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Daily Do’s:
1. Use essential oils aromatically in a diffuser, inhaler, spritzer and other fun ways.
2. Add essential oils in your daily body care regimen.
3. Be careful – and learn the basics. My Aromatherapy 101 article will help.
4. Enjoy the good things in life! There’s nothing like one drop of lemon or orange oil in a 32 ounce glass liter of sparkling water with some liquid stevia as a special soda pop treat. 
5. Have fun & be empowered! Using essential oils and other natural therapies is a life-changing experience for most people and remember to enjoy the journey as you learn all about them!

Daily Do Not’s:
1. Consume essential oils for “prevention.” This is wasteful and dangerous, and I was a victim of the take-a-drop-of-essential-oil under your tongue (or in your water) everyday myth until I irritated my esophagus and developed acid reflux! The more I learn about EOs, the less I consume them – only for specific health conditions, or my special soda.  And, no, it doesn’t matter how “pure” or “therapeutic” they are. Daily consumption is NOT the most effective (and medicinal) way to use them, and it has taken me 3 years of trial & error (lots of error) and literally hundreds (if not thousands) of research hours to get to this “revelation.” So, please learn from my mistakes! 
2. Believe that “there is an oil for that.” Essential oils have changed my life so much that I have devoted much of my personal and profession lives to sharing the message that they are truly God’s Medicine. Seriously, I’m the “oil” guy and I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to be featured on countless health summits, conferences and documentaries. Yet, let’s be real. Like anything, essential oils are limited by what they can and we should not fall into the trap that they are the end-all cure because misguided hope will disappoint.

Daily Practice: Aromatherapy
When people that essential oils have been used for thousands of years, they’re referring to the art of aromatherapy when tribal cultures burned plants to make incense for spiritual and medicinal purposes. Remember, modern-day distillation didn’t exist back then and our ancestors never had access to what we know now as “essential oils.” Still, the use of aromatic herbs, roots, flowers and fruits was widely enjoyed.
Throw away the glade plug-ins and wall flowers! They emit toxic chemicals that have been linked to neurotoxicity and cancer, which is why every house should have multiple diffusers running throughout the day. Not only will they help make your house smell and feel refreshing, but they also emit aromatic essential oil “volatiles” that have significant medicinal properties.

Research studies have linked inhaling diffused lavender EO to:
Decreased oxidative stress
Reduced postnatal depression and anxiety
Improved mood for people suffering with PTSD
Enhanced sleep and decreased moodiness
Increased overall health status
Prevented allergic reactions

Applying diluted lavender EO directly on cuts and burns has also been shown to speed would healing. On a personal note, I have extremely sensitive skin, and I have a tendency to nick myself pretty good when I shave my face. Whenever this happens, I put a drop of diluted lavender on my cut and the bleeding usually stops immediately!
For burns or eczema, mix lavender with coconut oils in a 1:5 ratio to speed up the healing process.
For sunburn or dry skin, add 5 drops of lavender in 1 ounce of fresh frozen aloe, aloe vera gel or coconut oil.

Daily Practice – Body Care
Next to aromatic use, safe topical essential oil application is a must for anyone wanting to experience Abundant Life health and wellness. The benefit it two-fold:
1. Essential oils penetrate into the blood stream within minutes of being applied on the skin, and are completely metabolized within hours. This means that your body will benefit from the healing chemical compounds in the essential oil for only a limited time, which (unlike drugs that don’t fully metabolize in the body) gives you more control of your body.
2. When you apply topically, you also receive the aromatic benefit as the volatile organic compounds reach your nose!

We try to DIY as much as possible in our home and include EOs in everything from our toothpaste to body lotion and liquid hand soap. The aroma in our home is intoxicating and my family and I always get asked why we “smell so good!” Chances are that  you’re applying aromatic compounds on your skin as it is with conventional, store-bought body care items. So, why not use the real deal, instead of the synthetic stuff that has been connected with cancer, autoimmune disease and neurocognitive disorders? While Americans are incessantly enticed by the intoxicating aromas, flashy packaging, and false promises of sustained youth and beauty from health care products, the global beauty market is expected to reach $265 billion in 2017! Now, there is nothing wrong with making a buck, but one question we all should be asking is what is the real cost of using these products to our health?
“Well, nothing.” You may be thinking to yourself. “I don’t eat them, I just put them on my skin!”
True, but did you know that your skin is the largest organ in your body and EVERYTHING you put ON your skin goes INTO your body! Just think about the price of beauty when you consider the long-term effects of putting chemicals on your body every day!
But don’t worry yourself sick over it. ALL of your body care products can be made with essential oils!


