The information on this page ONLY applies to Young Living essential oils, which are true therapeutic grade oils. This list is not all-inclusive, please see a reference guide for more information!
Ways to Use Essential Oils
Topically – Essential oils can be applied topically to the skin. Some oils require dilution with a carrier oil before rubbing them on the skin, such as coconut oil, olive oil, or Young Living’s V-6 blend. You can apply some oils neat, which means without diluting.
Aromatically – Essential oils can be inhaled from the bottle or diffused in the air with a diffuser. They can also be dropped on a cotton ball or wet cloth and inhaled.
Internally – Young Living has a line of oils called the Vitality line that are labeled for dietary use. ALWAYS read the bottle to see if a specific oil is safe for internal use. NEVER use a lesser-quality brand of oil internally (the bottle of another brand usually says “Not for internal use!”)
Oil Safety
- Essential oils are NOT water-soluble, they are oil-soluble. If an oil gets in your eyes or begins to burn your skin a little, DO NOT try to remove the oil with water – it will only drive it in deeper. Use a carrier oil, such as coconut oil or Young Living’s V-6, to dilute an oil if you have used too much.
- Some oils are photosensitive, meaning they should not be used on your skin before exposure to direct sunlight or UV rays. Using a photosensitive oil prior to sunlight or UV exposure could lead to pigmentation changes or rashes or cause your skin to burn. Photosensitive oils include lemon, orange, grapefruit, mandarin, bergamot, angelica, etc. A reference book (see Resources) can provide in-depth guidance on which oils are photosensitive.
- Caution should be used in pregnancy when using oils containing constituents with hormone-like activity such as clary sage, sage, and fennel. Although no adverse reactions have been recorded in humans when using these oils during pregnancy, caution should be used. Again, please see a reference guide for more information.
- Dilute oils for infants and small children 1-2 drops of pure essential oil to 1/2 – 1 teaspoon of pure vegetable oil (coconut, V-6, etc.). Check a reference guide for more information.
- Do not drop oils directly in the ear canal, though they can be used diluted on the outer back area of the ear, under the ear lobe, and down the throat. Oils can also be placed on a cotton ball, which can then be placed in the ear.
- Do not drop oils directly in the eye since it will most likely sting and cause the eye to water (though it will not damage the eye). If oils get in the eye, a drop of V-6 carrier oil in the eye will provide immediate relief.
- Keep oils away from light and heat (over 90 degrees). They can maintain their maximum potency for many years if stored properly.
- Dilute or stop applying an oil if it causes discomfort. Either stop applying the oils to make sure the body isn’t detoxifying too quickly, or dilute the oils until the body catches up with the releasing of toxins.
- Oils can dissolve plastics, petrochemicals, and paint. If adding oils to a drink, use a glass cup instead of plastic. Use caution when setting a bottle of oil on a painted surface – if oil gets on the paint, the paint may dissolve right off! (sadly, I know this from experience!)
- Young Living’s Essential Oil Safety Guide can be found here.
Child Safety Information
- If you are looking for safety information on using oils on infants and children, please see this Young Living post here.
Other Oil Information
- A 15ml bottle of oil contains about 250 drops; a 5ml bottle contains about 80 drops.
- The body absorbs oils the fastest through inhalation (breathing) and the second fastest through application to the feet or to the ears (outside of the ear – NEVER put oils into the ear). Testing on the heart, thyroid, and pancreas showed that the oils reached these organs in three seconds.
- Each oil has a frequency, and each of our organs and body parts has a frequency. The frequency of an oil is attracted by a like frequency within the body. Low-frequency oils may make physical changes in the body. Middle-frequency oils may make emotional changes in the body. High-frequency oils may make spiritual changes in the body.
- One drop of essential oil can cover every cell in our body with 40,000 molecules. Start slow, sometimes less is more when it comes to using oils!
- Putting oils on the feet is a quick way to get them into the body, and this method rarely requires dilution. Consult a reference book for more information.
- You can use a warm wet cloth as a compress to drive oils deeper. Remove when the cloth is cool.
