Essential oils for cats are not safe. This is a lie and here’s why.

August 11, 2024 by Allie Phillips

Spoiler alert … essential oils can be safe for animals, including cats.

When I see definitive statements that “essential oils are not safe for cats,” it really irks me! And when it’s coming from people or organizations with ZERO credentials in this area, that speak up in my loud lawyer voice.

When I teach my essential oils for pet classes (I’ve taught over 100 of them), I recommend to never ever ever Google search for “essential oils for animals.” You will be stunned at what you see, almost all of it is inaccurate, and sadly most people believe what they are seeing.

Not everything on the internet or social media is true about essential oils for cats.

I recently looked on Google to see just how bad the misinformation is about this topic. And what content was coming up first because that’s what people click on. I was STUNNED and ANGRY at the results!

Here are the top results on Google.

Top article = Check out this bold statement below from a PET FOOD COMPANY! The author she labels herself as “a writer, mom, and long-time cat parent.” No offense, but that is not sufficient to make bold statements like you’ll see below. If you have no education, experience or credentials involving essential oils for pets then you should not be writing content on a topic you are not skilled in for a national company that can pay a lot of money to get the article at the top of a Google search. For example, I’m not giving you advice on how to replace a catalytic converter in your car because I don’t know the first thing about them. This article was inaccurate, incomplete and deceptive because it broad brushed all essential oils into the no-no category.

Can I address the national animal protection organization cited in the article? They are known for their pet poison control hotline and combating animal cruelty and I respect them for that. As an internationally-recognized award winning animal protection attorney & former prosecutor, I spent years collaborating with this organization and I am unaware of any expertise they have with essential oils. They may have veterinarians on staff, but almost all veterinarians are untrained in essential oils. The DVM should not give them license to form opinions on which they have no knowledge. And this organization puts ALL essential oils into the no-no category which is categorically wrong.

2^nd article = The screenshot below is from WebMD. What does WebMD have to do with animal health? The veterinarian who reviewed the article lists no essential oil expertise in her bio. And while the article gives a few good cautions, it broadly paints essential oils in a bad light. Just because you work with animals and have letters behind your name does not make you an animal essential oil expert. This is one snippet from the article.

5^th article = Finally, someone who is an expert in essential oils. Robert Tisserand has been researching and teaching about essential oils since the 1970’s. He wrote a thoughtful article explaining how essential oils can be safely used with cats. He cites to a 1988 article called “Australian tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil poisoning in three purebred cats“ that declared Tea Tree essential oils as deadly to cats. People generally read a title or believe other people’s interpretations of this article and then stop doing further research. The article discussed 3 cats who received a topical application of Tea Tree (brand unknown) for flea treatment. The article says. “The product contained 100% oil of Melaleuca alternifolia. The oil was applied directly to the cats’ skin, and 2 1-oz (approximately 60 ml) bottles were used on the 3 cats. *** The cats were bathed in warm water and a mild detergent to remove any remaining oil from the skin.”

If you have no education in essential oils that article would no doubt cause you to never want to use essential oils with your cats. However, I started my essential oil education in the science, biology and chemistry back in 2013 and here are just 2 problems with this article:

60ml of a straight (neat) essential oil of ANY type is WAY TOO MUCH for a human and especially a cat. We use 1 drop at a time. Do you know how many drops are in 60ml? About 1100!!! I and other expert educators recommend using 5-8 drops of a carrier oil to 1 drop of essential oil when topically applying on cats. Less is more! So hence, common sense was seriously lacking and this article failed to recognize that. The article failed to mention the brand of the essential oil and I can guarantee that there was no information on the essential oil bottle about use with cat. So this was human error now blamed on Tea Tree.
Water drives essential oils deeper into the body which is why I teach everyone to dilute a topical application with a carrier (nut) oil which acts like a time release for slower absorption. So rinsing the cats with water made this situation worse.

Two of the cats survived and one sadly passed. Articles like this caused a broad condemnation of ALL essential oils for cats in particular. And rather than become educated about safe use of essential oils with cats, people just keep misrepresenting and regurgitating articles like this. It is particularly shameful when animal professionals (like veterinarians, vet techs, animal protection organizations) make bold statements without proper education.

So what’s the concern about cats?

Let’s look at the science first. The concern is primarily because cats are deficient (not missing) in the cytochrome p450 liver metabolism pathway that helps the liver to metabolize to excrete compounds, including medications, toxins and essential oils. This is unique to felines and it’s why people are nervous to use essential oils with cats.

Some people think cats cannot excrete oils but a study found that they excrete differently (more in line with how plants excrete) but they do it. Slower elimination can result in build up. We give our cats medications and they can pass that thru their liver. Some cats are surrounded by toxic cleaners, plugins, candles and aerosols and are able to excrete those. Even some of the adulterated essential oil brands out there are not hurting cats in mass quantities.

