Do Essential Oils Really Work?
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UPDATE: I am no longer a Young Living Distributor. You can read about my search for the Best Essential Oils Company here. You can also skip to the end of the series here.
The other day, I wrote about how I overcame my serious doubts about essential oils (specifically, Young Living's oils) and experience using Young Living's Thieves blend.
I was a complete skeptic about essential oils, thinking they were some kind of scam or “woo woo foo foo” stuff that really did nothing.
As in, “you put it on and it smells good and somehow you convince yourself that it's really working” kind of thing.
Today, I'm going to share with you some other oils that I've been experimenting with and what's happened with them.
Really, read on. Some of these things really surprised me.
How Essential Oils Have Helped Me
Following are ways that we tried using essential oils for common ailments, and the results we had.
Head Tension
Peppermint Oil is great here too. Again, I don't typically get headaches, but when the occasional one strikes, just a drop of peppermint rubbed on my temples has taken the pain away. Amazing.
I can't say that it cured my head tension and I personally think that it's important to figure out why your headaches are happening and work on that, rather than just treating symptoms, but I assume that the peppermint supports the body's work in getting better. My youngest gets head tension sometimes, but his has been diminishing since starting a new therapy and using zeolite. Regardless, he has found relief with the peppermint as well.
No acetaminophen.
Nice.
Stomach Aches and Digestion Issues
I typically don't struggle much with stomach aches, but at times I do. One particular time when I had some tough stomach issues was when I was trying to address adrenal fatigue.
I worked with a practitioner Nutritional Balancing that is designed to rebalance minerals and remove heavy metals and toxins from my system. (2014 UPDATE: I am no longer doing Nutritional Balancing, but have moved on and found other things that have helped immensely.)
More on all that later, but when the metals are coming out, I've hada some uncomfortable symptoms at times, one of them being an upset stomach.
And of course we all can have a sour stomach or stomach but at times.
Peppermint tea is supposed to be good for upset stomach, but Peppermint Oil is like super-charged peppermint tea. There are a lot of essential oil reps saying to just put some peppermint oil on your tongue at times like this, but that's not safe.
You should instead dilute it with a carrier oil and apply to the stomach. If you are going to take essential oils internally, they should be diluted with an appropriate amount of carrier oil in a capsule.
Growing Pains
My youngest had growing pains regularly until we started Nutritional Balancing. Now, he really only gets them every once in awhile. These pains were one of the first things that we tried essential oils on. I was really skeptical – “So, how on earth is an oil going to help with something painful going on inside of him?”
Well, they did. We've used Peppermint, Wintergreen, and a blend for pain, all of which have helped him. What a blessing to have your little one, who was in pain a moment ago, say to you, “Mom, I really think it's working! I feel better!”
He gets to sleep and so do I. And having your son smell like a Wintergreen Lifesaver is a nice side bonus.
Tendon Issues
This one really floored me.
I'm a blogger. That means I type a lot!
Well, about 2 months ago I started experiencing pain in my right pinky finger and it really hurt to type.
I'd had carpal tunnel years prior that was cured with B6, but this pain was worse.
I didn't really want to own up to myself that the pain was there. What if I couldn't blog anymore? What if I needed surgery? Not pleasant thoughts.
After a few days of pain and worry, I decided to turn to my Essential Oils Desk Reference Guide for some ideas. It recommended a blend for pain, so I tried it.
Again, the skeptic in me thought, “This surely isn't going to work.” But I doubtfully rubbed a drop around my knuckle where the pain was, just before bed.
I awoke the next morning completely amazed.
The pain was gone!
No surgery, and I can still blog. I am not for sure I had carpal tunnel or cubital tunnel, but my pain went away.
Since then, I've used peppermint and lemongrass diluted in carrier oil for tendon issues and that's worked amazingly well.
Muscle Aches
Numerous times we've had aches and pains that needed some TLC. Whether from injury or overuse, we've tried several oils and blends: Peppermint, Wintergreen, and several pain blends as well. Each one has worked well. Depending on the situation, sometimes one oil or blend has worked better than another, but it sure has felt nice to use something natural rather than OTC meds or synthetic chemical-filled creams and ointments.
Update: – Please use caution when using wintergreen. It can be dangerous when used topically and ingestion can even cause death.
Are Essential Oils Worth the Cost?
And I know, you're probably wondering about the cost of these oils.
There are loads of kinds of essential oils in stores and online.
Some are cheap and some are more pricey.
Let me assure you – I am super frugal. I'm sure that you've figured that out if you've been following me for awhile. If you haven't, you can see how stingy frugal I am by checking out my posts on:
- Easiest Almond Milk Ever
- Homemade Coconut Milk
- Homemade Coconut Butter
- MYO Powdered Sugar / Powdered Sugar Substitute
- Homemade Taco Seasoning
As you can see, I don't spend money typically if I don't think it's worth it. And I save wherever I can.
