Essential Oils
Hey, I'm not sure if anyone else uses Essential Oils for their health. I've been using them for the past couple years, but have just gotten a bit more into them in the past few months, trying to use them to help with pain and other things, rather than increase or start medications for various issues.
@CaloenasNicobarica and @blissedNblessed and I have talked about them on the feed a bit, so tagged you here. 
To answer your questions...I don't add crystals, just the pure oil with carrier oil depending on the oil. I typically use Young Living Oils, and 
them!! The ones that I have used lately for pain are Copaiba, Peppermint, Lavendar, Wintergreen (not to be used for those with epilepsy) and Lemongrass. I've also purchased a couple more that are supposed to be helpful, but haven't used them enough to tell yet. 
I've also made a couple roller bottles with blends in them of different oils, and roller bottles are my new favourites!!!
What are your thoughts on essential oils? And if you use them, which ones do you use or like most of all?
Yes I use EOs sometimes in my diffuser. Bought Calily oils which have been great so far, blending them to help with loneliness and focus. Used to diffuse more in my last apartment but this new one doesn't have the same flow which I think makes it less impactful. Fan of EOs though.
@brightTree5008 that's great that you found them helpful. Which oils did you diffuse for focus and loneliness? I'm slowly learning what might help for different things, but it's nice to have others suggestions of what oils worked for them for various things.
I made a "focus" roller bottle using peppermint and orange 
and it has a wonderful scent...I'm thinking that in the diffuser, it would likely smell quite wonderful too.
This is an interesting post... I 'd like to know more about EO's myself... They seem to be on the rise in living a healthier lifestyle. I'd love to learn more about how to use them and for what specifically.
I hope to learn a little more as others respond.
@PoliteOcean they definitely do seem on the rise in a healthy living lifestyle.
It's incredible what uses and benefits they all have! For instance, when I have a headache now, instead of reaching for a typical medication to deal with it or get rid of it...I grab my peppermint oil and dab some on my temples and across my forehead. It's unbelievable how quickly it'll disappear at times. And to top it off...I end up smelling wonderfully minty! 
i also use esstul oils as well
Awesome! Which oils do you use?
I am a die-hard user of peppermint EO. My boyfriend says I smell like a candy cane. I put it on the back of my neck/temples when I get a really bad headache. It's also great for the summer to cool you down. I got my mom on it for her hot flashes and she said it's life changing. Would love to get into other oils but have no idea where I would even start.
@Hysterria I peppermint oil as well!! It smells amazing, and works even better!!
That's great you have even gotten your mom using them! I didn't realize it worked for hot flashes...I might have to make up some bottles for some "older" ladies in my life that might benefit from it. Does she spray it, or rub the oil on somewhere? I'm curious!
I have yet to use it to cool down in the summer, but have finally bought myself a glass spray bottle, so will have it for next time I need it. (Considering winter is just around the corner, it may be awhile...haha!!)
I have a slow growing collection of various oils...I wish I had the budget to have it grow quicker, lol!! What other oils are you interested in? Or what types of things would you want to use them for? There are many oils that are beneficial for pain, for sleep, clearer or healthier skin...take your pick. If you have questions, if I am able to answer them I'd be happy to.
@Moj
I worked in a hot environment so in the summer, I was just rubbing the oil on the back of my neck. My mom started doing it too and said it really helped for her hot flashes. I also like to use it at bed time for hot summer nights. It just has an awesome cooling effect. I'm sure you could put it anywhere, really.
@Hysterria
Oh wow... I will have to talk to my own mom about that.. as she has some intense hot flashes too for Years!... I will let her know about that!
@Moj
Hi, Moj and everyone! A lovely thread you have here.
I've only recently been using essential oils in everyday life. I was first introduced to them by a therapist that knew a bit about aromatherapy and gave me some random leftover oils to try. After that, I experimented with different scents in products. Invigorating citruses, relaxing Lavender, refreshing peppermint. This year, I started learning more about them.
