Which Essential Oil Company is the Best? Information on the Aura Cacia Essential Oils

Which Essential Oil Company is the Best? Honestly, I believe it is your personal preference which company you feel comfortable with. There are many good essential oil companies out there. I personally chose to purchase and use the Aura Cacia Essential Oils. I have researched this company on their website and searched the reviews on Google. I have provided my research in this blog but again, I believe it's your choice and your research and due diligence on the company and your decision on which company to purchase essential oils from.

Other Essential Oil Companies

DoTerra 

Young Living

Heritage Oils

Native American Nutritionals

Now Essential Oils 

Edens Garden

Mountain Rose Herbs 

Aura Cacia (research included in this blog) 

and so so so many more out there. 

Another great site to check out is HERE at www.wholenewmom.com. She has researched a few of the EO companies I mentioned above and actually has a 2 Part article on her extensive research. It's worth a read if you are looking for research on other essential oil companies.  

Why do I Use Essential Oils? 

I was originally introduced to essential oils by a friend of a friend who invited me to an "Oil Party" for DoTerra. I was intrigued by the presentation on the natural effects of essential oils on the body and how the body reacted to such small amounts of the oils and how powerful they are and how they can help with common ailments and more complex ailments.  Then came the sales pitch......I call it Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) however many of the oil companies don't call it that. They pitch it as a savings program. But you have to pay an annual fee to get the discount and still those discounted prices were out of my budget. I did purchase the OnGuard Oil Blend. I liked it however I thought it was very expensive. I would liked to have purchased additional oils at the time but again, many were out of my budget.

Some of my friends, family and co-workers suggested I use essential oils during cold/flu season for my little one who had a horrible winter 2013. She was sick from October - February with coughing spells until she puked. She would be sick for 2-3 weeks then okay for 1 week then it would start all over again. Finally, after mom's intuition of saying "no, this is not a cold or allergies" and being persistent with the Dr. to find out what the heck was wrong with my 3 year old daughter, the Dr. finally ordered a chest x-ray which came back as viral pneumonia. After all the pokes and prods, blood draws, 2 rounds of 2 different antibiotics, an inhaler of Albuterol, which she had an allergic reaction to (her lungs spasmed and she coughed until she would puke, turned pale in face, blue lips and couldn't breath)....... OMG! I about lost it! My poor baby! Ok, deep breath........ that was then and it's over now. I started her on a probiotic and organic multivitamin along with a daily dose of Zyrtec.

After all of this I decided to research these essential oils to see what they were all about and be prepared for the next year of cold/flu season. The 2014 cold/flu season to say the least was nothing like 2013, thank God.  I'm a paralegal so I love to research and that is exactly what I did and am so glad to have found these oils. I honestly believe running the Thieves Oil and Allergy Trio during cold/flu season cut down on our family getting sick. It has helped all of us,not just my little ones. I can only remember when we all got sick just before Christmas 2014 but that was about it, no continued bouts of coughing, or runny noses and I believe using the oils aromatically and topically cut down on the severity and length of the sickness.

So, what essential oils do I use and Why????..........

My Research  on Aura Cacia Essential Oils 

(Information taken from their websites)

Aura Cacia was founded in 1982 in Weaverville, CA. When Frontier Natural Products Co-Op purchased the company in 1993, Aura Cacia was well-established as the market leader in aromatherapy.

Frontier Co-Op had been selling essential oils in response to member requests since 1978 and already had expert quality testing and sourcing capabilities in place.

The combination of established quality expertise and the market leadership of the Aura Cacia brand melded into a popular, premium-quality aromatherapy line.

Aura Cacia continues as the quality leader in aromatherapy today via their Source to the Shelf (TM) Strategy. Their ethical and sustainable sourcing program, Well Earth(TM), and their in-house sophisticated testing capabilities, which allows them to guarantee the quality of their essential oils.

In the face of increasing adulteration and quality exaggeration in the marketplace, they believe this is peace of mind for their customers.

Who is Frontier Co-Op? 

Frontier was founded in 1976. It is organized as an Iowa cooperative, owned by more than 30,000 wholesale customers. Each member has one share and one vote. The members elect a Board of Directors that hires Frontier's CEO and oversees the business in the interest of the members. Member/owner investment provides the capital for the business to operate, and the Co-op's annual net income is divided among the members according to patronage.

They offer more than 82,000 products across more than 260 brands -including their own brands of Aura Cacia, Simply Organic and Frontier.

