As a first time mama, I first started hearing about how #essentialoils could be used to boost immunity, combat the sniffles, and help my baby sleep.
One blend in particular- came up again and again. #Thieves
So I looked it up, and I was pretty impressed with it's track record.
The story of Thieves' inception goes back to Black Plague ridden France; when a band of thieves robbing from the dead and dying- but miraculously managing to stay healthy themselves- were finally caught.
The king of France at the time offered to commute their sentence if they shared their secret for staying healthy. They revealed a combination of herbs and spices, which is the basis for the Thieves blend today.
Thieves in and of itself has been subjected to any number of studies and lab tests, and it holds up pretty well in these. When diffused, used topically, and even ingested it's been proven to obliterate all kinds of icky germs, and boost our immune system. This study is particularly thorough.
Sounds good, right? But then this #frugalmama looked up purchasing a bottle, and I couldn't swallow or justify the retail expense of one bottle. Yikes!
So I decided I would create my own blend, purchasing the single oils contained within the blend from other oil companies. I might spend a little more, but I would have so much more oil! Right?! Ehhhh, not exactly as it turns out.
Oils are not created equal. #yougetwhatyoupayfor
This is something that I didn't realize for another year or two at the time, but which I wish I had known then.
For a company to call a bottle of essential oil #pure it only needs to contain 5% actual essential oil in it by law.
The other 95% of the bottle can be filled up with all kinds of things ranging from relatively harmless carrier oils, to not so harmless solvents like hexane, synthetic oils, alcohol and worse.
There are multiple reasons why this is a problem.
To begin with- something diluted 95% is NOT going to perform like it's 100% pure counterpart. If you're getting a great deal on your oil- it's probably because you're barely getting any actual essential oil out of it. #opps
Then there's the fact that synthetic oils carry zero therapeutic properties. If you're purchasing cinnamon bark to boost your immune system, or lavender to relax you, and it's synthetic- it's not going to work. It's that simple. You get pretty scent- and that's about it.
I won't even address the health risks involved in synthetic scents, that's a blog for another day. Suffice it to say- they are numerous, scary and TONS of studies have been done about it. #knowledgeispower
Typically, when someone becomes interested in using oils it's because they are looking for a more holistic, natural approach to health.
It doesn't mean that they are against western medicine- we certainly aren't!
But we know that herbs, spices and plants carry all kinds of amazing benefits, and it would be silly not to reap those benefits wherever possible.
When you begin researching oils, cutting corners on cost doesn't do your family any favors. It negates the purpose of looking for a healthier approach.
When you use therapeutic grade oils you only need a few drops to reap the benefits.
A 15ml bottle contains between 250-300 drops on average (depending on viscosity), so a single bottle can last you months, or even years! Now that's what I call #bangforyourbuck
If an oil is truly pure, and it is derived from a plant that is safe to eat- like lemon- then that oil should be indigestible. According to the French method of aromatherapy it should be a safe addition to food, drinks, capsules and more. If it isn't- then it's not the real thing. #thatsimple
Spoiler alert: there is only ONE company that has currently been approved by the FDA for ingest-able labeling.
Interested in learning more? Drop me a line.
Oils have become a passion of mine, to say the least!
If you're ready to take the plunge into therapeutic grade oils, you can purchase what I use on my babies here.
There are retail and wholesale options (wholesale does NOT require that you work as a distributor) and there are NO monthly minimums unless you choose to participate in an auto-ship program.