Not-So-Daily Practice: Oil Pulling
Love, love, love oil pulling! Anyone can do it and all you need is some essential oils and a carrier oil that’s probably in your kitchen already like olive, coconut or sesame. I have found that it’s the easiest, most effective way for anyone to start using essential oils to get immediate results! 
With that said, I still don’t recommend oil pulling every single day. Like most natural therapies that cause a strong detoxifying response, I give my body a break once in a while. Personally, I like to oil pull a couple times per week.

Oil pulling works by detoxifying your oral cavity in a similar way that soap cleans dirty dishes. Because most toxins are fat-soluble, it literally sucks the dirt (toxins) out of your mouth and creates an antiseptic oral environment that contributes to the proper flow of dental liquid that is needed to prevent cavities and disease. The ancient Ayurvedic system for health in India has used oil pulling for years to treat just under 30 systemic diseases, ranging from headaches and tooth decay to diabetes and asthma

To help detox, keep your smile bright and shining and freshen up your breath mix essential oils with unrefined, organic coconut oil or another carrier. Here are some tips:
Like most other detoxification procedures, the best time to oil pull is first thing in the morning, right after you get out of bed.
All you need to do is swish between 1 – 2 tablespoons of the coconut or sesame oil and 1 drop of an essential oil (or EO blend) in your mouth for 10 – 20 minutes. Easy peasy!
Don’t worry, you won’t even notice 20 minutes have gone by if you do this during your normal morning routine (i.e. while you shower, put your clothes on, and prep for the day).
Be sure NOT to spit out the mixture into your sink or the coconut oil will harden and may end up clogging up your pipes.
Either spit it out in the trash or in a jar or some other container.
Immediately afterward, rinse your mouth out with warm water.
Use salt water for added antimicrobial properties.
Don’t be shocked if the oil/saliva mixture you spit out is milky white or yellow.
Finally, brush your teeth as normal.
Note: This should be a relatively relaxing process, so don’t think that you need to swish your mouth with oil for the entire time – you’ll be bound to wear out your jaw muscles! Simply move the oil in your mouth and through your teeth without swallowing any of it.
Oil Pulling & EO Applications: I recommend oil pulling no more than 3-4x per week.
Add 1 drop of clove, lemon or orange essential oil with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil.
If you’re battling an infection, you may want to would change it up and use 1 drop of an immunity blend as a holistic remedy.

Oral Care
In addition to oil pulling, try using EO instead of (or in addition to toothpaste). One drop of clove, peppermint, or orange on your toothbrush will supercharge your fluoride-free toothpaste, or if you want to make your own remineralizing toothpaste, just combine Himalayan pink sea salt, baking soda, unrefined coconut oil and essential oils. Some of our favorite combinations are:
Citrus oils like orange, grapefruit and lemon
Peppermint, eucalyptus and tea tree
Clove, orange and peppermint

Not-So-Daily Practice: Morning Immune Booster
Arguably the most potent medicinal essential oil out there, recent research studies suggest that frankincense can kill cancer. It also promotes health and vitality in neighboring non-cancerous cells through a process known as “cell selectivity,” which is pretty amazing when you think about it! Before we all drink a bottle of frankincense in the race for the cure, it’s important to put things into perspective and remember that the studies out there are in vitro (cells in a petri dish). We still have a long way to go before doctors will start prescribing oils as a viable cancer treatment, but social proof resounds as the testimonials on the Internet support the possibility that people can receive significant benefits from regular frankincense consumption.
In addition to frankincense, there are other essential oils that pack a super-powerful antioxidant boost with clove topping the charts. I like to make an immunity blend that includes 1 drop of each of these oils: cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, lemon, orange, and rosemary.
To help prevent getting sick around flu season and boost your immune system try using my immune boosting shot 2-3x per week at the onset of a cold or around flu season.
Ingredients
1 packet Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C
1 teaspoon raw honey
1 teaspoon unrefined coconut oil
1-2 drops Immune Boost Blend Essential Oils*
¼ teaspoon organic pumpkin pie spice
tiny pinch pink Himalayan sea salt
Instructions
1. Mix together in a glass bowl and enjoy twice daily at the onset of a cold, or once per day for prevention.
2. Wash down with pure, filtered water.
3. Be sure to not use for more than two weeks at a time.
*Immune Boost Blend:
1. Equal parts Cinnamon, Clove, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Orange and Lemon essential oils

