is strongly recommended if skin becomes painfully irritated or if an oil accidentally gets into eyes.
- Dilute with V-6^TM Enhanced Vegetable Oil Complex or any pure vegetable oil. Avoid using water essential oils are not water soluble, and water may cause them to penetrate more quickly into the skin, which will increase the irritation.
- If dilution does not provide relief, discontinue use and contact your health care professional.
- If a child or infant swallows an essential oil, administer milk, Blue Agave, or other safe, oil-soluble liquids. Call your poison control center or seek immediate emergency medical attention.
- Consult your health care professional about any serious disease or injury. Do not attempt to self-diagnose or prescribe any natural substances for serious health conditions that require professional attention.
- Exercise caution when applying essential oils to skin that has been exposed to cosmetics, personal care products, soaps, or cleansers containing synthetic chemicals. Some of them especially petroleum based chemicals can penetrate and remain in skin and fatty tissues for days or even weeks. Essential oils may react with such chemicals and cause skin irritations, nausea, headaches, or other uncomfortable effects.
- Essential oils can also react with toxins built up in the body from chemicals in food, water, and the work environment. If you experience a reaction to essential oils, it may be wise to temporarily discontinue their use and start a cleansing program (thirty days using the Cleansing Trio, Product Code No. 3115) before resuming regular use of essential oils.

You should be very careful not to spill essential oils on any painted surface. Protect furniture from potpourri sachets, as the volatile nature of some essential oils can cause paint to bubble or peel.

Certain materials may be stained or damaged by essential oils. Always test essential oils in an inconspicuous location prior to using them with any materials besides glass or metals.

Avoid open flames or sparks when using some essential oils, as they may be highly flammable.