I've been curious about essential oils for awhile, and have been wanting to try them... But they can be a little expensive, and since I didn't really know much about them I was hesitant to purchase dozens of bottles of the stuff trying to figure out what I neede. Fortunately my friend Phil is very knowledgeable and hooked me up with some DoTERRA essential oils and shared a wealth of knowledge with me!
Essential oils are "non water-based phytochemicals made up of volatile organic compounds." They've been used as treatments for various ailments for centuries, and the benefits are being proven today by science. That's really cool! I was lucky enough to test out eight different essential oils and blends. Essential oils are great because they can be absorbed through your skin, you can breathe them, and some of them you can ingest (this is the reason you want theraputic grade essential oils, like the ones from DoTERRA)! And each essential oil has multiple functions.
Lemon
$13.33 for 15mL
"Lemon is known as a powerful aromatic, topical, and internal cleanser that can be used to complement many other oils. Diffusing lemon in a room can cleanse the air and uplift mood. It can also be used on surfaces throughout the home as a non-toxic cleaning booster. For aromatic, topical or dietary use."
I liked mixing a few drops into my water! You can do hot water or cold water, it's good either way. (Note: Phil warned that I should not put citrus essential oils in plastic bottles!)
Peppermint
$27.33 for 15mL
"Peppermint is popular in countless forms, from toothpaste to chewing gum. As an essential oil, it is useful to ease breathing and as a digestive aid*. For aromatic, topical, or dietary use."
A few drops of peppermint essential oil is good in hot or cold water as well, or you can do a mix of lemon and peppermint! It's a tasty way to "enhance" your water without adding tons of fake sugar or chemicals into your body. Seriously, a drop or two would make a pretty minty 16 oz of water, and then the peppermint essential oil residue in my cup would flavor my water for a few fills afterwards as well--a little goes a long way!!! Putting a drop on my palms and breathing it in felt good, and it had a cooling sensation on my skin (apply it to the back of your neck), and it tastes VERY refreshing and minty.
Melaleuca (Tea Tree)
$25.33 for 15mL
"Recognized by its more common name "tea tree", melaleuca has been revered for its cleansing and regenerative properties, especially for the skin. Composed of more than ninety different compounds, melaleuca has limitless therapeutic applications. For aromatic, dietary, or topical use."
I've been having some breakouts lately, but after I applied a bit of this for two nights in a row, my skin was looking much better. I would definitely consider buying more of this.
Frankincense
$93.00 for 15mL
"Perhaps the most precious of the ancient oils, frankincense is highly sought after by modern consumers for its many uses, including relaxation, immune support, and mood enhancement. For aromatic, topical or dietary use."
VERY expensive, but it has a really pleasant scent to it. Phil suggested applying it to the temples, mid forehead, base of the neck and bottoms of the feet.
Breathe (respiratory blend)
$26.67 for 15mL
"Respiratory issues are prevalent in modern society, and dōTERRA® essential oils are a perfect way to ease breathing consistently for a sustained benefit. Breathe is a remarkable blend of CPTG® essential oils which combine to do just that, help you breathe easier. A proprietary blend including laurel leaf, peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, lemon and ravensara cleanses and soothes the airways, and can easily be applied topically to the chest, back, or bottom of feet. Its pleasant aroma is calming to the senses and perfect for night time diffusion allowing for restful sleep. For aromatic or topical use."
I get seasonal allergies and this does help clear up my sinuses!
Balance (grounding blend)
$26.67 for 15mL
"Everyone experiences moments of disconnectedness or anxiety. The warm, woody aroma of Balance, dōTERRA®'s grounding blend, creates a sense of calm and well-being. We perfectly blend spruce, rosewood, frankincense, and blue tansy with fractionated coconut oil to offer an enticing fragrance which promotes tranquility and a sense of balance. For aromatic or topical use."
On-Guard (protective blend)
$42.67 for 15mL
"On Guard is dōTERRA®'s unique, proprietary blend formulated to support healthy immune function. Wild orange essential oil, combined with clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus and rosemary offer a fragrant, natural and effective alternative to synthetic options for immune support. On Guard, with its unique aroma, is one of our most versatile blends. It is also safe to use on counter tops, as a non-toxic way to cleanse surfaces, or to purify the atmosphere by diffusing. For aromatic, topical, or dietary use."
It's a good product to use to defend against colds (I really did notice a difference in how well my body was fighting off stuff when I was using this, versus when I wasn't!). It's also a great cleaning product.
Elevation (joyful blend)
$49.33 for 15mL
"Elevation is the perfect blend for those moments when you need to be revitalized. This exciting blend provides an invigorating combination of CPTG® essential oils that can elevate your mood and increase your energy. Elevation is a blend of lavandin, tangerine, elemi, lemon myrtle, melissa, ylang ylang, osmanthus and sandalwood blended flawlessly for an immediate and dramatic effect. For aromatic or topical use."
For runners, Phil suggested Breathe, peppermint and lemon as being the top picks. He said he also enjoys Oregano essential oil, which he says is great for cooking, because you only need a drop for lots of flavor, and likes to put some essential oil into his Soda Stream.
