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Oils on a Budget: Image
Let's talk about using EOs on a budget. I was really nervous to fall in love with oils because I didn’t know how I was going to afford them. This whole class is dedicated to making your oils go through the extra mile through some cost effective tips and tricks! And for the record, knowing what I do now, I would choose to give up so many other things in my budget for oils if I had to because the value they bring to my life is immeasurable.
Oils on a Budget: Text
Oils on a Budget: Image
Why are some of Young Living’s oils so expensive? I believe it boils down to a promise Gary Young made: the products Young Living makes will always be for a purpose, not a profit. That promise has transformed into the Seed to Seal process, and it’s a promise of integrity. Seed to Seal means each plant is hand-weeded, there are no pesticides used, no chemicals, and no weed killers. The plants are harvested at their peak. They’re then put through a rigorous testing process. Then they go from the farm directly to your home. Seed to Seal is not a slogan, it’s a promise for purity. You can learn more by checking out the Young Living story, and fall in love with the company as I have, at www.seedtoseal.com
It takes a whole lot of work to produce a tiny amount of essential oil! It takes 60,000 rose blossoms to provide only 1 ounce of rose oil, and roses are temperamental to grow so of course, it’s an expensive bottle of essential oil.
Lavender on the other hand is easier to grow and is abundant so it’s not as expensive as Rose. 220 pounds of Lavender will provide 7 pounds of oil.
Jasmine flowers must be picked by hand before the sun becomes hot on the very first day they open, thus making it one of the most expensive oils in the world! It takes 8,000,000 hand-picked blossoms to produce 2.2 pounds of oil.
A Sandalwood tree must be 30 years old and 30 feet high before it can be cut down for distillation.
And because of Young Living’s promise for sustainability, they are constantly planting and ethically sourcing more trees. You’ll find that some oils often go out of stock and that’s because Young Living would rather lose profits than damage ecosystems or provide inferior quality in their oils.
So why are some companies able to sell their oils cheaper? To save them money. If you spray your crop with pesticides, you have more crops to distill. If you use a chemical solvent to extract the oil, you pull more out. If you dilute it with a cheaper oil or a carrier oil, you stretch the oil you have distilled. Most essential oils are sold more cheaply because companies cut corners. And their bottles end up with that extra “cost saving” junk in them too, not just the essential oils you think you’re purchasing from that “pure therapeutic grade” essential oil at the grocery store.
Unlike some of the other brands that are already diluted with pesticides, chemical solvents, or carrier oils, with Young Living Essential Oils a little goes a long way. Most oils are $10 to $30 a bottle. A 5 ml bottle contains about 90 drops, and a 15 ml bottle contains about 250 drops. Each application is one to three drops, meaning even a small bottle will get you 45-90 applications. Considering all that, I think these little bottles are a great value.
Oils on a Budget: Text
Oils on a Budget: Image
Diffuse! One of the easiest and most cost effective ways to use essential oils is aromatically. You can literally just open and sniff it straight out of the bottle, we like to call that “huffing” our oils. Their aromas are 100 - 10,000 times more concentrated and more potent than the solid form of a plant. You can also diffuse them, which disperses their aroma into the air along with water via a small appliance called a diffuser (such a clever name, I know!) One is included in your starter kit with Young Living so you can get started diffusing right away.
I know you’re probably thinking: but what does smelling them really do for you? I’ve got tons of wonderfully smelling candles that make my house smell great, why do I need a diffuser?
We’ll get to the candle part next because the benefits of inhaling essential oils go way beyond just smelling nice. It only takes about 22 seconds for the inhaled oil to reach our limbic system and have the unique ability to bypass the blood-brain barrier. When they are inhaled, they enter the olfactory system and amygdala which is the center for mood and emotional responses. Inhaling essential oils is the most effective method for impacting the brain, and can be super helpful when overcoming past experiences, helping you reach both your emotional and physical goals.
Simply diffusing 4-5 drops along with some water in your diffuser can fill a room and benefit the whole family, while leaving your house smelling great too. I use our diffusers for waking us up and getting us energized and ready for the day, as well as helping us relax and unwind at night. I will also use them to help keep us above the wellness line at home and when we travel, and to help us recover faster when we fall below the wellness line.
Oils on a Budget: Text
Oils on a Budget: Image
The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health studied 2983 ingredients in our products at home - and found 884 toxic ingredients.
314 of them caused biological mutations.
218 caused reproductive problems.
778 were toxic to the human body.
146 they knew caused cancer tumors - but were allowed in the United States, even though they were banned in other countries around the world.
Many of these chemicals are allowed in common cleaning products - things in your cabinets right now.