Products sold under their own brands are: Frontier bulk herbs, spices, teas, food ingredients, and seasonings; Frontier bottled spices, seasonings, and flavors; Simply Organic spices, seasonings mixes, and flavors; and Aura Cacia essential oils, skin care oils, and personal care products. They also manufacture private-label spices and essential oils.

The Aura Cacia Philosophy 

 Aura Cacia's goal is to make aromatherapy easy! They offer an extensive selection of high quality essential oils and aromatherapy products for all ages and spaces.
They accomplish this with:
Source to the Shelf (TM) Strategy.  This is their own ethical and sustainable sourcing program, Well Earth (TM), in addition to their in-house sophisticated testing capabilities, allows them to guarantee high-quality essential oils that deliver true aromatherapy benefit. Aura Cacia refuses to carry anything less.

Full Ingredient Disclosure. Every ingredient used in Aura Cacia products - down to the individual essential oils - is listed in order of its quantity in the ingredients. You will never see vague terms such as "botanical fragrance" in the ingredient lists. They want customers to know exactly what they are getting when they purchase the products.

Environment-Friendly Policies. Environment is top-of-mind when selecting ingredients and packaging materials for their products. They strive to use recyclable packaging, minimize excess packaging, and utilize post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials when possible.

Animal-Friendly Policies. Aura Cacia products are not tested on animals any no animal by-products are used with the exception of beeswax


Aura Cacia Gives Back
The Aura Cacia Organic 1% Fund. "At Aura Cacia, we give back 1% of the sales of our organic products to support organic farmers and their communities."

The money from individual purchases provides opportunities for the people whose skill and commitment is essential to the high quality Aura Cacia aromatherapy products you enjoy.

The 1% Organic Fund originated with the re-launch of organic essential oils in 2010. Their first project was to build a preschool in Madagascar, where they source organic Ylang Ylang EO. The school helps hardworking parents realize their dreams for their children's education and offers a new world of opportunity for generations to come.

Aura Cacia 1% Organic Fund includes all of their organic products. Click here to view a video of the preschool Aura Cacia 1% Fund build in Madagascar.

Sourcing Matters to Aura Cacia 

Aura Cacia is able to find and develop ethical sources of high quality products because they travel directly to the source of the ingredients around the world. This helps to ensure that the ingredients meet their high quality standards and that the suppliers are committed to:

• Worker Safety and Fair Treatment 
• Sustainable Growing Practices
• Environmental Stewardship
• Community Involvement 

Direct Sourcing allows Aura Cacia to establish personal relationships with the farmers. At the core of these relationships are their shared values - not just about quality and the environment, but about people as well. Aura Cacia shares the belief that it's important to respect and care for others in life and in business. 

Aura Cacia Essential Oil Quality 

Every Aura Cacia essential oil must pass a battery of tests to ensure its authenticity and quality. They perform four major tests in the scientific analysis on every essential oil. 

The Four Test are: 

1. Gas Chromatography/mass spectrometry (GCMS) 
2. Specific Gravity 
3. Optical Rotation
4. Refractive Index

HERE is a link to their website for more information regarding the quality testing.

Aura Cacia tests every pre-shipment sample of essential oils before making a purchase. Then, after purchasing the essential oil, every shipment is tested again to make sure it continues to meet all quality and purity standards. Their extensive testing provides complete confidence that the Aura Cacia brand of oils are 100% pure and authentic, and they offer a quality guarantee to their customers.

Many other oil companies market "therapeutic grade oils" however, there is no such grading system for essential oils. Companies use this term in marketing to try to differentiate aromatherapy oils from essential oils used in flavoring and food. Aromatherapy oils should be pure, complete and unadulterated high quality oils. But because the term "therapeutic grade" isn't based on established standards or regulation, it can be - and often is - used without regard to the quality of the oil.

You can also view their FAQ page which answers a lot of questions regarding their oils and the quality and testing practices.

Conclusion 

From my research on the company and their sustainability and the information they provide on their websites www.auracacia.com and www.frontiercoop.com, I feel very comfortable using the Aura Cacia Essential Oils. I like that the company has been around for a number of years (longer than other EO companies) and they give back to the communities in which the oils are farmed.

** Also, a HUGE factor for me in choosing the Aura Cacia brand of essential oils was the price. I have joined their buyer's club and receive discounted pricing which is even better! 

