what is an essential oil?

Plants contain complex and powerful substances known as essential oils. These are aromatic liquids derived from shrubs, flowers, trees, roots, bushes, and seeds. These distinctive components defend plants from insects, harsh environmental conditions and disease. They are also vital for a plant to grow, live, evolve, and adapt to its surroundings. Referred to as the essence of the plant, pure essential oils not only protect the plant but also determine its aroma.

Essential oils have been used throughout time dating back to 4500 BC. From perfumes and aromatherapy to cooking and medicinal purposes, essential oils have been used in everyday life for centuries. In modern days, research shows that pure essential oils can provide similar benefits to humans and animals that they give to plants.

Importance of Quality

Many oils, touted as essential oils, are derived with harsh chemicals, diluted, or copied and produced in a lab. Cheap copies bring cheap results and have the potential to be toxic. Therefore, it is imperative to take great care in choosing high-quality essential oils.

Young Living offers pure, unadultereated essential oils, essential oil blends, and oil-ehhanced products. At Young Living, in-house and independent laboratory testing shows that our essential oils meet high industry standards that qualify them as "therapeutic grade." This means that health professionals choose them for promoting health and wellness.

how to use essential oils

There are three basic ways to use essential oils: inhalation, topical application, and internal consumption. Read the Safety Guidelines and Tips prior to the use of any essential oil.

Inhalation of essential oils heightens the senses and can trigger numerous desired respoonses in the body: Direct inhalation, Diffuse, Fill a humidifier with water add a few drops to a cloth and let the escaping steam fill the air.

Topical applications is applying the oils directly onto the skin where indicated. Dilute with olive or almond oil before applying if dilution is indicated in the Application Chart. Dilution may protect against possible skin sensitivities.

Key points of application on the body are:

Crown of head, Forehead, Temples, Behind ears, Neck, Upper back, Abdomen, Over vital organs, Soles & top of feet, ankles

Internal Consumption

Research indicates that some oils are more effective when taken orally. Only pure essential oils, proven safe and labeled as dietary supplements, should be used internally. Dilution and dosage is dependent on the age, size, and the helath constitution of the individual. Follow the recommended dosage on individual product labels to ensure safety or seek the advice of a health professional before administering oils internally.

Suggested internal consumption methods:

Put several drops of oil into an empty capsule and swallow with water.

Add 1-2 drops to a glass of water or rice milk.

Put 1-2 drops onto a piece of bread or add to your meals when cooking.

Add 1-2 drops onto a teaspoon of Blue Agave and swallow.

Drop directly onto the tongue and swallow. Exercise extreme caution when using this method. Many oils are very strong and should be tested by pouring a single drop onto a spoon and tasting a small portion to determine the amout of oil to be used.

As you can see there are many different uses for these oils. You can even include them in your homemade cleaning supplies many of these oils have antibacterial purposes and leave your house smelling fantastic.

Visit my site www.BusyBeesHive.com to see the oils that I offer!