So.... we've chatted smellin' our oils and eatin' 'em.....Now let's chat gettin' 'em on!
I can't stress enough, ya gotta read your labels, they will tell you how the essential oil is safe to use. The label will tell you if you can use it topically, as a supplement (orally), or by simply inhaling. It will tell you if the oil is a photosensitive oil (meaning increases sensitivity to sunlight). It will also tell you if ya need to dilute it first.
Let's chat a minute about photosensitive oils...we just learned that they may increase our sensitivity to the sun and our skin may burn more easily and quicker in the area of application.. So, what do we do?! We apply at night or under clothing...generally 12-24 hours prior to sun exposure is adequate.
If ya do need to dilute before application....how do ya do that, you ask?!
You simply mix it with a carrier oil. What is a carrier oil?!
A carrier oil is simply a fatty vegetable oil, usually derived from the nuts and seeds of plants (think olive oil or coconut oil) that is used to 'carry' the essential oil. For more info on dilution and carrier oils, check out my blog post "Should I Dilute My Essential Oils?...And With What?! HERE....
I like to keep things simple, so here is my 'easy button' for dilution....take a swipe of coconut oil with your finger, put in palm of hand, add a drop of essential oil, rub your palms together and apply. I like olive oil too 'cause I have it in my kitchen and don't have to purchase anything different.
Making a rollerball is also an easy way to dilute and have your oils ready to go. If ya don't know how to make a rollerball, download my step by step guide HERE
While we're on the topic of dilution, you may have heard of the term 'hot oil'. What is a hot oil?! A
hot oil is an oil that may cause redness or irritation with application. Oils high in phenols such as Oregano, Thyme, Cinnamon, Clove, and Basil are some examples.
It doesn't mean ya can't use these oils, just means ya need to dilute or find the best way to use them. Let's take Oregano for example- I don't want to smell like a pizza all day long, so I might take Oregano Vitality™ in a capsule for my immune system, rather than apply topically....
Here are some ideas to get you started with topical application:
- Make a rollerball (need help-grab my freebie 'How To Make A Rollerball' HERE)
- Use in a massage oil
- Make a liniment
- Make your own perfume (need help-check out my blog post on 'DIY Perfume' HERE)
- Make your own deodorant (download my fave recipe HERE)
- Add a drop to your natural face cream, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toner, lotion (really any natural skincare product you have to make it better or give it an added benefit)
Our Skin is our largest organ so supporting it is never a bad idea!
If you are using a roll on, massage oil, or liniment, you might ask-where should I apply?! Answer is, it depends on what you're using it for.... for example:
- perfume...wrists, back of neck pulse points
- deodorant...underarms
- Massage oil or liniment....target area that you want to support
If you're ready to start gettin' those oils on and easily incorporate them into your day, sign up for my weekly newsletter full of tips, tricks, hacks, and recipes HERE
Oil on!
Welcome back to 'Ya got some oils-Now What?!'...lol...last week we chatted bout a fun way to use your oils by simply smelling them, if ya missed it...check it out HERE
This week let's chat about another way you can use your oils, by 'eating' them. Say what?! We can 'eat' our oils?! Short answer....YES!..... but it does depend......on what, you ask? Well, there are a few things you should know.
- Only ingest an essential oil labeled for use in this way... How do ya know that? Simple, read your labels. Any essential oil you buy will have a label and that label should clearly state directions for use, or do not ingest. If it isn't stated, don't eat it! I like Young Living's Vitality™ Line, a complete line of essential oils labeled specifically for internal use! (easy peasy)
- Quality matters! One of our goals with using essential oils is to try a more natural approach and be the gatekeeper of our homes, barring chemicals that are bad for us. We sure don't want to be eating more chemicals!
- You can also check out the FDA's GRAS list (google it) GRAS stands for generally regarded as safe....
- Remember, a little gos a long way. There can be the equivalent of around 75 lemons in one 15 ml bottle of Lemon essential oil. Wowza!
Now you may be asking how? This is the fun part, so many options! Here's my favorites:
- Add a few drops to a capsule to support wellness
- Add a few drops to honey, then add hot water and make a tea
- Infuse honey, salt, vinegar, or olive oil
- Add to recipes to boost flavor
- Substitute in recipes for the dried herb
For a handy e-book with guidelines, substitution amounts, and some of my favorite recipes all in one place, click HERE
Stay tuned for a re-cap on topical essential oil use…and in the meantime….’Oil On’
…and if ya haven't done so yet…be sure to click HERE
and join my online community where we chat oils, horses, dogs, and even some massage!
