Learning to use essential oils can be overwhelming if you are new to them. However, I have been using essential oils for over ten years and have found some everyday uses that work well for my family and me. I’ve also learned that not all essential oils are created equal. I use Young Living® essential oils because of their high-quality essential oils and Seed to Seal® sourcing standards.
Here are some of my favorite ways to use essential oils daily. I’ve also included many oils I incorporate into my daily routines.
Diffuse
My diffusers run all the time! I have one in my bedroom, kitchen, office, bathroom, and entryway. My kids also like to have one in their bedrooms. I used to burn candles. However, I have removed all candles from my home and use only the diffusers now. For me, the diffusers are a better, safer alternative. When using a diffuser, my house smells fantastic without any harmful chemicals.
My go-to favorite diffuser blend is orange, citrus fresh, rosemary and peppermint. I use equal drops of each essential oil. This blend smells so fresh! I use it often in my kitchen because it helps eliminate those after-dinner smells. In the bathroom, I like to use a combination of eucalyptus and Thieves® because it is so cleansing. At night I use a blend of lavender, Purification®, and Thieves® in my bedroom to help purify the nighttime air we breathe. Finally, when I want to imagine I am out on the prairie under beautiful skies, I like to diffuse sage, lavender, and rosemary. Such an earthy combination that helps me feel so grounded.
Daily Care
I use essential oils in many of my daily beauty and hair routines. However, one of my favorite things is enjoying some eucalyptus oil in the shower’s steam. It makes me feel like I’m at the spa and clears my respiratory system simultaneously.
I have developed my own non-toxic skincare routine. I use lavender, geranium, and frankincense in my facial toner and daily facial serum. I combine these oils with apple cider vinegar and witch hazel in my facial toner. My everyday facial serum combines these oils with jojoba oil, vitamin E, carrot seed oil, and rosehip oil.
When I need to freshen my hair, the Young Living BelieveTM blend smells terrific! Just a few drops in the palm of my hand, and then I blend it into my hair strands. Another blend I like in my hair is the Young Living JoyTM blend. You can also just put a drop on your head and smell good all day.
Eating and Drinking
There are so many uses for essential oils in cooking. For example, a drop of lime oil is handy instead of juicing or cutting a lime wedge when making guacamole. A drop of lime also works well in a vodka tonic!
Baked goods are so delicious with a bit of cinnamon baked in! The cinnamon oil is intense, so I will often put some oil on a toothpick first and then spread the toothpick throughout my cakes, doughs, etc.
Most of my friends will tell you I drink a lot of water! For many years I have used lemon oil in my water. Initially, I would put one drop of lemon oil in my water. Nowadays, I use 3-4 drops in my 40-ounce water bottle. Peppermint is also another good choice for your water. I much prefer lemon. However, I know people who like the mint taste instead. If you are new to using oils in your water, make sure you use them in a stainless steel or glass water bottle. The oils don’t mix well with plastic.
Cleaning and Laundry
In all of my cleaning and laundry, I have changed to non-toxic ways. I use lemongrass and Purification® in most of it. I put a few drops of each on my wool dryer balls and add a few drops of lemongrass with my non-toxic laundry detergent. For laundry loads that require more odor control, I use various other oils combined with baking soda and Epsom salt. Depending on what I’m feeling that day, I may use any combination of lemon, lavender, grapefruit, eucalyptus, or tea tree.
Mindfulness and Sleep
My favorite oil for my mindfulness practice is the Young Livings Sacred MountainTM blend. It combines black spruce, ylang ylang, grand fir, and cedarwood. It evokes a sense of spirituality and empowerment in me. I just put a few drops on my hand and breathe it in. It makes me feel like the mountains are calling my name!
At the end of the day, right before I get into bed, I put a few drops of lavender on my hands. Then I rub it into my hands, around my neck, and behind my ears. This is a practice I have done for many years. When I started this practice, I remember using a pillow spray that supposedly contained lavender. The pillow spray smelled so different than pure lavender oil. Looking back, I’m confident that the pillow spray had mostly chemicals and very little lavender. Today, just putting lavender on my hands signifies to my body that it is time for a restful night.
