What on earth are oils?! (How to start using essential oils!)

I first found out about Essential Oils through a friend over Instagram.

She was posting about oils and I was confused. What the heck are oils?? I had no idea, but I have to admit, I immediately judged. “That’s soooo strange”, I thought to myself. Like, hippie-strange. But I continued to follow her (in that socially-acceptable way via social media) and started to take interest when she posted about oils.

This all happened about the time that I was researching how to properly provide nutrition to my body, how to live sustainably, investing in worm-farms and reading I Quit Sugar blogs. Oils seemed like a natural progression. And so, I started to think “maybe they can help me and my husband…” (yes, my thoughts are generally grammatically incorrect).

My husband was suffering with extreme fatigue, which the doctors had given up treating. They’d sent us to countless specialists, all who turned us away with no answers and a huge bill for a five-minute consultation. I began to get mad, frustrated, hopeless.

I was also intrigued by natural cleaning products as I had noticed every time I cleaned my shower with my bleach products, I’d feel like I was coming down with a cold the next day. I’d spent the previous year sick as a dog, on and off antibiotics and I wanted to try something new. I had mild ailments but not much was helping: immune system, eczema (which I’d never had before and suddenly was ALL over my skin), constant headaches, sore muscles, and tension.

My insta-friend sent me a roller bottle for muscle pain.

This was a game-changer. I tried it half-heartedly, very skeptical, unbelieving. But hey, it was a gift and it would be rude to not at least try it. I expected it to fail. But.. it worked! It felt amazing. It smelled divine. I was super impressed.

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The definition of insanity, some say, is to keep doing the same thing and expecting different results. And so, I decided it was time for a change!

I spoke with my friend, bombarded her with 1,000 questions, and I ordered a starter kit through Young Living with their seed-to-seal Organic promise, their 100% pure oils that can be diffused, applied on your skin, and even consumed (Disclaimer: I would not be putting oils from other brands on my skin and definitely not consuming them! My lavender from the chemist is marked with “Poison”!).

You can pick up your own Young Living starter kit through a local Young Living consultant (which includes membership) or you can order one right now through Amazon (Young Living membership not included)

I started using the oils, all for different reasons. I continued to read and educate myself on all the different properties and uses for oils. I was amazed at how many different uses an oil has. For example, Lavender oil can be used for aiding sleep, to help calm anxiety, to relax the body, used on burns, bug-bites, and sunburn. It can be used in baking, and to help encourage eyelash growth. That’s one heck of an oil!

As I used the oils regularly and consistently, I saw changes in myself and my husband.

I invested in the natural cleaning products. Fast forward 9 months and I’m still using them. I have friends who have tried them too – all with positive feedback. Isn’t that crazy?? I’m super enthusiastic now because it’s changed so much for us!

Here are 10 of my favourite uses for essential oils at the moment:

1. Peppermint:
My go-to for tension headaches. A drop on my temples & neck, headache gone. I no longer take Panadol & Nurofen daily!
2. Lemon:
In my water bottle to aid digestion throughout the day. Easy and delicious!
3. Thieves:
A blend which I drink & diffuse to prevent getting sick. I haven’t been sick all year – this has never happened in my whole life!

4. Lavender:
In the diffuser to help me sleep at night. Zzzzzz…
5. Peppermint & Lemon:
In the diffuser when I need to focus and get work done. This blend has gotten me through my Masters…
6. DiGize:
The oil you need when you’re bloated or have stomach pain. Drink a drop in water!
7. Lemongrass:
The perfect insect repellant – just a couple o’drops on my skin to stop them mosquitoes!
8. Lemongrass & Frankincense:
Rubbed into my stomach & back at that time of month to help with cramps – ladies, you know what I’m talking about!
9. Panaway:
Another oil-blend I mix with coconut oil to rub into my sore post-workout muscles.
10. R.C:
A Eucalyptus & pine blend which helps with my breathing when it’s blocked up, makes the room smell delicious, and perks me up in my car-diffuser! So good!

There are heaps of handy accessories on the market for essential oils (probably enough for a whole other post!). This nifty carry case, for example, holds up to 10 bottles, allowing you to safely have your oils at hand wherever you go. And if someone could buy me this cabinet for my oils, they just might be my best friend forever(!)

These are just a handful of uses that I love. I could talk for hours about the uses of oils and how my body is loving the natural response to ailments. I’d love to hear your comments and questions below! What’s your favourite oil??

If essential oils are fairly new to you, Klara recently wrote this super helpful post for beginners, explaining the many different ways to use them.

Are you looking for a friendly place to ask questions about oils? Check out my Facebook group, Common Scents – I would love to help!

Note: At Her Happy Heart we support the widespread use of essential oils and some of us use them in our homes. However it is currently an unregulated industry, which means that companies producing oils do not undergo the same rigorous testing and quality control that other commercial health-related products undergo, except within their own organizations. Always do your research to ensure that you are comfortable with any products that you use in your home, on yourself, and on your family.

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Cleaning naturally using essential oils and pantry staples

DIY Linen Spray (using essential oils)

DIY hair and skin care with apple cider vinegar

5 Essential Oils you NEED this Summer