I don’t know if they’re as popular where you live as they are here in Nashville, but around here people are getting really interested in the health benefits of essential oils! In the Piñata house we’re always about doing things as naturally as we can, so when I started hearing more about essential oils I got very curious and started doing my research. I’m going to follow up this post with another specifically about using oils with babies and children, but this post will just be an overview of what I’ve learned.
1. Essential oils are natural compounds that are part of the immune system of the plants. These oils are extracted from various parts of the plants (roots, stems, seeds, flowers, etc.) and then distilled to become highly concentrated. Just like these oils help the plant stay healthy, they can do the same thing for our bodies as well.
2. Essential Oils can be used for ALL KINDS of purposes.
I was drawn to oils to help with my sleeping issues (I have had insomnia on and off since college), and to help Little Piñata’s little immune system get over all the bugs he was bringing home from daycare. During the fall he was getting cold after cold and we had so much disrupted sleep and passing along of germs, I was just over it!
But, in the meantime we discovered a whole lot of other oils, and found remedies for a lot of stuff we wouldn’t have guessed, including upset stomach, acne, and have even started getting on a regime to help with our hormones. No results on the last one yet, but we’re sure grateful for all the other benefits we’ve gotten! Plus, I’ve discovered you can use them to clean/disinfect the house, repel bugs from yourself or in the garden. Here is a list of the most common “Piñata Home Remedies.” We’ve got at least a dozen more oils that we use for a whole bunch of stuff, but here’s the ones we use most often.
Lavender – Our all-time favorite oil! We put it on all 3 of us to help us sleep at night. We actually put it on the bottom of our feet since that’s where the pores are the biggest, so the oils get into the bloodstream faster that way. It’s also good for anxiety and has quite a calming effect. But, it’s also great when anyone has any skin irritation or burn. It can also help as an antihistamine if you struggle with allergies.
Frankincense – We use this oil as a preventative measure since it’s known for cell repair, so it can even help your body prevent future illnesses! It’s also anti-aging, so it’s good to put on the skin to help with wrinkles, but also it helps our bodies keep those cells healthier for longer, which is pretty darn cool. If we ever have a skin issue that Lavender hasn’t helped with, we use Frankincense since it’s so powerful. It’s a go-to oil if you’re not sure what to use for sure!
Peppermint – I LOVE this oil for energy! It’s also so great at helping me feel better when I have a headach. I just put a drop on wherever my headache is and I feel almost instant relief. It’s a cooling oil, so it can help soothe kiddos when they have a fever. We wouldn’t have guessed it, but when Mr. P had a horrible case of poison ivy it greatly helped the itching and burning because of that “cooling” effect. Peppermint can also help with focus and memory retention and even nausea.
Melaluca – This oil is great and I use it like I would Neosporin whenever we get cuts or scrapes because it’s anti-fungal and good at killing germs. It also helps with skin issues, so we put Lavender and Melaluca together whenever he gets a “boo boo” (which kind of feels like every day!). It’s also recommended for ear infections, cold sores, acne and dandruff.
3. Oils service your whole body at once.
This is what blew my mind. Even though you may put oil on just one particular part of your body, the oils get into your bloodstream and can help your body heal itself from whatever imbalances are in your entire body! So, even though you might put Melaluca (Tea Tree Oil) on your face to help get rid of acne, it will also help your body fight any infections it is dealing with. This also means that you don’t have to rub an oil that you love all over your body to get the benefits. I love that I can just use a drop or two, which saves me a whole lot of money in the long run.
4. You can use oils aromatically, topically and (sometimes) internally.
First of all, essential oils are very aromatic. When you smell the oils the they go through your nasal passages and travel quickly to your brain. That’s why smelling lavender can have such a calming effect. If you want to use oils for mood or emotional issues, aromatically can be the best way since it gets the scent to your brain faster. A lot of people think you can put oils in your humidifier or heat them in water on the stove, but heating essential oils actually breaks down their chemical make-up and could therefore remove the healing properties. So, the best thing to do is to buy a diffuser. This is the one I currently have and I like it! It’s on the less expensive side since a few drops only last for 3-4 hours. I just ordered this one, and I hope it really does last up to 8 hours like it says!
Using oils topically is what we usually do in the Piñata home. But, it’s really important to know the safety of the oils you’re using. Most brands recommend diluting their oils in coconut, almond, olive or jojoba oil. There are very few companies that say you can use their oils “neat,” which means without dilution. So, be very careful when using oils on your skin. Always start by diluting until you know how your skin will react and always, always follow the directions of the manufacturer! There are also some oils that absolutely always need to be diluted (like Oregano), so do your research before slathering essential oils in your body. If they are powerful enough to help along your body’s healing process then you want to be wise with them.
