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Using essential oils for natural health and wellness

Learn how families and individuals are using dōTERRA products to empower themselves and others with these amazing gifts of the earth. With dōTERRA, you can be ready for anything.

What are essential oils? There are no wasted efforts in nature. Have you ever wondered what the role of essential oils is in seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers and other parts of plants? Essential oils play key roles reproductive, protective, and regenerative purposes.

dōTERRA is committed to providing the purest, most potent essential oils possible. dōTERRA employs a global network of farmers who knows intimately the process of growing plants for essential oils. Every dōTERRA essential oil is put through the highest standard of rigorous and thorough testing and sets the bar for quality, purity, efficacy, and consistency.

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Photosensitivity and phototoxicity apply to topical use of essential oils

Photosensitivity and phototoxicity apply to topical use of essential oils only and do not pose the same risks when used internally. When using a photosensitive essential oil topically, avoidance of sunlight is recommended for up to 12 hours after use. Use caution with the citrus oils.

Essential Oils that May Cause Phototoxic or Photosensitive Reactions:

Bergamot
Grapefruit
Lemon
Lime
Bitter Orange
Cumin

The above list may not be all inclusive. Be sure and check labels and do your research on oil blends.

Photosensitization is the process in which ultraviolet (UV) radiation combines with a particular substance and causes chemical or biological changes. Some essential oils contain furocoumarins, a special class of constituent that can cause photosensitization of the skin. The most commonly found furocoumarins in essential oils are bergapten and oxypeucedanin. The chemical structure of these molecules (and their metabolites) allows them to form cross-links with skin cell DNA, in turn making the skin especially susceptible to UV radiation. During the process, free radicals and singlet oxygen are also formed and can inflict damage on cellular membranes, organelles, and proteins. If exposed to sunlight (which gives off UV radiation) after topical application of a photosensitive oil, the skin may become temporarily darkly pigmented, red, or irritated.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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Essential oils and blends to aid in relaxation, calming, and sleep

Essential Oils and blends for Sleep and Relaxation: Lavender • Vetiver • Serenity™ Calming Blend • Bergamot • Roman Chamomile

Essential oils like Lavender and Bergamot are rich in linalool and linalyl acetate, compounds that have well-known relaxing properties. These oils can be diffused aromatically in the bedroom to create a calming and peaceful environment, perfect for getting a good night’s sleep. They can also be used topically and taken internally to calm the nervous system, promote relaxation, and lead to a restful sleep. Try placing two to four drops of Lavender or Bergamot essential oil in a warm, herbal tea (Chamomile, Lemongrass, etc.), or another favorite uncaffeinated beverage about 30 minutes before going to bed, or add two to four drops of Lavender into an empty capsule and swallow about 30 minutes before bed.

Lavender – Lavender is often considered a must-have oil to keep on hand at all times due to its versatile uses, including calming and relaxing properties that promote peaceful sleep and ease feelings of tension.*

Vetiver – Due to Vetiver’s calming, grounding effect on the emotions, it is an ideal oil to use in massage therapy. It can also be rubbed on the feet before bedtime to promote a restful night’s sleep.

Bergamot – Bergamot is unique among citrus oils due to its ability to be both uplifting and calming, making it ideal to help with anxious and sad feelings. It is also purifying and cleansing for the skin while having a calming effect. 

Cautions:
Possible skin sensitivity. Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, nursing, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician. Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas. Avoid sunlight or UV rays for up to 12 hours after applying product.

Roman Chamomile – While providing a sweet, floral aroma, Roman Chamomile can soothe body systems as it supports calming effects for the skin, mind and body.*

Serenity™ – doTERRA Serenity combines essential oils renowned for their ability to lessen feelings of tension and calm emotions, and support a restful sleep when used aromatically. Apply one to two drops to the hands and inhale throughout the day to help reduce worry from life’s daily stressors, or diffuse at night to help quiet a restless baby or child. Ingredients include: Lavender Flower, Cedarwood, Ho Wood Leaf, Ylang Ylang Flower, Marjoram Leaf, Roman Chamomile Flower, Vetiver Root, Vanilla Bean Absolute, Hawaiian Sandalwood Wood

CLaryCalm – ClaryCalm is a proprietary blend of essential oils that provides a soothing and calming effect during a woman’s menstrual cycle. A topical blend of Clary Sage, Lavender, Bergamot, Roman Chamomile, Cedarwood, Ylang Ylang, Geranium, Fennel, Carrot Seed, Palmarosa, and Vitex, ClaryCalm provides a cooling effect to the skin and help balance emotions. ClaryCalm utilizes FCF (furnaocoumarinfree) Bergamot essential oil to prevent sun sensitivity. During your menstrual cycle, apply to abdomen to experience a soothing and calming massage.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

 

 

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Essential oils and blends for energy and focus

Essential Oils and blends for energy and focus include:

Peppermint – Place one drop in palm of hand or add with one drop Wild Orange and one drop Frankincense and inhale for a mid-day pick-me-up

Wild Orange – Diffuse to uplift mood and energy levels and to freshen the air.
For an energizing boost, dispense one to two drops in the palm of your hand along with equal parts Peppermint and Frankincense. Rub palms together and inhale deeply from palms, then rub on the back of neck.

Caution: Photosensitivity and phototoxicity apply to topical use of essential oils only and do not pose the same risks when used internally. When using a photosensitive essential oil topically, avoidance of sunlight is recommended for up to 12 hours after use.

Frankincense – When inhaled or diffused, Frankincense promotes feelings of peace, relaxation, satisfaction, and overall wellness.

Rosemary – Rosemary was considered sacred by the ancient Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and Hebrew cultures. Rosemary’s herbaceous and energizing scent is frequently used in aromatherapy. Diffuse while studying to maintain concentration.

