For the past year I’ve seen so many people talking about essential oils. I’ve seen them in recipes, homemade skin care products, homemade cleaning products, homemade bug replant, homemade toothpaste, etc. I debated back and forth on whether to order some essential oils so I ended up looking at Whole Foods to see the options. I was surprised to see that so many of them said “not for ingestion.” How are people using them in recipes? Why would I want to put something on my skin that I shouldn’t eat? After all, my goal has been to go toward I more natural skin and beauty routine. It’s a work in progress and definitely won’t change overnight, but I didn’t want to try something new and start off on the wrong foot. And then I learned that the quality of the essential oils you use it so important.
When a lot of my friends started talking about how they were using the Young Living Premium Starter Kit (check it out here) and all the uses the oils have, I decided to become a Wholesale Member (it’s like a Costco membership…you get 24% off of essential oils) and ordered a Premium Starter Kit. For about a month I used the oils for things like digestion, sleep, cleaning, etc. with great results. I was learning little by little how to use essential oils and all the different uses they have, but I had a trip overseas for work coming up and I wasn’t sure if they were going to make the trip with me. I mean taking liquids on the plane can be a pain sometimes and I didn’t want them in my checked bag for fear that they would leak, but the thought of having essentially a home remedy kit at my disposal was very comforting so I decided to bring them with me on my trip. Boy am I glad I did! I placed the oils in a quart sized bag and easily got them through security with no issues. I also used them EVERY SINGLE DAY for relief from various travel issues. Below I talk about all the different ways I personally used the Young Living Premium Starter Kit (plus two additional oils I ordered: DiGize and Copaiba) while traveling overseas for two weeks. But first I want to mention the three ways to use/apply young living essential oils for general use.
How To Use Essential Oils
- Aromatic. Aromatic is the process of breathing in the essential oil. This can be done by using an essential oil diffuser, inhaling directly from the bottle or by adding a few drops to hands and cupping over nose and mouth.
- Topical. Topical application is the process of applying essential oil directly to the area of concern along with the ears, hands and feet. Some oils can be applied directly and others need to be diluted with a carrier oil. Oils can also be added to bathwater or in a warm compress.
- Internal. Internal use can be done by adding essential oil to a liquid and drinking or adding to a capsule and swallowing.
This applies to Young Living 100% pure, therapeutic-grade essential oil ONLY! I cannot speak for any other brand of essential oils.
Click Here to Pin This Post!
How I Used Essential Oils for Travel
- Digestion: Traveling to another country or just traveling in general can usually mean a change in your normal eating patterns and *gasp* even some indulgences. While traveling I mixed a couple of drops each of Peppermint Essential Oil (in the Premium Starter Kit), DiGize Essential Oil Blend (a blend of Tarragon, Ginger, Peppermint, Juniper, Fennel, Lemongrass, Anise, and Patchouli used for digestive problems), and Copiaba Essential Oil with a dime sized chunk of coconut oil and rubbed it on my stomach before bed. Most of the time I woke up with no bloating or digestive issues. If I had any extra bloating or digestive issues in the morning or throughout the day I would rub the same mixture on the bottoms of my feet.
- Sore Legs and Feet: Being in a new country I was excited to do some sightseeing, but being on my feet and walking around all day usually meant my legs and feet were pretty sore by the end of the night. Before bed I’d rub a few drops each of Pan Away Essential Oil (in the Premium Starter Kit) and some Copiaba on my legs and the same on my feet. By the morning I had no trace of soreness!
- Back Discomfort: Not too long ago I hurt my back and even spent about 3 days not even being able to move around much because of all the pain. I ended up going to a chiropractor which helped so much to reduce my back discomfort, but I was VERY nervous about being on an extended flight overseas and flaring up my old back discomfort. I had heard the Valor Essential Oil Blend would be helpful while I was away, so anytime I felt back discomfort coming on I rubbed a couple of drops of Valor Essential Oil Blend (in the Premium Starter Kit) on that area and within 5-10 minutes the discomfort went away or was at least reduced…..it definitely didn’t get any worse! What a relief!