One Example of Pricing between Aura Cacia and 2 other top Essential Oil Companies: 

                          Aura Cacia (SRP)          Top Company 1 (SRP)                 Top Company 2 (SRP)

Lavender 15ml     $12.29                          $28.00                                           $30.92

Really!? WOW! That is a HUGE difference in price. For a mom on a budget wanting to help out her family in a more natural way this is a big savings.

I hope this information has helped you to have a little more understanding of the Aura Cacia Essential Oils brand.

I have not been paid by Aura Cacia or Frontier Co-op for this blog article. This blog contains my own findings and research. I am not a retailer of the products at this time, just a mom wanting to spread the word about the benefits of using essential oils!


References: https://www.auracacia.com/ and http://www.frontiercoop.com/


   

Disclaimer:The information on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose or prescribe any of these products for you or your family. In the case of illness you should contact your health care professional. In no instances shall the owner of this website or its affiliates be responsible or liable for any damages whatsoever resulting in connection with the use of this information, products, or its publication. The decision to use any information from this site is the sole responsibility of the reader.

   

Vetiver Essential Oil - SO many uses; Insomnia, Depression, Inflammation, ADHD, Acne, Anxiety......

For the longest time I was calling this oil Veviter, of course after I actually purchased it and "read" the label it's called Vetiver. I think everyone reads a little too fast sometimes, oh well.

One thing I will tell you before we get too far into the SO many great uses of this oil........ it is VERY thick. I was about to call the company and tell them my oil was bad. It wouldn't come out of the bottle so I took off the cap and looked inside and tilted the bottle over. It is darker in color and the oil and has the consistency of let's say pancake or maples syrup. It is much too thick and won't  "drip" out of the oil cap you will need to remove the cap and use a dropper. It has a very strong "earthy" aroma.

I purchased it to try it out. I knew it would come in handy for something at sometime and that it did! With 2 little ones at home of course there are toys every where. I was picking up toys before I left for work and low and behold I stood up and knew that I threw my lower back out. One of the many dangers of toys! LOL. The pain wasn't too bad, at least I could still walk. Through out the day at work it progressively worsened. Just the dull ache and you can't quit get comfortable except bending yourself in half and staying that way. Yeah that's not gonna work. Finally, 2 days later dealing with the uncomfortable pain I checked my oil cupboard and didn't have any Pain Away made so I grabbed the Vetiver bottle and said let's give this one a try! That's when I discovered the consistency of the oil as mentioned above.

I dipped my finger in the bottle and applied a little of the Vetiver oil along with some Coconut carrier oil and rubbed it on my lower back. I also added a few drops of Peppermint. Holy Moly! My back pain was subsiding. I didn't have that constant dull ache and I could almost stand up straight again. I immediately called my sister who suffers from a back injury (slipped disk, bulging disc, arthritis, etc.) and told her we needed to try this on her. She is so ready to find something to help with the pain. If it works for her I'll make her a roller bottle so she can roll it on whenever needed.

What is Vetiver Oil? 

Vetiver is a perennial grass which is native to India. It has a strong initial aroma and is described as woody, smokey, earthy, herbaceous, and spicy. The most valued quality of vetiver oil is that it is deeply grounding, and often used for promoting sleep It is said to also be equally helpful for restlessness.

Uses of Vetiver Oil 

Its aromatic effect on the mind is grounding, calming, and balancing, while its other notable actions are antiseptic, antispasmodic, immune-stimulating, warming, sedative to the nervous system, and stimulating to the circulatory system.

Vetiver Essential Oil provides the following health benefits:

• Enhances libido and awakens sexual desire
• Provides relief to insomnia patients 
• Speeds up eradication of scars and other skin marks 
• Has antiseptic properties 
• Provides relief from all types of inflammation 
• Improves and maintains good nerve health 
• Rejuvenates the body and helps boost immunity 
• Helps heal wounds by promoting growth of new tissues
• Acne
• Anxiety
• Absentmindedness 
• Arthritis
• Depression
• Mental Fatigue
• Menstrual Cramps
• Tentonitis
• Sore Feet
• Joint Stiffness
• ADHD 

One specific area that Vetiver Oil can potentially address is ADHD, in large part because it is a calming essential oil. A 2001 study conducted by Dr. Terry Friedman found that the oil's aroma improved the performance of children with ADD and ADHD by 100%. The results emerged much stronger than Lavender's performance increase of 53% and Cedarwood's 83%. 

WOW, 100% improved performance! Now why are so many prescription drugs being given to young children when all they can use is a simple essential oil? There are so many benefits and less side effects when using essential oils. 

