Essential Oils 101: All You Need to Know!

It’s been a while since I’ve written specifically on the topic of essential oils, so today I thought it would be nice to remind you of why I love essential oils in the first place! A back-to-basics essential oils guide of sorts, aimed at both newbies and experienced users alike! It’s also my pleasure to introduce you to my very own line of essential oils – Essentials by Jillee!

First off, THE most important thing to me when buying essential oils is their quality. Essentials by Jillee essential oils are 100% pure with no bases, fillers, or additives, and they are all covered by Jillee’s Risk-Free Money-Back Guarantee. This guarantees that if you aren’t satisfied for any reason, you can return the product(s) within 90 days to receive a full refund—regardless of use!

In addition to quality, I also prioritize affordability and accessibility. Essentials by Jillee meets both of those standards, because we sell directly to our customers through online sales (meaning we are not an MLM company). And since we eliminated the middleman, we’re able to pass that savings on to you!

Pure, safe & effective oils, affordable pricing, and a great return policy are just a few of the aspects of the Essentials by Jillee experience that I’m sure you will love as much as I do.

So whether you’re just getting started with essential oils or have been using them for years, it’s a good idea to review some of the basics once in awhile, so that’s what we’re doing today.

What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are extracted from plants or parts of plants through a distillation process. Distillation produces a highly concentrated oil that contains both the scent compounds and beneficial properties of that particular plant. (In other words, the distilled oil contains the “essence” of the plant, hence the name “essential oils!”) The use of essential oils to treat health conditions and promote wellness is not a new development. In fact, people have been using some form of essential oils for thousands of years!

How Do I Use Essential Oils?

Essential oils can be used for all sorts of reasons, including treating physical ailments and promoting emotional wellbeing. Each individual oil has unique qualities and effects, and we’d be here all day if I tried to list them all! :-) Instead, we’ll focus two of the most popular methods for using essential oils: aromatic and topical application. Each method can be useful for different things, and between the two, I end up using essential oils almost every day!

Using Essential Oils Aromatically

Using a diffuser is a great way to enjoy the benefits of essential oils. Diffusers are basically a kind of humidifier that produce a fine mist of water. But when you add essential oils to the diffuser, the mist carries the oil into the air. All you have to do is breathe normally, and you’ll inhale the oils and experience their benefits.

Here are a few things you can use a diffuser for:

Boost Your Mood – Diffusing mood-boosting oils can help you feel calm and relaxed, or rejuvenated and energized. It all depends on which oil or oil blend you use!

Clean The Air – Diffusing certain oils can clean and purify the air in your home. This really comes in handy during cold and flu season! The Defend blend from Essentials by Jillee is my go-to for keeping the air clean. It’s packed with oils that have antimicrobial effects, including lemon, rosemary, and tea tree.

Get Better Sleep – If you struggle with falling asleep like I do, diffusing essential oils can help! Set up your diffuser on your nightstand, and add a few drops of a relaxing oil to the water. (I’m partial to the Slumber blend from Essentials by Jillee, as well as lavender oil.) Turn the diffuser on at bedtime, and you’ll be drifting off to sleep in no time!

While using a diffuser can help with all of these things and more, you don’t have to have a reason to use one. A lot of people diffuse essential oils solely because they enjoy the smell, and there’s nothing wrong with that! :-)

Using Essential Oils Topically

Another way you can enjoy the benefits of essential oils is by applying them topically to your skin. While some oils are safe to apply “neat,” or undiluted, it’s generally safer to dilute essential oils with a carrier oil before applying. (You also end up using less oil per application, which makes them last longer!)

A good rule of thumb is to add 3-5 drops of essential oil per teaspoon of carrier oil.

Here are a few ways to use oils topically:

Soothe A Headache – Add a drop each of lavender and peppermint to a teaspoon of fractionated coconut oil. Rub the oil onto the back of your neck for headache relief!

For Aches & Pains – When you feel achy or sore in a specific part of your body, applying oils locally with a roller bottle can really help. Add your carrier oil and essential oils to the bottle, then roll the oil mixture over the achy area for quick relief. Some of the oils that are helpful for pain relief include peppermint, frankincense, and cypress.

More Ways To Use Essential Oils

Aside from aromatic and topical application, there are plenty of other useful ways to use essential oils!

Here’s a quick list of some of my personal favorite uses:

Cleaning – Many essential oils have antibacterial properties, making them an excellent addition to homemade cleaners! I’ve used lemon, eucalyptus, peppermint, and tea tree oils, all to great effect. You can also find a pre-mixed Simple Clean blend at my shop!

Laundry – Add a naturally fresh, floral scent to your laundry with lavender essential oil! Put several drops of lavender oil on a dryer ball or a clean cloth, then toss it into the dryer with your just-washed clothes.

In The Bath – Essential oils can make your bath even more relaxing and rejuvenating. Add a few drops of relaxing oils like lavender or chamomile oil to a handful of Epsom salt and toss it in your bathwater.

Pest Control – Deter spiders, mice, and other pests with the help of peppermint oil. Fill a small spray bottle with water and add 10-15 drops of peppermint oil. Give it a shake, and spray it around cracks, gaps, or anywhere you’ve spotted pests around the house.

Eliminate Odors – As a mother of 3 boys, I’ve encountered a lot of stinky shoes over the years! But a few drops of tea tree oil can eliminate unpleasant odors from shoes, closets, and more. Just add a few drops of tea tree oil to a cotton ball, and place the cotton ball into the shoe (or wherever unpleasant odors are lingering.)

Using Essential Oils Safely

While essential oils can have a lot of benefits, they can be harmful if used incorrectly. Here are a few guidelines that will help you use oils safely and effectively:

Don’t diffuse essential oils around reptiles, birds, rodents, and other small pets. When diffusing around dogs and cats, make sure they can freely leave the room or area if they don’t like the smell or find it overwhelming.
Don’t use citrus oils on your skin before going out in the sun. These oils are photosensitive and can cause burns and other painful skin conditions.
Pregnant women should exercise caution with essential oils. (Read more about essential oils and pregnancy here.)
Always store oils in a cool, dark place to ensure they last as long as possible.