How did you come to be passionate about essential oils?
I began using oils quite simply: by diffusing them in our yoga studio, 889 Community, as an alternative to burning toxic scented candles. I was delighted by the beautiful, chic diffuser and pure aroma. Candles and fragrance never felt good to me. With my simple start—diffusing—I did not yet understand the therapeutic benefit of essential oils. My mentor in NYC had offered to send me some doTERRA Oil samples for my top health concerns. At the time, I was quite pregnant, congested and constipated. I reluctantly used them, only because I couldn’t understand how a cute little bottle of oil could actually help my breathing and my bowels, despite living a natural, holistic life. One roll of each—the digestive blend on my belly and the respiratory on my chest—and not a day has gone by since then that I haven’t used a pure essential oil from doTERRA to support myself and our family. I am so grateful.
Which oils have made the greatest difference in your lives?
Different ones at different times! My oils support me on a physical, emotional and spiritual realm. They help me be a more stable and stronger mama, leader, woman.
Immune support is a HUGE one for our family. We have a tool now to use on ourselves and our kids to support and boost immunity during the sick season. The frequency at which we get colds has dropped drastically and their duration is much shorter. Grateful!
Pregnancy: I felt so helpless during my first pregnancy. Like I had nothing to help me with alllllll of the things. I introduced oils late in my second pregnancy, and now, through my entire third pregnancy, I feel so supported: nausea, sleep, veins, digestion, relaxation, immunity, headaches, coughs, sore muscles, breathing, supporting babe in utero. Oils in pregnancy have been a game changer for me.
Where does one start, if they’ve never been exposed to essential oils before?
Start simple:
- Get a diffuser
- Get a carrier oil (we love fractionated coconut)
- Get a basic top 10 set of oils, pure therapeutic grade. I only use doTERRA. I have not had therapeutic results from other oils, nor do I trust not knowing what’s in the bottles. More below on this!
- Get the Modern Essentials Plus app on your phone for easy, self-directed knowledge and usage directions
- Learn with a mentor and a supportive community. When someone purchases oils with us, they get the oils (of course!) and they get mentorship from us. They’re also plugged in to our community of 2000+ people around the world who are using oils
What do you say to people who don’t “buy into” the usages and effects of oils?
That’s OK! Do what resonates with you. There’s nothing to “buy into.” Follow your own inner guidance.
Usually I offer a drop and an inhale of my faves, peppermint and wild orange—it’s pretty hard not to have an altering experience!
Are all oils safe for kids and adults alike?
Definitely not. We are Wellness Advocates with doTERRA because of the superior quality, the third-party testing, the commitment to therapeutic-grade (not just smelling nice), the commitment to the planet, the commitment to the people who take care of the plants, the co-impact sourcing model, and the honouring of the earth and the body. Check out sourcetoyou.com to learn how doTERRA’s sourcing model is completely different than traditional oil companies that grow all their own plants. doTERRA sources from over 60+ countries globally—the business model is much more difficult. But doTERRA chooses this because they want the highest quality oils for us. They are the only company testing every single litre of oil AND sharing the chemical lab tests with you—the consumer—of your very bottle.
With 95% of essential oils on the market adulterated, ensure you know the source of yours.
For these reasons I only stand behind doTERRA for safety and efficacy.
What are your go-to, everyday oils?
- Frankincense under the tongue for stability, hormone support, glow and cellular health. It supports seven systems in the body (wow), so it is my superhero superpower
- Lemon for a gentle organ detox
- Copaiba, from Brazil, under the tongue to soothe anxious, overwhelming feelings
- Deep Blue blend for sore muscles
- Rose for love, trust and connection to the Divine
What’s your morning beauty routine?
Snuggle and laugh in bed with my girls. They are my alarm. I don’t even have an alarm clock!
A quick coconut oil pull and one drop of On Guard, an immunity blend.
Tongue scrape, tooth brush and floss.
A drop of frankincense and copaiba oils under the tongue.
Splash my face with water, then apply coconut oil and an essential oil of my choice. Usually I rotate between rose, Immortelle blend and Blue Tansy all over my face and décolleté.
Apply moisturizer, SPF, concealer, CC cream and a bit of blush. Curl lashes.