To harness these benefits, Vetiver Oils can be administered different ways. It can be applied topically (recommended diluted with a carrier oil), directly inhaled, or diffused. The oil blends well with the essential oils of benzoin, grapefruit, jasmine, lavender, and ylang-ylang.  

As I was researching the many uses of Vetiver I did come across a lot of articles and posts regarding how helpful Vetiver has been with ADHD and ADD in children and even adults. If you have ADHD, ADD, or know someone that does pass this along and have them give it a try. See for yourself how amazing essential oils can be.

Some Easy Recipes to Try

Injury Blend 
4 drops Vetiver
3 drops Lavender
2 drops Bergamot
1 oz carrier oil.
Massage into affected area

TMJ Blend
4 drops Helichrysum
3 drops White Fir
2 Drops Vetiver
1 oz carrier oil
Massage into jaw muscles morning and night

Arthritis Blend
4 drops Frankincense
3 drops Marjoram
2 drops Rosemary
2 drops Vetiver
1 oz carrier oil
Massage into affected area.

ADHD and ADD Blend
5 drops Vetiver
3 drops Cedarwood
2 drops Lavender
1 oz carrier oil
Diffuse, dilute into a spray bottle and mist on, or apply topically.



Reference: http://articles.mercola.com/herbal-oils/vetiver-oil.aspx 



Disclaimer:The information on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose or prescribe any of these products for you or your family. In the case of illness you should contact your health care professional. In no instances shall the owner of this website or its affiliates be responsible or liable for any damages whatsoever resulting in connection with the use of this information, products, or its publication. The decision to use any information from this site is the sole responsibility of the reader.

What is an Essential Oil Diffuser and How to use one

What is an Essential Oil Diffuser? 

I have been asked many times what is a diffuser? I compare it to a humidifier but it is a little different. Essentially, essential oil diffusers fill the air with microscopic particles of the chosen essential oil and water. The essential oils and water are diffused by ultrasound waves while adding humidity to the air and filling the room with aromatics. This is extremely beneficial when you or someone in your family is sick.

I actually have two diffusers in our home. I have a small one I purchased at Sprouts which is the Now brand. This particular one runs for approximately 3-4 hours and was about $45.00. I also have a larger one I purchased off of Zulilly but you can find them on Amazon as well. The large diffuser runs about 10-12 hours and has increments of time you can set ranging from 30 minutes to all day.

I use the smaller one in my infant daughters room to diffuse lavender at bedtime and the large one in our family room.

Cleaning your Diffuser

Cleaning your diffuser is fairly simple. They say not to use distilled or purified water and clean it after every use by letting vinegar sit inside for about 10 minutes. I clean mine about every 2-3 days and wipe it out with a paper towel and also clean the magnet part on the inside gently. The magnet is the atomizer and sometimes the output is less when it gets dirty. The vinegar is an important step in maintaining your diffuser.

Using your Diffuser 

During the cold/flu and now allergy season I have been diffusing Thieves Oil and the Allergy Trio on a daily basis. During the weekends when I'm home cleaning or playing with the kids I have diffused Lemon and Lime for a nice fresh aroma throughout the house. Citrus oils are clean, uplifting and inviting aromas. You can also diffuse the Purification blend to clean the air in your home, say after that fish dinner. For relaxation you can also diffuse lavender and chamomile. You can diffuse whatever your heart or nose desires!

Purification Oil Blend
Thieves Oil Blend
Allergy Trio Blend


For the smaller diffuser I add about 3-5 drops of essential oil. For the larger diffuser I add about 8-10 drops. It all depends on how strong the aroma output is of the oil and how sensitive your nose is to scents.

Other Types of Diffusers 

There are many other types of diffusers that are available. They have "plug-in" ones similar to a Glade plug-in that have cotton pads that you drop the oil on and insert into the "plug-in". There are terra cotta rings that you can place oils in and set on top of the light bulb in your lamp. They even have USB plug-ins for the office. There are all different types of diffusers for what works best for you.

Here are the images of the diffusers I use in our home.

Pain Away Essential Oil Blend for Sore Achy Muscles and Joints. Link to Fibromyalgia Pain Relief

  Having achy joints or sore muscles is never fun. Did you work out a little too hard? Do you suffer from arthritis or joint pain? How about just sleeping wrong and you have a kink in your neck? You can make your own Pain Away Essential Oil Blend. The scent is similar to any muscle rub you buy at the drug store but without all the other chemicals they put into the cream. It has a refreshing smell and has cooling sensation on the skin.