Recipe Notes
* This can be enjoyed straight or with a little bit of water to wash it down. Depends on your palate. 
* It is not recommended to add this mixture to hot tea because this will kill the enzymes in the honey and can alter the composition of the essential oils and vitamin C. If you want to add to your tea, make sure it is cooled down to room temp.
Safety Notes
1. Be careful not to take this mixture daily for extended periods of time (more than 2 weeks). Our bodies quickly develop resistance and so do bacteria and viruses! Alternatively, consider switching up the protocol with a non-essential oil based product.
2. Do not consume essential oils on a regular basis for “prevention.” Not only is it a waste of money, it is oftentimes unneeded and you may end up causing damage to your body. At one point of my early EO career, I was so enthusiastic about using them that I was taking a couple drops of a variety of oils in my mouth (straight, undiluted) every day and I shortly ended up with a mild case of acid reflux and really irritated my esophagus! With that said, there’s nothing wrong with adding a drop of cilantro in your guacamole and enjoying some lemon in your water if you like the taste, but let’s not overdo it.  Remember: Quality NOT Quantity is Key!
3. One thing to remember is that not all essential oils are created equal. In fact, many on the market are veritably worthless to your health because they are over processed, include synthetic ingredients and are not organic. When buying essential oils, make sure they are a pure, therapeutic grade. Also, take note of those oils that are “food grade” compared to cosmetic grade. Personally, if I wouldn’t swallow it, I wouldn’t put it on my skin. So, keep a look out for that as well! I have outlined all the steps you need to take when choosing an essential oils brand so don’t worry about making a wrong decision.









Essential oils are extracted directly from the bark, flower fruit, leaves, nut, resin or root of a plant or tree, and just one drop can provide the amazing health benefits that each oil provides. Used medicinally for thousands of years, the potency behind these oils is their ability to support your natural healing systems. After careful research we’ve narrowed it down to these top 10 essential oils for healing.
Essential oils are comprised of a complex network of molecules that each carry different effects to the body. Scientists can analyze the structure of an essential oil using gas chromatography/mass spectronomy (GC/MS) methods that reveal each molecular component. Their power to beat disease is so effective that, under the supervision of a natural health expert and herbalist, you may be able to avoid the having to use needless drugs or have unnecessary surgeries.

History of Essential Oils
Truth be told, essential oils as we know them today are very new on the scene of plant-based therapies. To be fair, ancient civilizations did employ crude distillations techniques, but the essential oils that were extracted centuries ago were a far cry from the potent, filtered, and pure compounds that we see on the market currently. The same is true with extracts, salves and poultices that were made from healing plants. They all contained essential oils and were, thus, very effective at preventing and managing disease. However, they definitely lacked the medicinal strength of oils that we use today.  Be that as it may, a vital component of ancient culture spanning at least 3,000 years, it appears that essential oils were enjoyed by those in ancient Cyprus, Egypt and Pompeii who first made extensive use of herbs with distillation methods dating back 3,500 B.C. This wisdom sailed across the Mediterranean and evidently reached Hippocrates, who utilized aromatherapy to enhance massage techniques a few centuries before the coming of Christ. Somewhere in the midst of this knowledge transfer, China and India also started to employ herbal remedies, and Ayurvedic medicine embraced essential oils extensively.

As civilizations transferred world power, the essential oil techniques from Greece travelled to Rome, who favored aromatherapy and fragrances. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Persia picked up these healing techniques and perfected the essential oil distillation process.

Sadly, the Dark Ages brought with it a disdain for Hippocrates’ holistic approach. However, because the Catholic Church viewed bathing as sin, high esteem was given to aromatics – which coincidently are also antibacterial – to keep foul odor at bay. Little did they know that their perfume was also helping stave off sickness and disease! During this era, it is believed that Monks continued the healing tradition of essential oils and secretly kept herbal medicine alive in the halls of their monasteries. Unfortunately, folk medicine was viewed as “witchcraft,” and many herbalists were either burned at the stake or persecuted. Thankfully, the Renaissance resurrected herbal medicine, and physicians such as Paracelsus challenged his medical colleagues with testimonials of successful treating life-threatening concerns like leprosy.

