Top 5 ways to use Essential Oils in your Home
Every day use of essential oils are becoming more and more mainstream, especially with moms who are concerned about toxic chemicals in the traditional cleaning products, scented candles, air fresheners, laundry detergents etc...
Essential oils are beginning to take the place of so many store bought products. Parents and their kids are fully taking advantage of the multitude of ways these oils can be used and enjoyed. The number one thing to remember is that doTerra’s Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils are safe and very effective for the whole family including pets. What does that mean? Depending on your needs you can touch them, taste them and/or smell them.
Before I go any further here is a little bit about me. My name is Amanda, I am 30 something, wife and mom of 2 very energetic boys. Through the sleepless nights, 3 year old tantrums (who says terrible two’s? Isn’t it terrible 3’s?), and sick days I am always trying to remember to focus on the laughter, the hugs and cuddles and the cutest conversations. All of that helps me in my work as an advocate for living a natural lifestyle in the best way that you can.
I have learned that you can’t always control what goes on outside your home but you can try to control what goes on inside your home. As a mom, finding balance is key and searching for what works for my family and kids has definitely been a journey. Finally, I have found a tool that can be used in my home that I feel confident about. The missing piece presented itself to me in a very clear way. ESSENTIAL OILS tie everything together. They support the healthy lifestyle I lead. Ill explain…
1. You can use them on your kids
The oils have been such a blessing in our home especially when it comes to our boys. I try to avoid any unnecessary trips to the doctor, and over relying on prescriptions and over the counter medications. The best part is my kids absolutely love the oils. My 15 month old Brody loves the smells and gets overly excited when they are around because he wants to hold the bottles, smell them, and put them all over his body. My older son Dylan, who is 3 ½, loves the smell as well and he is beginning to understand the benefits. As I am writing he is in bed with a low grade fever. He said “mommy I need oils on my feet and please put lavender in my diffuser”. There is also times where he doesn’t want to sleep and will hide his feet under the covers saying “Mommy I’m not tired and these oils make me sleep”. I love that I am teaching them at a young age to be able to take control of their own health.
Applying the oils on the bottoms of the feet is extremely effective as the feet are porous and act like sponges. The oils alone are often too strong for children’s sensitive skin (and adults too), so I always dilute with a carrier oil. Coconut oil is my oil of choice for Dylan and Brody. Why? It is absorbable, doesn’t smell, doesn’t stain and you can get it at very reasonable price at Costco or your local grocery store.
2. Essential oils can be used on yourself
My husband and I use oils on a daily basis as part of our nighttime routine as well as throughout the day.
There are many oils that support the immune system, so as soon as we feel symptoms of a cold or flu begin, we diffuse or apply topically. Oils such as Frankenscene, Lavender, Lemon, On Guard, Oregano and Tea Tree are most often recommended. There are oils that are more stimulating when you need a pick-me-up such as Peppermint and Wild Orange. Fun fact: Peppermint has over 150 different uses so it is a must have in our home, its invigorating as well as cooling. Wild Orange is uplifting as well as cleansing. Paired together they are a perfect match. We love to put Citrus Bliss, Lemon, or Ginger in our drinking water throughout the day to help with cleansing or digestion. We use the oils in our skin care routine by adding them to our homemade products. I’m actually so not a DIY gal but this is so easy even I can do it. Its become even easier now that doTerra has created a new healthy and clean line of skin/body care products.
3. You can diffuse them
Diffusing oils is a great way for the whole family to benefit at the same time. Did you know that doTerra essential oils and diffusers are now being placed in over 100 hospitals in North America? I didn’t. So a little research taught me that diffusing citrus oils have been found to lift the mood of the patients and staff, and they boost productivity and health. The results have been incredible! We have diffusers in each bedroom and then one more for the kitchen and living room area. At night our go to oil blends are Serenity for a restful nights sleep along with Wild Orange. Brody isn’t the best of sleepers so in his room I put in extra Vetiver which has been helping him to sleep more soundly. In our bedroom we add Balance and Eucalyptus. Eucalyptus is my husbands favorite oil which helps support the respiratory system. One of my favorite oils to add is Balance because it does what the name says. It balances hormones, balances emotions and is very grounding.
During the day if you come over you will often smell Peppermint and Wild Orange. Or Lavender, Peppermint and Citrus Bliss. These blends smell amazing and make you feel like you are on top of your game, especially after chasing Brody or playing hockey with Dylan. Remember, in addition to being a natural and safe air freshener and purifier, choosing the right combination of oils allows you to actually choose the mood in your home.
4. Use them to clean
When I first got my oil kit, one of the first things I did was change over all my cleaning products. The effects are just as good, they clean very well, minus the harmful chemicals and bleach. I put 4 drops of Tea Tree and 4 drops of Wild Orange in a big mop bucket and voila! The house is clean and I know my kids and my 4 pound dog Austin are protected and safe from any harmful and toxic chemicals. I did the same thing for my all purpose cleaner. I used 2 tablespoons of the On Guard Concentrate and fill up the rest of a 24oz bottle with water. These resources are safe, effective and cost effective! My 24oz bottle only costs $1.70. The floor cleaner only costs about $0.52 cents! When Brody wants to “help” clean I am not worried about spritzing some on the floor for him to wipe up. This way he is doing the same thing I am doing and there is no tantrums! I’m sure some of you can relate.
5. Lastly we can use them in our cooking
doTerra’s essential oils are 100% pure and are therefore a lot more potent than the actual herb. Sometimes only a toothpick is required (ie: black pepper). A quick tip is approximately 2 tsp of the dry herb = 1 drop of essential oil, 2 tbsp of fresh herbs = 1 drop of essential oil. Adding Lemon or Lime in your guacamole is a great way to flavor your dish with the added health benefits. Adding Oregano to your pasta sauces, or Thyme or Rosemary to your meat and/or potato dishes is wonderful. You can use your oils for pretty much anything! The only thing to remember is that they are very potent. My sister-in-law Elana made a beef stew and accidentally put 3 drops of Rosemary and it was too much! Tip: add drops to a spoon first to avoid too many in your food. 1 drop goes a long way!
And there you have it the top 5 ways to use your oils in your home! I’m always learning and trying to find quicker and easier solutions to ensure my families good health. My goal is to educate as many people as possible so that they can enjoy the benefits of doTerra essential oils in their homes as much as we do in ours.
