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What are essential oils?
Essential oils are the aromatic compounds that are found in the leaves, flowers, bark, root, seeds and other parts of plants. They have been used in cultures for well over a thousand years and are highly valued for their ability to enhance beauty, flavour and health. Essential oils are made up of hundreds of chemical parts that together, provide plants with their distinctive qualities and healing properties. If plants are under attack or threatened by something in their environment, essential oils provide protection. They also play a role in plant pollination, and are a vital part of the plant's wellness. Pretty amazing stuff hey!
dōTERRA essential oils are usually extracted via a low-heat steam distillation process in which the steam is circulated through plant material, liberating the essential oils into the steam. When the steam cools, the water and oils naturally separate and the oil is collected. To ensure the highest quality oil extract with the correct chemical composition, the temperature and pressure must be very closely monitored. Too little heat or pressure won’t allow the oil to release while too much can cause the oil’s composition and potency to be affected. It certainly is an art form and to put this into perspective, it takes up to 10,000 roses to distill a 5ml bottle of dōTERRA’s rose essential oil! Essential oils, particularly citrus oils, can also be extracted through a process called ‘expression’. This process involves the oil being extracted from the product under mechanical pressure. dōTERRA uses expression to extract all of its citrus oils, such as Wild Orange, Lemon, Lime, Bergamot, and Grapefruit, from the rind.
You probably would have heard of essential oils being used for different things here and there. For example Lavender is commonly used within day spas or beauty salons for it's ability to promote a sense of relaxation and calm environment. Eucalyptus is another common oil that is widely known for it's cleansing benefits, but also for it's smell and ability to assist in clear breathing if you are feeling a little under the weather. However, there are SO many additional benefits to just these two oils that aren't as widely known. Essential oils have a variety of benefits to our health and wellbeing, and have the ability to positively affect your mood, which in itself is a powerful thing. However, there is a massive difference between good quality pure essential oils, and the stuff that you can buy for a few dollars at the cheap shop down the street.
dōTERRA essential oils are usually extracted via a low-heat steam distillation process in which the steam is circulated through plant material, liberating the essential oils into the steam. When the steam cools, the water and oils naturally separate and the oil is collected. To ensure the highest quality oil extract with the correct chemical composition, the temperature and pressure must be very closely monitored. Too little heat or pressure won’t allow the oil to release while too much can cause the oil’s composition and potency to be affected. It certainly is an art form and to put this into perspective, it takes up to 10,000 roses to distill a 5ml bottle of dōTERRA’s rose essential oil! Essential oils, particularly citrus oils, can also be extracted through a process called ‘expression’. This process involves the oil being extracted from the product under mechanical pressure. dōTERRA uses expression to extract all of its citrus oils, such as Wild Orange, Lemon, Lime, Bergamot, and Grapefruit, from the rind.
You probably would have heard of essential oils being used for different things here and there. For example Lavender is commonly used within day spas or beauty salons for it's ability to promote a sense of relaxation and calm environment. Eucalyptus is another common oil that is widely known for it's cleansing benefits, but also for it's smell and ability to assist in clear breathing if you are feeling a little under the weather. However, there are SO many additional benefits to just these two oils that aren't as widely known. Essential oils have a variety of benefits to our health and wellbeing, and have the ability to positively affect your mood, which in itself is a powerful thing. However, there is a massive difference between good quality pure essential oils, and the stuff that you can buy for a few dollars at the cheap shop down the street.
Why Doterra?
I researched quite a bit before jumping into the world of essential oils. I was introduced to dōTERRA by a friend and fell in love. The first thing that stood out to me was that dōTERRA sources their oils from wherever the plant thrives best in its natural habitat all over the world, they don't just try and grow it in any random location. In doing this they then support local farmers that take care of and harvest these crops, by ethical and sustainable means. They enter into fair agreements which in turn means that they not only gain incredible pure oils, but they also enrich the lives of these local farmers and allow them to better care for their own families and their future. This stood out to me too, as you often hear of people in other less fortunate companies being paid lower than the average wages for certain things obtained by large companies, so it is really wonderful to know that isn't the case with dōTERRA.
dōTERRA is also the largest essential oil and wellness company in the world, with a 68% customer retention rate! That's huge! I easily understood why this was the case. People love this amazing brand of oils, and others easily fall in love when they are invited to learn a little more about the brand and it's products.
dōTERRA also came up with a testing procedure that ensures its oils are pure and free of any contamination. The Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade (CPTG) stamp is something dōTERRA wears proud, as they can be certain their oils are of the purest quality, and have been tested to prove this. There is actually no governing body for this industry unfortunately which means that any little junk shop or chain retailer can sell 'essential oils' at just a few dollars, but there is a massive difference between what is in those products and dōTERRAs. If the plant has not been harvested properly, or distillation has not occurred properly, then this can sometimes cause more harm or good. dōTERRA guarantees that what is included in their oils is only the pure form of this oil, with no hidden nasties.
dōTERRA is also the largest essential oil and wellness company in the world, with a 68% customer retention rate! That's huge! I easily understood why this was the case. People love this amazing brand of oils, and others easily fall in love when they are invited to learn a little more about the brand and it's products.
dōTERRA also came up with a testing procedure that ensures its oils are pure and free of any contamination. The Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade (CPTG) stamp is something dōTERRA wears proud, as they can be certain their oils are of the purest quality, and have been tested to prove this. There is actually no governing body for this industry unfortunately which means that any little junk shop or chain retailer can sell 'essential oils' at just a few dollars, but there is a massive difference between what is in those products and dōTERRAs. If the plant has not been harvested properly, or distillation has not occurred properly, then this can sometimes cause more harm or good. dōTERRA guarantees that what is included in their oils is only the pure form of this oil, with no hidden nasties.