Modern Era
What we know as modern “aromatherapy” was not introduced formally until French chemist Rene Maurice Gattefosse first coined the phrase in 1937. Although he wasn’t necessarily a natural health advocate, he became interested in essential oils after a 1910 accident where he badly burned his hand, and used the first available salve in his laboratory: a pure, undiluted lavender oil compound that not only immediately eased the pain, but healed his injury without infection or scar. Because of Gattefosse’s work, Dr. Jean Valet used essential oils to treat injured soldiers in the second world war, and this led to Marguerite Maury being the first person to “individually prescribe” essential oil combinations using a Tibetan technique for back massage that treated nerve endings along the spine. Since then, essential oils have become a staple in alternative medicine across the world. (1)


10 Essential Oils for Healing
The list is long, but after careful research I’ve narrowed the top 10 essential oils for healing.

1. Clove (Eugenia caryophyllata)
Clove essential oil is commonly used as an antiseptic for oral infections and to kill a wide spectrum of microbes to keep disease at bay. To evaluate the effectiveness clove has as an antimicrobial agent, researchers from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, took a look at which bacteria are most sensitive to clove’s potency. According to their study, clove has the greatest anti-microbial ability over E. coli and also exerted considerable control over Staph aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, two bacteria that oftentimes lead to pneumonia and skin infections.

2. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus Globulus)
Used copiously by the Aborigines for most maladies in their villages, eucalyptus is a potent antibacterial, antispasmodic, and antiviral agent. Like clove essential oil, eucalyptus essential oil has a profound effect over Staph infections. Quite amazingly, recent research from VIT University in India showed (real-time) that when Staph aureus comes into contact with eucalyptus oil, the deadly bacterial completely lost viability within just 15 minutes of interaction!

3. Frankincense (Boswellia Carteri)
Overshadowed the past several hundred years by its role in the “Christmas Story,” frankincense is finally getting the attention it deserves as one of the most viable healing agents on the planet. The journal Oncology Letters published an article late last year that highlights the ability of this Biblical tree to kill cancer cells; specifically the MCF-7 and HS-1 cell lines, which cause breast and other tumors. (4) Frankincense essential oil has also been used with much success to treat issues related to digestion, the immune system, oral health, respiratory concerns and stress/anxiety.

4. Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia)
Well-known for its soothing, calming properties, lavender is wonderful for accelerating healing time for burns, cuts, stings, and other wounds. It is jam-packed with antioxidant power, which is why researchers from Tunisia evaluated its ability to treat diabetes and oxidative stress in rats. Published in the journal Lipids in Health and Disease, the article tells us that lavender essential oils “significantly protected against the increase of blood glucose as well as the decrease of antioxidant enzyme activities.” Ultimately, scientists discovered that lavender essential oil treatment helped induce a decrease in oxidative stress, which is known to cause heart disease and a slew of other health concerns, as well as increase antioxidant enzyme activities.
Can this be the new diabetes and heart disease treatment? Maybe, maybe not. Either way, it’ll be fun to watch the research come out on this topic!

5. Lemon (Citrus limon)
Various citrus essential oils are widely used to stimulate lymph drainage, to rejuvenate sluggish, dull skin and as a bug repellant. Lemon oil stands out, however, as research has recently discovered that it carries useful antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. (6) Lemon, along with a number of other widely used oils, is now being praised for its ability to combat food-born pathogens!

6. Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
Several research studies have demonstrated the improving effect on performance, changes in blood count, antibacterial, antifungal and immunomodulating abilities of oregano oil. It’s actually quite amazing – the health benefits of oregano seem limitless. To give you a sample of its wide-spread potency, WebMD reports,
Oregano is used for respiratory tract disorders such as coughs, asthma, croup, and bronchitis. It is also used for gastrointestinal (GI) disorders such as heartburn and bloating. Other uses include treating menstrual cramps, rheumatoid arthritis, urinary tract disorders including urinary tract infections (UTIs), headaches, and heart conditions. The oil of oregano is taken by mouth for intestinal parasites, allergies, sinus pain, arthritis, cold and flu, swine flu, earaches, and fatigue. It is applied to the skin for skin conditions including acne, athlete’s foot, oily skin, dandruff, canker sores, warts, ringworm, rosacea, and psoriasis; as well as for insect and spider bites, gum disease, toothaches, muscle pain, and varicose veins. Oregano oil is also used topically as an insect repellent. 

