All About Oils

It’s 2018 and essential oils are IN.

I’m new to the oil game and for the last couple of weeks have been loving my new oil diffuser. My friend Trish got me started on the oil train so I thought it would be fun to do a Q&A with her since I’m a newbie and maybe some of you might have some of the same questions I do!

Let’s jump in!

Hi Trish! Super excited to have you appear on the blog today as you are probably one of the healthiest people I know! (HAHA true story!) Tell us a little bit about yourself!

Hey guys! My name is Trishand I’ve been a registered nurse for the last 10 years. My passion is finding the root cause of disease and finding real solutions to health problems. In addition to my BSN, I have a certificate in holistic and functional medicine and I am currently getting certified to be a health coach. Because, #goals. 

I began looking at health and wellness differently years ago when my Dad was diagnosed with early onset dementia in his early 60’s. I knew the diagnosis was a short straw, but I probed the doctors for other options—like starting a regular exercise routine, dietary changes, testing for heavy metal toxicity, etc. Each time I was cut short and my ideas brushed off. It was so frustrating. 

I realized I was going to have to do my own research and be my Dad’s advocate—both as a nurse and as a daughter. I began questioning everything I had learned about health, immersing myself in books about brain health, dementia and neurodegeneration. In my research, I discovered there are often SOLUTIONS to your health problems. You don’t just have to accept a diagnosis and take medications for the rest of your life. Who knew?! I realized a lot of conditions are either preventable and/or reversible and that just because a condition runs in your family, doesn’t necessarily mean it is your destiny. My Dad had a known history of dementia in his family, but if he had been more proactive about his health earlier, and if doctors gave him more preventative care solutions, he may not have had to endure what he did. 

I wish I knew what I know now a decade ago, but I had to figure it all out on my own—the hard way. Now, I’m now on a mission to help people find real solutions to their health problems and empower people to take back their health once and for all! I want to help people avoid unnecessary struggles, because let me tell you—the bad health struggle is real. 

How did you get started with oils and how long have you been using them?

I got started with essential oils 4 or 5 years ago. I stumbled upon them on accident when a woman was teaching an oil class after my yoga class. I really didn’t think I would like them, but I was open to at least hearing more so I decided to stick around. She spoke about how she had endometriosis and was unable to get pregnant. She had surgery to remove fibroids and was told that she would need to have additional surgeries when the fibroids grew back. She was not okay with that diagnosis and knew there had to be another answer so she was willing to try anything. When her cousin suggested she try essential oils, she was skeptical but she didn’t have anything to lose. 

After a couple months of consistent oil use, her fibroids shrunk significantly and/or were gone completely, and a couple months after that, she was able to get pregnant! Although I consider myself to be an open-minded person, I was intrigued yet skeptical by what I learned about essential oils ability to heal the body. It was a little ‘woo woo’ for me frankly, but I went home and did my research and I was fascinated by the science behind oils and their use dating back thousands of years. 

Why are oils good for us and why should we be using them?

Essential oils aren’t just oils that “smell good” (although they do smell good!)—they do so much more for the body and the mind. Essential oils are organic compounds that have been extracted from nature—from bark, flowers, fruit, resin, nuts, roots, leaves—they contain molecules proven to provide therapeutic effects on the body. Clinical research supports essential oil’s ability to reduce stress/tension, boost immunity, balance hormones, ease pain, improve digestion, clear brain fog, and improve sleep, amongst a slew of other conditions like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, depression and anxiety! There are literally thousands of peer reviewed articles published attesting to the healing benefits of essential oils.

I’m an oil newbie so I need all the advice I can get. What are your must-haves?  Where should I start?

It depends on what health benefits you’re looking for! Here are my personal faves and most popular picks from my clients.

Sleep: Serenity (exclusive to doTERRA). My all-time favorite blend for sleep with lavender, chamomile and more. It legit knocks me out and is a great natural alternative to sleeping pills. This can be diffused or put on the back of the neck, behind the ears, or on the bottoms of your feet for maximum efficacy.

Stress: Lavender, or Balance (exclusive to doTERRA). These can be diffused or used topically. Great to use after a stressful day of work. Lavender is an all-time fave with many great healing properties. If you get any oil, I’d get this. Balance is a grounding blend that is so calming and soothing when I’m feeling stressed, needing to rebalance or just feeling like my hormones are out of whack.