How to use essential oils.
Aromatically - This is basically the process of inhaling essential oils to reap their amazing benefits. This can be done using a diffuser, or even by inhaling oils inside your cupped hands (if a diffuser is not nearby and you need a quick fix!). Your sense of smell is such a powerful sense! Essential oils have the power to change a mood, support your hormones, as well as supporting other major bodily functions and metabolic processes. For us, we love using Peppermint or Citrus Bliss to wake us up, uplift our mood for the day and get us going. I find Peppermint so fresh and invigorating. It does also remind me of choc mint, and choc mint anything is my fave! To wind down we love Lavender Peace and Balance. The smell of lavender instantly relaxes and calms me, and I include it in all of our sleepy blends. Essential oils also have the ability to assist us and support us (and our airways) when we are feeling a little under the weather, or just need a little extra TLC. We use Easy Air quite often if one of us is a little sniffly or I am having problems with my sinuses. My hubby also uses Peppermint in a blend I make him before he hits the gym. It helps to open up his airways and perk him up before his workout!
Topically - Essential oils are easily absorbed into the skin and are safe to be applied topically. Using a carrier oil to dilute the oil to reduce the risk of skin sensitivities, also has the benefit of increasing the target area that the oil is applied to. We like to use Fractionated Coconut Oil to do this. You can drop a few drops of this into your hand, along with a few drops of oil and then massage into the target area. I also use it to add to my roller blends, along with the oils of my choosing. The essential oil molecules are absorbed into the skin, then make their way into the bloodstream, where they can benefit the whole body. We apply our roller blends to a few areas on our body, but commonly the soles of our feet, along our spin, directly on sore muscles and on our chest. The soles of the feet are always a good option as this is where your pores are the largest. Some strong oils such as 'hot oils' are required to be diluted before using topically.
Internally - Certain essential oils can also be taken ingested. Some support cellular health, some have antioxidant properties, and others can support your digestive system, to name a few benefits. They can be taken by dropping a drop underneath the tongue, or even dropped inside veggie capsules and then swallowed. Some can be added to water to give it a refreshing taste, while at the same time offering support to your body. If adding oils to water always use a stainless steel or glass drink bottle, and always make sure the oil you are using is safe for ingesting.
THINK LESS TOXINS AND HARSH CHEMICALS.. MORE SIMPLE DIY PROJECTS.
It's so easy to incorporate oils into your life and into your home. How awesome is it that we can gradually phase out our easy to grab chemicals from the supermarket, and make our own toxin free little mixes that will do the exact same thing, or even better! It's better for you, better for the environment, and cheaper! Why wouldn't you want to try them?! There's also the added bonus of the oils having amazing health benefits too, so not only are you cleaning or protecting your home from something, but you are enriching your health, as well as your precious little family's.
Topically - Essential oils are easily absorbed into the skin and are safe to be applied topically. Using a carrier oil to dilute the oil to reduce the risk of skin sensitivities, also has the benefit of increasing the target area that the oil is applied to. We like to use Fractionated Coconut Oil to do this. You can drop a few drops of this into your hand, along with a few drops of oil and then massage into the target area. I also use it to add to my roller blends, along with the oils of my choosing. The essential oil molecules are absorbed into the skin, then make their way into the bloodstream, where they can benefit the whole body. We apply our roller blends to a few areas on our body, but commonly the soles of our feet, along our spin, directly on sore muscles and on our chest. The soles of the feet are always a good option as this is where your pores are the largest. Some strong oils such as 'hot oils' are required to be diluted before using topically.
Internally - Certain essential oils can also be taken ingested. Some support cellular health, some have antioxidant properties, and others can support your digestive system, to name a few benefits. They can be taken by dropping a drop underneath the tongue, or even dropped inside veggie capsules and then swallowed. Some can be added to water to give it a refreshing taste, while at the same time offering support to your body. If adding oils to water always use a stainless steel or glass drink bottle, and always make sure the oil you are using is safe for ingesting.
THINK LESS TOXINS AND HARSH CHEMICALS.. MORE SIMPLE DIY PROJECTS.
It's so easy to incorporate oils into your life and into your home. How awesome is it that we can gradually phase out our easy to grab chemicals from the supermarket, and make our own toxin free little mixes that will do the exact same thing, or even better! It's better for you, better for the environment, and cheaper! Why wouldn't you want to try them?! There's also the added bonus of the oils having amazing health benefits too, so not only are you cleaning or protecting your home from something, but you are enriching your health, as well as your precious little family's.