I am often asked from readers, friends and family where they should start with essential oils.  Essential oils are powerful and serve an amazing purpose. There are so many choices and a lot to learn about essential oils that it’s easy to get overwhelmed with where to begin.  I hope this beginner’s guide to essential oils helps you enjoy their therapeutic benefits.

I have been making my own homemade cleaning supplies with essential oils for a few years now. Initially, it was to save money. However, I could see the benefits it was having on my kids and husband’s skin so I have been eager to reduce the amount of chemicals I use around the home, replacing commercial products with homemade versions. I have used essential oils for cleaning and in diffusers to help my kids sleep better when anxious or have a cough and blocked nose.

Even if you’ve never picked up a bottle of essential oil, you’ve already experienced essential oils.  You know how particular foods you eat have nutritional benefits? Some are better for you than others?  As an example, oranges are a good source of several vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin C. The lavender plant, which produces glorious purple flowers with a stunning aroma, is well known for its calming and relaxing qualities. Similar for the leaves of a Eucalyptus tree, known to boost respiratory health, strengthen the immune system, and ease tension.

Essential oils are the natural oils from an orange, lavender plant and eucalyptus leaf that has been harvested and distilled down into a pure, aromatic compound. It is the essence of that plant, root, bark, seed, flower or stem. More than just something that smells good, essential oils contain beneficial organic compounds that we can use for our health and wellbeing.

WHY I USE ESSENTIAL OILS WHEN CLEANING?

• Powerful cleansing properties
• Safe for family and pets
• Highly effective
• Reduces the use of chemicals in the home

Join my Facebook Group: The Organised Housewife – Essential Oils where I will share all my DIY ideas and information I learn. Plus the fabulous community has started sharing some of their uses too.

DIFFERENT WAYS TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS

As well as making homemade body and cleaning products. Essential oils can be used for a wide range of emotional and physical wellness applications. They can be used a single oil at a time or in complex blends depending on user experience and desired benefit.  Essential oils are usually administered by one of three methods: diffused aromatically, applied topically, or taken internally to have the following benefits:

• Supporting and balancing hormones
• Easing feelings of depression and anxiety
• Supporting your children’s health and wellness
• Boosting metabolism and managing hunger
• Helping with weight loss and appetite
• Frugal, chemical free homemade body and cleaning products

MY MOST USED ESSENTIAL OILS

My list of most used, for now (as there are sooo many out there):

• GRAPEFRUIT  – my favourite as it’s a delightful scent but it also improves the appearance of blemishes, support healthy metabolism and uplift moods.
• TEA TREE ESSENTIAL OIL – great for general skin health, helps with seasonal or environmental threats, and is wonderful in DIY cleaning products.
• LEMON ESSENTIAL OIL – cleansing, helps with temperature, circulation, supports digestive system, and more.
• PEPPERMINT ESSENTIAL OIL – is not only renowned for its fresh flavour, but it can also help alleviate headaches, stomach upset, promotes healthy respiratory function and helps sooth burnt areas by providing a cooling sensation.
• LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL – helps with sleep, head and neck tension, stomach issues or motion sickness, is calming, supports skin health and more.

You may not notice a dramatic and immediate effect. Sometimes an oil won’t work for a particular person for a particular issue, but you won’t really know that unless you use it correctly and consistently.

Always be sure you check the label on your essential oil to make sure the manner in which you want to use it is safe.

USING PURE ORGANICALLY CERTIFIED ESSENTIAL OILS

Essential oils are becoming very popular. There are many different brands and varieties available, ranging in price and quality. If you’ve been using a “bargain brand” and haven’t been getting results, there’s probably a reason why. Many do not use pure essential oils and often use fragrant synthetic chemical substitutes to dilute or replace more expensive essential oil extracts.

HOW TO BUY ESSENTIAL OILS

When purchasing essential oils, it is recommended you obtain them through a trusted source that has strict quality and testing standards.  Our comprehensive collection of essential oils and blends are 100% Pure & Certified Organic which are reliable, safe and pure, due to the fact that what’s on the label is what’s in the bottle.

A little bit of oil goes a very long way, most of these oils will last awhile.  It’s a good thing the shelf life of oils is around 1-2 years.

HOW I USE ESSENTIAL OILS

• Homemade Reusable Antibacterial Wipes
• Homemade All Purpose Cleaner
• Homemade Fridge Cleaner
• Diffuse 4 drops lavender in diffuser to improve child sleeping
• To help disinfect linen (towels and sheets). Add 1 cup of vinegar with 2-3 drops of tea tree oil to the washing machine as it’s filling with water.
• Clean toothbrush after being sick – 10 drops of tea tree oil with a cup of water.
• 6 drops of tea tree in hair detangler to help deter nits.
• And so much more which I will add as blog posts soon.

Do you use essential oils?
How do you use them?