Guest Contributor: Essential Oils: The Ultimate Self Care Guide for Brides

Guest Contributor

Jennifer Klementti is a dōTERRA wellness advocate and lifestyle brand photographer. She loves to share inspiration for holistic living, green beauty, and essential oils on her blog at http://www.celebratetheartoflife.com and her brand photography can be found at http://www.jenniferklementti.com. Jennifer loves to help fun loving women feel more ALIVE, at peace and healthy, even if they sometimes skip the kale salad and have wine with lunch. Jennifer believes deeply in the power of pure essential oils as a foundation for natural toxin-free living, and for supporting emotional and physical health.

Self-care is such a buzz word these days, and for good reason. As a society, we are more stressed out than ever with so many commitments pulling us in every direction. If you’re planning a wedding, this can add so much to your plate on top of all your other commitments and leave you feeling burnt out and frazzled.  

If you’re a bride-to-be, it’s okay to take time for yourself and to stop worrying about all…the…things. I’m going to share some really simple self-care tips with you using essential oils so that you can ease into planning your wedding, take care of your physical and emotional health, while also experiencing other benefits such as glowing skin and healthy hair. 

This essential oil self-care guide for brides will help you as you plan your dream wedding. I’ve had 16 years of experience working with brides as a wedding photographer, and I’ve heard all the stories, the stresses, as well as the dreams and aspirations brides have for their wedding day. Adding essential oils to your daily self-care routine is an amazing way to bring some peace and balance into your life, and to replace harmful chemicals in every day beauty products, so that you can glow from the inside out on your wedding day. 

How to use essential oils 

There are three ways to use essential oils: topically, aromatically, and internally. (*only use certified pure therapeutic grade essential oils internally, and only those oils that are labelled safe  for internal use). Please note that I am referring to dōTERRA essential oils. in this guide which are the purest and the most tested essential oils that you can buy. 

Topically: This is a beautiful way to use essential oils. Simply add a drop to your wrist, back of your neck, or the bottoms of your feet. You can also apply essential oils directly to the area of concern for specific ailments such as muscle aches, head tension, or an upset stomach. Dilute essential oils with a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil to minimize skin sensitivity.  

Aromatically: Aromatherapy has been around for many years, and diffusing essential oils is one of the simplest ways to enjoy the healing benefits. You can add some drops of essential oil to your shower and inhale, take a whiff directly from the bottle, or add a few drops to a diffuser or to your diffuser jewellery. 

Internally: There are many ways to use essential oils internally. You can cook with the oils, add a drop to your favourite beverage, or put them in a veggie capsule to swallow. Internal use of essential oils can support your immune system and function, aid in the digestive process, and to obtain antioxidants to protect against free radical damage. 

Support your physical health with essential oils. 

Peppermint: Apply to your temples to soothe head tension. Diffuse to boost energy levels and concentration. Add a drop to water to help soothe stomach discomfort. 

Tea Tree: Think all things skin. Apply directly to blemishes for clear skin on your wedding day. Did you get a scrape just days before your wedding? Clean the area and then apply Tea Tree and Lavender to help heal the skin.  

Oregano: This powerhouse oil is know for its antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. While it’s typically not a daily use oil, you’ll definitely want to have it on hand to support your immune system when you need it. Apply topically (dilute heavily), or add to a veggie capsule as needed if you feel a cold coming on, or you’re starting to feel run down. 

Zengest: A blend of oils to support your digestive system. Feeling bloated or have an upset your stomach before your wedding day? Or maybe you’re planning a destination wedding and worried that travel and different foods will leave you feeling uncomfortable? Use ZenGest topically after a large meal, before travelling, or as needed to help soothe any stomach discomfort. 

Slim & Sassy: This is an oil blend for metabolic support. Take daily in water to curb cravings and support your metabolism. 

Lemon: Add a drop to your water to naturally cleanse the body and aid in digestion, boost immunity, and support healthy looking skin.  

Grapefruit: Had one too many cocktails? Add a drop of Grapefruit oil to your water. Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants to help boost your immune system which can be depleted after drinking a few too many cocktails. 

Support your emotional health with essential oils. 

Focus blend: Every bride-to-be can benefit from using essential oils to help with focus while planning their wedding day. Create your own roller blend to help you maintain focus and concentration. Blend 5 drops each of Rosemary, Wild Orange, Frankincense, and Peppermint into a 10 ml roller bottle and top with fractionated coconut oil. Apply topically. 

Calm blend: Liquid calm. Blend 10 drops each of Serenity, Balance, and Vetiver essential oils in a 10 ml roller bottle and top with fractionated coconut oil. Apply topically as needed to help calm anxious feelings. 

Copaiba: Take internally under the tongue to help soothe anxious feelings as part of your daily health regimen. The main constituent of Copaiba oil is Beta-caryophyllene which promotes healthy nervous, cardiovascular, and immune function. 

Adaptiv: This new essential  oil blend is perfect for life’s most stressful moments. This blend is the perfect natural tool to help calm anxious feelings when planning your wedding day. Apply topically or diffuse. 

Balance: A grounding blend of essential oils to promote relaxation and tranquility. Apply topically to wrists and back of neck to help create a sense of calm and well being.  

Essential oil beauty guide.  

Essential oils are one of the best things that you can use for healthy, glowing, and youthful looking skin. If you want to see the benefits of using essential oils for glowing skin, then I recommend adding these oils to your daily routine 3-6 months before your wedding day, although, many have shared that they see results within a few days or weeks when using these oils topically on their skin. 

Yarrow Pom: A blend of Yarrow essential oil and Pomegranate seed oil, this botanical nutritive duo is THE secret to beautiful, youthful, glowing skin. Add a couple drops to your serum or moisturizer morning and night. This blend naturally revitalizes your skin for a healthy and dewy glow on your wedding day. 

Frankincense: Another powerhouse essential oil for youthful looking skin. Add a couple drops of Frankincense with the Yarrow Pom to your serum or moisturizer to rejuvenate your skin, reduce the appearance of large pores and acne, and prevent wrinkles. 

Citrus oils in water: Get that glow from the inside out. Add a drop of Lemon, Grapefruit or other citrus oils to your water for healthy glowing skin from the inside out. Limonene in citrus oils provide natural antioxidant benefits.  

Lavender: Oh so many uses… Lavender is amazing for sleep, and is an incredibly calming and soothing oil. Sleep is important for your overall health, your skin, your hair, and your emotions. For a great night of sleep, diffuse Lavender essential oil or rub on the-bottoms of your feet before bed. Try a relaxing Epsom salt bath with a few drops of Lavender and fractionated coconut oil to help soothe achy muscles and put you in a relaxed state. Add a few drops to your shampoo to help promote healthy looking hair. 

The wedding planning process can be so exciting, but it can also be stressful. My goal with this essential oil guide for brides is to provide you with some simple self-care rituals using essential oils that can help you with every step of your wedding planning journey. As an essential oil leader in dōTERRA, I love to help women feel more ALIVE, at peace, and healthy with simple and effective solutions using pure essential oils. 

Jennifer Klementti 

http://celebratetheartoflife.com/