7. Peppermint (Mentha Piperita)
Pleasantly suitable for an abundance of oral and topical uses, peppermint may be the most versatile essential oil in the world. Literally, there are few issues that it can’t help. Possibly the most fascinating aspect of peppermint is that recent research suggests that it is literally antibiotic resistant. According to an article published in the journal Phytomedicine in 2013, “Reduced usage of antibiotics could be employed as a treatment strategy to decrease the adverse effects and possibly to reverse the beta-lactam antibiotic resistance,” due to the powerful effects of peppermint oil.
This is absolutely groundbreaking because antibiotic-resistant bacteria have been a major cause of concern for many Americans who are simply ruining their health by taking too many of these dangerous drugs. Can you imagine a world where your doctor prescribes peppermint essential oil for the common cold and flu instead of antibiotics? We can! And we hope that more research like this reaches mainstream media to get the word out!

8. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
One amazing healing effect of rosemary that many people are unaware of is its ability to normalize blood pressure. Used for centuries to improve everything from memory and brain function to relieving common aches and pains, rosemary even has a history of stimulating hair growth. But most people don’t think of rosemary mimicking their blood pressure pills!
In one of the few human studies evaluating this phenomenon, researchers from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid took 32 hypotensive patients and measured how their dangerously low blood pressure fared under rosemary essential oil treatments for 72 weeks. The results? Simply astounding! In addition to observing that rosemary could raise blood pressure to normal limits in a vast majority of the volunteers, it was discovered that overall mental and physical quality of life was drastically improved, which highlights the far-reaching healing effects that this ancient oil has on health and wellness.

9. Sandalwood (Santalum album)
Oftentimes used to soothe and heal sore throats, sandalwood is a gentle bactericide that is more potent than most give it credit for. According to research published last year, sandalwood essential oil also has an uncanny ability to inhibit both tyrosinase and cholinesterase, which affects several physiological processes from melanin production to proper nervous system function. The results were so significant that scientists concluded that, “There is a great potential of [sandalwood] essential oil for use in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease!”

10. Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Last, but certainly not least, tea tree is a wound healer with a rich history of use as a local antiseptic for burns and cuts as well to treat a wide spectrum of bacterial and fungal infections (including athletes foot and jock itch). Known in the science community as “volatile” because of its sheer power in killing microbes, a study was actually conducted to determine whether it could be damage your DNA. Don’t worry, thousands of years of use wasn’t done in vain. According to the study published in The Journal of Ethnopharmacology, researchers finally put this criticism to rest last year by proving that tea tree oil is not toxic and is completely safe for use.

The way I see it, if an essential oil is so powerful that scientists need to test if it can cause damage to your genes, it has got to be doing something that is turning heads! And it’s not just tea tree oil. All of these oils are super-healers and should be in medicine cabinets all over the world.

Uses & Applications
Because they are so potent, you must also dilute essential oils in one way or another. The following are some common ways to use them appropriately:
Baths: 10 drops mixed with 1 cup of salt makes a fantastic aromatherapy for circulatory, muscular, respiratory, skin and sleep problems in addition to calming your nerves. Generally, it is advisable to avoid potent oils that could irritate the skin such as lemon, oregano or tea tree; instead, use soothing oils like eucalyptus, lavender, and sandalwood.
Compresses: 5 drops per 4 oz. of water. Soak cloth and apply for bruises, infections, aches and pains.
Inhalations: 5 drops in a diffuser or in hot water for sinus or headache relief.
Salves: A 2.5% dilution is recommended, which is 10 drops per 1 ounce of oil, for relaxation and to alleviate joint/muscle soreness.








7 Essential Oils for Weight Loss
Essential oils play a supportive role in so many ways. From relieving side effects of treatments to ameliorating effects of illnesses, it’s often the indirect benefits that are felt the strongest. For weight loss, this list is just a starting point – get creative with your oil “stash” to see what might help you achieve your weight loss goals.

