July 1, 2026

Happy July 1st!

It's time to start using your cooling essential oils for the summer heat (if you're in the Northern Hemisphere, that is). But...maybe you're like I used to be before I truly understood essential oils?

One thing I see all the time is that many essential oil users feel a little nervous and overwhelmed, even if they have technically been using oils for months or years. They may have a handful of bottles in the cupboard, a diffuser on the counter, and a few favorite oils they reach for now and then, but they still feel unsure about what they’re actually doing.

Can this go on the skin? Is this safe for children? How much is too much? Do I need to dilute it? What if I use the wrong oil? And for Pete’s sake, why does everyone online seem to have a completely different opinion?

If that’s you, I want you to know you’re not alone.

Essential oils are beautiful, useful, and powerful, but they are also concentrated plant extracts, and that means they deserve more thought than “just put a drop on it.” My goal as an herbalist who is also trained in aromatherapy is to help you feel confident around essential oils, herbs, and holistic health in general.

The first place to begin is to start small. You don't need a giant shelf full of essential oils to practice aromatherapy well. In fact, having too many oils too soon can make the whole thing feel more confusing. It’s much better to begin with a small collection of useful oils and truly get to know them well.

Lavender, tea tree, sweet orange, cedarwood, frankincense, peppermint, lemon, eucalyptus, rosemary, or Roman chamomile might be common starting points, depending on your household and your specific safety needs. Instead of trying to memorize fifty oils at once, choose a few and learn them well.

Notice how they smell, how they make you feel, what they blend well with, what they are commonly used for, and when they may not be appropriate.

This is one of the most important differences between collecting oils and actually learning aromatherapy. Collecting feels exciting for a minute, but learning and then actually applying them builds real confidence. When you know that peppermint feels bright and cooling, but may not be the best choice for every person (like children under age 10) or every situation, you are beginning to think like an aromatherapist.

When you understand that lavender is not automatically “the calming oil” for every human body on earth because some people truly don't respond well to it, you are beginning to practice with discernment.

You also want to choose high quality essential oils. This matters because an essential oil is only as useful as it is authentic. Fragrance oils, perfume oils, adulterated oils, and poorly labeled oils are not the same as true essential oils. Unfortunately, they're out there in spades.

In fact, did you know that there is more lavender essential oil being sold in the United States than there are lavender plants available?

A good company should be transparent about the Latin name of the plant, the plant part used, the country of origin, the extraction method, and ideally batch-specific testing such as GC/MS reports. I know that can sound science-y, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating. You do not need to become a chemist overnight.

You simply need to become a thoughtful consumer. Buy from companies who are owned by actual highly educated aromatherapists....not doctors or veterinarians; not herbal tea shops; not random herbalists; and if working with one of the large MLM companies, be sure the distributor is educated.

Look for companies that educate honestly, label clearly, and provide safety information without hype. More expensive does not automatically mean better, and popular does not automatically mean safer. A beautifully designed label isn't the same thing as transparency. We want the real plant, properly identified and responsibly offered.

Another important piece is learning proper application methods, because not every oil should be used in the same way. Inhalation is often one of the simplest and most effective ways to enjoy essential oils. This might mean smelling from the bottle, using a personal inhaler, placing a drop on a cotton ball, or diffusing for a short period of time.

Topical use means applying essential oils to the skin, but usually in a carrier oil, lotion, balm, salve, or cream. Bath use can be lovely, but essential oils do not dissolve in water, so dropping them straight into the tub is never a great plan. They can sit on top of the water and irritate sensitive skin in very unpleasant places. Ask me how fast that can ruin a peaceful bath!

Diffusing is another method people often overdo. You don't need your diffuser running all day like an aromatic fog machine. Short sessions are usually plenty, and fresh air still matters.

Internal use is a more advanced application method and not something I recommend casually. Just because something is natural doesn't mean it belongs in your water glass. The oil matters, the person matters, the method matters, and the situation matters. This is the kind of thinking that turns essential oil use into real aromatherapy.

And then, my beautiful friend, we need to talk about dilution. Dilution doesn't mean your product is weak. Essential oils are concentrated and powerful, and using them undiluted on the skin can increase the risk of irritation, redness, burning, itching, or sensitization. Diluting essential oil in a carrier oil helps spread the essential oil safely and evenly over the skin. Common carrier oils include jojoba, olive oil, sunflower oil, sweet almond oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, and others. These carrier oils are not boring background ingredients either; many are wonderfully supportive to the skin in their own right.

For many everyday adult uses, a low dilution is enough. A 1% dilution may be appropriate for facial products, sensitive skin, older adults, or long-term use. A 2% dilution is a common general adult dilution for many body blends. Higher dilutions may have a place, but they should be chosen with purpose, not because we got enthusiastic and started dumping drops into the bottle. Children, pregnancy, older adults, sensitive skin, certain health conditions, and pets all require extra thought. This is where education matters so much.

