I’m fairly certain that people associate essential oils with sorcery and crunchy flower children. While I might have a dose of free spirit, I would say I am a pretty conservative, cautious and skeptical person. But I like-a da oils too. So, maybe we can just set all the pre-conceives aside and tear down this wall.

Some of y’all have been picking my brain about the topic, so I heeded the old adage, “If you like it then you shoulda wrote a post on it.”

“Beyonce and Reagan, Jenna?”
Yes.I.Did.
“But, why Reagan?”
I don’t want to come at you with promises of magic and miracles, so here is my conservative take on a traditionally radical topic. Conservative, get it? You have to admit, that title caught your eye, right? Gah. I knew this was a bad idea. It’s too late though. We’re rolling with it. Anyyyyway…

What brand do you use?

I use doTERRA oils. You can read a million things about how pure certain brands are and how they are certified and on and on. It’s a pretty hot button issue actually. Who knew? I will say this: you can buy really crappy, icky, perfumey oils out there, and my guess would be that you get what you pay for. But, the two brands that seem to sit upon the oily throne are doTERRA and Young Living. If you’re going to get into oils, stick with one of these brands.

I personally use doTERRA because a friend introduced me to this brand. My SIL uses Young Living for the same reason. We’re both satisfied and still kickin’. If you research it online, you will see a blood feud not unlike the Jets and the Sharks. snap snap snap. Ignore all of that nonsense and just enjoy your oils.

What oils do you own?

Balance, Serenity, Wild Orange, Lemon, Peppermint, Lavender, Frankincense, Deep Blue, Digestzen, Roman Chamomile, Clary Sage, On Guard

What oils are on your wish list?

Why, are you buyin’? ha. I really try to keep in mind what I NEED oils for. It’s easy just to want to collect them all for the heck of it. Or, it’s easy to buy and use oils for a condition/reason you wouldn’t normally address anyway. That seems like a waste of money to me. So, currently on my list: Breathe and refills of the ones I currently use.

How do you apply the oils?

I find that 1-2 drops for an adult or 1 drop for a child is enough. I always dilute the drop of oil with fractionated coconut oil (FCO) for children. And, there are lots of ways to apply, but these are my favorite:

• topically and directly to the area that needs attention; some oils are “hot” or a little burny, so I like to mix those with FCO
• aromatically by mixing a few drops with water and placing in my diffuser

You can also ingest some oils. This is controversial for a lot of reasons, but I have done it, and I’m ok. It’s not my favorite way to do it, but once in a while for various reasons, I will. It is said that only the doTERRA brand of oils is safe to ingest, and within that, only certain doTERRA oils are safe. They will say on the outside of the doTERRA bottle if they are good for consumption. I never let my kids eat them just because because because.

When in doubt of where to apply topically, try the bottom of your feet or your spine. Bottoms of feet are the best for kids because there is less risk of them touching the oils then touching their eyes or something.

What do you use the oils for?

First of all, it’s good to understand that oils are not a magical cure or a guarantee that you will never get sick. Instead, they work with and strengthen your body’s natural defenses and responses so that it can do its job. This list of uses is always growing, but just off the top of my head, here are some instances in the past week or so:

• Anxiety: before bed, I always apply a drop of Balance and Frankincense to the back of my neck and spine.
• Hyper Anxiety: in addition to the above, I will also add Serenity and Wild Orange
• Allergies: I diffuse equal parts peppermint, lemon and lavender most days
• Sore Muscles: I apply Deep Blue mixed with FCO and rub it on whatever area needs it
• Heartburn and Sour Stomach: Digestzen mixed with FCO and applied to stomach area does the trick
• Stuffed Nose: Digestzen and FCO applied to tops of sinuses works here too for some reason…
• Calming Kids (sleep, crying, etc.): Ellen responds well to Lavender while Sam responds well to Roman Chamomile. People can respond in different ways to oils much like they would to medication.
• Keeping Sick-Free: We use On Guard applied to our feet and/or throat to prevent or kick an illness.
• Scrapes: Lavender helps speed up the process better than Neosporin even.

Each oil has multiple uses, so the applications really are endless. And, I try to use oils before reaching for medication, but that doesn’t mean I don’t think modern medicine is wonderful. It is so wonderful. But, oils are a nice alternative and supplement to have around so I don’t feel like I constantly need to pop a pill.

Are there side effects?

None that I have experienced or heard of. I would imagine that oils are like anything – use in moderation. Although, I don’t think it would be easy to OD on lavender. I would be careful using oils during pregnancy (especially in the first trimester).

Are you skeptical?

Yep. I am a really skeptical person by nature. To a fault sometimes. But, here are the reasons that have been changing my mind:

• I really believe that God put us on the earth with the tools to help heal ourselves. While in some cases this might be our incredible brains that come up with all kinds of scientific cures, I think he also gave us natural ways too.
• I’m not one for anecdotal evidence, but Olivia and Grace have had success. And they aren’t too crazy.
• Vanderbilt Hospital agrees they work.
• I have no idea what the implications of this video are, but if it is true, then it raises some questions.
• It makes sense to me that modern medicine uses and tries to imitate and magnify nature with science. If this is the case, then wouldn’t it make sense to use nature to begin with? And, I mentioned it before, but I love medicine. Motrin for a headache is sweet, sweet relief. But, if an oil will wipe that sucker out instead, I will save the pill for another time. Maybe I can avoid building up a resistance that way.

Is there a site I can find out more?

Yes. This one. And I know, it’s not the most credible looking site (I am a site judger), but the info is all there.

I could go on, but I think my work convincing you that I am a closet hippie is done. If you’ve got any other questions, leave them for me. In addition to my part-time hippie gig, I also moonlight as a big nerd, so I’ve done a lot of research on ways to use oils. Hopefully I can help you maybe probably.

Peace and love. And Ronald Reagan.

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