Drink one litre of water with one to two drops of citrus essential oil. Water before anything else!
No phone until 7:30 a.m. at the earliest. Yes, this contributes to beauty as it keeps my central nervous system grounded in the morning. Not scattered and frazzled and overloaded.
A bulletproof–style warm beverage (see Emily’s notes below). We are OBSESSED with starting our day this way.
What’s your bedtime beauty routine?
No phone post 8:00 p.m., unless required.
Bedside diffuser on for 30 minutes before bed. Lately I’ve been loving one drop geranium, two drops vetiver, one drop frankincense. So healing. Or, four drops Balance, one drop Black Spruce for a Forest Bath sleep. Mmmmm.
I massage the bottoms of my feet with a fave essential oil blend. Lately it’s been Deep Blue—the soothing blend for sore muscles. I’m pregnant so my feet get so sore and tired. Then, I rub another blend for circulation up my legs to support my veins.
I draw a heart around my belly with my rose oil roller and then lather coconut oil and frankincense all over my big belly and breasts for cellular health—both for me and for our sweet baby girl growing on the inside.
I sit on the edge of my bed with a drop of geranium on my fingertips. Geranium is the oil of love and trust. I place the fingertips of my right hand lightly on my breastbone and inhale, then exhale. I sit for a minute or two and say a prayer.
I get into bed and open my two small journals. In one, I write two to three sentences about my girls and their lives, and in the other, I simply write what I’m grateful for, what I did well that day. Takes three minutes.
What do you do to stay strong, healthy and energized?
A daily practice. Some gentle yoga and movement followed by a meditation, every day. Sometimes guided, sometimes silent. I almost never miss a day as this is my steadiness, stability, and how I honour myself.
I also get 20 minutes or so of exercise almost every day. Right now, it’s a walk in the ravine or a swim. One day a week Emily and I do a reformer Pilates class together, and I do a resistance workout with a trainer once a week. I kept up everything, at a gentler pace, during my pregnancy, too. Feels so good.
How do you perceive aging?
I turned 40 last year and LOVE IT. Aging is a beautiful process of gaining wisdom and confidence, and standing in my truth. I’ve never felt stronger, more aligned, more connected to my loved ones and my Source, and surer of myself. Our bodies are miracles and I honour that deeply, whatever stage I’m at.
Are there any beauty products you swear by?
doTERRA Frankincense for General Wellness, cellular support, connection to the earth, healing and youthful glow.
Any beauty or health practices you love to do?
My daily practice—yoga, breathing, oils, meditation—is life. I treasure it. It’s quiet, slow, keeps me grounded, and brings me reverence, gratitude and peace.
What’s your favourite meal of the day?
It may not be a meal per se, but my favourite meal of the day is my Bulletproof chaga tea followed by my morning smoothie! When I wake up I drink water with three drops of doTERRA lemon oil in it and take my supplements. Then, after my morning practice ritual, I LOVE making my Bulletproof chaga tea. In it, I put a packet of Four Sigmatic chaga powder (an adaptogenic mushroom powder that supports the immune system and calms the body) combined with one tablespoon of ghee or grass–fed butter, two tablespoons of Laird Hamilton Coconut Creamer, two tablespoons of MCT Oil (for brain function and vitality!), and then I add one drop of either cinnamon oil, peppermint oil or turmeric oil. In the blender it goes and I drink this while I get the kids ready for and take them to school. I will sip it until 10 or 11 a.m. when I make my smoothie. It’s intermittent fasting, which means I don’t eat from after dinner until my morning smoothie, but am supported by the good fats in the chaga tea, the coconut and the butter. I find it really helps me sustain strong energy over the course of the morning and it has really helped me with weight regulation. You can find my favourite smoothie recipes on Instagram @essentialemily_
Do you take any vitamins and supplements?
Yes! I take the following supplements by doTERRA, all of which act as a baseline of support for my health. From this baseline, my food is better absorbed and used in my body to give me energy and vitality.
Lifelong Vitality Supplements by doTERRA: These supplements include a food nutrient complex that covers off all the vitamins and minerals I need for basic good health. They also include an omega supplement (with an added tummy tamer—major gut support), and a cellular complex that helps with the release of free radicals from the body and with cellular regeneration.