Some of the items from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s "Top 10 Killer Household Chemical Study” include:
+ air fresheners like plug-ins and candles.
+ cleaning supplies like drain and oven cleaner, furniture polish, dishwasher soap, and dish soap.
+ beauty supplies and personal care products like hairspray, gel, shampoo, and deodorant.
+ laundry soap and fabric softener.
I use to love candles. For me, what I learned about candles led me to removing all of them (and my wall plug-ins) from my home. I used to suffer from chronic migraines. Finding more out about fragrance and the ingredients in candles and other products I was using led me to ditch them for cleaner products and cleaning up my act means I don’t deal with that on a daily basis anymore.
Knowledge is certainly a side effect of diving into the world of essential oils. Reading more labels and learning about what’s in your house can lead to life changes.
Although it broke my heart to get rid of all those beautifully smelling candles, I’ve realized just how much I didn’t want to be breathing in all of those toxic ingredients.
I missed the ambiance that candles provide, so, I invested in the Desert Mist Diffuser (which wasn’t an option in the PSK when I became a member) and the Lantern Diffuser. They have that candle flicker I was looking for.
Next, I’m going to look into finding or making quality beeswax candles with my oils because they can effectively reduce allergies, asthma, and hay fever by releasing negative ions into the air.
Oils on a Budget: Text
Oils on a Budget: Image
In case you’re feeling a little stuck on what to try in your diffuser, here are 8 blends using mostly the starter kit oils that you should already have
If you want to hold onto the last days of summer, and since we’re not using those wonderfully smelling but horribly toxic candles anymore, here are some of my favorite diffuser blends:
Lemonade Stand - 4 Lemon, 1 Basil, 1 Spearmint
Easy Breezy - 3 Stress Away, 2 Grapefruit, 2 Peace + Calming
Lake House - 3 Pine, 3 Peppermint, 2 Lavender
Bonus Tip: Reuse an empty oil bottle, or purchase a dropper bottle, add the oils of your favorite blend to the empty bottle (or dropper bottle) so you can keep that beside your diffuser and use often rather than opening all the different bottles each time.
Oils on a Budget: Text
Oils on a Budget: Image
Roll out! I’ve mentioned that essential oils are good for so much more than just smelling good. There are actual health benefits to using them - sometimes those are physical, sometimes they improve our mental, emotional, or spiritual health.
These are some of my go-to roller bottles I keep on hand for everyday life. To make them, add the mentioned oils and the number of drops listed to a 10ml roller bottle then fill with a carrier oil. Most of these have the starter kit oils as a base, then I’ve added additional oils as I’ve either ordered them for free using points from Essential Rewards (more about that later), or I’ve gotten them for free because of the Essential Rewards monthly promos. Now those free oils have become some standards in my “wellness toolbox” too.
BooBoo Stick is a great one, especially for moms, to keep handy for life’s scrapes. Just apply it right onto the BooBoo.
Witch Stick is for that “fun time” of the month when you’re not so fun to be around. I apply it to my lower back, abdomen, and my right ankle (look up Vita Flex Points for more info about why.)
Tummy Wand is like magic! The DiGize in this blend can work on any digestive issue, but I’m not a fan of the smell so I like to add Lemon and Peppermint - which also aid in digestion. You can apply this right on your tummy for relief in minutes.
Get-R-Done roller bottle is in my desk drawer for those times when I need to sit down, focus, and crank out a lot of creative work for my business. I put this on my temples, wrists, and back of my neck. And sometimes, if I really need to focus, I’ll put it on my big toe which is tied to the brain (again you’ve gotta check out those Vita Flex Points).
Kiddo Calmer is one I use on my 3 year old nephew to help him slow down a bit. He has two speeds: full blast and off. I’ll swipe this on the back of his neck, or if I can get him to hold still for a second I’ll roll it up her spine.
Love Potion #9 is for some adult fun in the bedroom. You can apply this to your inner thighs, up to your panty line (and above if you’re brave). If you haven’t yet heard of Lucy Libido you’ve got to check her out on Facebook for some more oily tips for the bedroom.
Happy Mama does just what it says, helps boost your mood and takes some of that stress away. You can apply this pretty much anywhere, wrists are generally my go to.
Pollen Punch is for those wonderful changes in seasons when everything gets stuffy or runny.
Head Trouble is one that I don’t use as often as I use to, now that I’ve gotten more and more toxic chemicals out of my house, but it’s one I still like to keep on hand. You can apply it to your temples, back of your neck, or swipe it across your forehead. But you can also use this roller for muscle discomfort.
Oils on a Budget: Text
Oils on a Budget: Image
I love how multi-dimensional our products are. A nontoxic option to soften towels, yall.