I have only heard of 2 brands of oils that say their oils are safe to use internally. The reason that most essential oils cannot be used internally is that there is no FDA standardization of oils, so many oils you could get online or in the store could have pesticides, synthetic oils, etc. in them. Unless the bottle you get specifically says it’s safe to ingest, just don’t do it! I had a friend who used Oil of Oregano from the store and it stained her husband’s teeth brown, so again, be safe!
5. Know your stuff!
I talked about this in #4 in regard to how to use the oils, but I think that before you use any essential oils you want to do your own research too. I could go on and on about the different types of oils, which ones are safe to ingest, which ones aren’t safe during pregnancy, etc., but you don’t want to read a long list of those kinds of specifics, but you DO want to be able to find those resources out there! Especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or wanting to use oils on your kiddos, you will definitely want to know which oils should be avoided and which ones are safe. Also, if an oil is photosensitive you don’t want to rub it on your belly and go out in the sun in your bikini because you will get a horrible burn that will last for weeks! Thankfully, the internet is a wealth of information and there are those out there that have been trained in essential oils. I actually have recently started teaching Essential Oils classes, so you could wall me for any questions you have and I’d be glad to help.
Here are some great online resources:
Everything Essential – I love this site because you can type in your specific issue and see what kind of oils are good for whatever you’re struggling with. They also have suggested protocols, which I love!
Aromatic Science – This site is so cool because you can look at all the studies being done on aromatherapy and healing, which is so neat for me to read that there is real science behind the use of essential oils.
6. Where to get Essential Oils
My preferred brand can only be purchased through wellness advocates that have been trained in knowing and teaching about essential oils. The reason we chose this brand is that after we started using a couple of store-bought brands in the fall and only saw small improvements, we didn’t see the results we were expecting. But, this spring, when I started using our now preferred brand on myself and Little P, we saw a big difference in how quickly he got over colds and how much better I was sleeping. So, if you’re interested in this brand, you can contact a wellness advocate local to you, or if you don’t know anyone, just ask me. You can also find other brands from stores like Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s or even Amazon. I personally can’t attest to the efficacy or safety of other brands, but that’s where we first started our use of essential oils as well.
What about you? How do you use essential oils? Have you seen a difference in your family’s health?
*I do not claim to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure disease. If you are under a doctor’s supervision, please consult with them before making any changes.
blogger / pomegranate / 3491 posts
Totally intrigued. I have heard a lot of chatter about essential oils but have never really read much on the subject. thinking about exploring lavender more since i am a terrible sleeper!
guest
I have a few bottles from health food stores. I do want to dive in further. Looking forward to more in your series.
blogger / pomelo / 5361 posts
I’m so interested in this. One of my friends is sending me a sample of one she said helps her little guy sleep, so this post was really timely!
guest
Just to add a word of caution. Lavender oils have been linked to causing hormonal disruption in boys – male breast development. While the science on this is not conclusive, there is even less science showing the benefits of lavender oil. I’d avoid it for my son. While natural products often seem safe, don’t forget that arsenic and cyanide are natural too! http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/jan2007/niehs-31.htm
guest
I’m a midwife and we use peppermint oil sometimes in labour when women are nauseous or vomiting. I place a drop on their hand and they can then sniff the peppermint. Works really well. Would likely help with morning sickness too.
blogger / pear / 1563 posts
@Anna- Actually, the study they did that linked lavender to estrogen production in boys was flawed. One of the solvents they used in the study is a known estrogen mimicker! Here are a couple of sites with a more thorough explanation on why that study was flawed. Although it IS a good reminder that you have to get your oils from a quality source because there could be contaminants like this in oils that are not high quality.
http://www.mommypotamus.com/does-lavender-oil-cause-estrogen-imbalance/
http://roberttisserand.com/2013/02/lavender-oil-is-not-estrogenic/
cherry / 175 posts
We are ‘all in’ with essential oils as well! I started using them this winter for an all natural cold/flu remedy and after being amazed we jumped in head first a couple months ago. They really have replaced my medicine cabinet. We use oils to treat tantrums, bug bites, acne, heart burn, sore muscles, snoring, sunburn, and allergies to name a few. We use them for energy, to help sleep, as a bug spray and the list goes on. I’ve been amazed Every time my husband has a complain I respond with “I have an oil for that!” I even diffuse them daily in my very male populated technical workplace – after the initial disappointment my diffuser wasn’t something illegal (:)) they now request certain blends!