I really, really liked using all of these. I learned a ton, and feel like I'll actually get the benefits of using essential oils! Instead of putting all sorts of drugs and man-made chemicals in my body, it was nice to just use natural, high-quality essential oils! A lot of the oils from DoTERRA seem expensive, but the quality is very important, and you use so little at a time that even a small sample bottle seems to last FOREVER because you only need a drop or two at a time. And you can make it go even further by mixing it in with water (shake it) or mixing it with coconut oil! The essential oil packaging is simple and classic, but I do with that droppers were standard with these, because the cap can get a little messy (and I don't like to waste product or get it onto other stuff unintentionally). If you're looking to try essential oils, I definitely recommend DoTERRA.
Lemon
$13.33 for 15mL
"Lemon is known as a powerful aromatic, topical, and internal cleanser that can be used to complement many other oils. Diffusing lemon in a room can cleanse the air and uplift mood. It can also be used on surfaces throughout the home as a non-toxic cleaning booster. For aromatic, topical or dietary use."
I liked mixing a few drops into my water! You can do hot water or cold water, it's good either way. (Note: Phil warned that I should not put citrus essential oils in plastic bottles!)
Peppermint
$27.33 for 15mL
"Peppermint is popular in countless forms, from toothpaste to chewing gum. As an essential oil, it is useful to ease breathing and as a digestive aid*. For aromatic, topical, or dietary use."
A few drops of peppermint essential oil is good in hot or cold water as well, or you can do a mix of lemon and peppermint! It's a tasty way to "enhance" your water without adding tons of fake sugar or chemicals into your body. Seriously, a drop or two would make a pretty minty 16 oz of water, and then the peppermint essential oil residue in my cup would flavor my water for a few fills afterwards as well--a little goes a long way!!! Putting a drop on my palms and breathing it in felt good, and it had a cooling sensation on my skin (apply it to the back of your neck), and it tastes VERY refreshing and minty.
Melaleuca (Tea Tree)
$25.33 for 15mL
"Recognized by its more common name "tea tree", melaleuca has been revered for its cleansing and regenerative properties, especially for the skin. Composed of more than ninety different compounds, melaleuca has limitless therapeutic applications. For aromatic, dietary, or topical use."
I've been having some breakouts lately, but after I applied a bit of this for two nights in a row, my skin was looking much better. I would definitely consider buying more of this.
Frankincense
$93.00 for 15mL
"Perhaps the most precious of the ancient oils, frankincense is highly sought after by modern consumers for its many uses, including relaxation, immune support, and mood enhancement. For aromatic, topical or dietary use."
VERY expensive, but it has a really pleasant scent to it. Phil suggested applying it to the temples, mid forehead, base of the neck and bottoms of the feet.
Breathe (respiratory blend)
$26.67 for 15mL
"Respiratory issues are prevalent in modern society, and dōTERRA® essential oils are a perfect way to ease breathing consistently for a sustained benefit. Breathe is a remarkable blend of CPTG® essential oils which combine to do just that, help you breathe easier. A proprietary blend including laurel leaf, peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, lemon and ravensara cleanses and soothes the airways, and can easily be applied topically to the chest, back, or bottom of feet. Its pleasant aroma is calming to the senses and perfect for night time diffusion allowing for restful sleep. For aromatic or topical use."
I get seasonal allergies and this does help clear up my sinuses!
Balance (grounding blend)
$26.67 for 15mL
"Everyone experiences moments of disconnectedness or anxiety. The warm, woody aroma of Balance, dōTERRA®'s grounding blend, creates a sense of calm and well-being. We perfectly blend spruce, rosewood, frankincense, and blue tansy with fractionated coconut oil to offer an enticing fragrance which promotes tranquility and a sense of balance. For aromatic or topical use."
On-Guard (protective blend)
$42.67 for 15mL
"On Guard is dōTERRA®'s unique, proprietary blend formulated to support healthy immune function. Wild orange essential oil, combined with clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus and rosemary offer a fragrant, natural and effective alternative to synthetic options for immune support. On Guard, with its unique aroma, is one of our most versatile blends. It is also safe to use on counter tops, as a non-toxic way to cleanse surfaces, or to purify the atmosphere by diffusing. For aromatic, topical, or dietary use."
It's a good product to use to defend against colds (I really did notice a difference in how well my body was fighting off stuff when I was using this, versus when I wasn't!). It's also a great cleaning product.
Elevation (joyful blend)
$49.33 for 15mL
"Elevation is the perfect blend for those moments when you need to be revitalized. This exciting blend provides an invigorating combination of CPTG® essential oils that can elevate your mood and increase your energy. Elevation is a blend of lavandin, tangerine, elemi, lemon myrtle, melissa, ylang ylang, osmanthus and sandalwood blended flawlessly for an immediate and dramatic effect. For aromatic or topical use."
For runners, Phil suggested Breathe, peppermint and lemon as being the top picks. He said he also enjoys Oregano essential oil, which he says is great for cooking, because you only need a drop for lots of flavor, and likes to put some essential oil into his Soda Stream.
I really, really liked using all of these. I learned a ton, and feel like I'll actually get the benefits of using essential oils! Instead of putting all sorts of drugs and man-made chemicals in my body, it was nice to just use natural, high-quality essential oils! A lot of the oils from DoTERRA seem expensive, but the quality is very important, and you use so little at a time that even a small sample bottle seems to last FOREVER because you only need a drop or two at a time. And you can make it go even further by mixing it in with water (shake it) or mixing it with coconut oil! The essential oil packaging is simple and classic, but I do with that droppers were standard with these, because the cap can get a little messy (and I don't like to waste product or get it onto other stuff unintentionally). If you're looking to try essential oils, I definitely recommend DoTERRA.