Essential Oils Guide: Natural, Non-Toxic Products, Benefits & Uses

Blog, Wellness

What are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are natural liquids found in plants like leaves, flowers, roots, and seeds. Plants produce these oils to protect themselves from insects, weather, and diseases. These same oils can also be used by people for their health benefits.

People have used essential oils for thousands of years as natural medicine. Even today, about 40% of prescription drugs are made from plant compounds!

Many essential oils have properties that can help fight bacteria, inflammation, and germs, making them a great natural way to support your health.

Want the full scoop on everything Essential Oils?

Missed our Essential Oils 101 Class? No worries! We created a digital download of the class packet to share our passion and knowledge of essential oils with everyone.

Person holding four essential oil bottles in hands, showcasing natural health products aligned with holistic wellness and non-toxic living.

How Do Essential Oils Work?

Essential oils are made of tiny molecules that can easily enter the body. Their small size allows them to pass through cell walls and deliver oxygen and nutrients to our cells. This helps boost our immune system and overall health.

Our bodies recognize essential oils as natural nutrients. They work with our body’s healing process. However, synthetic chemicals (found in many beauty and cleaning products) are often seen as foreign by the body and may contain harmful ingredients.

Essential oils are highly concentrated. For example, it takes 75 lemons to make just one small bottle of lemon essential oil. This makes essential oils much stronger than the original plant or dried herbs.

Because essential oils are so small, they can soak into the skin, enter the bloodstream, and support internal organs. Since their structure is similar to our cell membranes, they can travel through the body in minutes when applied to the skin. This is why many people use essential oils on their feet, wrists, or spine for fast absorption.

USDA Organic vs. Seed to Seal comparison chart highlighting differences in pesticide use, soil standards, pest control methods, and testing requirements for essential oils.

Why Choose High-Quality Essential Oils?

Not all essential oils are the same. Some store-bought oils contain fillers, synthetic chemicals, or solvents that can be harmful to your body. High-quality essential oils, like those from Young Living, undergo strict testing and come from pure, non-GMO plants.

How to Use Essential Oils

1. Diffusing (Inhalation)

      • Use a diffuser to spread the scent of essential oils in the air.
      • Oils like lavender, peppermint, and lemon can help with relaxation, focus, and air purification.
      • Avoid synthetic air fresheners that contain harmful chemicals like formaldehyde.

2. Topical Application (On the Skin)

      • Always dilute essential oils with carrier oil (like coconut or jojoba oil) before applying them to the skin.
      • Apply to wrists, feet, spine, or temples for different benefits.
      • Some oils, like lavender and tea tree oil, can be used directly on minor burns or bites.

3. Internal Use (Only with Approved Oils)

      • Make a soothing tea with antioxidant properties by adding honey and DiGize Vitality
      • Add to water, tea, or your favorite beverage for a flavorful boost that may support the digestive system.
      • Always check if an essential oil is labeled safe for ingestion before using it this way.

 

How to Choose the Best Essential Oils

When buying essential oils, look for:

      • 100% pure, therapeutic-grade oils
      • No synthetic ingredients or additives
      • Testing and quality certifications

Over 75% of American homes use synthetic air fresheners, which have numerous amounts of chemical agents (like formaldehyde) that cause headaches; eye, nose, and throat irritation; nausea; forgetfulness; loss of coordination; and other respiratory and/or neurotoxic symptoms.

When you see the word “fragrance” it should throw up red flags, and indicates that it will probably have over 300 toxic chemicals in it. “Fragrance” is found in lotions, soaps, shampoos, air fresheners, etc. Formaldehyde is a number one cancer causing chemical, and it is the embalming agent used at morgues. Why would we want to breathe in these toxins?

The National Air Quality Testing Services states that the toxins released from paraffin candles are the same as those found in diesel fuel fumes. “It’s introducing a larger number of particles than you’d get from a diesel car left running for 40 minutes.”

 

 

Safety Considerations

        • Anywhere BUT eyes and ears
        • Dilute with carrier oils
        • To wipe off use carrier oil (NOT WATER this just drives the oil in further!)
        • Carrier oil is different than EO. Carrier oils are fatty. EO’s will dry up a lot faster than a carrier oil.
        • These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products we mention on this page are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Why I chose YoungLiving (YL)?

Not all essential oils are created equal. Where the plants are grown and how those bottles are made and what is in them matters because of what we talked about before and how they can be used for healing properties. Because the molecules of oils is so tiny and they can penetrate skin and absorb in the body through your cells, we don’t want to be using store bought oils. The essential oil industry is highly under regulated, and therefore there are many ways to mass produce inexpensive oils. They might be TOO diluted with olive oil and not 100% essential oil, impure because they were extracted from plants using toxic solvents that leave chemical bi products in your oils… the list goes on! Your nose might not know the difference but your body does therefore they could be having the same effects on your endocrine system as other harmful products on the shelves.

From the certified non-gmo seeds that are chosen and hand selected, to the plantation, harvesting, distillation, legal compliance, and quality testing, Young Living brings pure oils from soil to the bottle of oil and has been for years. It’s the only company that owns their own farms, they have 11 farms and counting all over the world!

    • YL completes 8 different tests on every batch of oil. This is why they are more expensive than Amazon or store bought essential oils. You get what you pay for!
    • Oldest and most trusted EO company in the world, they’ve been around for over 25 YEARS! If you’d like to know more about “why” YL check out seedtoseal.com.

Best Essential Oils for Common Needs

Young Living Peppermint Vitality essential oil bottle, showcasing premium quality for holistic health and wellness, emphasizing its uses for headaches and digestive support.

Peppermint

    • Anti-inflammatory, antitumoral, antiparasitic, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, gallbladder/digestive stimulant, pain relieving
    • 1 drop=26 cups of peppermint tea
    • 1 pound of raw pep to make 15 ml bottle
    • Essential Oil for Headaches- reapply often (dilution recommended for topical: 20% pep to 80% carrier oil)
    • Helps wake up in morning, increases alertness
    • Freshens breath!

Lavender

    • Antiseptic, antifungal, analgesic, antitumoral, vasodilating (relaxes blood vessels), anti-inflammatory
    • Can apply topically without dilution
    • Bumps or bruises, insect bites, and burns.
    • Relaxing & sleep essential oil
    • Allergies. People swear by this one for allergies.
    • Takes 27 square feet of lavender plants to make one 15ml bottle
    • Buy the Best Lavender Essential Oil Here
Lavender essential oil bottle from Young Living, labeled as premium quality, showcasing benefits for relaxation, antiseptic properties, and topical application without dilution.
Lemon essential oil bottle labeled "Vitality" from Young Living, highlighting its uses in skin care and health benefits.

Lemon

    • Used in skin care to cleanse skin, reduce wrinkles, and combat acne
    • Antioxidant, analgesic, antiviral, anticarcinogenic, antiviral, antitumoral, antifungal, antiseptic, antimicrobial, rich in Vitamin C
    • Dilution recommended for topical: 50% lemon to 50% carrier oil
    • Cold presses from rind of lemon, doesn’t have pulp.
    • 75 peels make one bottle
    • Bloating, cleansing, digestion- MAKE SURE TO USE GLASS
    • Ear infections
    • Removes sticky stuff & stains!

Frankincense

    • Anti-Inflammatory, antibacterial, antispasmodic, analgesic
    • Can apply topically without dilution
    • Muscle relaxer
    • Use to daily to decrease moles, skin tags, age spots, wrinkles, stretch marks
    • Awesome essential oil for immune system- healthy cellular growth (ya know, like cancer)
    • Buy Frankincense Here
Bottle of Young Living Frankincense essential oil, labeled as premium, 0.5 fl. oz., highlighting its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Young Living Valor essential oil blend bottle, featuring a purple label with the word "Valor," emphasizing its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties for holistic health.

Valor

    • Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidative
    • Can apply topically without dilution
    • This essential oils helps with anxiety or nervousness (great for Nervous System)
    • Diffuse or use topically
    • We call it the “brave” oil,
    • ***Dr. Jenna uses this one most on her clients!

DiGize Vitality

    • Helps with constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, gas, morning sickness, cramps, yeast infection, kills parasites, motion sickness
    • Anti-allergy, antimicrobial, digestion, cardiovascular supportive
    • Dilution recommended for topical: 50% digize to 50% carrier oil
    • ***a fan favorite in our home!
    • Purchase Digize Vitality Here
Bottle of Young Living Digize Vitality essential oil supplement, labeled for digestive support and wellness, highlighting its premium quality and usage recommendations.
Thieves Vitality essential oil supplement by Young Living, 0.17 fl. oz. bottle, promoting immune support and non-toxic cleaning solutions.

Thieves

    • Learned about during Black Plague of 16th Century (Thieves story !)
    • An essential oil that aids the immune system
    • Tooth/dental maintenance
    • Mold and mildew
    • Anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial
    • Dilution recommended for topical: 20% thieves to 80% carrier oil
    • ***Dr. Jenna uses this to clean all surfaces in her home and office!

Raven

    • Colds/flu, bronchitis, sore throat, sinusitis, cough, respiratory congestion, allergies, cold sores, mucus
    • Diffuse constantly when needing respiratory support!
    • Antiviral, antiseptic, antimicrobial, digestion, nausea reducing
    • Dilution recommended for topical: 50% raven to 50% carrier oil
Young Living Raven essential oil blend bottle, 0.5 fl. oz., used for respiratory support and wellness, highlighting its benefits in holistic health and wellness.
PanAway essential oil blend bottle by Young Living, featuring calming blue and brown label, highlighting its benefits for sore muscles and inflammation.