Mito2Max: This supplement is an energy and stamina complex that I recommend to everyone who needs more energy. I don’t drink caffeine, so this is a natural way for me to get the same benefits.
Terrazyme: I take this supplement with every meal. It’s a digestive enzyme that helps me digest food more easily and helps my body absorb the nutrients from the food more readily. A must-have for travel.
On Guard Softgel: This is a blend of essential oils that helps support my immune system. This in combination with the morning chaga tea has completely upgraded my immune system. The difference is remarkable.
Bone Nutrient Complex + Phytoestrogen Complex: These two supplements are part of the women’s support collection by doTERRA. The first one supports bone density and health (and has added magnesium for calm), and the second clears bad estrogen out of the body (and clears the skin).
PB Assist: An incredible probiotic that is time–released to actually reach the gut. Most probiotics are absorbed before they even reach the gut. It’s also great for travel because it doesn’t need to be refrigerated.
What’s on your nightstand?
Right now, I’m reading Anthony William’s Medical Medium. I read every night about the power and magic of one fruit or vegetable. It has totally shifted the way I interact with fruit and vegetables. I also have my Practice Your Deck by my mentor, Elena Brower. Each night I intuitively select a new card from the deck and place it on the little holder it comes with. I read the card and contemplate it before bed. My diffuser is always going. Lately I’ve been loving two drops lavender, two drops frankincense, two drops copaiba and one drop wild orange. If someone is sick in the house, I will use two drops of On Guard, an immunity–boosting oil, and two drops lavender, to calm my central nervous system. I also have my GOE Oil that I use to apply oils on my feet (lately it has been lavender and On Guard), my eye pillow and my journal—I write down three things I’m grateful for, three things I am proud of from the day, and three things that are abundant in my life.
Are there any diets you subscribe to?
I don’t subscribe to a diet per se, but I do practice intermittent fasting, which I talked about above. If you’re interested in the topic I recommend following Dave Asprey, Founder of the Bulletproof brand. He is my landmark on this subject. I also believe in the power of the mind around food. If you believe it’s bad for you, then the body will digest it that way. I pray over my food, asking it to alter its state to meet my needs in that moment and then thank it and all the people who did the work to get it to my plate. I do not eat gluten, dairy, sugar or caffeine. Eating this way helps me keep my emotions steady and my body in a good state of vitality. I like to feel good and eating this way supports that.
How do you manage stress?
I have daily routines that support my stress levels. I also have in–the–moment tools for stress as it arises. My morning routine is the same every day. I like to be in the driver’s seat of my day, so if I miss my morning routine, then my day goes completely differently: I’m likely to live in reaction mode, which means stress levels and anxious feelings go up. My morning routine includes essential oils, movement, breathing, meditation and affirmations. My evening routine is pretty similar. During the day I manage stress with essential oils and routine breaks for breathing and pausing. I also get my heart rate up every day for at least 20 minutes, which helps rinse the emotions that do not serve me out of my body. I love to go for a walk or a jog, or hit my Peloton for a quick workout. My discipline in my daily habits is what keeps my emotional chemistry healthy and my physical body strong. This in turn keeps me centred and out of reaction mode and much better equipped to deal with stress as it arises. A daily routine is the most powerful way to lower stress levels and deal with stress gracefully as it comes.
Is there anyone you hope to meet one day and why?
I would love to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Michelle Obama.
What do you always have in your refrigerator?
Almond milk that I make with the kids. Hemp Hearts. Flax Seeds. Almond Butter. Berries. Apples. Frozen bananas in the freezer.
Where can people buy essential oils?
doTERRA is a progressive company on so many levels. One of the things I respect the most is how we get the oils to the customer directly. Instead of going through the conventional chain to get a product from supplier to retailer, we do direct sales, which removes the middle man and has a much lighter impact on the planet. Not only is this better for the environment, it’s better for the customer. An actual person, like me, who cares deeply about your well–being, who helps you during and AFTER purchase? No retail model offers this! Further to that, your purchase benefits my family and me financially directly though the service I offer you. Buying oils directly from doTERRA gives you the opportunity to work with me and to tap into all of my incredible resources to support you as you venture into this new healthy habit. We will work together on your current health concerns, your health goals and those of your family, and design a customized order to suit your needs and keep it simple. Designing daily routines is my zone of genius. My number one goal as a Wellness Advocate for doTERRA is to keep it simple for you so that you don’t feel overwhelmed by yet another thing to think about. Essential oils make daily habits super easy because they are easy to apply and they work quickly.