I personally try to choose the best quality that I can, for the best price, and for me that means paying up a bit to make sure that I am not getting lower quality essential oils – especially since I will be putting them on my skin (where they will be absorbed) and using them occasionally internally.
UPDATE: I am no longer a Young Living Distributor. You can read about my search for the Best Essential Oils Company here. I ended up choosing this company, Rocky Mountain Oils (formerly Native American Nutritionals).
You can find out why and see all of the “dicey” discussion by starting here.
Here are my basic thoughts on the cost:
- Health is priceless
- I'd rather use natural oils than OTC meds or prescriptions drugs (and they're not cheap either)
- Essential oils can be cheaper than going to the doctor or physical therapist (or even surgery!)
- When you feel good, you have more energy to save money elsewhere
Basically, yes, if you choose quality essential oils you will be paying more than the inexpensive brands, but if you use them only when needed you will likely save in other arenas that will more than make up for it.
Regardless, I am thrilled to have a new natural remedy in my medicine cabinet.
What has your experience with essential oils been?
I find it absolutely mortifying that you support Young Living. Are you aware that the founder, Gary Young, murdered his newborn baby? Yes, you as a mother, are supporting a baby murderer. It has also been proven that multiple degrees of his were fakes. It is also proven that ingestion of essential oils can cause chemical burns, heart attacks, respiratory failure, renal failure… And I could go on. Ill even leave this link here with a study.
(Link deleted by Whole New Mom due to it not working anymore)
Oh and heres some info on Gary Young, Baby Murderer
(page removed from internet so link was removed by site owner)
Hi Kaycee – I’m confused. I don’t support Young Living. I left the company a long time ago. I made that very clear in the post. I guess I need to make it more clear? I just went in and highlighted some of that info by putting it in red font. Thanks for reading.
I read most of your comments regarding ESSENTIAL OIL companies and found a bit of it like it is copied from another site. One thing in particular that YOUNG LIVING’S farms are all located in the US. YOUNG LIVING has
partnered with farms all over the world and those farms MUST comply with certain conditions that are set by
Dr. Young regarding soil quality and purity and others.
Maybe your research needs to be expanded more.
I could go on but my time is limited.
What do you think I copied? There is so much on my blog – I try to cite sources accurately so please tell me. thanks.
I never said that YL’s farms are located in the US – at least I don’t think that I said that.
What oils did you use for Carpel Tunnel?
I’m sorry but I don’t recall. I wish I did!
I thoroughly enjoyed your (blogs?) articles on the search for exceptional essential oils. I had only just heard about eo’s from my sister who had become a Doterra representative. The price is what led me on my search for more information originally. The more I read about sourcing, sustainability and processing I realized I needed to know more (I also needed an eo for my headache!). I had also determined that not all companies and their representatives are knowledgeable or honest. I found Rocky Mountain Oils by accident when I was doing some research on the web and I liked what I read which led me to purchase a couple of oils from them. Fortunately for me I found your research before I spent to much time or money on oils (you probably saved my marriage in the process, heehee). Needless to say I’m looking forward to more info on your site. I have one question though, I found that there are at least three different kinds of Frankincense oils, do you know anything about them and their differences? They are awfully expensive to try them all.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your research!
Hi there. Yes, there are several Frankincenses. I have heard different things. From some I have heard that Sacred is the best for therapeutic uses and then I heard that carterii is regarded to be the same quality as sacred. I hope to write more on this in the future. Does that help for now?
I use frankincense in water daily for my cancer. Is this safe? I need to know
I don’t recommend the use of essential oils internally without the guidance of a medical professional or aromatherapist and you need to read this about the essential oils and water. They don’t mix: https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/essential-oil-emulsifier/
I currently on a “campaign” to learn to use more of healing plants that are already on our property. Recently made a batch of plantain salve and sent it along with the nurse, to our pre-teen camp. She said there a lot of bug bites and it was good for that. I cook in iron and bumped my forefinger knuckle on the hot pan one morning. Went out to the front yard, picked a plantain leaf, chewed it to a pulp which went onto the knuckle and covered it loosely with a band-aid (just to keep the pulp in place.) Never heard a peep out of it! In fact, I forgot all about it.
Nice!!! I think we have those pesky things in our yard. Not sure whether to dig them or leave them!
I really enjoy reading your articles. They are very through and informative. However, could you please put a date on the articles that you write. I think that it is important that we know how current the articles are. I would like to know the date that you wrote the 7 part series “Announcing the Best Essential Oils Company”.
Thank you and have a great weekend!!
Hi there. The dates are in the comments – I’m torn about which way to go w/ the dates. When I put them there people would comment asking me if I still stood by the information b/c the date is old, and now I get this kind of comment so I’m confused about the best way to go – thanks! Let me know what you think.
