I am thrilled to have Caroline of the College Cosmopolitan on the blog today sharing about the benefits of essential oils. I fell in love with oils when I made my first sugar scrub, but Caroline is the expert here! Have you wondered why essential oils have become so popular lately? Read on.
Essential Oils 101
I found essential oils when I decided to make my own Christmas gifts last year instead of buying. I wanted gifts that were meaningful, simple and more ethical than buying from big commercial stores.
As I perused Pinterest for ideas and inspiration, almost all of the gifts that stuck out to me (aka, things I was capable of creating) included essential oils. DIY lip balms, bath salts, lotions, scrubs and soaps all had a drop of oil included in the recipe. Even some recipes for homemade pumpkin bread and apple pie included essential oils.
Intrigued, I dug a little deeper. What I found is that there is literally an oil for everything. They can be used to replace personal care products, diffuse into the air, clean our homes and, best of all, keep us healthy. And according to all the mom-bloggers and naturalists on the web, they are the real deal. So I bit the bullet and purchased my premium starter kit from Young Living essential oils.
So, what are essential oils?
Essential oils are the “lifeblood” of the plant, which means they protect the plant, provide nutrients and fight off diseases from entering the plant. The oil keeps every part of the plant healthy – root, leaves, bark, tree, fruit, etc. And just as they can protect plants, they can also protect our bodies. Mankind has been using essential oils since before medicine ever existed.
Essential oils were mankind’s first medicine.
They can benefit us physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Specifically, they can be used aromatically, topically and internally (but only if you’re using a therapeutic brand like Young Living. Do not ingest any oils you can buy from the store).
My favorite thing about using essential oils is how I’ve been able to replace my entire stock of unhealthy, toxin-filled personal care products. Our skin eats 60% of what we put on it, so I feel way better knowing the essential oil infused products I now buy or make myself are feeding my skin well.
My other favorite way to use essential oils is by diffusing them, which I do every night. The oils are naturally calming, so it sets the mood before bedtime, and they purify the air. But the best benefit from diffusing essential oils? You get all the health benefits from the oils just by breathing them in – even as you sleep!
For instance, diffusing Thieves oil builds your immunity and fights off sickness. Diffusing Stress Away, a blend of calming oils, does exactly what it says it will and melts away stress as you unwind from the day.
The uses for essential oils are far and wide, and while they may seem complex in the beginning, they are a simplistic, minimalist, go-to solution that’s completely natural.
Did you burn yourself? Want to moisturize your face? Can’t sleep? Did you stain the carpet? There’s an oil for each of those.
If you want to know more about essential oils, you can check out my series: 10 Days of Essential Oils. You can also email me at caroline.eaton92@gmail.com to find out how to get your hands on a starter kit or attend an online class. I’m always here to help.
Enter to win a free essential oil!
In the spirit of all things oils, I also want to give away an oil just for Simplicity Relished readers! To enter, simply comment below any questions you have about oils or if you’ve ever tried them. Giveaway is for US residents only, but if you are international and want to try some oils, I can still help you out! Email me and let’s talk.
The winner will win a bottle of RC oil, a special blend from Young Living that stands for respiratory comfort. This one is the PERFECT oil to have on hand as winter approaches!
This giveaway ends on Saturday, November 14, 2015. Good luck! Winner will be contacted by email.
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