What Are Essential Oils and What is The Big Deal?

I’m excited to have Cate Sonnenburg, the most adorable gal out of the Portland area, share a bit over the next few weeks about essential oils. I know, I know. Facebook is dominated by cat videos and essential oil posts, but I’m still totally intrigued (by oils, not cats. I refuse to allow anything that breaths in my home without a corresponding tax credit.). I would love to wean myself off my springtime allergy and asthma drug regimen and let my kids clean the windows with something non-toxic.

I’m assuming there are some of you who are curious like me but are certainly not going to go out and do all the 60 Minutes-style investigative reporting. I honestly don’t have the time or energy to devote to such endeavors (I’m super busy working my way through The Americans and perfecting how to roll my jeans to fit over my boots.). So I asked Cate to help us understand what essential oils are all about and then specific ways we can use them to fix all the world’s problems.

At the end of this post, Cate will share a sweet little deal she has cooked up just for Frugal Living NW readers so make sure you contact her if you want to take the essential oils plunge!

What Are Essential Oils and What is The Big Deal?

Confession: I enjoy modern medicine and am thankful for the resources we have at our fingertips, but I must confess, I’m an oiler. A huge “there’s an oil for that”– use multiple times a day, natural remedy loving, these things have changed my life — oiler.

Essential oils (EO) may seem like a relatively new trend, but they’ve actually been around for thousands of years dating back to Biblical times. Remember the three Wise Men who brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh? Frankincense and myrrh? Totally essential oils.

Essential oils are the aromatic, volatile liquid from plants, extracted by steam distillation, highly concentrated, and can be highly effective. My family frequently uses them to rid headaches, relieve allergies, fall asleep easier, improve quality of sleep (hello, mamas!), help acne, purify the air, ease stress and anxiety, clean our house, in our beauty routines, and so much more. They are toxin-free and, with proper use, are safe for the whole family. Did you know that by applying a drop of EO to your feet, it hits your bloodstream within 30 seconds and every cell in your body within 30 minutes? Absolutely amazing!

Are they more affordable than cleaners, medicine, creams, and all the products you currently use? Yes and no. While they may or may not save you money up front, they are safe, have no toxins, and can help with a number of health related issues which will bring you long-term savings. And with essential oils, a little goes a long way, especially when used in household cleaners.

They have absolutely been worth the investment for my family and have become our household go-to for just about everything. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing specific ways you can use essential oils as a natural remedy and household help and show you how you can use them to also save money. And I promise I’ll make it super easy for you to replicate in your own home.

Here in the Pacific Northwest, there are a number of places you can purchase essential oils, but keep in mind that essential oils tend to be one of those things “you get what you pay for.” You can go to the grocery store and find them in the beauty or health supplement aisle, but they probably won’t be what you expect.

Look for pure, organic, therapeutic grade oils with no expiration date (if its pure, it will not go rancid), no pesticides, additives, fillers, or synthetic scents. I personally recommend Young Living Essential Oils. They own their own farms around the world and have full control over the entire process from plant, seed, and root all the way to the bottle you receive at your doorstep. They use essential oils on their crops and weeding is done by hand, so you can be sure the product you receive is truly first distillation, 100% pure therapeutic grade oil of the best quality.

They also happen to have a killer deal on their premium starter kit which includes eleven oils AND a diffuser.

If you’ve been thinking about trying essential oils, today is the perfect day! We are SO excited for you! As a Frugal Living NW reader, when you purchase the Premium Starter Kit, you will receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card, a Quick Tip Guide to getting started with essential oils, and access to an exclusive Facebook group with information, ideas, and a community of oilers to encourage you and help you get the most use out of your oils.

Ready to get started? Send an email to hello@thelovelyabode.com and mention Frugal Living NW. Cate will get you all the information you need to get started with essential oils. You can read more about Cate’s essential oils here.

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