1. Lime
Of the well-researched citrus oils, lime in particular has had very promising results regarding weight loss. One study, published in 2010, observed lime essential oil both assisting weight loss and preventing weight gain. The study concluded: The data obtained in this study suggested that lime essential oil plays an important role in weight loss and could be useful in the treatment of drug-induced obesity and related diseases. (1) For anyone who has packed on weight after a procedure or prescription, this comes as welcome news! Application: Include lime in culinary recipes, topical formulas, and diffusion blends to maximize a wide range of actions.

2. Grapefruit
Another much-loved citrus oil, grapefruit shatters our expectations of what a weight loss tool should be. Instead of yet another thing to drink, eat, or take, grapefruit seems to be just as effective in other ways. In evaluating the effects that grapefruit and lavender oils have after simply being smelled, researchers found that nerve impulses were affected extensively, leading to fat-burning and appetite-reducing benefits. (2) Topically, grapefruit is a cosmetic boost during weight loss efforts. As part of a topical blend massaged onto the abdomen, grapefruit contributed to reduced waist-circumferences and composition changes, boosting self-image for the women who participated. (3) Application: Include grapefruit in lotion and massage oil blends; diffuse before and during meals.

3. Cinnamon
The primary evaluation for cinnamon in various forms centers around diabetes itself, and cinnamon oil has been able to modify glycemic control in those cases. Additionally, in one recent study, researchers were able to observe some pancreatic protection – the pancreas being our center for insulin regulation. (4) For diabetics, reaching and maintaining a healthy weight is paramount, and glycemic control is part of the process. For everyone else, protecting the pancreas and helping the body better deal with glucose can be beneficial for weight loss, as well. Application: Enjoy a drop or two diffused in stimulating weight loss blends or diluted into culinary or internal preparations.

4. Peppermint
Considered a mild stimulant, peppermint has been studied for its ability to improve athletic performance and endurance. Chances are, reading this far into an article about weight loss, you aren’t an athlete. Baby steps and good choices will get you to your goals, though, and that’s where peppermint comes into play. As a digestive herb, the peppermint plant has been enjoyed with meals in many cultures and for countless generations. As an inhaled essential oil, it has another suggested digestive purpose: affecting appetite and caloric intake. (5) Application: Diffuse with grapefruit for a bright scent that may also brighten up your daily calorie count!

5. Cardamom
Indicated in traditional and folk uses for weight control, one suspected reason behind this may be cardamom’s gastroprotective effects. As a digestive oil, cardamom has been known to protect the stomach against ulcers and damage. (6) Weight loss and control begins and ends in the stomach, not only what you eat but the way your body uses it. Damage in the stomach and the gut can put a damper on even the best diet. Take care of your gut and it will take care of you! Application: Culinary preparations, or dilution into a capsule. As with all oils indicated for internal use, one or two drops at a time is more than sufficient.

6. Cumin
We don’t know a lot about cumin essential oil yet, but what we do know is promising. The whole herb, for example, is often used to combat inflammation and diabetes. It’s this direction that researchers followed in 2005. In evaluating the chemical composition of cumin seeds, the study was able to pinpoint specific ways in which cumin – notably, some of the compounds found in the essential oil – affects the body’s blood sugar response. (7) Cumin is considered a digestive herb and essential oil, certainly worth trying out in your weight loss blends. Application: Try cumin in culinary preparations or simply diffused as part of a blend.

7. Black Pepper
To really demonstrate thinking outside of the box for weight loss support, let’s turn to black pepper. In the 1990s, black pepper essential oil was used via inhalation to help reduce the symptoms of withdrawal for people as they quit smoking. (8) How might this benefit weight loss? The spiral of food addiction is often part of weight management problems, especially related to sugar. Taking care of your body as you make changes is important – going “cold turkey” on anything can create problems. Perhaps black pepper will help you take these steps as it did for smokers. You never know until you try! Application: Diffusion and personal inhalers.

