3 Essential Oils for the Self-Care Mom

3 Essential oils for the self-care mom

My top three favorite essential oils and how I use them!

How I use essential oils for self-care

Unless you live under a rock, you know someone who uses essential oils. I heard about essential oils for years before I actually began using them. Before learning about essential oils, I used coffee for concentration, wine for relaxation and ibuprofen for headaches and muscle aches. I also used store bought chemical-laden products throughout the home (will write another blog post about non-toxic cleaning products with essential oils) for laundry, dishes and other cleaning tasks without knowing there are alternatives.

Now that I’ve incorporate essential oils into every corner of my life, me and my family’s health and well-being has improved significantly. I still love my coffee but limit myself to no more than 1 cup a day and have alternate ways to focus and relax as needed. I no longer spend money on expensive skincare products and make my own DIY face and body oils instead.

Essential oils are a valuable tool for anyone, especially busy mothers who are seeking ways to take care of herself and her family. Essential oils provide emotional, immune and spiritual support as well as provide non-toxic and holistic ways to perform daily tasks like cleaning, dishes and laundry.

These are some of my favorite self-care essential oils and how I use them on a daily basis.

How and why do essential oils work?

Essential oils are the most powerful part of the plant. They are distilled from shrubs, flowers, trees, roots, bushes, fruit, rinds, resins, and herbs.

In humans, they provide support for every system in the body;  your skeletal system, your muscular system, circulatory system, endocrine system and your hormones, respiratory system, and immune system.  They support brain health and healthy weight. They are used extensively for emotions and for spiritual support in your prayer life. Diffusing oils can soothe a child’s tough day at school and provide relaxation and calm after you’ve had a stressful day at work. Essential oils can also be used as an alternative to toxic cleaning chemicals in the home. 

The molecules from essential oils go straight to the limbic center of our brain (where our emotions are stored) and can directly impact our emotions and thoughts.

1) Peppermint

I use peppermint oil almost everyday. My favorite ways to use peppermint oil is to diffuse about 5-7 drops in a diffuser by my desk as I begin my workday answering emails, writing blog posts or reading contracts. Sometimes I mix peppermint oil with other oils like lemon or tangerine for that extra uplifting boost.

DIY Muscle and head tension support roller

I also love using peppermint oil as a roller to roll it on my body including neck, shoulders, behind the ears and temples. I find myself reaching for the peppermint oil-based rollers most often for minor aches and tension after sitting in front of my computer for work.

To make your own DIY muscle/head tension oil try the following:

• 10 ml roller bottle
• 10 drops of peppermint oil
• 5 drops of Copaiba oil
• 10 drops of Young Living’s Panaway oil

2) Lavender essential oil

Lavender is a very popular oil that can be used in so many different ways. One of the most commonly enjoyed benefits of lavender essential oil is its’ tension relieving, relaxation-inducing properties. Lavender can act as a natural sedative and can improve feelings of sadness by improving mood and outlook. Lavender’s calming scents can ease the nerves and bring calm to difficult situations and feelings.

One of the most commonly enjoyed benefits of lavender essential oil is its’ tension relieving, relaxation-inducing properties.

I like to use lavender in a roller form with carrier oil such as coconut or jojoba. I have rollers with just lavender oil, and sometimes I mix lavender with other Young Living oils to bring about feelings of calm and peace when I’m anxious, tired or moody.

Lavender oil rollers are great for kids, tweens and teens. I use it regularly on my kids, ages 2 to 13.

These days I use lavender oil regularly on my 13 year old teenage daughter to help her calm down when she is upset. She has her own roller and loves using it for emotional support.

I also love using lavender oil to make my own DIY, chemical-free cleaning products such as carpet freshener and dryer balls. More on DIY cleaning recipes later!

3) Frankincense essential oil

Frankincense oil for spiritual wellness

Frankincense essential oil is a very grounding and stabilizing oil that supports many areas in our lives. I add it to my diffuser whenever I need a lift of energy. Frankincense is a very high frequency oil that supports emotional and spiritual wellness.

Frankincense is the perfect oil for enhancing spiritual practices like meditation and yoga. I diffuse frankincense oil when I’m praying, reading the bible, journaling or meditating for enhanced spiritual awareness. Its calming and grounding effects are unparalleled.

Frankincense oil for anti-aging beauty skincare routine

I also use frankincense oil every night on my skin due to its great anti-aging effects. I no longer use expensive creams after using essential oils and now my skin looks better than ever. Also, I like the fact that I know exactly what’s in my face oils by making my own.

I experiment with different formulations for oils for my face. My recent favorite blend is frankincense, lemongrass and rose essential oils with rose-hip carrier oil.

Frankincense + Epsom Salt bath

Another great way to use frankincense essential oils is by using it in a relaxing epsom salt bath after a long day of work and motherhood. It relieves minor muscle aches and helps me to relax and re-center after a long day at home with the kids.

Simply add the following for a relaxing and therapeutic bath:

•One scoop of Epsom Salts
•5-7 drops of Frankincense oil. You can also use lavender essential oil.

There are so many oils I want to introduce you to but these are my current 3 must have essential oils. If you’re interested in using oils, I highly recommend starting with these three first!

If you’re interested in joining my oils journey, check out this blog post and let me know if you have any question or comments!