    I actually used this on my husbands  back mixed with some coconut oil. After the massage he was so relaxed and actually asked, "What was that?" Yay!! My oils worked!!   You too can mix up your own Pan Away Essential Oil to use and relieve those achy muscles.



What is in the Pain Away Essential Oil Blend? 

Wintergreen - contains 85-99% of methyl salicylate the same active ingredient as birch and is beneficial in massage for soothing head tension and muscles after exercising.

Helichrysum - known for its restorative properties and provides excellent support to the skin, liver, and nervous system. Use for combating minor aches and pains associated with everyday life. Helichrysum can be hard to find and can come at a high price due to its limited availability of the plant it comes from. (I didn't have this EO available and use of only the other three oils is fine).

Clove- helps to boost immunity, and promote oral health an is also the highest ranked known antioxidant. An important ingredient in this blend due to its wonderful immune-enhancing properties, it's principal constituent is eugenol, which is used in the dental industry to numb the gums.

Peppermint- one of the most highly regarded herbs for soothing digestion, it may also restore digestive efficiency. It also provides a cooling sensation on sore muscles.

Uses for Pain Away 

Occasional aches and pain, muscle spasm, charley horse, tension in head and neck; joint stiffness due to exercise, muscles (over exercised, sore, tension or stiff due to exercise or everyday activities). sports; and focus.

How to use Pain Away Blend 

Peppermint, Clove and Wintergreen are "hot" oils this this blend should be diluted 50:50 with a carrier oil.

• Apply 2-4 drops on location to muscles or injury and massage
• Apply to temples for headache 
• Apply to chakras/vitaflex points 
• Apply as compress on spine
• Directly inhale
• Diffuse

****Pain Away DIY Recipe****

1 tsp Wintergreen

1 tsp Clove

1 tsp Peppermint 

1/2 tsp Helichrysum (optional)

1 TBSP Carrier Oil

 If you suffer from debilitating muscle/body aches and pains from conditions such as Fibromyalgia,  HERE is a link to a post from Rocky Mountain Oils that I came across that has some great information on using Essential Oils and Recipes for pain relief, insomnia relief and general information on how to relieve some of the symptoms naturally when suffering from Fibromyalgia.

Disclaimer:The information on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose or prescribe any of these products for you or your family. In the case of illness you should contact your health care professional. In no instances shall the owner of this website or its affiliates be responsible or liable for any damages whatsoever resulting in connection with the use of this information, products, or its publication. The decision to use any information from this site is the sole responsibility of the reader.

Essential Oil Allergy Trio Blend

   I know much of the country still has winter weather bombarding them but living in sunny, warm Arizona our Spring has pretty much started. With that being said the trees, plants and flowers are starting to blossom bringing with it our dreaded allergy season.

    The Allergy Trio was the oil blend that was my turning point and made me a believer in essential oils. I, along with everyone else in my house suffer from seasonal allergies. Spring time is horrible in my house for allergies. I was taking all kinds of over the counter medications for allergies and nothing really worked. Finally, I said “there’s got to be something else I can try.”

    I searched online and found the Essential Oil Allergy Trio recipe. I headed up to Sprouts and purchased these 3 little miracle workers, which were fairly inexpensive ($5-$8 each) along with a diffuser and made the mixture. Holy moly, within 10 minutes of it diffusing my nose opened up! I could breathe!! I asked my daughter (3 yrs old) how her stuffy nose was and she said, “It’s good mommy, I’m not stuffy.”

                

    We ended up having to leave the house that evening and within an hour of being away from the diffuser/home we both were stuffy again. However, I didn't apply on my chest or feet but I do now if I have to leave the house and can’t bring my diffuser along!

Three simple essential oils changed allergy season in my house and made me a believer in them! I hope it helps you too!

Essential Oil Allergy Trio Blend

Lavender

Lemon

Peppermint

*equal parts of each. 

I typically measure out 1 tbsp of each.

Application

Diffuse, mix with a carrier oil and rub on feet, chest, forehead and behind your ears. You can also purchase a diffuser necklace. It’s similar to a locket and has a small cotton pad you apply a few drops to. I have also seen leather bracelets that you can put a few drops on to inhale when needed. 

**UPDATE**

See the following LINK for additional information on using Essential Oils for Allergy Season. 

