Getting Started with Essential Oils

Essential oils can also be applied to the skin. This is known as topical application. To demonstrate how quickly the body metabolizes essential oils, we’ll review a study conducted with Lavender essential oil. The study tested for linalool and linalyl acetate (the two major constituents of Lavender essential oil) in the blood following a gentle abdominal massage with a 2 percent Lavender/98 percent peanut oil blend. Amounts of both constituents were identified 15 minutes after the beginning of the massage, with the peak occurring at around 30 minutes. The study also calculated the half-life of the constituents: 13.76 minutes for linalool and 14.3 minutes for linalyl acetate.

In some of Young Living's global markets, our Vitality™ and Plus essential oil lines* are labeled and intended for internal use. They can be used in cooking, to flavour your favourite beverages, or even to take internally as supplements.

The rich, bright aromas of essential oils can add a delicious kick of flavour to your favourite recipes. Try adding a drop or two of Lime Vitality or Plus to [ES1] fresh salsa or to your favourite marinade. You might also add Lemon Vitality or Plus to grilled fish, Peppermint Vitality or Plus to hot cocoa, or Basil and Oregano Vitality or Plus to homemade pasta sauce. Get creative and enjoy all the culinary possibilities of essential oils.

Remember, essential oils are potent. When cooking, one drop goes a long way!

If you add oils to a drink, make sure to use a glass or stainless-steel bottle because oils will degrade plastic. Use caution when using essential oils on any soft, plastic surface.

While not all markets have oils labeled and intended for internal use, rest assured that regardless of the label color or language, all Young Living products are produced to the same stringent Seed to Seal® quality commitment.

*We encourage consumers to always check product labels for appropriate use in their market. See your local product guide for products available for purchase in your market.

[ES1]Glad we have both Vitality and Plus here. Unfortunately (unless something has changed) we need to identify every single EO suggested for internal use as Vitality or Plus. That would get pretty unwieldy of course, so when you run this through reg, please get their recommendations on how to streamline that verbiage.

Cold pressing is how we extract citrus essential oils such as Lemon, Grapefruit, Lime, Orange, and Tangerine. Historically, cold pressing was done by hand. People would press down with their bare hands on presoaked citrus rinds until a mixture of water and oil was obtained. Thankfully, a more modern method of extraction (and a less labor-intensive one!) allows us to obtain our beloved citrus oils.

During cold pressing, the rind of the citrus fruit is placed in a container with spikes that puncture the peels while the device rotates. Puncturing the rinds allows the release of essential oil, which is then collected and separated from the natural juices. The rind of the fruit is pressed, and the essential oil is separated from the fruit.

We use this process to obtain citrus oils because using other methods can break down and damage the delicate citral molecules. Steam-distilled citrus oils may have a bitter aroma because the heat breaks down these molecules.

This method is used to extract oils such as Frankincense, Myrrh, and Copaiba. This is accomplished by scraping the external plant source. Over time, the tree produces a sap-like substance to heal the wound. The sap hardens into a resin that is then collected and taken for distilling. If done properly, tapping trees causes no harm to the plant, and with our Seed to Seal® quality commitment, we comply with the most responsible and scalable sourcing practices available.