Diffusing Blend for Weight Loss Support
Try this stimulating, appetite-curbing combination for use around workout times, when cravings hit, or during mealtimes. Add 2 drops of the following oil blend in a gel cap for occasional support. Be sure to discontinue use immediately if acid reflux develops (can sometimes happen with peppermint).
Weight Loss Blend – equal parts of:
Grapefruit
Peppermint
Lime
Cinnamon










Low Libido Causes
Causes of low libido vary from person to person and range from lifestyle influences to serious disorders. Some of the most prevalent factors include:
Stress – One of the most basic yet most difficult causes of low libido to fix, simply being stressed out and overtired can put a damper on the mood. Stress over relationship issues such as raising the kids, money, and house concerns, can lead to lack of intimacy and hinder libido as well. Most stress can be relieved with simple lifestyle changes. (2)
Alcohol – An often overlooked cause of sexual dysfunction, alcohol can be a stressor of its own. While contemporary advice says to utilize alcohol to just relax, it could have the opposite effect and ruin efforts toward libido increase.
Hormones – Here’s where it gets complicated. The body’s network of hormone responses create long-term messages for the body to respond to. So they aren’t quick to fix. Hormones are connected to causes like stress, aging, disease, and menstrual, pregnancy, and menopause related libido issues. (3, 4) When hormones are at the root of libido issues, expect change to come progressively over time.
Illness – Physical stressors on the body – such as obesity, heart health, and other illness – can hinder sexual desire and response, as well. When an illness or condition is at the root of low libido, working with a doctor is important.
Check the resource list at the bottom of this article for more about low libido and its various causes. If you are one of the many who struggles with low libido in the face of stress and normal hormonal shifts, essential oils too boost libido may soon become your new best friend!

As gentle and relaxing aromas, these oils can be used in diffusions, sprays, topical applications and more. Get creative to see how you can boost libido by incorporating these essential oils into both your daily life and romantic life.
1. Rose
As an anxiety-relieving, calming oil, it comes as no surprise that rose essential oil is also traditionally used as an aphrodisiac. As a pricey oil, though, rose is most efficiently used in blends or heavy dilutions.
Application: Blend into a perfume to carry this romantic floral scent with you, or diffuse periodically throughout the day for both partners to enjoy.
2. Jasmine
A precious and pricey oil derived from delicate flower petals, jasmine has proven itself well in studies. Researchers tested alertness and “behavioral arousal” after a topical treatment of jasmine oil. Of course, the participants were found to be more refreshed, with their senses on alert. (5)
Application: Apply jasmine topically in a perfume or sensual massage oil for men and women. Note that the delicate petals sometimes require the use of a solvent to extract the oil. Check labels carefully, especially for an organic certification.
3. Clary Sage
A 2014 study undertook the question of menopause symptom relief and essential oils. The found that simply inhaling hormone-balancing clary sage essential oil had an anti-depressant effect on menopausal women. (6) When libido is low due to hormonal shifts like menopause, clary sage is a balancer that may bring some relief.
Application: Diffuse or inhale periodically to relax, balance hormones, and get in the mood.
4. Ylang Ylang
Ylang ylang is widely used as an aphrodisiac throughout the aromatherapy world. Its gentle floral scent is appealing to nearly everyone, and its application potential is diverse. Enjoy with other floral oils or deepen the fragrance with sandalwood.
Application: Diffusion, inhalation, or diluted into a carrier oil as a massage oil for both men and women.
5. Neroli
Essential oil derived from orange blossoms instead of the fruit’s peel is called neroli, a precious and very useful oil. In one clinical trial, researchers found that “inhalation of neroli oil helps relieve menopausal symptoms, increase sexual desire, and reduce blood pressure in postmenopausal women,” making it another helpful option when libido is low due to hormones or stress. (7)
Application: Diffusion or inhalation a couple of times each day for calming, balancing effects.
6. Fennel
As a whole herb, “Fennel seeds have been reputed to increase milk secretion, promote menstruation, facilitate birth and alleviate the symptoms of the female climacteric, increase libido and alleviation of the dysmenorrheal symptoms.” (8) Fennel essential oil retains some of these estrogenic effects, making it a beneficial addition to your libido-increasing, hormone-balancing diffusion or massage blends.
Application: Include fennel essential oil in DIY lotion blends or massage oils for balancing effects.
Message of Hope
Men and women of all ages have faced low libido and have found hope and renewal. There is no shame in admitting the struggle and seeking a solution! As a bonus, openness and partnership in finding a remedy or resolution as a couple will help to increase intimacy, as well.
To relieve the stresses of every day life, boost libido and begin to ignite a spark with your significant other, try this DIY libido boosting blend diffused or diluted into a carrier oil (almond or coconut are excellent!) for a soothing massage. Simply blend:
2 drops neroli (or sweet orange)
2 drops jasmine
2 drops ylang ylang
Directly into a diffuser (or inhaler, with one drop each) or into a tablespoon or two of the carrier oil of your choice.