Also, see the LINK here to track the pollen count in your particular area. 

Disclaimer:The information on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose or prescribe any of these products for you or your family. In the case of illness you should contact your health care professional. In no instances shall the owner of this website or its affiliates be responsible or liable for any damages whatsoever resulting in connection with the use of this information, products, or its publication. The decision to use any information from this site is the sole responsibility of the reader.

Top Essential Oils for Skincare

    I have only tried the tea tree oil on my skin but you bet I will be trying more!! I'm in my early 30's and seeing those smile lines and expression lines settling in, ahhh! I also suffer from adult cystic acne and can't wait to find something that actually works rather that prescription medication. I tried a Dr. prescribed medication about a year ago and researched the effects of it and did not like what I was reading. I only took the medication for about 2 months. I would rather suffer with a few "monster's" on my chin than the ill effects of the medication on my body internally.

    Essential oils are great for wrinkles, sagging skin, stretch marks, dark spots, acne and also great moisturizer. There are also oils for oily skin. Who knew that applying an essential oil helps with oily skin?! You can also use EO's for diaper rash and chapped skin. My girlfriend has a 10 month old daughter that sucks her thumb and her skin is chapped around her thumb, poor baby. I hope she has tried the recipe I sent over to her.

For Extremely chapped skin
    **Mixture of Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Frankincense and Lavender**

I'll update you when I try these oils on my own skin and get back to you about my friends baby's chapped thumb.

Top Essential Oils for Skincare 

1. Carrot Seed Essential Oil has a rejuvenating effect on the skin. It not only works to help smooth skin, but assists with cell regeneration. For this reason, it can help to fade scars and improve the tone of aging skin.

2. Frankincense Essential Oil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits to the skin, making it ideal for acne-prone skin. It is also a natural toner, decreasing the appearance of pores and evening skin-tone. It is cytophylactic, which means that it helps protect existing cells and encourage new cell growth. For this reason helps reduce wrinkles, tighten skin, and reduce the appearance of scars. It also helps soothe chapped, dry skin.

3. Geranium Essential Oil helps regulate oil production and reduces acne breakouts. It also helps improve skin elasticity and tighten skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles. It also promotes blood circulation to the areas where it is applied, helps to heal bruises, broken capillaries, burns, cuts, dermatitis, eczema, ringworm and other skin conditions. This one seems to be a great overall skin healer!

4. Lavender Essential Oil I personally have this one and is my go to for almost everything. It is safe for baby and children. It helps regenerate skin cells so it is great for mature skin, sun spots and scarring. It's also great for all skin types. I have used this on cooking burns, scrapes etc. If my 4 year old has a boo-boo she says, "mommy I need some lavender."

5. Lemon Essential Oil is a wonderful natural astringent and antibacterial. It is extremely beneficial to those with oil skin and acne-prone complexions. It also helps tone the skin and reduce the appearance of pores.

6. Myrrh Essential Oil greatly benefits aging skin. It has strong anti-inflammatory properties that help improve skin tone, firmness, and skin elasticity, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Myrrh can also help heal sun damage, chapped skin, rashes and eczema.

7. Neroli Essential Oil is great for oily, sensitive and mature skin. It helps to smooth fine lines and tone sagging skin. This rejuvenating oil contains a natural chemical called citral, which helps regenerate cells. For this reason, it is said to be very good at preventing and healing stretch marks. Its antiseptic properties also balance oil production and shrink the appearance of pores without drying the skin.

8. Patchouli Essential Oil is great for aging skin. It promotes new cell growth and smooths the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It is also has properties of an antiseptic, antifungal, and antibacterial, it can also benefit skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, and acne.

9. Tea Tree Essential Oil is one of the more well-known essential oils for acne-prone skin. Its antibacterial properties help ward off acne-causing bacteria. It also helps regulate oil production, which can decrease the severity and incidence of breakouts.

10. Ylang Ylang Essential Oil has a rich floral fragrance. It helps to control oil production and minimize breakouts. It also helps regenerate skin cells, smooth fine lines and improve skin elasticity. Another oil great for all skin types.

11. Rosehip Essential Oil is full of vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids tht are know to correct dark spots and hydrate dry, itchy skin, all while reducing scars and fine lines. with skin rejuvenating properties like vitamin C and lycopene, rosehip oil is a good solution to repair the skin's surface, restore elasticity and protect against sun and pollution stressors that can lead to wrinkles.