Thank you for your response. I am not sure I understand that the dates are in the comments. Are you saying that the date of the article(s) are the dates that someone posted/contacted you? If so, do I have to look for the oldest post to determine the written date?
Yes, that’s what I mean. The comments are in chronological order so the first comment is likely on the publication date of the post, or at least very close to it. Hope that helps!
Hi Adrienne
Sorry to keep bothering you about this. But the comments do not appear, to me, to be in chronological order and it is difficult, for me, to determine a date . Could you please let me know the date of this article? I would appreciate it.
Thanks
Actually, I would like the date that you wrote the 7 part article on which essential oil companies are the best.
Thank you…
Just shared it w/ you – 1/25/13.
Hi there. They are in chronological order, but in a post with that many comments you need to scroll back a lot. It was published 1/25/13. Hope that helps – thanks.
I vote for dates. I am always finding old blogs and wishing I had read a newer one. Some such as this one include information that one needs to keep dating in mind while reading. I’m very glad you are keeping the information up-to-date with further posts – thank you so, so much! Essential oils are a passion for me, and obviously very many others, and this is excellent information.
Thanks! Will keep that in mind.
Thanks for all this information. Just got done reading your posts on essential oil companies and I appreciate all the work and will be taking your recommendation. I’ve “dibbed and dabbed” for a while. Bought some EO in the grocery store then put it away for years only to recently reopen the EO door again. I found doTerra & YL and didn’t like the whole MLM idea. I feel their emphasis is not directed where it should be- providing the best product. I’ll use the oils I have, don’t like to waste money but now I feel like I have a better direction.
Thanks so much, AnnMarie. More to come soon. Hope to see you around again!
Whenever I have headaches I always use peppermint on my temples and behind my ears. Also Lavender has helped me with relaxing and relieving tension which usually is the cause of my headaches.
Everything I read about lavender says how wonderful it is. The scents of lavender and lilacs tend to give me a headache. I used to think I was alone with this side effect, but have found several others who have an aversion to them as well. What would you suggest as a replacement that provides similar benefits?
What kind of thing are you hoping to address? I didn’t like lavender either and really didn’t care for YL’s lavender. Have you tried NAN’s? Here is a link to Rocky Mountain’s. Their site is a little easier to shop on as they have fewer options. I like theirs. https://wholenewmom.com/LavenderEO (affiliate link).
Thanks for your quick response, Adrienne! I am very much a novice when it comes to essential oils. My yoga studio has begun incorporating them in some of the classes and I have enjoyed them. We have mostly used eucalyptus, peppermint, an orangey citrus oil, and a few others I can’t recall. I am going to an essential oils yoga workshop at the studio, taught by a doTerra rep. I have been doing a lot of reading on a variety of sites and will go with an open mind, but with just enough background to not buy any products just yet. I am looking for oils that that are refreshing/stimulating for daytime, that are relaxing – for night, and oils that help with everyday aches/pains from exercise. I plan to purchase a few, along with a diffuser. I have explored a few web sites – Rocky Mountain, NAN, and Mountain Rose, but have yet to purchase any. It is a bit overwhelming!
Wow! Thank you for reaching out to NAN/Rocky Mountain for me. Their information is very helpful. I will be checking out some of their suggestions. How nice that some will be on sale! I like the comparison chart they have listing DoTERRA oils and their oils. Since my first into was with DoTERRA, that was my background. I have done a lot of research on essential oils, and knew that while I liked the DoTerra scents, I wanted a different company. Thank you for your help!
You are so welcome!!
I am curious… After doing a ton of research (obviously not enough), I went with Young Living for my all natural/organic face scrubs, body butters, soaps, and facials.
Now, I am wondering, after investing so much money, are the Young Living Oils of a high enough quality to continue using for my customers.
I spent hours researching natural oils and benefits for the base of the products (coconut oil, shea butter, palm oil, olive oil etc.). Now, I am concerned with whether I am actually providing quality essential oils in their products. It is not feasible for me to replace my entire stock of essential oils, especially because I just replaced my jasmine today. You know what a hit$ that is.
I am just looking for your opinion as to whether or not my quality product has been compromised by the essential oils now???
Hi there. I am sorry but I can’t comment except to say that I stopped being a representative for them and I sold all of my Young Living and doTERRA oils. If you come to the same conclusion as I did you could probably sell it. It was easier than I thought. I have only a few drops of Wintergreen left and a diffuser from doTERRA that I need to sell.
Thanks and I hope that helps – did you read this series? https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/natural-remedies/the-great-essential-oils-showdown-in-search-of-the-best-essential-oils/
and this guide might help as well: https://wholenewmom.com/10-things-you-need-to-know-about-essential-oils-before-you-buy/