common sense guidelines for essential oils

doTERRA oils are safe for the whole family to use.  They are pure and natural health-promoting powerhouses!  However, please remember they are very concentrated, so use some common sense.

If you get started through me, I will send you lots of tools and tips to ensure you are using the oils safely.  Lots.  Of.  Information. For research hounds like me, we love reading and researching.  But ...

For normal people with, like a life, maybe some bullet points would be helpful.

Here's the basics:

• Read up on essential oil safety (see below). 
• Dilute with a vegetable oil such as fractionated coconut oil (FCO) with infants, small children and those with sensitive skin.  Grapeseed oil and other carrier oils are fine too.    
• Patch-testing an oil first is a good idea, especially if you have sensitive skin.

About diluting:
I’m finding, personally, that the skin on my neck and chest is particularly sensitive.  Maybe it’s age and/or cumulative sun-damage (or both!) but I can’t use any oils undiluted on my neck or chest.  I’m hearing similar stories from other women, especially those of us, shall we say “of a certain age”.  Ahem.  So.  

The more I use the oils and study about them, I’m convinced that diluting the oils with FCO or other carrier oil is beneficial – it helps to spread the oils out over a greater surface area, helps the oils absorb into the skin, and also protects skin from possible skin sensitivity or reaction.   Make your own call about this, but as you’re learning about our oils, my best advice is to dilute – especially when using on sensitive, sun-damaged skin!

Rollerball bottles made up with your favorite oils or blends and then diluted with FCO are a cost-effective way to extend your oils and it doesn’t change the effectiveness of the oils to dilute them.  Plus it’s a more convenient way to use your oils topically, making them an easy part of your daily routine.  

And did I mention it saves you money?!?

Specific dilution guidelines 
Here are some “rules of thumb”  for a 10ml (2 teaspoon bottle) roller bottle:

• Babies: 4 - 10 drops oil (one swipe on soles of feet 3 -4 times daily as needed)
• Children over 2, elderly, pregnant, very sensitive skin or for massage: 10 - 20 drops
• Adults who may be at risk for skin sensitivity: 6 – 20 drops
• Appropriate for short-term management of an acute condition: 50 drops

<Honestly, after almost two years of use now (edited 9/16), I dilute most oils simply at 1:3 (1 drop of EO to 3 drops of coconut oil) when using topically on myself and my 10 year old.  But you should do what you feel comfortable with and patch test as you are learning.>

Fill the rest of the bottle with a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil. 

Consider this a “jumping off point” for your own needs. 

If you don’t get the results you want, first try using your rollerball more often.  If that doesn’t give you the results you want then use a higher concentration of oils.  And remember, we’re all different: sometimes you have to try different oils or combinations of oils to find what works best for you.  

Note: it’s a good idea to get some kind of label maker to label your roller bottles.  Otherwise you’ll have a counter-full of bottles and no idea what’s in them!  I got my “Brother P-Touch” (this one’s on Amazon) for under $25 on clearance at Staples.

 
Neat?  Always dilute? Sometimes dilute?
Technically, many of our oils are mild and okay to be used straight out of the bottle, “neat”, as needed, with these exceptions (but like I mention above, I dilute just about all my oils for topical use) ... 

These oils are considered “hot” and should always be diluted:  

• cassia, 
• cinnamon bark, 
• clove, 
• oregano, 
• and thyme.

These oils should be diluted for those with sensitive skin such as babies, children and the elderly:

• bergamot, 
• black pepper, 
• cedarwood, 
• eucalyptus, 
• fennel, 
• geranium, 
• ginger, 
• lemongrass, 
• lime, 
• peppermint, 
• wintergreen, 
• Deep Blue soothing blend, 
• OnGuard protective blend, 
• and Slim & Sassy metabolic blend.

There are lots of places to turn to for help and advice once you're a doTERRA member: 

• Once you are a doTERRA wholesale member on my team, I'll add you to private Facebook "users" groups 
• Reference guides and books (I'll give you one for joining my team with a minimum order)
• My own eight-part intro to oils and doTERRA email series
• My "newbie" private Facebook group

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ESSENTIAL OIL SAFETY
Our essential oils can be used safely by your family for a variety of wellness applications. However, there are several safety guidelines that you should follow when using essential oils and essential oil products.

1. Be sure to use only pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils and follow all label warnings and instructions.
2. If redness or irritation occurs when using essential oils topically, apply a vegetable oil - such as fractionated coconut oil or olive oil - to the affected area.
3. Essential oils should not be used in the eyes, inside the ear canal, or in open wounds. In the event of accidental contact with the eye, dilute with vegetable oil NOT water.
4. Do NOT consume an essential oil internally unless labeled with a Supplement Facts box with specific dietary supplement, use instructions, and warnings.
5. Discontinue the use of an essential oil if you experience severe skin, stomach, or respiratory irritation or discomfort.
6. When using on children, apply a very small amount of the oil (pre-diluted) to test skin or other sensitivity. Do not use oil on a child's hand as they may transfer to their eyes or mouth.
7. Consult your physician before using essential oils if you are pregnant or under a doctor's care or have other safety questions regarding essential oils.

It is important to remember that therapeutic-grade essential oils are highly-concentrated plant extracts and should be used with reasonable care. Consulting with someone who has experience with essential oils will make your first experience with essential oils more enjoyable and rewarding. As you learn how to use essential oils through personal experience, share your knowledge with others in a safe and responsible way and encourage others to do the same.

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If you are wondering how to buy dōTERRA and get your own wholesale shopping portal and password for 25% off, click here.

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​Look for me over on Facebook -- Hope Bennett Reese -- for daily tips and current specials.

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Do you want to know what the BEST and SMARTEST way is to start with essential oils?  Here it is ... with me and my awesome team!  We will give you tools to get started, plus on-going support through classes, *private* on-line support groups, team-only emails and more. A trusted, guiding hand is so important when you're just getting started learning how to take control of your health.

Thanks to the wonder of the internet, it really doesn't matter where you live -- our help is right at hand! You'll become an essential oil expert with our assistance.

And please, please remember -- One of the most vital things you must know about essential oils is not all essential oils are created equally. Many - if not most - brands should not be ingested as they are not tested for purity.  In fact, most of them are worthless to your health and often synthetic.

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