Essential oils are a hot commodity, with their popularity increasing over the past few decades. Here is an essential and very basic list on how to start using oils! Remember, aromatherapy is not the same for everyone. People have different needs and the following list is something everyone can use to begin their journey into alternative medicine.
A Diffuser
A diffuser is the simplest way to start diffusing your proprietary blends. Most diffusers have a fill line, which is intended to be filled with filtered or distilled water. You can use tap water, however it is not recommended as it wears down your diffuser faster. It creates a mineral buildup on the ultrasonic plate, which if not cleaned regularly, will cause the diffuser to stop working. My personal favorite is the Aroma Breeze® by Saje. It is slim, compact, and has a 7-10 hour mist. It will outlive your longest study sessions and your entire night’s rest.
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Two Proprietary Blends
Whenever people ask me what oils they should get, I always say the same things. The first blend you should invest in is a relaxing and destressing blend. Being a student, this is one of the best and most essential blends you should have in your cabinet. It is a perfect blend to diffuse when you are studying, going to sleep or trying to destress after a long workday. The key ingredient to look for in a relaxing blend is LAVENDER. Lavender has been studied and is proven to reduce symptoms of anxiety, bacterial infections, allergies, depression, sleeplessness, nausea and period cramps.
The second blend that you should invest in is an uplifting morning blend. I stick to something citrus-based and sweet-smelling. It sets the tone for your day and leaves your room smelling like you just cleaned it (even if you haven’t cleaned the dorm in a month because, let’s be real, who has time to clean). My favourite blend for this is Liquid Sunshine® by Saje. Its main ingredient is Grapefruit, with supplementary ingredients of Bergamot and Lime. It fills the whole room in a matter of minutes, and lingers throughout the day.
Stock these two blends in your home and you are set until you want to add in a new scent or benefit.
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Carrier Oil
This is only needed when you are topically applying an essential oil. Watch out for topical instructions for a blend vs. an essential oil. The difference is that an essential oil is a highly concentrated (often single ingredient) oil which should almost never be applied straight to the skin or directly diffused by itself. A blend typically already has a carrier included, however this is not always the case. Make sure to do your research before applying it to the skin. In order to make it safe to apply to the skin, you have to have a carrier oil. The two most common carriers are coconut oil and grapeseed oil. They are affordable options which help the skin absorb the oils without being too harsh on the skin. Make sure to patch test before applying oils to a large skin surface. Follow provider instructions in regards to how many drops of oil to use per carrier.
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That is all you will need to start your journey into essential oil heaven. There are endless ways to use your oils, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Good luck on your oil discoveries!