I was recently invited to attend a workshop on essential oils (hosted by doTERRA), along with Baby Barangay moms Cat Juan-Ledesma, Bianca Santiago-Reinoso and Patty Laurel-Filart. All I can say is WOW, I had no idea how amazing essential oils are and how many health benefits they deliver when used correctly.

Before this, my knowledge of essential oils was limited to aromatherapy via room scents (using burners or air purifiers). I did not know essential oils can be used for a wide range of emotional and physical wellness applications (as single essential oils or in complex essential oil blends depending on the user) that include aromatic, topical and internal methods. These can actually be used as a natural alternative to traditional medicine and have proven to elicit powerful physiologic, mental, and emotional responses.

Admittedly, this was all hard to believe at first. Until I tried it at home and saw for myself how effective they are. Now, I don’t think I can live without it and I am ready to try other essential oils to treat common ailments.

The best example I can think of is how effective lavender essential oil has been for putting my son Tristan to sleep. So okay, one thing about my son is that he likes to sleep late. He is usually most active at night, and my husband and I have tried so many things to change this, including waking him up in the morning, changing his nap time, and tiring him out so he is asleep by 10pm. Nothing has worked (our little guy fights sleep no matter how tried he is) and just when we were ready to give up, we tried using lavender essential oil. We applied it on Tristan’s neck and feet, and it worked like magic. Seriously, all we needed was a drop and he went straight to bed.

Now, I need to make it clear that the lavender I used is a therapeutic-grade essential oil from doTERRA. The US-based company has been selling essential oils since 2008 and is one of the first to standardize only the highest quality essential oils from around the world as Certified Therapeutic Grade (CPTG). I need to clarify this because before the workshop I though all essential oils are pretty much the same thing. They are not. The efficacy will depend on how potent the essential oil is and of course, how trustworthy the brand is.

I am definitely no expert here (there is still so much for me to learn), but I feel like this is too good not to share. So, here’s what I learned from this amazing workshop by doTERRA–scroll down to read all about the health benefits of essential oils.

1.) Essential oils are quickly absorbed by the smell receptors, which have a direct link to the limbic system by way of the olfactory nerve.

The limbic system is part of the brain that supports a variety of functions including smell, emotions, behavior, and memory. For this reason, essential oils have an especially powerful effect thru aromatic application.

2.) You can achieve the same health benefits by simply placing a few drops of essential oil in the palm of your hand that is then cupped around the nose as you breathe deeply.

Other ways to use essential oils is by applying oil to a cotton ball and placing it in the air vents of your vehicle, mixing oils in a spray bottle with water and misting over furniture, carpet or linens, adding oil to a batch of laundry or to dryer sheets, and using it in household surface cleaners.

3.) Another effective method for applying essential oils is by topical application.

Because essential oils have low molecular weight and are lipid soluble, they easily penetrate the skin. Once absorbed, they stay in the applied area for a localized benefit.

4.) Although essential oils are readily absorbed, there are many ways to increase absorption.

Using a light massage with increase blood flow to the area of application, in turn improving distribution throughout the body. Use of a carrier oil (such as Fractionated Coconut Oil) can also increase absorption, especially in skin that is dry or flaky as it helps moisturize the skin and slow evaporation of the oil.

5.) It’s always advisable to use several small doses throughout the day rather than a single large dose.

Start with the lowest possible dose (1–2 drops). A topical dose can be repeated every 4–6 hours as needed. Because every individual is unique, the dose will vary for each individual based on size, age, and overall health status. Other effective methods of topical application include adding a few drops of oil to a warm bath, making a hot or cold compress by soaking a tower or cloth in water, adding essential oils, and then applying to the desired area, and adding oil to a moisturizer and then applying to skin.

6.) Essential oil contributes many health benefits as well as flavoring and aroma properties to foods.

When in their concentrated form, essential oils can be used as dietary supplements for more targeted and potent health benefits. Internal use is a very safe and effective method of application because of the sophisticated physiologic processes of our bodies.

7.) When ingested, essential oils directly enter the blood stream via the gastrointestinal tract, where they are transported throughout the rest of the body.

Essential oils are lipid soluble so they are readily transported to all organs of the body, including the brain. Then, like all things we consume, essential oils are metabolized by the liver and other organs and are then excreted. You actually use oils in recipes for cooking and baking to replace fresh or dried herbs and spices (it is best to start with a very small amount—a tip is to use the end of a clean toothpick into the oil and then add to the food rather than using a dropper), add essentials oils to water, smoothies, milk, tea, etc.

To know more about doTERRA essential oils, click on to www.doterra.com and follow @doterraTHERAPY on Instagram.