- Anxiousness and Nervousness: Ok, I admit it…..I’m a worry wort. Doing new things or going to new places makes me worry and even gives me a bit of anxiety. I remember sitting in my living room a few days before traveling and I had this knot in my stomach from worrying so much. I had heard that Valor Essential Oil (in the Premium Starter Kit) and Stress Away Essential Oil Blend (also in the Premium Starter Kit) were great for reducing anxiety and stress. I started with the Valor and placed a few drops in the palms of my hands, cupped my hands over my nose and mouth, and inhaled directly. With in seconds I felt this almost instant relief as I exhaled. I admit, I was pretty shocked I felt so calm almost instantly. Throughout my traveling, I placed a few drops of Valor and Stress Away in the palms of my hand and breathed in the smell any time I felt any stress or anxiety coming on. It definitely helped keep calm and collected while traveling.
- Bug Bites: During my trip, I some how ended up with bug bites on my lower legs and ankles. I ended up using a couple of drops each of Purification Essential Oil Blend and Lavender Essential Oil (both in the Premium Starter Kit) on the bug bites. This combo also worked great as a bug replant for the rest of my trip.
- Chaffing: After walking around all day I sometimes ended up with some chaffing from my clothes. Before bed, I rubbed a couple of drops each of Lavender (in the Premium Starter Kit) and Copaiba Essential Oils on the affected area. By morning the redness and discomfort was almost completely gone. I reapplied the Lavender and the Copaiaba while getting ready for the day and I had no more issues with chaffing.
- Blisters: Walking around in one pair of shoes that I brought gave me a lovely blister on my toe. I applied one drop each of Lavender and Purification Essential Oils (both in the Premium Starter Kit) to the blister and by morning there was no discomfort and the blister had reduced in size. I reapplied the Lavender and Purification combo everyday until the blister was gone (it took about 3 days to go away completely).
- Tensions: Occasionally I would have some body tension from everyday movements so I would take a dime size chunk of coconut oil in the palm of my hand, add two drops of Peppermint Essential Oil (in the Premium Starter Kit), and mixed together with my fingers. I applied the mixture to each of my temples and the back of my neck. Within a couple of minutes I had no trace of discomfort!
- Throat Tickle: One morning I woke up with a bit of a tickle in my throat. Hoping to boost my immunity, I added 1 drop of Thieves Essential Oil Blend (in the Premium Starter Kit) to a little bit of water and gargled the mixture for about 30 seconds. By midmorning by the throat tickle had gone away and I was able to continue to enjoy my trip.
- Jet Lag and Sleep: Wow, jet lag is the worst when you’re traveling to a totally different time zone. In the mornings if I was feeling sleepy I’d place a couple of drops of Peppermint Essential Oil (in the Premium Starter Kit) in the palm of my hands, cup my hands over my nose and mouth, and then I’d inhale directly. This would give me a boost and help me feel more alert. At night, when I’d have trouble falling asleep I’d place 2 drops each of Lavender and Peace and Calming (both in the Premium Starter Kit) in the palm of my hand and mix together a dime size chunk of coconut oil with my fingers. I’d rub this mixture on the bottoms of my feet to help me sleep. I’d also place a couple of drops of Lavender onto a cloth and place it under my pillow case to help get a restful nights sleep.
So basically I felt like I had a little first aid kit to help with anything that ailed me. I didn’t have to pop any pills and it was easy to apply the oils either before I went to bed or in the morning when starting my day.
Bonus Tip
Sunburn: This is a bonus tip since I haven’t actually tried it personally. But this weekend I’m heading out on the 2014 Low Carb Cruise so if I get any sunburn I’m going to mix together some coconut oil with a few drops of Lavender Essential Oil (in the Premium Starter Kit)) to the sunburn. I’ll keep you posted on how it works if I have to use it.
Ready to Give Essential Oils a Try?
If you’re ready to learn about Young Living Essential Oils with me then considered becoming a Wholesale Member (it’s like a Costco membership…you get 24% off of essential oils) and getting a Premium Starter Kit. I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience so far and I can’t wait to learn more ways to use these essential oils!
Join us in my Essential Oils Facebook Group to learn great ways to use the oils from the Premium Starter Kit and more!
~Karen
*Note: Not intended for medical advice. Always consult a doctor before making changes.
Click +1 Below:
