Frequently Asked Essential Oil Questions 

Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts obtained by careful steam distillation, cold pressing, or resin tapping. The resulting oils have a distinctive molecular profile that gives them specific aromas and properties. Essential oils have been used by people for thousands of years for everything from cosmetic and dietary purposes to spiritual and religious use. Learn about the history of essential oils here.

We believe that essential oils can support every area of your life- physical, mental, spiritual. There are countless ways to use essential oils: in the kitchen or in the car, diffusing them or applying them to the skin—the possibilities are endless.  The most important thing to remember is that each oil is different. Always check individual labels to find out if an oil needs to be diluted before using it on the skin or ingesting it and how often it should be used. An easy way to start is by experimenting with diffusing essential oils. You can also check out our article Top 5 Essential Oils For Newbies to get you started.

Pure essential oils are far more powerful than the botanicals from which they are extracted. Some oils are considered gentle and generally safe to apply directly to the skin, like Lavender and Copaiba. Other oils are considered “hot” and should be diluted before they are applied to skin, like Cinnamon Bark and Oregano. This also goes for our line of Vitality™ oils. Always refer to individual oil labels for dilution instructions. 

Some oils are safe for kids and some are not. Check out our Essential oils For Kids and Babies. Before using Young Living products with your little ones, carefully review the individual product label for full information on appropriate age usage and any cautions. Each child is different, so it’s always a good idea to test a small amount to make sure no irritation occurs before applying to a large area of skin. The same goes when diffusing essential oils around babies. Be sure to test them first! You should also be generous when it comes to dilution and remember to use less than you would for an adult.

Just like with babies, essential oils can be a great addition to your routine throughout pregnancy. Staying relaxed and pampering yourself during those 9 months keep you happy while the baby grows. Start slow with essential oils and diffuse in a large area to see how you tolerate them, then go from there. We always recommend that pregnant women consult with a trained health professional with experience using essential oils. Our very our Mama Kyla is a mother of 5 and has used essential oils throughout her pregnancies. Get in contact with her here: www.mamakyla.com

Our standards for purity are unmatched. Because synthetics, contaminants, cheap fillers, and unethical production practices are not an option for our essential oils, we source our oils from our own farms and vetted suppliers and test extensively. If an essential oil doesn’t meet our strict testing requirements, it’s rejected and can’t be used in any Young Living product. It’s all part of our Seed to Seal® standard and our three pillars: Sourcing, Science, and Standards. Learn more about our Seed to Seal Standard here.

We always recommend that you follow the usage instructions printed on each essential oil label, start with low amounts and go slowly so you don’t overdo it. 

Diffuse essential oils in spaces where your pets like to relax. Keep in mind that dogs tend to stay in a room with their owner even if something is bothering them. Closely watch for signs of irritation—such as whining, sniffing, nervousness, and excessive scratching—while diffusing around them. When diffusing essential oils around cats, be sure to only diffuse in areas that allow the cat to leave if it doesn’t want to be there. With all animals, avoid using high-phenol oils—such as Oregano, Wintergreen, Clove, Mountain Savory, and Thyme. Learn more about using essential oils on pets here.

We recommend storing oils in their dark-glassed bottles, upright and tightly sealed, out of sunlight, and in cool temperatures. Cool temperatures should be considered near room temperature at 72 degrees Fahrenheit. You will also want to make sure that the oils are stored in a location where they will be kept safe from fluctuations in temperature.

If you do it safely, there are some powerful benefits for ingesting the oils: protecting cells, detoxing, addressing specific intestinal issues. But mostly you don’t need to take them internally. We recommend diluting oils in a capsule with olive oil. Add 2-3 drops of the essential oil and swallow with water. Some oils might need to be ingested with food. But ingesting essential oils aren't necessary to receive the benefits. They work powerfully externally as well and you can use them more effectively other ways. 

Higher quality organic oils will do a few things for you: A bottle lasts much longer because it’s not “watered-down” with fillers. The oil is pure, and so no additives are absorbed into your body. You also get a better value than when buying low-quality oils because a little of the oil lasts much longer (no fillers) and is more potent (higher therapeutic value). Learn about buying the highest quality oils here.