12. Helichrysium Italicum Essential Oil has a wide range of remarkable medicinal properties. However, it is very costly and scarcely available but it is a great essential to have. A few of the properties include, anti-allergenic, anti-inflammatory,  helps heal wounds quickly and scars disappear faster, antimicrobial, antiseptic, emollient, it helps promote cell health, stimulates new cell production.

Photosensitivity and Essential Oils

You should avoid sun exposure for 12 to 48 hours, following the application of photosensitive oils.

These include:
Angelica, Bergamot, Grapefruit, Lime, Ginger, Tangerine, Lemon, and some other citrus oils.

These oil compounds known to be photoxic - making the skin more susceptible to damage by light exposure. Exposing your skin to UV rays or sunlight after applying a photosensitizing oil could result in pigmentation, blisters, rash or even serious burns.

Carrier Oils for Skin Application

Borage Seed Oil - Borage seed oil is often taken internally to support skin health, but external application also has therapeutic benefits. It has high levels of gamma linolenic acid which make it very suitable for damaged and dry skin, stretch marks, eczema, or psoriasis. It is also useful for relieving female productive complaints, such as PMS, endometriosis, and menopausal symptoms. Borage seed oil may promote a youthful glow to the skin, and its scent is uplifting.

Caprylic Capric Triglycerides - Caprylic capric triglycerides are a specialized esterification of coconut oil with a very light, silky, and non-greasy feel. Several key benefits include, nourishing the skin, helping to extend the shelf life of products due to its antioxidant properties, and provides noticeable silkiness to the skin. Caprylic capric triglycerides encourage rejuvenation of the skin and form a protective barrier for the skin. In addition, it is non-allergenic making it an excellent choice for sensitive and oily skin.

Coconut Oil - Virtually odorless, coconut oil is a very popular carrier oil because its scent doesn't compete with the essential oils that are added to it. It softens the skin and helps reduce dry, inflamed, and itchy skin. However, some people have reported that it clogs their pores and creates additional breakouts when used on the face.

Grapeseed Oil - Grapeseed oil is suitable for all skin types and non-allergenic. It is a very gentle moisturizer and leaves the skin feeling smooth. It is odorless, tasteless, and easily absorbed. Grapeseed oil contains the potent antioxidant flavonoid oligomeric procyanidin (OPC), which helps protect against cellular and tissue damage. Grapeseed oil also contains high levels of vitamin E and helps promote healthy circulation, aids the healing of wounds, speeds up cell regeneration, reduces the appearance of blemishes and scars, and encourages a youthful flow of the skin. It also has anti-inflammatory properties making it a great choice to add to a soothing aromatherapy blend.

Jojoba Oil - Jojoba is a liquid ester similar to the one in our skin and not an oil. It rapidly penetrates the skin, is non-allergenic, and is beneficial to all skin types. It doesn't go rancid and has a very long shelf-life. It balances the skins pH, helps unclog pores, hydrates the skin, and may prevent stretch marks. Jojoba is popular for acne blends because it helps unclog pores and helps control the buildup of excess sebum. It contains a waxy substance that mimics collagen and is antibacterial to prevent or treat skin infections. It is also popular for the hair, where it increases its luster, reduces the appearance of gray hair, encourages healthy hair growth, and decreases scalp dryness.


Dilution Ratios
0.3%           1 drop EO per 2 tsp Carrier Oil
1.5%           2 drops EO per teaspoon
3.0%           4 drops EO per teaspoon
5.0%           7 drops EO per teaspoon

Maximum Strength Dilution Ratios
20%            30 drops EO per teaspoon
33%            48 drops EO per teaspoon
50%            73 drops EO per teaspoon

*Not all oils have the same consistency and it also depends on the dropper used. But this gives a good reference on where to start with your dilutions. It is best to start out small and always check for skin sensitivity, therefore try the 0.3% dilution ratio first.

    As for a dilution ratio for babies or treating young children always use the least dilution percentage (0.3%) babies and children skin is very sensitive. ALWAYS check to see if the essential oil is safe to use on them. Lavender is an all around safe EO for children and great for treating diaper rash.


    Personally, I will be trying Ylang Ylang and Frankincense with Jojoba Carrier Oil on my skin. I'll keep you posted! Hopefully, my youthful fine lines,wrinkles and acne will disappear before my eyes! I'm looking forward to it!