How can people learn which oils to use when and for what?
I host classes once a week in Toronto and online. I also offer five spots weekly for one–on–one consults. People who want to learn about oils and introduce them to their friends and family host education sessions with me. I open up space for four hosts per month and always prioritize those who attend the classes in terms of who gets to be the next host. Once you have your oils, we’ll meet for 30 minutes to set up your plan and get you started. After that, I have incredible resources and an accessible community that will support your continued education and use. I am in our online groups daily educating on the oils. There are also some great books and apps that I recommend to my customers. You can also follow me @essentialemily_ and my sister Christine @essentialchristine as we share our habits and routines daily on our Instagram Stories.
Can you describe the process of extracting the oils from their natural state to the bottles? And why some are more expensive than others?
doTERRA oils are the only pure therapeutic–grade oils on the market. It’s been confirmed that 95% of oils on the market has been adulterated in some way. doTERRA sources oils from regions in which plants are native and thus where the oil extracted is most potent. This is why they work so well therapeutically over any other over–the–counter oil. Every litre of oil extracted is third-party tested at least three times and all its information can be found on the doTERRA site, sourcetoyou.com. Just type in the number that’s printed on the bottom of your bottle to find out everything there is to know about it, from the exact location from which it was sourced to its chemical composition and purity rating. Oils can be steam–distilled or cold–pressed. For example, a peppermint leaf is steam–distilled to extract peppermint oil and a lemon is cold–pressed to extract lemon oil.
Are some oils safe to ingest?
Yes! I’ll only recommend doTERRA therapeutic oils for ingestion, though. If you’re reading this and thinking of ingesting an essential oil other than doTERRA, please do not. I chose doTERRA because I want to put only the purest oil on and in my body. That being said, not all doTERRA oils are meant to be ingested. If you’re considering ingesting oils, I would start by putting two drops of lemon essential oil in your water in the morning for a detoxification. You can also try a drop or two of lime, wild orange or grapefruit oil in sparkling water for an added delicious touch. I also take copaiba under my tongue multiple times per day to calm my central nervous system and ease anxious feelings. If you suffer from digestive issues or if you’re travelling and eating more than usual, I recommend a drop of zengest oil, a digestive blend, in a shot of water as needed.
Are there any dangers that come with using oils? Anything to be cautious about?
As with anything, it’s important to be informed on safety. There are a few simple safety tips that I always teach my new customers.
- Always dilute oils when applying them to the body. I recommend using enough coconut oil, or another carrier oil, such as jojoba, to cover a body part’s surface area. For example, I use just enough coconut oil to cover the bottoms of both my feet, if I’m doing my feet.
- When adding the essential oils to the carrier oil, less is more. Start with one drop and then add more to your liking.
- Never use “hot oils,” such as cinnamon, clove or cassia, in the bath. Always add the drops to coconut oil and then pour the coconut oil in or add it to Epsom salts. This helps the oils disperse, not sit on the surface.
- If you feel a burning sensation on your skin, don’t add water to wipe off the oil. Always coat the area with quite a bit of carrier oil, then wipe it off with a paper towel. The same goes for in the eye. Flush the eye with fractionated (liquefied) coconut oil, not water. Water makes it burn more.
- Do not put oils around or in the eye. Especially minty oils.
What diffusers and other tools does someone just getting into oils need?
I recommend beginning with a kit that includes a diffuser. Some starter kits come with fractionated coconut oil as well. If the kit you choose doesn’t, I recommend adding it for topical use. My favourite kit is called the Home Essentials Kit. It includes the top 10 oils for getting started and a diffuser. These top 10 oils will address over 80% of your needs, from the cold and flu to cleaning products to skincare, better sleep, temper tantrums, mood balancing and stress management.