Finally, listen to your body. If an oil gives you a headache, stop using it. If a blend makes your skin itch, wash it off. If a diffuser makes your chest feel tight, turn it off and get fresh air. If everyone else loves an oil and you can't stand it, you don't have to force yourself to love it. Aromatherapy isn't just about what a book says what an oil is “for.” It is also about the actual person using it: their body, their preferences, their memories, their season of life, their skin, their lungs, and their nervous system.

This is why I believe essential oils belong within the larger world of herbalism. They are not magic drops, and they are not trendy little bottles of smell-good hope. They're concentrated aromatic plant preparations, and they can be incredibly useful when we use them with skill. When we start small, choose quality oils, learn application methods, dilute properly, and pay attention to how our bodies respond, we move out of overwhelm and into confidence. And that is exactly what I want for you: a home apothecary that is not only full of beautiful bottles and jars, but full of active use!

Next week, we'll talk about the sustainability of essential oils!

Interested in essential oil use as part of your herbalism practice? If so...good for you! I can't imagine practicing herbalism without also using my essential oils for so many products.

​Here at the School of Botanical Arts & Sciences, we have a NAHA approved (National Association of Holistic Aromatherapists) aromatherapy certification course that will make you powerfully knowledgeable in safe and competent use of essential oils. It's still at the same price I first offered it, and now is a great time to begin. I'll be starting a new student group soon!

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🌼 Herbal Infused Oils + a Treat! 🌼

I've got something special for you! I'm so excited to tell you that my friend, Susan Parker, author of Power of the Seed, is planning a special training workshop on Calendula Infused Oil.

If you don't know Susan, she is an expert in lipid oils. These are carrier oils meant for essential oils and herbal infused oils. Even salad dressings!

The thing that's so exciting to me, as an herbalist and also aromatherapist, is that plants can and do release certain chemical constituents into lipid oils. One of these for example, are the carotenoids found so heavily in calendula flowers that make the infused oil so helpful for skincare!

Come with me to Susan's training, and let's find out more about Calendula infused oil!

I've been busy harvesting my calendula---the goal is always around a gallon or more of the dried flowers. This lasts me about a year. Here's what my recent batch looks like:

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Encouragement and Inspiration

The Gap and the Gain....

Have you heard of this? It's something that's been floating around in the business world for a few years, and it explains why some people become better....and some people don't.

I'm on a path of "becoming." In fact, all of us are. Hopefully, we're on the right track! I've not always been great at this, and I still need some work....

I caught myself doing it again the other day, as I gazed down at the unchanging scale. I was looking at the ten pounds I still want to lose while forgetting the thirty pounds I already have.

Please tell me I’m not the only one who does this, because honestly, it’s such a strange human habit, isn’t it? We can have real evidence of progress sitting right in front of us, and still our minds will point to the unfinished business as if that’s the truest thing—-the evidence of our failure to be the fabulous person we know we’re meant to be.....

You can read the whole thing HERE. It's a longer article, but in it I share things I've never shared before, and I give you a plan to take charge of your gain....and not your gap.

God wants us to renew our minds and to release anxiety. He wants us to continually become sharper...and better. This may help, I hope.

Join me over on my Substack, Keep Your Lamp Lit, where I can really write meatier and more valuable content in this sphere of "becoming."

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You Might Enjoy....

Today, in our Confident Herbalist Tribe student chat (we had over 50 students there today!), I discovered that one of my students sells my Cooling Spray at her market....and it sells like hotcakes!

Here's the formula, so you can make it at home. It's lovely. I made this for hot flashes, but it's also amazing on a hot summer day for most people!

I can't remember if I shared it with you recently (menopause brain), but here it is again, in case you haven't seen it.....

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It's Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium) Harvest Season!

In this article, you'll find out how to identify, forage, harvest, and prepare yarrow in many ways. You'll also find out all the things to do with it....and there's a LOT!

Let me know what you do with yarrow in your home...I just love this plant. It's in my top ten summer plants to harvest each year!

​Foraging, Harvesting, and Preparing Yarrow​

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That's all for this week! I hope you stay cool (or warm, if you're down under), and have the most beautiful and blessed week!

Be sure to register for Susan's free class on Calendula infused oil, and I'll see you there!

Hugs, Health, and Herbs,

Heidi

​P.S. If you visit the home page of my website, I've put all my best free resources on one page! The link is in the announcement bar and on the buttons there. Enjoy!

NOTE: Be sure to use the same email address you get these notes at so you don't get doubles.... And please forward along to a friend!