Immunity: On Guard (a doTERRA exclusive). Can be diffused, applied topically or ingested. An amazing blend of proven immune boosters. I either put it in my diffuser, apply it topically or add it to an immune boosting ‘cocktail’ that I drink twice a day with vitamin C, raw honey, Himalayan pink sea salt, coconut oil, and apple cider vinegar. 

Spa Vibes: Eucalyptus! It’s diffused in many high-end spas and is an amazing treat for any bedroom, bath, or at-home spa experience. I like to blend eucalyptus and peppermint—both known for their chest-clearing properties (think: natural Vicks)—and you feel like you’re at the spa in your own home! The lungs are directly connected to the blood stream, so inhaling these oils makes us feel relaxed and calm. 

Cleaning: Tea tree (melaleuca) and lemon have natural antiseptic properties. You can make your own simple DIY cleaning products that not only smell clean but are safer alternatives to most store-bought cleaners and just as effective.

Mood Booster: Lavender, peppermint and lemon. Lavender is proven to have a calming effect, peppermint is known to wake people up, and lemon adds a great energy zing. Essential oils directly affect our limbic system (aka our mood and emotion center), so when we smell certain oils they have a direct ability to boost our mood and/or memory (like when you smell a certain scent and it triggers a memory). Amazing, right?! 

Motivation: (exclusive to doTERRA). LOVE this blend! I put it in the diffuser when I need a little kick in the arse to get stuff done, or I douse myself in it before yoga to get me in the ‘zone’ (and motivate me to actually GO to yoga). People in class always ask what I’m wearing and want to use some themselves. 

There are so many oil companies, I don’t know where to start. What should I look for in an essential oil company?

There are a ton of essential oil companies out there, but unfortunately not all companies are reputable. Very few companies sell pure aromatherapy grade oils, and an estimated 75% of oils on the market are either adulterated or diluted with synthetic fillers. 

I researched companies before getting started and use doTERRA because they source their oils ethically from over 40 countries in the plants indigenous environment (ex: they source lavender from France, where it is indigenous vs other companies who may source their lavender from any random lavender field in the middle of nowhere), they do rigorous third-party testing, their oils are unaltered, and they have a health care initiative which collaborates with health care facilities to incorporate essential oil use into mainstream medicine! In fact, more hospitals are now using essential oils as adjunct therapy/treatment for patients. 

Essential oils can be inhaled, used topically, and some of them can be ingested with proper and safe technique. It’s important to learn how to use them properly (as with any medication) for safety and maximum efficacy, but don’t fear their use—they are very safe when used correctly. 

Which oils do I need to make sure I’m careful with around Eloise? 

Not all oils can be used around infants and children, so do your research. That’s why it’s great to be my client, because I can educate you on the proper usage. Certain oils like eucalyptus and rosemary should be diluted and/or avoided in direct contact with young children because of their immature respiratory systems. 

That said, there are a ton of oils that are safe to use on and around kids. 

Here are the references that I use:

-The Healing Power of Essential Oils, by Eric Zielinski, D.C. 

-Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals, by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young

-Smart Mom’s Guide to Essential Oils, by Dr. Mariza Snyder

Anything else we should know about essential oils? 

It’s important to remember that we are all different and our bodies are different—what works for one person, might have a different effect on another person. Just like with anything in life, it’s important to keep in mind we all have different biological makeups and to find what works for you by trial and error. Do you! 

Thank you so much for all of this amazing information! If any of my followers or readers have questions, how can they get in contact with you?

I’d love to answer your questions and give you personalized suggestions. You can DM me on Instagram @whatthetrish or email me at whatthetrish@gmail.com. Also subscribe to my blog at whatthetrish.com for more tips on essential oils and everything health/wellness. I am on a mission to blend health and humor to make your health journey fun and manageable so I hope to hear from you!

How helpful are these questions & answers!? Trish has taught me so much about essential oils and I can truly say that I’m loving them in our home!

Trish is hosting a giveaway over on her Instagram this week so make sure you head there, give her a follow and keep an eye out for a fun giveaway! There are going to be FOUR winners!

If you’ve been wanting to learn more or want to get started using essential oils, today is the last day of an amazing online deal where any new customer who purchases $100 in oils will get $50 back towards future oils. And anyone who buys any starter kit (which is what is pictured in this post – comes with a diffuser too!) will receive $100 back towards future oils—free oils?! You know I love a good deal and this one is too good to pass up if you are interested in getting started with essential oils.

Hoping you guys all loved this lifestyle post….what oil combinations are your favorites? Let me know in the comments below! I want to try them out!