Ingestion Method for Essential Oils

**Caution – not all essential oils are created equal, therefore when using the ingestion method of essential oils read your labels and do your research before taking any internally. You only want high quality therapeutic grade and ones that are (GRAS) generally regarded as safe by the FDA. DO NOT attempt to do this with any store bought essential oil, even the ones you find at a health food store, as they may not be pure enough!

Respect must always be taken in regards to the power of an essential oil. In most cases, one or two of drops is plenty! Consider this: one drop of Peppermint equals 28 cups of Peppermint tea! The essential oils I use are never diluted and they are free of any chemicals, and third party verified.

They are very potent and you may not think one or two drops will be enough but believe me it is plenty. Ingesting a large amount of Wintergreen could make you sick, although I doubt anyone could drink an entire bottle. To add lemon to your cup of tea, just insert a toothpick into the bottle of oil, then put the toothpick into your cup of tea. Also, some oils that are considered hot such as Cinnamon or Oregano my sting or burn your mouth so you don’t necessarily want to ingest these in the mouth straight dilute or use capsule form discussed below, there is no other health danger other than that.

Ingestion of essential oils typically is used for digestive problems and infections or parasites.

Teas – A common methods for ingesting essential oils are to add 1 or 2 drops to a half cup of warm water and drink or sip as needed.  (This is often used for an upset stomach with an oil like Peppermint or a blend such as DigestZen).  Use care not to have the water too warm as the oils will dissipate rapidly and you will lose the potency. If you want to add Lemon Oil to your Iced or Hot Tea start with one drop if this is to strong use the toothpick method mentioned above

• Water – Oils are often added to cold water and ingested.  This would include procedures such as citrus oils or blends for appetite suppression or using Lemon oil for its cleansing effect.

Capsules – Many add the oils in a capsule and taking orally as you would traditional medications.  Depending on the strength needed a carrier oil may be added to the capsule to “buffer” the essential oil.  Also many protocols have multiple oils added to the same capsule for a desired blend. (Empty capsules can be purchased in health food stores, aromatherapy accessory stores or online and then be filled with drops of essential oils or blends and a carrier if desired. Common sizes are 0 (smaller) and 00.  Most folks prefer the 00 since they are easier to fill. The 00 holds about 15 – 20 drops of essential oil (drops vary in size) and the 0 holds about 10 – 13 drops.)

• Swishing- or allergies a method is suggested of adding 2 to 6 drops of oils (Peppermint, Lemon and/or Lavender) to a teaspoon of water and swishing in the mouth for a minute and swallowing.
• Pulling Oils – Not quite considered ingestion, but does involve oils in the mouth, is the method of ‘pulling oil.’  This is a therapy that is proven to improve the health of gums and teeth.  Others feel it has further detoxifying qualities.  Choose an appropriate carrier such as grapeseed, coconut, or olive oil.  Combine 2 drops of an essential oil such as Clove, Myrrh, or Peppermint.  Then without swallowing, swish and pull the oil mixture through the teeth and around the mouth for 5-10 minutes, then spit out the mixture without swallowing.  Then brush the teeth.
• Enema – Affectionately called the Butt Bomb.  Add the desired oils to a 00 capsule and fill the remainder with coconut oil and insert appropriately or add the oils and approximately 25 drops of carrier oil to the enema syringe and apply. (the reason for this uncomfortable protocol is that this is one of the more effective ways to get oils deep into the lungs)

Before taking an oil internally, check its references and determine that it is certified as GRAS (generally regarded as safe) by the FDA.  Most DōTerra oils are GRAS. Using the oils as directed on the labels with moderation will help you avoid any undesirable side effects from the oils.

Ingestion Method For Essential Oils Peppermint Tea one drop of Peppermint equals 28 cups of Peppermint tea!