Essential Oils 101

*UPDATE: We have had to edit this post to be more FDA compliant and are now very limited on what we can say/share about essential oils via our website. We are so sorry for the inconvenience and changed this post to meet those requests. If you would like to know more specific details about essential oils, we are more than happy to tell you more over the phone or via email (click here to request more info). 

As a parent we all know that it’s not just one job, it’s many roles wrapped into one…Chef, accountant, cook, coach, house cleaner, maintenance, mechanic and so much more. One of the many roles we take on is care giver and family nurse. With this role I rely a lot on my ability to research and ask questions, especially when it comes to my family’s health. Educating yourself is power and I highly encourage it.

What I Wished I Known Before I First Started Essential Oils

Not all essential oils are created the same. I honestly did not know there was a difference when I started, but after purchasing oils from various companies, I can tell you there IS a difference.

For example with my first essential oil kit I bought (we will call this Company A), I was super excited about to try out the lavender in the diffuser. Everyone wants a calmer atmosphere in their house, right? But every time I had it on while my hubby was home, he had the worst head irritation (sorry I have to sensor my language) and would ask if we could turn off the diffuser. After a few weeks and no improvement, I decided to spare him the “irritation” and put the lavender essential oil away. I still used other oils in the diffuser but I limited my use when he was home.

About 9 months later I was asked to review products from a different company (we will call this Company B), who I was originally debating on getting a kit from. Of course, I jumped at the opportunity to try some FREE essential oils! And as part of my review process, I made sure I tested all of them, even the lavender. Guess what? My husband did not even notice it was in the diffuser! As you can guess that peaked my curiosity about Company B and the difference between their oils and the various other oils I had purchased over the years. (If you want to know Company B is, email me at michelle @ funonadime.net as we are not allowed to state preferences on websites)

The best priced kit is not always the best deal. As you are researching, you will start to come across many different options and ways to buy essential oils. It can be VERY overwhelming, especially if you are a numbers cruncher like me…I had it down to the pennies on how much oil I could get for how much money. I learned that buying in kits or packages was the best deal for all essential oil companies. Since I was just starting out and had never purchased more than a couple essential oils, I went with a kit that offered small 5ml bottles.

My best suggestion for buying oils in kits…

• 15 ml Bottle Kits: If you are planning on using this for a large family (more than 4 people) and you can afford it , than go for kits that offer the 15 ml bottles. You will get a much better price per ml and a more family friendly variety.
• 5 ml Bottle Kits: BUT if all you can afford is the 5 ml kits, go for it. Just note that some of the more loved essential oils will run out way faster, sometimes even before the end of the month and I despise paying pricey shipping for just one essential oil.
• Ask Questions!!! When I was doing my original research, I never asked questions about kits for Company B. Actually, I never knew they had kit options. I also learned that most of the companies with memberships will include them with the price of the kits (basically, the fee is waived cost wise). Totally my mistake!
• Diffusers: Diffusers are awesome! Buying a kit with a diffuser is usually when you will get the best price for the diffuser, but make sure you do your research on the diffuser first. If you can see one in action, even better!

Talk to a Real Person or Attend a Meeting, if possible. I know, I know. You are probably recalling that I did all my research online (see my story here- coming soon), so why can’t you?!? You totally can! And I’d love to help you do it (email us HERE for more information), but I just want to make sure you are aware you can attend meetings (we have online meetings available) and try the oils in person before purchasing them (ask me how you can get a free bottle of essential oil). I assure you, that if I had a chance to see and test the 3 companies I was debating between when I made my very first order, I would have made different choices!

In my defense, I did not know meetings were even possible to attend and if I had known, I would have been afraid it would a lot of pressure or a meeting of hippies and “Oils only or Die” type people. Let me assure you, the majority of the options you will have for meetings will be with people just like you…people looking for more information and education on natural alternatives and health benefits.

For Courtney and I, we love thinking that we are creating a broader First Line of Defense for our families and sharing that love with others. We enjoy helping families take control over their own health and would love to help you learn more it.

If you want to…

~ Learn more about essential oils work

~ Learn how essential oils can help your family

~ Learn about any essential oil prices, kits, specials and resources

~ And learn which company we recommend most

~ Then fill out this form and we will contact you with the information you request.

Don’t get us wrong, we love our family doctors and still visit them when needed, but one visit for me is at least $84 and over $200 if it happens to be the evening or weekend for Urgent Care (because that is when they normally get sick!). Totally worth it if they are really sick and the doctor can do something for them, not worth it if  it ends up being a common cold or something that the symptoms could have easily been treated at home.

Why Can’t You Tell Me Everything I Want To Know Here?

New Changes to Online Discussions about Essential Oils. Anyone who has a website that has ever talked about essential oils or has an essential oils connection has been recently told to remove all brand mentions, links, pictures, claims, testimonials, etc in order to be more FDA compliant. While this makes it really hard for your research, we would still love to help you learn everything you want and if possible, help cut your research down by pointing you in the right direction.

Wait, why can’t you talk about essential oils? Since essential oils are derived from plants, it is difficult for the FDA to regulate them and any claims made about them, therefore those who work with essential oils have now been limited on what they can say online. We can’t even tell you which brand of essential oils are our favorite!

BUT… we can still talk to you via email or over the phone and share with you there to our hearts content. Courtney and I started this site to share our favorite ways to have fun with our families and to share what we have learned and to share our favorite products. We are sad that we are now very limited on how and what we can share with you via our site about essential oils, but we are excited for this opportunity to share on a more personal level.

So, please fill out this form and both Courtney and I will share our personal stories with you as well as answer any questions and concerns you may have.