I finally bought a kit off of Amazon from a place called Radha Beauty and have like 18 oils to experiment with. I also got a diffuser for Christmas with rainbow lights in it. Hooo! Use the heck out of it! Especially for sleepy times. I'm experimenting with blending simple stuff, like my sleep time mixture is 2 parts Lavender, 1 part Frankincense. I also have an invigorating focus scent which has(forget the ratio) peppermint and lemon or bergamot in it. After figuring out which oils to use, for frequently used mixtures I put them in a bottle with water and use them little by little. As far as intention goes, sometimes I use that route. I find I use that stuff more with kitcheny type stuff. Been afraid to use my stone collection for water or what not... certain ones don't do well in water- which of course I'd check to see before doing that- I get pretty spacy sometimes! But I do use them in grids and other types of things.
As far as projects go- I was gonna make this http://newleafwellness.biz/2013/10/02/homemade-coconut-oil-sugar-scrubs/
Plan on trying more stuff like that, from that site and from Wellness Mama.
@CaloenasNicobarica I'm glad you found the thread here and like it. That's awesome that the therapist you were working with gave you some leftover oils to try to see if they'd work for you. Nice to try before you buy! The citrus, lavender and peppermint have been some of my go-to oils since I started using oils as well.
That's great you got yourself a kit and also a diffuser! I love my diffuser, I've got it going right now with a mix of lemon, peppermint and lavender...(great mix for allergies!) Of the 18 that you have from the kit, which are your favourite oils? I don't blame you if you can't answer it...haha, I've got too many favourites!
I have not mixed my oils together with water, but rather with a carrier oil, as it blends well with the carrier oil, and it helps drive the oil deeper if you're using it for therapeutic use.
You're right, definitely need to be careful in consuming it whether it be in water or in food otherwise. Most brands don't suggest you could or should consume them, rather just use them aromatically or topically. Some other brands, depending on distilling and whether the oil is pure or also even the type of oil...with some you are able to mix in food, or also in a glass of water. But definitely something that needs research before doing it.
That recipe looks great!! I think I might have pinned it or one really similar last year when I was looking for recipes for homemade gifts. One thing with citrusy essential oils that you've got to be careful with when you use them is that most of them are photosensitive...so if you are planning on going out in the sun, make sure if you've applied those oils, that you cover up those areas! One of the "projects" I did was some bath salts. It was a mix of epsom salt, kosher coarse salt, baking soda and some drops of essential oil (if I remember correctly). It was for a friend of mine, and she said the salts were absolutely heavenly! I have yet to make some bath salts for me yet...might be on the agenda soon. I've also made a whole bunch of roller bottles of blends which I absolutely love!! And I've made a pain cream as well as a moisturizing lotion (coconut oil, frankincense, lemon, lavender). I think those might be my only DIY's so far. Let me know how the sugar scrub goes once you try it!!
I'm interested in EO too, but I haven't tried any yet. Can anyone tell me the difference between the expensive ones (like Young Living) and the cheaper ones? Is it about purity?
@Ravenclaw7 the difference in the various oils, part of it is definitely purity. Some of the more perfumey, fragrancey oils that can be bought and labelled as "essential oils" may provide a strong fragrance of the oil, but not actually have the therapeutic benefits of a true essential oil. Each oil needs a large amount of plant matter to create a small bottle of oil...whether it be lavender, rose, peppermint, etc. Because of this, if you are looking to use essential oils for therapeutic use, and not just to have things "smell good", then paying that extra bit for something of higher quality is worth it. Unfortunately with some of the oils that are sold, other things are added to the oils which compromises any benefits you may get from the oil. This is why doing that research and finding a supplier or distributer you trust, is important. There are numerous suppliers that provide pure and therapeutic quality oils, and it might just take a little bit of research to find and decide on which oil is the right one for you.
(I'm not sure if I totally answered your question or not, but hope this helped a little.)
@Moj Thank you! That definitely cleared things up for me! I will get some quality essential oils soon, kinda looking forward to it now.
Yay, I finally found the thread! lol....( been looking for this).
Thansk Moj for creating it!
Oils!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Heheheh, my Fav topic.
( gets popcorn , a rollerball and a foot massager - i am going to spend a long time on this reply - lol)
I have been making my own oil blends pretty much for ( have a birthday coming up , am getting old, so not going to say how long I have been blending those oils!)...LOL
My fav go to base oil, almost always is sweet almond oil - great for the skin ( actually helps with oily skin - fyi) plus , energetically - it holds energies of love , abundance and wealth - yay). And it doesn't have a almond sent so it won't interfear with the scents of the other oils.
