Essential Oils!

Hello everyone! My name is Rachael and I am so excited to have the opportunity to share one of my biggest passions with you all, essential oils. I am currently aRegistered Nurse working full time, and I have been using essential oils since June 2016. I initially found essential oils because I was searching for natural alternatives for my skin and hair issues. When I began, I didn’t know exactly how to use these amazing smelling oils. I quickly started researching how to apply them to not only my skin and hair, but every aspect of my daily life. As I began switching out chemical filled products, I noticed a huge shift in my energy levels as well as my hair and skin issues began to resolve. The more I learn about essential oils, the more intrigued I am. I love that using essential oils can support my body daily without the use of harsh chemicals. The picture on the right is this past June when I was at the Mona, Utah farm planting lavender!

“As humans, we don’t just have one black-and-white personality type; the same is true with essential oils” (2).

The term “essential oil” comes from the Latin word “oleum” meaning oil. Essential oils have been around for over 5000 years, and there are multiple references throughout history of using essential oils for natural remedies, anointing, embalming, bathing, and more (1). Humans and plants have a unique relationship in that they both rely on each other every single day for survival. Without trees, we would have no oxygen to breathe! Because of this symbiotic relationship with plants, we are able to use essential oils to help support our own body systems in a similar way to how plants support their own systems. Essential oils should be viewed as a wellness adjunct and used daily to achieve long term support (2). Each essential oil has its own unique chemical constituency and can be used for a wide variety of applications. Lavender, for example, may be used for relaxation, as well as for joint and muscle pain, and cough and cold relief. How cool!

The majority of essential oils are extracted using steam distillation, however there are several methods including solvent extraction, cold press, and CO2 extraction. Unfortunately because essential oils are not standardized and fully regulated, some companies cut costs by diluting pure essential oil with chemical fillers and calling them “100% pure therapeutic grade” (1). A teacher that gives her students the exact same recipe to make at home would find that each student brings back a different product, using different ingredients that are produced differently (1). The same is true with essential oils – the same plant may not produce the same quality of essential oil due to a variety of factors such as soil, climate, weeding, harvesting, testing, distilling, etc. It is important to do your own research when choosing an essential oil company so that you understand their mission, policies, processes, and products. I chose Young Living essential oils for a variety of reasons. Young Living is the world leader in essential oils with over 23 years of experience and their unique Seed to Seal promise. The Seed to Seal promise is a set of standards to ensure that only the highest quality of essential oils and essential oil-infused products are available for your family. The three pillars of this promise are Sourcing, Science, and Standards. Young Living’s essential oils are sourced from their own farms around the world, as well as certified Seed to Seal partner farms (6). For me, this was a huge eye opener. If a company does not have access to the soil and climate that a plant is native to, how can it be the best quality essential oil? Science includes industry leading research, rigorous third-party testing, and innovative product development using the cleanest ingredients available. Young Living’s standards include a sustainable compliance program, and being an industry green leader (6). The Young Living Foundation, started in 2009, focuses on assisting those in need both locally and internationally. Some of their projects include work in Nepal, Africa, Ecuador, Africa, and more (7).

Eucalyptus drying at the Guayaquil Farm in Ecuador.

The term aromatherapy means therapy of smell. Essential oils can be used aromatically and topically in Canada. Aromatic uses include: inhalation directly from the bottle, hand cupping-dropping oil directly into your hands and cupping over the face and inhaling, diffuser jewellery, aromatic spritzers, diffusers, dropped onto clothes pins, cotton balls, etc. You may only think of essential oils as used for inhalation, however topical use is considered the “workhorse” of aromatherapy. Topical application for adults can be done neat (directly from bottle onto skin) after patch test, diluted into baths, or diluted and applied in a massage fashion. (2). For children essential oils should always be diluted prior to application, please consult a child specific resource prior to use.

Essential Oils for Relaxation

As mentioned above, each essential oil may have more than one use. Each person may find that they prefer a certain oil over another, even if they have the same intended uses. These oils are my favorite for relaxation, and all are Registered Natural Health Products with Health Canada. “This means that each of Young Living’s NHP essential oils have been reviewed by Health Canada, who determined that sufficient scientific evidence exists to substantiate that these oils can help restore, maintain, or improve health” (3).