After doing my research I chose Young Living oils for their SEED to SEAL process (http://www.youngliving.com/en_US/discover/seed-to-seal). Young Living is similar to doTerra in that it can only be purchased through members or membership.
It’s very important to note most oils sold at health stores or on amazon say 100% Therapeutic… but really don’t have the same potency. So if you try an oil and don’t see the results you expect I’d find a better quality oil!
I have also found it very important (with either company you choose) to find a supportive community (usually on FB through your upline) where you can ask questions and continue to learn. The learning never stops with essential oils!!
blogger / eggplant / 11551 posts
I’ve only ever used the lavender essential oil, and only rarely… I’m intrigued by the Frankincense. Thanks for the interesting and enlightening post!
persimmon / 1153 posts
I’ve used oils for a couple of years. I’ve used DoTerra and Young Living but noticed that YL works better on my daughter, so I’ve gotten my oils from YL. Now I have even converted my husband. We use oils for sleep, snoring, rashes, bug bites, allergies, headaches, mood swings., fevers, tummy aches…you name it and I’ve probably tried it. They’ve been great for our family!
blogger / persimmon / 1220 posts
EOs are super popular here. I have a couple of co-workers who are DoTerra advocates.
papaya / 10560 posts
I have a friend who sells doTerra and I have been considering buying. I’m all about trying something alternative before medicating.
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22646 posts
Love doTerra
We are a huge fan of lavendar, OnGuard, etc.
pomegranate / 3329 posts
My Mom uses them, I’m not sure which company she purchases from though. I’m very intrigued, thank you for this post!
pomegranate / 3383 posts
@babycrz: You have me so intrigued! Is there a specific website that you use as a reference?
This is an awesome post! We used to use a lavender massage oil (I believe it was just almond oil and lavender) on my LO before he went to sleep. And I put tea tree oil in his hair this morning because there were two cases of lice at his daycare…hopefully it will repel those little suckers! I also used to take oil of oregano when I felt a cough or had a sore throat – that stuff really worked!
pear / 1696 posts
This is awesome! We make our own baby wipes using Target baby wash clothes and a mixture of water, almond oil, glycerin soap, lavender oil and tea tree oil. Its great!
We also have a small diffuser that we use instead of burning through tons of candles. Its fun to come up with different combinations. Since I’m a big Earl Grey tea lover, my favorite is bergamont and orange. Thanks for sharing about this!
blogger / pear / 1563 posts
@Sammyfab: I hope that melaluca/tea tree oil keeps that lice away for sure!
@Seattlemom: Oh yes! Diffusers are so much better than candles! I LOVE putting orange in my diffuser, especially in the morning as a “pick me up.”
blogger / nectarine / 2600 posts
Does anything work for cradle cap or excema?
blogger / pear / 1563 posts
@Mrs. Chocolate: There are a whole bunch of oils that can help with ezcema! My first suggestion would be their blend for skin called “ClearSkin.” They also suggest Helichrysum, juniper berry and thyme. There are 6 more oils, but these are the “best” ones listed. I would think that lavender and/or melaluca would also be good.
And for cradle cap, have you tried just coconut oil yet? That worked for us! If that doesn’t work, you can add one drop of lemon and 1 drop of geranium and that should heal up the scalp while cleaning out the cradle cap. Just be sure to put on a cap before going out in the sun because lemon is photosensitive.
cantaloupe / 6669 posts
@Mrs. Pinata: I didn’t realize you live in Nashville! I am in a local natural parenting Facebook group that is much crunchier than me, haha, and everyone goes on & on about EOs. Wonder if you are in it too?
blogger / pear / 1563 posts
@daniellemybelle: haha! Nope! I’d love to be in that fb group! I love connecting with other crunchy parents.
blogger / clementine / 998 posts
I had also thought the same about avoiding lavender…interesting
cherry / 190 posts
So, I noticed that your photos feature DoTERRA oils, which is a MLM program. While there’s nothing wrong with that, there is a problem with MLM reps giving out unsafe advice based on company sales sheets. In fact, peppermint is very dangerous for children under the age of 6. Peppermint is one of the essential oils that are high in 1,8-cineole and can potentially cause respiration to slow in children. This can cause seizures and respiratory failure, and MUST be used with caution.