White Vinegar works great for a chemical free softener for my clothes but my towels were kinda crunchy. Thieves fruit & veggie cleaner just made my life so much easier...as a fabric softener for towels no less. So, so impressed!
Years ago my good friend was diagnosed with cancer. The first 2 questions her Oncologist asked her were “do you use fabric softener” and “do you burn candles?”
Both introduce a heavy any carcinogenic chemical load onto the body as you wear and breathe those chemicals which can lead to cancer. She immediately stopped using both and found healthy alternatives.
1. White vinegar is a great fabric softener (and the smell dissipates quickly) (and now Thieves fruit and veggie cleaner!!)
2. a diffuser to disperse healthy quality essential oils in and battery operated candles in place of toxic fragrance filled candles.
Use a capful and then add water to the fabric softener dispenser. Done.
Oils on a Budget: Text
Oils on a Budget: Image
Do you know what’s in most of those foaming hand soaps or convenient anti-bacterial hand sanitizers?
Full of chemicals that are hurting your body.
Can also lead to anti-bacterial resistance.
Potential alcohol poisoning risk for your little ones if they get curious enough to ingest the stuff, just a couple squirts of hand sanitizer could equal a couple of shots of hard liquor. Many of these products are scented to smell like food. If it smells like you could eat it....
Triclosan (the form of alcohol found in most) is a known hormone disruptor.
Can actually weaken your immune system.
If it’s scented it’s full of other toxic chemicals the company doesn’t have to list out, including phthalates which are endocrine disruptors and can alter genital development.
We don’t do a lot of DIY’s of the products YL already makes because we like to leave the formulates stuff up to the pros!! But these two recipes are cheap, natural, easy to make, and just as effective.
Oils on a Budget: Text
Oils on a Budget: Image
Besides candles and the laundry room, one of the next big toxic places in a home is the room sprays and wall plug-ins. Even if you’re not a DIY kinda gal, this one is super easy and quick. So toss out all those sprays and start making your own. All you need is a spray bottle (I purchased 4oz glass ones on Amazon for cheap), your favorite essential oils, either witch hazel or vodka, and some water.
Then add 8-15 drops of your favorite oils in any combination you’d like to the spray bottle, add a splash of witch hazel or vodka (about a teaspoon), then fill with water. Done.
Here is one of my favorite room and linen spray blends:
3 drops Lavender
3 drops Lemon
3 drops Peppermint
3 drops Tea Tree
3 drops Eucalyptus
***This one is great to add to a small travel bottle and take with you to hotels to avoid bringing home any friends. It smells amazing, too!
Oils on a Budget: Text
Oils on a Budget: Image
It is said that you either pay the farmer now or the doctor later.
One amazing money saving benefit to using essential oils and taking ownership of your health is you may end up not going to the doctors as often. Not paying for as many office visits can save you a lot of money. We looked at our medical bills and insurance information about a year or so after I got my starter kit and were surprised to find that we’d been to the doctors about 75% less than the year before. That was a huge savings, and well worth the investment of the $165 starter kit.
I’ve been able to take more ownership of my health, and my family’s, so instead of running to the doctor for things, I’ve learned how to use my “wellness toolbox.” I am not a professional and I know my limits, but now I have resources and connections with doctors and nurses who also use essential oils. I’m able to gather information and seek options before deciding if we really need to head to the doctor. It’s so empowering to be able to handle some things on my own, and know the ones I need to seek further professional help.
Through learning more and taking more ownership, I’ve also realized some of the damage caused by store bought products. So I’ve slowly been taking action to remove those items from our home, and replacing them with more natural options. Sometimes those are replaced with products I’ve purchased through Young Living, like their Thieves Household Cleaner. And other times there is a little bit of a DIY, like my favorite dusting spray:
Sweet Mother of Wood Dusting Spray: in a 4 oz spray bottle add 2 capfuls of Thieves Household Cleaner, 6 drops Orange Essential Oil, then fill with Sweet Almond Oil. Shake and spray a little on any wood surface for a clean, nourishing shine.
Oils on a Budget: Text
Oils on a Budget: Image
I hope you enjoyed this quick class and learned a few tips on how you can use essential oils and still stick to your budget. One thing I forgot to mention, that is not just a budget saver, but a budget booster, is your referral link!
Don’t forget to use your referral link when you’re talking with your friends and family about these little changes you’re making. You want them to get healthy too, so you can enjoy spending time with them for many more years to come, right? So why wouldn’t you share with them this great value you’ve found through essential oils. And when you do, Young Living will send you a check each time your link is used! How’s that for money saving??
Oils on a Budget: Text
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