I feel like a lot of people have been turning to more holistic methods for health lately, and I’m no different. As I’ve been trying to heal my leaky gut (keep an eye here, I’ll definitely be sharing how!), I’ve been finding myself seeking out and trying all different sorts of alternative medicines. One thing I’ve for sure fallen in love with during my experimenting is essential oils.
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are a volatile, concentrated liquid containing the oil of the plant they’re derived from. They have been around for ages (I’m talking almost a thousand years), and are used in many things to add taste or smell, ranging from perfumes to food, and even cleaning supplies. Their most popular use lately seems to be in aromatherapy, where the oils are used to alter one’s mental and physical mood and well-being positively. They can help with headaches, body aches, energy levels, and even anxiety, just by being smelled or absorbed through the skin.
Because they’re volatile (meaning they evaporate pretty quickly), they have to be combined with a carrier oil, which helps dilute and make the oils’ concentration levels easier to control. A little goes a long way with these!! Diluting essential oils also helps for those who have sensitive skin, because applying them directly may be a little harsh. Fractionated coconut oil (it’s liquid all the time, unlike regular coconut oil) is probably my first choice of carrier oil, but you can also use jojoba, grapeseed, or sweet almond oil (just be careful if you have a nut allergy).
Though diffusers seem to be a pretty popular way to utilize essential oils and reap the mood changing benefits from them, my new favorite way is to roll ’em on!! It’s the quickest DIY ever, and you can make a bunch of them to carry in your purse or your desk for whatever situation you might need em for!
Essential Oil Relief Roll-On
ITEMS NEEDED:
• 10ml roller ball applicator
• 10-15 drops essential oils
• 1/3 oz of your choice carrier oil
DIRECTIONS:
1. Remove roller-ball stopper in top of bottle.
2. Add 3-5 drops of each of your chosen essential oils.
3. Fill the rest of bottle with carrier oil.
4. Re-add top. All done!
Now apply your essential oil roll-on at your pulse points, and enjoy the effects!
A few of my fave combos for you to try:
• for ANXIETY: clary sage, bergamot, lavender
• for INSOMNIA: ylang ylang, lavender, chamomile
• for ENERGY: lemon, eucalyptus, rosemary
(this is my go to! I love citrus essential oils)
• for HEADACHES: peppermint, eucalyptus, lavendar
Do you use essential oils??
What are your favorite scent combos?
This is fantastic! I love essential oils and have been using them to help me relax and focus. This is a great way to make them “stretch” so I’m going to give this a try!
Author May 26, 2016 / 10:34 pm
let me know how it goes! :))
This is very helpful! I use essential oils and have been happy with them. Thanks for this information!
Author May 26, 2016 / 10:34 pm
for sure! let me know if you try it out.
I too have fallen in love with essential oils recently. I’m also a member of Young Living. If anyone is interested I’m more than happy to share!! I too love the energy boost of the lemon, eucalyptus and rosemary!!
Does this work in the winter if the oil hardens?
Author May 29, 2016 / 1:10 pm
You use fractionated coconut oil, not the regular kind, so it’s always liquid!! :))
Author June 2, 2016 / 4:16 pm
you should be using fractionated oil coconut oil, not the regular kind, so it stays liquid even at room temperature!
Great post! I am SO trying this out