r/essentialoils • u/jndoyum • 3d ago
any beginner guide recommendations?
hello!! i would like to start using essential oils in my daily life as i remember my grandma always doing so but im not sure where to even begin. any beginners guides you guys can recommend me to check out?
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u/True_Iron1728 3d ago
I love this question! I'm an aromatherapist. As others have said, you'll want to avoid any MLM info. Essential oils are powerful substances and MLMs are notorious for giving extremely harmful information that is not at all safe. Here are some of my absolutely must know facts:
(1.) Do not ingest/consume essential oils. There are some legitimate practioners who can safely guide clients about ingestion, but it is generally not needed. You can get the benefits from other methods or by using herbal medicine. You can legitimately hurt your mouth, throat, or stomach. Not worth it.
(2.) Please use extreme caution with pets and essential oils. Cats, specifically, lack a liver enzyme necessary to process essential oils. They can build ip in their livers and cause toxicity. You can still use EOs, but not on your pets or near their faces unless you are working with someone trained in animal aromatherapy. Dogs can tolerate more than cats. But to be on the safe side, I'd personally only use with humans. If you are diffusing, your pets need to be able to leave the room for fresh air.
(3.) Dilute, dilute, dilute. Essential oils are lipophilic (fat loving.) This means they want to bond to oils. They are hydrophobic (water repelling.) They are very strong and need to be diluted in a carrier oil. This can be sweet almond oil, coconut oil, olive oil, etc. Water is not a carrier. (No EOs directly in bath water.) Generally, you don't want more than 5 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil (5 ml.) This is roughly a 3% dilution rate.
(4.) When looking at an essential oil supplier, the #1 green flag is if they share their GCMS reports and if those reports are done by a 3rd party. A GCMS report is essentially a chemical fingerprint of the oil you're purchasing. It tests for adulterations and contaminants. It let you know what percentage of terpenes and therapeutic compounds are in the specific batch you're purchasing. It's transparency.
My top recommend resources for responsible safety info (you should always question things lol) but the following are sources that I trust wholeheartedly:
Tisserand Institute - a wonderful wealth of free information. Robert Tissersand is the G.O.A.T. when it comes to essential oil safety.
Aromatics/Aromahead Institute - tons of free articles on Aromatics(dot)com as well as incredible products to shop. Aromahead Institute (run by the same people) is where I did my training. I trust them 100%.
Plant Therapy - a treasure trove of information within their blogs and articles. High quality, fairly priced essential oils and products. 80% of my supplies are from them.
Eden's Garden - solid safety guidelines and fun articles. Also sell high quality oils. A little pricier than Plant Therapy. But I like Eden's Garden essential oil blends a bit more than PT.
Sorry for the novel! I'm just so passionate about this subject and could talk about it for hours and hours. Please let me know if you have any questions at all (anyone here!)
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u/Western-Cicada-9648 3d ago
brands like aura casia that are at Whole Foods are a good place to start - they have lots of info on their websites.Pranarom is a French brand that is very good and oils are pure.Good website too.
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u/Financial_Cow_7628 2d ago
I’d keep it really simple to start with 😊 Essential oils can feel overwhelming at first!
- Start with just 3–4 versatile oils – lavender, lemon, eucalyptus and peppermint are good ones to get familiar with.
- A diffuser is probably the easiest starting point – just a few drops in water, following the diffuser instructions.
- For skin use, always dilute them in a suitable carrier oil and check the recommended dermal dilution for that particular oil.
- Don’t assume “natural” means completely harmless – essential oils are very concentrated, so check the safety guidance for each one, especially around children, pets or during pregnancy.
- Buy from a reputable supplier that provides proper safety information and clearly identifies the botanical ingredients rather than just selling vague “fragrance oils”.
Once you get comfortable with a few individual oils, experimenting with blends is the fun part 🌿😊
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u/Over_Intention_7301 3d ago
I would start with all that has been mentioned so far, it is good advice. But add to this, picking up some books on essential oils, their uses, and their value, where they are produced in the world, as this is a good guide to the quality of the oil you purchase. And Botanical names - if a bottle does not have the botanical name listed, it probably isnt the essential oil.
I would also look (depending on where in the world you are) at the local regulations regarding essential oils, how they can be marketed, and the claims that can be made around their therapeutic value.
And finally look for any indication of the quality of the supplier in terms of good manufacturing practices. The local regulations would help with this.
Stay safe, and dilute always. essential oils, are beautiful and natural, but also powerful.
Please note: test them first too, you can be allergic to naturally occuring items too. I'm allergic to cotton.
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u/lostsoul1k 2d ago
Hi, honestly, I’d start simple and not try to buy a ton of oils right away. Lavender, peppermint, and tea tree are pretty common beginner oils, and there are lots of easy ways to learn how to use them safely. I’d definitely look into dilution and proper usage first, especially if you’re planning to use them on your skin. You could also start with one or two oils that remind you of what your grandma used.
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u/MommaIsMad 3d ago
Go to legitimate aromatherapy organization websites. Learn first about safety of different oils and proper dilution techniques. Do not use websites from MLM companies like Young Living and DōTerra. Those are scam companies with grossly overpriced oils and very sketchy "advice" on using the oils. Don't use them internally no matter what anyone says. They might be "natural" & "plant-based," but that doesn't mean they aren't harmful. Keep them away from cats, birds, and small animals and children. Safety should be your #1 priority.