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Lavender is grown at the Young Living farms in Mona, Utah and Simiane-la-Rotonde, France. Lavender has a soothing and refreshing scent that has balancing properties. It can act as a nervine and calmative which enhance relaxation (4). Research done at the University of Miami in 2001 showed that inhaling lavender can heighten relaxation by increasing beta waves in the brain (5). I love diffusing lavender before bed to unwind, as well as mixing with epsom salts for a relaxing hot bath soak, or rubbing onto my feet before bed. The photo to the left is of a harvesting machine trimming the tops of the lavender plant for harvest.

Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica)

Cedarwood is grown in northern Africa. Some of cedarwood’s original uses was by the Egyptians to embalm the dead, and as incense in Tibet (5). Cedarwood has a warm, calming aroma that can be used for massage to not only enhance relaxation, but also relieve joint or muscle pain (4). A favorite combo of mine is equal parts lavender and cedarwood in the diffuser or mixed into a soothing body butter.

Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata)

Ylang Ylang is steam distilled from the plant flowers picked early in the morning. It is grown and distilled at the Young Living farm in Ecuador. Traditionally Ylang Ylang is used for balancing emotions and to inspire feelings of romance (4). I love using Ylang Ylang for enhancing relaxation! I enjoy diffusing it, or making a massage oil and rubbing on topically. It smells fantastic as a natural perfume! The photo to the right is of Ylang Ylang at the Guayaquil Farm in Ecuador.

Peace & Calming Blend

Peace & Calming is one of the first blends I tried, and I fell in love instantly! It is a blend of Ylang Ylang, Tangerine, Patchouli, and Blue Tansy. The scent is comforting, relaxing, and fresh with a hint of citrus scent. Peace & Calming is great to diffuse in common areas or where children play or study for a calm, relaxing environment. I love diffusing or applying Peace & Calming to the bottoms of my feet prior to bed.

Sacred Frankincense (Boswellia sacra)

Sacred Frankincense comes from tree resin that is grown at the Young Living farm in Salalah, Oman (4). After 15 years and 15 trips to Oman, Gary Young (the owner of Young Living) was finally granted the first export permit for Sacred Frankincense out of Oman, as well as permission to build a distillery on the native land(5). Sacred Frankincense acts as a nervine and calmative agent to enhance relaxation, as well as assist meditation and spirituality (4). I enjoy applying Sacred Frankincense over my heart and back of the neck prior to yoga, or on the bottoms of my feet for relaxation. The photo to the left is of the Boswellia tree in Oman, from which Sacred Frankincense is harvested.

Orange (Citrus sinensis)

Orange is cold pressed from the fresh fruit peels of oranges from in the USA (4). Orange is one of my favorite scents for relaxation and encouraging positive emotions (11). Diffusing orange can uplift and calm, and is a great addition to Ylang Ylang in the diffuser!

DIY Recipe!

Using essential oils is easy! There are hundreds of ways to inhale and apply topically. Here is one recipe for DIY room and linen spray to get you started!

• ⅓ cup water
• 1 tbsp witch hazel extract
• Glass spray bottle
• Combine all ingredients in the glass spray bottle and add 15-20 drops of your favorite essential oils.
• For a relaxing linen spray, try Peace & Calming with Orange! Shake well before each use. Enjoy!
• A great, affordable place to buy supplies for everything DIY is Voyageur Soap & Candle co. https://www.voyageursoapandcandle.com/n

Disclaimer: I am an independent distributor of Young Living. This information is for learning purposes only. Please consult a health care practitioner prior to making any changes to your medical routine. This information is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.

Contact Information

I am always happy to answer any questions you may have about essential oils, as well as pointing you in the right direction of resources for more information. If you would like more information feel free to contact me via email, join my fun info group, or visit my website for more information on events and products!

• Email: livinglifewithessentialoilsyl@gmail.com
• Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/691347934353049/?ref=bookmarks
• Website: https://www.myyl.com/rachaeltruckey
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinglifewithessentialoils/
• Young Living Blog: https://www.youngliving.com/blog/category/mind-spirit/
• Young Living Foundation: https://younglivingfoundation.org/

References 

1. The essential oil truth: the facts without the hype. J. O’Sullivan
2. French aromatherapy essential oil recipes and usage guide. J. O’Sullivan
3. NHP FAQ https://static.youngliving.com/en-CA/PDFS/YLU/FAQs_English.pdf
4. NHP oils and uses https://www.youngliving.com/en_CA/discover/natural-remedies
5. Essential oils pocket reference
6. Seed to Seal https://www.facebook.com/YLSeedToSeal/
7. Young Living Foundation https://younglivingfoundation.org/