Cedarwood – Reminiscent of its size and strength, Cedarwood has a grounding aroma that evokes feelings of wellness and vitality. For some people this can have a calming effect.

Here are some specific doTERRA blends to aid in energy and focus:

Citrus Bliss® – Merging the major benefits of citrus essential oils, Citrus Bliss Invigorating Blend holds energizing and refreshing properties that can uplift mood and reduce stress.  Ingredients include: Wild Orange Peel, Lemon Peel, Grapefruit Peel, Mandarin Peel, Bergamot Peel, Tangerine Peel, Clementine Peel essential oils and Vanilla Bean Absolute.

Caution: Photosensitivity and phototoxicity apply to topical use of essential oils only and do not pose the same risks when used internally. When using a photosensitive essential oil topically, avoidance of sunlight is recommended for up to 12 hours after use.

InTune® – Helping to enhance the senses and sustain focus, the InTune blend is perfect for staying on task when you are trying to study or concentrate. Apply to the temples and back of neck when doing tasks that require concentration. Apply to wrists or back of hands and inhale deeply to promote a sense of clarity.Ingredients include: Amyris Bark, Patchouli Leaf, Frankincense Resin, Lime Peel, Ylang Ylang Flower, Hawaiian Sandalwood Wood, Roman Chamomile Flower essential oils.

Caution: Photosensitivity and phototoxicity apply to topical use of essential oils only and do not pose the same risks when used internally. When using a photosensitive essential oil topically, avoidance of sunlight is recommended for up to 12 hours after use.

Elevation – This exciting blend provides an invigorating combination of essential oils that can elevate your mood and increase your energy. Elevation combines the uplifting and euphoric floral scents of Lavandin, Lavender, Melissa, Ylang Ylang, and Osmanthus with Tangerine, Elemi, Hawaiian Sandalwood, and Lemon Myrtle to create a unique blend that promotes a positive mood and feelings of confidence. Rub Elevation essential oil over your heart, temples, or wrists to elevate mood and promote vitality.

Caution: Photosensitivity and phototoxicity apply to topical use of essential oils only and do not pose the same risks when used internally. When using a photosensitive essential oil topically, avoidance of sunlight is recommended for up to 12 hours after use.

 

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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Is ingesting essential oils safe?

The topic of ingesting essential oils is a controversial subject with varying opinions depending on whom you ask. One thing I know for sure is there is no way I would ingest any oil without knowing it was a from a trusted source and has been tested for any toxic or synthetic substances. Many of the essential oils that can be bought at the local Walmart or many of your other outlet stores are not always 100% pure!  Amazon isn’t actually a trusted source either for essential oils.

That being said, there are still many precautions to be taken if you are considering ingesting essential oils from a trusted source. People can have an adverse reaction to ingesting certain oils or may not be responsible in the amount of oil they consume. Certain oils have been known to cause toxicity in the liver or the body and should be avoided at all costs!

Of course cooking with certain essential oils has been done for years safely. Humans ingesting plants as well as extracts containing essential oils isn’t a new concept and some would argue has been going on for hundreds of years. Ingesting one or two drops of an oil also isn’t the same as ingesting a small bottle either! Remember essential oils are highly concentrated and there is a whole lot of plant in one drop of essential oil.  I am not arguing for or against ingesting essential oils. Please do your own research and consult a doctor when needed.

Many essential oils are listed as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) by the FDA for oral consumption. Here is a link to that source: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=182.20

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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What is Therapeutic Grade essential oil?

Essential oils are being used and sold by many people and companies today. Do you know if the oils or products you are using are actually 100 % essential oil or if they contain synthetic additives or pesticides? What does “Therapeutic Grade” actually mean?

According to Dr. Robert Pappas, founder of Essential Oil University and founder of https://essentialoils.org/ :

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Are essential oils safe to use around pets?

Are essential oils safe to use on or around pets? It depends on the oil, the method used, and the type of pets you have. Keep in mind animals can have some of the same allergies and sensitivities to essential oils as humans. They also don’t metabolize oils the same either and in some cases can’t metabolize them at all. I know there is a lot of conflicting information regarding the use of essential oils and how they effect animals. I’m not a vet, but I know there are many vets who use essential oils in their treatment practices. I also know there are many vets warning people about the use of certain essential oils around their pets.

Essential oils are absorbed through mucous membranes and the skin. Some essential oils are more toxic than others. Keep in mind there is also a difference in the quality of essential oils that are being sold. It is important to have and use the highest quality of oil that has been tested as 100 % essential oil and doesn’t contain synthetic additives or pesticides. Another important factor is species sensitivity. Cats may be more sensitive with dermal exposure due to their increased risk of oral exposure from grooming.
The same concerns apply to pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters
Birds are more likely to suffer respiratory affects than other animals to a diffuser due to their specialized respiratory system. Another thing to remember is pets have a much better sense of smell than we do, so something that seems light to us may be overwhelming to them.

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Simple reference guide to using essential oils

Here is a list of many essential oils and some common uses. Keep in mind, many essential oils may cause possible skin sensitivity. It is usually a good idea to mix an essential oil with a carrier oil when applying topically to the skin. Many times this also helps in getting the maximum benefits from the oil as well because essential oils will evaporate quicker if not in a carrier oil. Keep out of reach of children and pets. If you are pregnant, nursing, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician. Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas. Many essential oils are also toxic to pets. If you have pets, please read the post, “Are essential oils safe to use around pets?“

“These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.”

Statements with asterisks refer to internal use. PLEASE understand essential oils are highly concentrated and many people have done serious damage to themselves by ingesting essential oils. I am not promoting or advocating for the ingestion of essential oils! Do so at your own risk as well as do your own research, and consult a physician when necessary.

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