Yay, welcome to the wide world of essential oils!
I remember the day I got some oils....woo hoo-how can anything smell thiisss good? Then....hmmmm....now what?!
No worries, I got ya covered!
The easiest and simplest way is to inhale them.
How do we do that?
● Simply remove the lid and Inhale directly from the bottle for at least 5 seconds ( that's about the time it takes to make it into the emotional center of the brain)
● Make a scent tent by applying 1 drop of essential oil into your palms, rub together, cup your hands over your nose, and inhale deeply.
● Put your favorite essential oil in an ultrasonic diffuser. (Follow instructions on the label of your diffuser)
No diffuser? No worries...try this:
Place a drop or 2 on a cotton ball and stash in strategic places
Place a drop or 2 on a wooden clothespin and stash in strategic places
Make a spritzer (need help-download my 'How To Make A Spritzer PDF HERE )
Wear diffuser jewelry-just google it…its a fun rabbit hole to go down :)…if you already have any jewelry that contains tassles, lava beads, ceramic, wood-congrats-you already have diffuser jewelry-simply add a drop of essential oil to that part of the jewelry…
Stay tuned for a re-cap on topical essential oil use…and in the meantime….’Oil On’
…and if ya haven't done so yet…be sure to click HERE
and join my online community where we chat oils, horses, dogs, and even some massage!
Drumroll.....all you have to do is wear them as a perfume!
Horses have more scent receptors than we do and that means that they are getting a good ol' whiff just from smelling you!
So what's the best way to wear them as a perfume? Glad you asked!
My 3 fave ways are:
1: Apply a drop to the palm of your hands, rub your hands together, form a scent tent over your nose, inhale deeply for 5 seconds, then rub the residual oil anywhere you'd like. I like the back of my neck. Inhaling deeply first gets the oil into the emotional center of your brain.
2: Make a roller ball. Diluting the oil In a roller is never a bad idea and a carrier oil will sit on top of the skin longer so your 'perfume' lasts longer. Roller bottles can easily be purchased from Amazon. I think 10 ml is the perfect size. Simply add 10-20 drops of the essential oil you choose and fill the remainder up with a carrier oil. I like fractionated coconut oil, it doesn't have that greasy feel and it has no odor of its own. Then roll wherever you'd like. Back of neck, wrists, and chest are my fave spots.
3: Diffuser jewelry! Let's get shopping! From bracelets to necklaces, diffuser jewelry is a great option. They usually contain a wood, ceramic, or lava bead element, that you apply a few drops of essential oils to and ta-da...easy diffusing all day long.
Now you may be asking why we want to use essential oils with our horses?
If your'e like me, I'm always striving to have that perfect partnership with my horse and my emotions can sometimes get the better of me. Sometimes its hard to shake the day off when I get to the barn. Inhaling one of my fave essential oils can really do the trick. Horses are like people too, good moods and bad, and we can positively affect their emotions just like ours by inhaling an aroma.
So go ahead and give it a try! It's easier than you think!
Wondering which oil to use? Download my free PDF Guide HERE where I list my favorite oils I use for certain emotional responses such as calming or focus, and in the meantime-Try your favorite!
Let's face it, it's hard to find all natural horse cookies...I try not to eat junk food and therefore I don't wanna feed it to my horses either...(cause I'm an all natural kinda gal) and finding a low sugar option can be hard too!
This DIY is sooo easy, even I do it :)
5 ingredients, super cost effective, and the best part....drum roll.... even my pickiest of ponies loves them!
Oh, and by the way, you can take a straw or similar instrument (cause were tryin to phase out plastic straws-but that's a different blog) and poke holes in them before baking and ya have an easy peasy 'pill pocket' for those daily pills-think pink pill that picky eaters definitely don't like....
For more easy DIY's....(cause let's face it...if it isn't super easy, I'm not gonna DIY it-lol....) Sign up HERE and I'll deliver ya a weekly recipe, tip, or trick with essential oils straight to your inbox.....
Oh, by the way, best to keep these in the fridge and use them up in a timely manner...a perk for all natural and no preservatives....which I'm sure your ponies won't mind!