Here is a very good third party resource with information about oil safety and children: http://www.learningabouteos.com/index.php/2014/02/07/essential-oils-and-children/
And another about general safety tips regarding ingestion of oils:http://www.learningabouteos.com/index.php/2013/08/06/ingesting-essential-oils/
Considering how people using the oils are choosing them as an alternative to reaching for OTC and prescription drugs, it’s amazing how casual the usage advice is. These are medicines. They should certainly be respected and researched for every application, because of course you wouldn’t abuse ibuprofen for every ailment, so why do that with an oil? I encourage everyone to do a little third party research *outside* of a marketing company or brand, and be sure you are making informed decisions.
cherry / 190 posts
Also for Mrs. Chocolate, my daughter suffered from horrible eczema scabs on her face. I ended up needing to cut dairy and gluten for them to stop showing up, but for healing the scabs I applied aquaphor and topped it with one drop of frankincense. Cleared it up in no time! But be aware, sensitivities can develop so you don’t want to use an oil daily for more than 2 weeks on a specific area without giving it a few days to “calm down” so to speak.
blogger / pear / 1563 posts
@Killer b: You bring up some great points! I think this article is really informative on the different “schools of thought” on essential oils, including information on the book you mentioned. http://www.liveoakacupuncture.com/differences-of-opinion-regarding-the-safe-use-of-essential-oils
I agree that we shouldn’t just ingest and use essential oils “willy-nilly.” Safety is of utmost importance to me and why I went with doTerra as my brand of choice since their focus is not just on using oils but teaching about them. Also, since essential oils are compounds that enable our bodies to heal themselves rather than drugs that DO the healing for us, they are a whole lot safer to use on a regular basic than synthetic compounds. Just my “2 cents” worth.
cherry / 175 posts
@sammyfab I use my Essential Oil Pocket Reference (http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Oils-Pocket-Reference-Young/dp/0983518327) almost daily and also access the support/knowledge of the leaders in a couple facebook groups. Let me know if you’d like me to invite you.
cherry / 190 posts
What bothers me the most about the popularity of oils is seeing these “teachers” give horribly unsound advice. You’ll read that you should NEVER apply oils near your eyes, but then I see reps posting IG “recipes” of putting oils in your mascara to promote lash growth!
I also understand the two schools of thought, but remain unconvinced that regular ingestion is safe. Even Colleen K. Dodt from The Essential Oils Book discourages internal use, as well as exercising caution during pregnancy, with infants/children, and while breastfeeding. Please understand that I am by no means discouraging anyone from using oils, I love them! I just hope to encourage others to always do third party research outside of brand-sponsored paraphernalia for their own peace of mind. I kind of got sucked in at the beginning, and now I’m interested in learning both schools of thought, and taking in-depth courses on all sorts of holistic medicines so I can safely practice them with my family.
Keep up the good work mama! Down with “big pharma”
blogger / pear / 1563 posts
@Killer b: oh yes! Definitely good for everyone to do their own research and decide what’s best for their family.
And eek! EOs in your mascara?! I definitely have never heard that and it also sounds totally unnecessary for life and wellness!
guest
I just found this blog the other day ( while google searching sleep regressions ) and your in general posts couldn’t be hitting home more!
I’m also a big doterra fan. I use lavender on my feet each night – but the only one I could stand during my pregnancy was peppermint. I put in on my wrists during my first trimester sickies and would sniff it something else (read:EVERYTHING else) would turn my stomach.
A resource that I have found helpful is the book “Modern Essentials”.
http://www.amazon.com/Essentials-Edition-Contemporary-Therapeutic-Essential/dp/193770209X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404048586&sr=8-1&keywords=modern+essentials+book
Thanks again for being awesome!
blogger / pear / 1563 posts
@Emily: Thanks for your sweet and kind comment! Sorry about your sleep regressions. Have you tried Lavender or Serenity? Or Roman Chamomile?
That’s not surprising to hear that peppermint helped during your pregnancy. I should write a post about pregnancy and essential oils too.
And yes! We use that book SEVERAL times a day when we’re wondering what to use for various things or looking up remedies for friends. It’s an awesome, awesome go-to guide. We LOVE it!
blogger / nectarine / 2010 posts
I wish I’d known about peppermint all those times I had poison ivy!
blogger / persimmon / 1398 posts
This is a really informative post! I’ve been toying with getting my feet wet in the essential oil pool… and I’m going to check out that book referenced above. Thanks for this awesome post!
blogger / nectarine / 2687 posts
@Mrs. Paintbrush: me too! definitely want to learn more!