How to choose and use natural health products

Single oils

A single oil comes from one plant, like lavender, peppermint or lemon. They're the building blocks: once you have a few, you can mix your own blends.

What to look for

• Botanical (Latin) name on the label, so you know exactly which plant it is. "Lavender" can mean several different species.
• Country of origin and extraction method (steam distilled, cold pressed).
• Batch test reports (GC/MS) you can look up by the batch number on your bottle.
• Dark glass with a dropper insert. Clear glass and rubber droppers both shorten an oil's life.
• Price that makes sense for the plant. Rose, melissa and sandalwood are expensive to produce. If they're cheap, check whether they're pre-diluted in a carrier oil.

Storage

Keep bottles capped, upright and away from heat and light. Citrus oils last about 1–2 years once opened; most others last 2–3 years. If an oil smells off or has gone cloudy or sticky, replace it.

New to oils? Read Essential oils 101 below before you buy. See my single oil picks →

Blends

Blends are ready-made mixes of several oils, built around a scent profile or a mood (calm, fresh, cozy). They're convenient and consistent, and a good way to get a complex scent without buying five bottles.

• Read the ingredient list, not just the name. Brand names like "Serenity" or "On Guard" don't tell you what's inside, and you may need to avoid certain oils because of pets, pregnancy, sun exposure or sensitive skin.
• A blend's name describes the intended mood, not a proven effect. Enjoy it for the scent.
• Compare the cost with buying the main oils as singles. If you'll use them on their own too, singles can be better value.
• The same dilution and safety rules apply as for single oils.

See my blend picks →

Roll-ons

Roll-ons are oils already diluted in a carrier oil, in a small bottle with a roller ball. They're ready to apply, easy to carry, and a budget-friendly way to try expensive oils like rose or jasmine.

• Check the dilution and carrier on the label. Brands vary from about 1% to 10%.
• Still patch test on your inner arm before wider use, and keep roll-ons away from your face and eyes.
• Citrus roll-ons can cause skin reactions in sunlight. Don't use them on skin that will be in the sun within 12 hours.
• Make your own with empty 10 ml roller bottles, a carrier oil and the dilution calculator below.
• If the roller ball gets sticky, wipe it with rubbing alcohol and let it dry before capping.

See my roll-on picks →

Kits & bundles

Kits group several products at a lower price than buying them one by one. They're the cheapest way to try a range, and they make easy gifts.

• List what's inside and cross off anything you won't use. A "deal" on things you don't want isn't a deal.
• Check bottle sizes. Some kits use 5 ml bottles rather than the standard 15 ml.
• Membership and enrollment kits (common with doTERRA and Young Living) can come with a wholesale account, minimum orders or autoship. Read the terms and how to cancel before you buy.
• Kits that include a diffuser are often the best-value way to get started from scratch.

See my kit picks →

Diffusers

A diffuser spreads an oil's scent through a room. There are three main types:

• Ultrasonic: water plus a few drops of oil, turned into a fine mist. The most common and affordable type, and gentle on oil use.
• Nebulizing: no water. It turns pure oil into a fine vapor, giving a stronger scent but using oil much faster. Usually pricier.
• Passive: reed sticks, clay, car vent clips or diffuser jewelry. No power or noise, and a subtle scent close by.

What to look for

• A tank size that suits the room, plus intermittent mode and auto shut-off when the water runs out.
• A light you can turn off and a quiet motor if it's for a bedroom.
• Easy cleaning: a wide opening and few hard-to-reach parts.
• Humidifier-diffusers have bigger tanks for longer run times, but need regular cleaning to stay fresh.

See how to diffuse below for step-by-step use and pet safety. See my diffuser picks →

Personal care

Lotions, body wash, bath bars, deodorant, hair care, skincare, hand soap and oral care made with plant-based ingredients and often scented with essential oils.

• Read the full ingredient list. "Natural" and "clean" aren't regulated terms, so the label is the only way to know what's in it.
• Know the scent source. "Fragrance" or "parfum" can be synthetic. Products scented only with essential oils list them by name.
• Patch test new skincare on your inner arm for 24–48 hours, especially leave-on products like lotion or serum. Essential oils can irritate sensitive skin even in small amounts.
• Check the shelf life. Look for the open-jar symbol (for example "12M" means use within 12 months of opening). Products with fewer preservatives may not last as long.
• Oral care: don't swallow toothpaste or mouth rinse, and use kids' versions for children.

See my personal care picks →

Accessories

The small things that make products easier and safer to use.

• Carrier oils: fractionated coconut oil is light, non-greasy and keeps for a long time. Jojoba suits faces well. Avoid sweet almond if anyone in your home has a nut allergy.
• Empty bottles: amber or cobalt glass protects oils from light. Use glass rather than plastic for undiluted oils, since some oils can break down plastic.
• Pipettes and dropper caps for measuring and mixing cleanly.
• Child-resistant caps if you have little ones at home.
• Storage cases and keychains to keep bottles upright, out of the light and easy to carry.

See my accessory picks →

Essential oils 101

The basics behind single oils, blends, roll-ons and diffusing: what essential oils are, how to dilute them, and how to use them safely.

What essential oils are

Essential oils are concentrated aromatic compounds extracted from plants, usually by steam distillation or, for citrus, cold pressing. Because they're so concentrated, a single drop goes a long way, and that's also why they need to be used with care.

Your first five oils

• Lavender: soft and floral, the most versatile oil to start with.
• Peppermint: bright and cooling, great for daytime blends.
• Lemon or Sweet Orange: cheerful citrus, perfect for the kitchen.
• Eucalyptus: fresh and clean, lovely in shower steam.
• Tea Tree: a staple for DIY cleaning sprays.

A starter kit is usually the cheapest way to get all five. See my kit picks →

How to diffuse

1. Fill an ultrasonic diffuser with water to the fill line.
2. Add 3–6 drops of essential oil (start low).
3. Run it in 30–60 minute intervals rather than all day, in a ventilated room.
4. Clean it weekly with a splash of white vinegar and water.

How to dilute

Never apply essential oils straight to skin. Mix them into a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut, jojoba or sweet almond. Common guidelines:

Safety rules

• Always dilute for topical use and do a patch test first.
• Don't ingest essential oils unless directed by a qualified healthcare professional.
• Keep oils away from eyes, ears and mucous membranes.
• Citrus oils like lemon and bergamot can cause skin reactions in sunlight. Avoid sun exposure for 12 hours after applying.
• Use extra caution with babies, children, pregnancy and nursing, and check age-specific guidelines.
• Store oils in dark glass, tightly capped, out of reach of children.
• If you have a medical condition or take medication, talk to your doctor first.

Starter recipes

Wind-down diffuser blend

3 drops lavender + 2 drops sweet orange + 1 drop cedarwood.

Fresh kitchen diffuser blend

3 drops lemon + 2 drops eucalyptus.

All-purpose surface spray

In a 16 oz glass spray bottle: 1 cup water, 1 cup white vinegar, 10 drops lemon, 10 drops tea tree. Shake before each use. (Not for stone countertops.)

Everyday roller (2%)

In a 10 ml roller: 2 drops lavender + 2 drops frankincense, then top off with fractionated coconut oil.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights.”James 1:17

This guide is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and the products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.