What are essential oils?

Clearly you’ve heard of essential oils, you’re here aren’t you?  They seem to be everywhere! Perhaps you’ve heard a friend talk about them, smelled someone slathering them on themselves, or even watched satirical videos about them.  But, do you really know what they are and what they can do for you?

Essential oils are, well…. Oils!  They are the living fluid inside of plants that serve as the plant’s immune system.  They regenerate, oxygenate, and strengthen the immune response of the plant. They are necessary for the plant’s survival protecting it from disease, providing nutrients, and helping to keep destructive insects away.  Really, essential oils are vital for the plant to grow, live, evolve, and adapt to its surroundings.

So, this fluid helps plants, but how is this plant juice beneficial to you?  I’m so glad you asked! When grown in the proper conditions, harvested at the perfect time, and extracted with the utmost care, essential oils can bring balance back to our body helping to keep it well.  Essential oils are very complex, consisting of hundreds of active microscopic constituents that work together in harmony and are able to reach every part of our bodies (even our brains) on a cellular level.  Because they are natural, they are easily recognized by our cells, and our bodies utilize them in a very similar manner as plants. They help support our body’s natural healing capabilities.

Essential oils may seem like a new thing everyone is into these days, but they have actually been used around the world for thousands of years and are considered to be our first medicines, supporting healing and wellness for centuries.  In fact, research dates the use of essential oils all the way back to 4500 B.C.! In biblical times they were used for anointing and healing the sick. Today they are often used for aromatherapy, massage, physical and emotional well-being, meditation and prayer, personal care, in nutritional supplements, cleaning, and so much more.  Essential oils can inspire a positive emotional state, improve your physical wellness, enhance spiritual awareness, refine your beauty routine, and cleanse your home and surroundings.

Direct application of Young Living essential oils is one of the easiest and effective ways to use essential oils.  They are able to penetrate cells and are transported throughout the body in minutes. Applying to the bottom of your feet is the great place to begin.  Essential oils can be applied directly to the skin, referred to as “neat,” or applied to the skin with a carrier oil (a fatty vegetable oil such as coconut oil, grape-seed oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, V6 oil, etc.).  Using a carrier oil, often referred to as diluting, does not diminish the effectiveness of the oil, rather is slows the absorption rate into the skin decreasing the chance of skin irritation. Refer to the essential oil’s label for dilution guidelines.

Diffusing Young Living essential oils is an excellent way to enjoy the wonderful aroma of essential oils while taking in the abundance of wellness benefits essential oils have to offer.  They can purify the air and neutralize odors as well as providing a relaxing, uplifting, or serene environment to lift your mood. To use essential oils aromatically, you can inhale the oil directly from the bottle, rub a few drops in the palms of your hands and cup your hands together over your nose and mouth and inhale, or use a Young Living ultrasonic diffuser to disperse the oils directly into the air.

Young Living’s Vitality line of essential oils may be taken internally as a dietary supplement.  You may dispense these oils directly on or under your tongue, mix with water or NingXia Red in a glass or stainless-steel container, add to a favorite recipe in place of herbs/spices/citrus zest, or drop into a vegetable capsule before swallowing.