Essential Oils Tips for Beginners

For thousands of years people have been using essential oils in a wide range of applications, from perfume to homeopathic medication. If you’ve managed to make it this long without giving essential oils a try, there are a few things you should know before dumping a random assortment of oils into your new diffuser. Here are some helpful essential oils tips for beginners to help you begin your new aromatic journey.

Be Mindful of How and Where You Store Your Essential Oils

How and where you store your essential oils can have a large impact on their quality and overall lifespan. Because essential oils break down quickly when they come into contact with air, it’s important to store them in small, air-tight containers. Such containers should be made of glass; essential oils can break down plastic over time.

In addition to breaking down in the presence of air, essential oils can degrade in quality when exposed to sunlight. As such, store them in a dark or shaded location and keep them in amber or blue glass containers to further block out any sunlight.

Determine Your Goal for Using Essential Oils

Different essential oils impact the body in varying ways. As such, it’s important to determine your primary motivation for using essential oils before developing your collection. For example, if your main goal is to have a better night’s sleep, consider using essential oils that have been extracted from lavender or chamomile flowers. However, if you want to use essential oils as a means to reduce pain and inflammation, eucalyptus, peppermint, ginger, and basil oils are likely a better option. Determining your goal and choosing oils accordingly will allow you to have the best essential oil experience possible.

Familiarize Yourself With Carrier Oils

Another essential oils tip for beginners is to choose carrier oils carefully. Essential oils are highly potent and can often irritate the skin if applied directly. As such, many people choose to dilute their essential oils with a light carrier oil, such as coconut or jojoba oil. Such oils will help reduce irritation without interfering with the essential oil’s therapeutic properties.

When choosing a carrier oil, make sure to avoid using any that cause you to have an allergic reaction when ingested. They may also have a negative effect when applied topically. In addition, avoid purchasing pre-diluted oils. While these typically cost less, the carrier oil could go bad and contaminate the entire bottle. As such, it’s better to dilute the essential oils as you use them. When doing so, keep in mind that one drop of essential oil per teaspoon of carrier oil will result in a one percent dilution.