Okay - the way I use oils may be a little different, but I choose oils based on frequency off vibrations ( which youcan easily look up online or study in books - blah blah)...the same goes with flower essences ( I actually took a strange class in that when I worked for this fancy health food store years ago). Anyways....
I will match up an intention/need/desire I have....and then gather the base oil , the charged crystal that energetically speaking, is in tune with the same intention/need/desire or with amplify what is already there ( like good old quartz).
Or, I will add some fresh herbs ( or resins) that help that same intention. They get infused with the oil, usually settle at bottom on oil bottle and generally - look cool in there too - lol ( and super potent).
Inention can be anything! Healing the body, going to sleep, finding balance or peace and my fav: every single emotional issie I face, or have faced - there is some oil that corresponds to helping that in some way....then combined with a crystal, herbs and or resin - powerful natural mojo!
I too like the higher quality oils....generic will have to do in a pinch - but i want it to be food grade when possible ( it Is going onto , so , seeping into skin).
And of course, herbs and flowers and plants are absolutley medicine!
Our ansestors used them for medicine!
They are here for a reason.
So I am super careful when working with oils to treat them with respect, like medicine and like posion at the same time. Some you cant mix, others you cant touch, some cause heart rate to increase, some can be carried in breast milk, so yeah, always know and or research for sure the exact oils and warnings as well, especially when using a new one you have not tried.
And yassss - the ROLLAR BALL!
The best thing ever, plus it looks super proffessional, heeeeeeeeee.
Right now, I have two " organizer/makeup compartments" full of oils, all with lil tags of it's purpose or it writen on the bottle. hehhehehe.
I do have one green one whos label has now since been taken off by a lil oil spill - I am sort of curious and want to wear it and see what effect I get...but then again...maybe not. ( I do have oils for energy and high energy days - thats the last thing I need to acidentally use).
To me, if there is a need - there is an oil for that!
@blissedNblessed
I need you in my life to teach me ALL about these oils and how to use them.. 
I need like an "Oils for Dummies" class or something lol 
@PoliteOcean
Awww - hey - this is a perfect place to learn about oils .....idea just poped in head!
Lets , for those currently working with oils, all take a fav oil and write up something about it's use, properties, warning, good carrier oils for it, energetic meanings and healing properties?
And mayby post up some good websights to learn about oils?
Just a thought!
I would love to do it...how about you guys?!
And Ocean - just ask away! I will answer questions if I know them ...
and I am sure everyone else here that works with oild can too!
:)
@blissedNblessed
I LOVE this idea!...I think we should make "Another Thread"? maybe? and start from scratch listing the oils and whats in it and what it does etc....?? Just a thought? and that way the posts don't go missed?
What do you think??
cc: @Moj
I love EOs; however, I haven't been using as many of them lately. I've fallen out of the habit of a lot of things lately, it seems. 
Time to step it up again.
Just putting this little post here so that I get reminded to come back and chat some more about the beauty of essential oils.
@BridgetAileen
Yay!
I am glad you read these posts then!
It was a call to come back home to a coping skill and a therapy method that helps :)
Don't you love those little reminders?
Syncronicity at it's finest!
<3
@blissedNblessed
You're so right about that. I find that as I focus on, say something like coloring, then my use of EOs may drop off. Then as I work on getting back to my use of EOs, then maybe my meditation will take a step or two back. Then I remember to start doing that more regularly, and something else takes a back burner. So reminders really do help!
*hugs*
@BridgetAileen
Hugs right back <3
@Moj I have a friend who makes her own. I think they work well with skincare and smell great!
I've found lavender and eucalyptus oils to be super helpful when it comes to the quality of my sleep. Putting a diffuser by my bed has not only made me fall asleep way quicker but I also feel really refreshed when I wake up. It's way better than using melatonin.
@ImaniLove13
I recently purchased both "Stress Relief" and "Sleep" lotions from Bath & Body Works. Stress Relief has Eucalyptus in it and Sleep has Lavender and Vanilla in it. Both of these lotions have done wonders for me! The lavender lotion has especially helped me sleep better at night.