References: Surviving When Modern Medicine Fails A definitive guide to essential oils that could save your life during a crisis  2nd Edition Dr. Scott A. Johnson

www.bodyunburdened.com 


Disclaimer:The information on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose or prescribe any of these products for you or your family. In the case of illness you should contact your health care professional. In no instances shall the owner of this website or its affiliates be responsible or liable for any damages whatsoever resulting in connection with the use of this information, products, or its publication. The decision to use any information from this site is the sole responsibility of the reader.

Make your own Purification Oil - Recipe and Uses

Young Living has it's own brand of Purification Essential Oil. However, you can easily make your own Purification Blend. I'll call it Fresh & Clean. There are many uses for this oil blend. It's great for deodorizing, air freshener and purifier. It's also great for your skin too!

The blend contains Citronella, Lemongrass, Lavender, Rosemary, Melaleuca (Tea Tree) and Myrtle essential oils.

How to Use Fresh & Clean Essential Oil

1. Air freshener and purifier.  Diffuse to eliminate odors and purify the air. If you don't have a diffuser you can also put a few drops on a cotton ball and place in air vents or mix with water to make a spray. This works great in the kitchen for last nights fish dinner or to clean out a smelly car! It helps remove cigarette smells.

2. Insect bites. Put a drop or two on an itchy insect bite for immediate relief. Apply to mosquito bites to stop the itching.

3. Keep fleas away. Make a homemade spray: 1/2 c. Distilled water, 8-10 drops of Fresh & Clean EO, 1 drop of Thieves. Place in a bottle and shake.

4. Skin blemishes. Put one drop of Fresh and Clean on a pimple to help it clear up faster. You can also make a skin moisturizer with Jojoba Oil which is also great for the skin.

5. All Natural Deodorant. Apply a few drops of Fresh & Clean to your arms pits. It will help to keep you stink free all day! You can also add a drop of Sage EO if you need a natural antiperspirant.

6. Sterilize cuts and wounds. 

7. Stinky shoes. Put a few drops on a cotton ball and place in shoes.

8. Diaper Pails.  Put a few drops on a cotton ball and place in the bottom of the diaper pail.

8. Insect Repellent. Great for camping! Citronella is a natural insect repellent. Mix with water or alcohol and spray on clothing as a mosquito/bug repellent.

9. Clean your washing machine. Set your machine on rinse cycle and add 2-3 drops of Fresh & Clean. You can also add a few drops to your laundry detergent to get rid of the sour smells, in case you left the clothes in the washer too long.

10. Freshen clothes in the dryer. Add a drop or two to your dryer balls or a damp washcloth to freshen up clothes in the dryer.

11. Germ protection when traveling. Put a few drops on your hands and inhale during a flight. This can help get rid of germs from the recycled air.

12. Wet dog smell.  When your dog comes in from the rain, diffuse to remove the smell in your home.

*****Fresh & Clean Homemade Recipe*****

25 drops Citronella

20 drops Lemongrass 

20 drops Rosemary

20 drops Melaleuca (Tea Tree) 

15 drops Lavender

15 drops Myrtle

Mix all oils together in a dark glass bottle. Mix with 1/2 tsp carrier oil to apply to skin.

(The recipe above makes a very small amount. I always start out small to see how I like the blend and then double or triple the recipe if I will be using it a lot.)

Larger batch (tripled)

75 drops Citronella

60 drops Lemongrass 

60 drops Rosemary

60 drops Melaleuca (Tea Tree) 

45 drops Lavender

45 drops Myrtle

Mix all oils together in a dark glass bottle. Mix one or two drops of the blend with  1/2 tsp carrier oil to apply to skin. 

 It smells very much like a citronella candle and I used it outdoors in the evening to repel the mosquitoes, I think a few managed to nibble me before I remembered to spray some on but for the most part I didn't get eaten alive. I also diffused it in my infant daughters room and put a few drops on a cotton ball and put in the diaper pail. It seems to have worked for the most part! I'll have to use it a little more to get the full effect of removing odors.

******* Update on Purification Oil Blend *******

I mixed the Purification Oil blend in a small glass spray bottle and sprayed it directly into the diaper pail and it worked a lot better then just putting a few drops on a cotton ball. No more lingering diaper smell in the nursery!

Disclaimer:The information on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose or prescribe any of these products for you or your family. In the case of illness you should contact your health care professional. In no instances shall the owner of this website or its affiliates be responsible or liable for any damages whatsoever resulting in connection with the use of this information, products, or its publication. The decision to use any information from this site is the sole responsibility of the reader.