PanAway

    • Tense muscles
    • Reduces swelling/bruising
    • Good on sore joints
    • Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidative, pain or swelling reducing
    • Dilution recommended for topical: 20% Panaway to 80% carrier oil

Citrus Fresh

    • Diffuse to eliminate odors
    • Great essential oil for skin dimples
    • Good for weight loss
    • Antimicrobial, antioxidative, calming, cardiovascular supportive, digestion, nausea reducing, pain or swelling reducing
    • Dilution recommended for topical: 50% citrus fresh to 50% carrier oil
Citrus Fresh essential oil bottle from Young Living, labeled as a premium supplement for respiratory support, antimicrobial properties, and odor elimination.
Peace & Calming essential oil blend bottle by Young Living, labeled for calming properties and recommended for anxiety relief, featured in holistic health context.

Peace & Calming

    • Diffuse to calm the room down
    • Love using topically on wrists or spine
    • Every mom needs this essential oil for calming anxiety
    • Anti-allergy, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidative, calming, pain or swelling reducing
    • Dilution recommended for topical: 50% peace and calming to 50% carrier oil

Stress Away

    • Elevates mood
    • Relaxing essential oil
    • Lowers blood pressure
    • Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, emotion supporting, calming, pain or swelling reducing, insecticidal, antiparasitic
    • Can apply topically without dilution
Young Living Stress Away essential oil blend bottle, featuring calming properties, promotes relaxation and mood elevation, ideal for non-toxic lifestyle.

Make the Transition to a Toxic Free Lifestyle

Make a list of all the things in your home that you would like to replace for non-toxic products. Prioritize them by things you use most often like laundry detergent, vitamins, or household cleaner. Each month start replacing those items and only spend what you have budgeted. As you ditch and switch through essential rewards you can earn back points to be used as cash towards more things you need.

 

Getting Started with Essential Oils

A great way to begin is with a popular starter kit that includes a diffuser and popular oils like lavender, lemon, peppermint, and frankincense. Would you like to learn more about essential oils? Download our full guide and shop for high-quality oils today!

Natural Swap Ideas

Natural swap ideas for non-toxic products featuring essential oils, plant-based cleaning items, and wellness essentials, organized by categories like immune support, personal care, and seasonal oils.

Want to know what oils would specifically benefit you?

Smiling woman holding essential oil bottles in a cozy, wellness-focused setting, emphasizing natural products and holistic health.

Try out our personalized essential oil scan: ZytoLink!

ZYTO Link is an app that uses a scanning algorithm and health assessment technology to help users find the best essential oils and supplements for their body.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Essential Oils Guide: Natural Non-Toxic Products, Benefits, and Uses

What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts obtained from leaves, flowers, stems, and roots through steam distillation or cold pressing. They capture the natural fragrance, flavor, and beneficial properties of the plant.
How Do Essential Oils Work?
Essential oil has the ability in its chemical structure to penetrate the cell wall and transport oxygen and nutrients inside the cell, thus increasing cellular oxygen and giving more support to the immune system. Essential oils work through inhalation, topical application, and ingestion (only with food-grade oils). When inhaled, they interact with the brain’s limbic system, which influences emotions and memory. Applied to the skin, they penetrate cells and provide therapeutic benefits.
Are Essential Oils Safe for Everyone?

Most essential oils are safe when used correctly. While some oils will come with specific safety guidelines to look out for, there are some general guidelines you should follow for every essential oil that is welcomed into your home:

  • Do a patch test
  • Dilute first
  • Dilute hot oils
  • Read the label first
  • Avoid certain areas: Some areas of the body do not react well to essential oils, such as your nose, inner ears, eyes, broken skin or other sensitive areas.
  • Check for sun sensitivity
  • Store them safely
  • Watch the kids: Essential oils have many wonderful benefits for children, but because your little ones’ small bodies are still developing, it’s important to always supervise them with essential oils. Before applying any oil topically to a child’s delicate skin, always dilute it. Start by applying the diluted oil to the feet before trying it on other areas.
  • When in doubt, consult a healthcare professional
How Can I Use Essential Oils?
  • Diffusing/Inhalation: Add oils to a diffuser to purify air and promote relaxation.
  • Topical Application: Dilute with a carrier oil and apply to the skin for targeted benefits.
  • Internal Use: Some essential oils, like the Young Living Vitality Line, can be ingested if labeled food-grade.
What Are the Best Essential Oils for Stress and Anxiety?
  • Lavender: Promotes relaxation and better sleep.
  • Valor: Helps with anxiety or nervousness (great for Nervous System).
  • Peace & Calming Blend
  • Stress Away Blend
Which Essential Oils Help with Sleep?
  • Lavender: Most well-known for sleep support.
  • Valor: Helps with anxiety or nervousness (great for Nervous System).
  • Peace & Calming Blend
  • Stress Away Blend: Elevates mood, relaxing, lowers blood pressure
What Are Carrier Oils, and Why Do I Need Them?

Carrier oils are fatty oils like coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, or V-6 from YL. Help dilute essential oils for safe topical application. They reduce skin irritation and help essential oils absorb into the skin effectively.

What’s the Difference Between Essential Oils and Fragrance Oils?

Essential oils are natural plant extracts with therapeutic benefits, while fragrance oils are synthetic and do not offer health benefits. Always choose pure essential oils for wellness purposes.

 

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