It is also because of online and social media content that continues to spread inaccurate, misleading and deceptive information, like the 1988 article listed above, without doing their research. They rely on scary (and sometimes untrue) social media stories about how a pet was harmed or killed due to an essential oil. And when I see these, I think:

We don’t know the backstory on these posts
We don’t know if or how many health issues these pets already had
We don’t know what food they were eating
We don’t know if they had toxic pet toys that created toxic overload in their body
We don’t know if or how many toxins are present in the home (candles, plug ins, sprays, aerosols, cleaners) to create toxic overload
We don’t know which essential oils were used with those pets/animals
We don’t know how the essential oils were used or how much was used

What essential oils are safe for cats?

In my personal and legal opinion, it depends on the brand. Let me explain.

A company either has safe and pure processing of growing and harvesting plant-material to become essential oils, or they don’t. Period! If a brand grows lavender with pesticides and harmful chemicals like glyphosate, those chemicals will be in the essential oil and should never be used around animals. If the essential oil company does not have their own farms, do they know safe practices are in place? They don’t. The brand I work with has their own farms and a very strict Seed to Seal® process that is the highest industry standard.
Distillation of the plant material is also important to make sure that all constituents (the plant compounds) are drawn out so that the essential oil is balanced. When distillers take short cuts to sell cheaper oils, they are not getting all the compounds out. When distillation is done fully and properly, it is bioavailable (fully active and balanced) and that is another factor that makes it safe for pets. The brand I work with has their own distilleries with onsite testing every 15 minutes and 3^rd party testing for purity. No other essential oil company tests at this level.
What is the essential oil company saying about animals? Most essential oil BRANDS have no mention of animals or pets on their websites. Most brands do not promote or label their essential oils to be used with animals. By that omission they are telling you to NOT use their products with or around pets. So please do not diffuse or topically apply these brands on your pet. The absence of information on a label is as important as what IS on the label. For example, a popular fiber laxative product is not appropriate for a newborn baby because that product is not labeled to be used with newborns. It is marketed for older people. Common sense, right? The brand I use promotes their essential oils for animals on their website, they have articles on their website about safe practices, they host an Essential Oils for Animals conference, and have an animal-specific line of products. This company is putting their name behind their products for animals. If a company does not do that, they will not have your back if something goes wrong.
In The Oily Pet book I provide a test so that you can figure out whether your essential oil brand is safe. I have looked at other brands for years and only one brand passes the test. Too often I hear people say “you cannot use Tea Tree with cats” or “you cannot diffuse citrus oils around cats.” With a brand that is not labeled to be used with pets, that would be accurate.

With the brand that I use, I have diffused citrus oils almost daily for over a decade and my 3 cats liver values are healthy. I have annual testing done and it amazes me that as my cats age their liver values get healthier. Interesting, eh? The brand I use also puts Tea Tree essential oil in one of their topical animal-specific ointment. How is this possible? It’s because of their Seed to Seal® process of growing, harvesting & distilling the plant-matter to fully extract all of the constituents so that the essential oil is truly pure, balanced, bioavailable, and not just a word on a label.

Since 2013, this is why I only promote one brand, Young Living Essential Oils, because it’s about safety for you and your 4-legged family. This is not a sales pitch … it’s an education pitch because I want you to spend your money wisely and use the best wellness products for your pets.

And this is why I get frustrated when I see the ignorant definitive statements that essential oils cannot be used with cats because I have daily essential oil use with my cats since February 2013 and have helped them through several health issues with the essential oils.

Who should you learn from about essential oils for pets?

Be very cautious in who you learn from (on any topic) and always check their credentials. If someone has the education, certifications, and experience in a particular area they will tell you. Look for these qualifications:

(Important) Someone who works or volunteers with animals = this is someone who will have broad experience with animals and not just offering essential oils to their family pet.
(Important) Someone who is trained in essential oils specifically for animals = just because a veterinarian, animal worker or animal organization posts an article about essential oils for pets does not mean that person/organization is properly educated. Look for how long they have been working with essential oils and the education they received. If the author has the proper credentials, they will tell you. If they don’t, they will be silent. Avoid learning from those who list NO credentials.
(Important) Someone who has hands-on experience with essential oils for animals = you want someone who not only has the education but has the hands-on experience because that is where the real learning happens. I have extensive hands-on oily experience with my cats and pet clients after diligent research and have never had a negative reaction.
(Bonus) Someone with credentials who teaches classes and/or publishes online content and/or books about essential oils for animals = this person is bold enough to share accurate information that flies in the face of the majority of inaccurate online information.

I have been an animal protection attorney since 1994, I have volunteered with shelter and rescue animals (primarily cats) since 2000, I have been highly educated in essential oils biology, chemistry and working with animals since 2013, I wrote The Oily Pet book and have sold thousands of copies, I have been invited by Young Living corporate and other essential oil leaders to present on essential oils for pets, shelter pets & rescue pets, and I have hands-on experience with my own felines and pet clients.

Where can you find accurate information?

First – Watch this class that I taught online about safe essential oil practices for cats and dogs.

Second – Grab a copy of The Oily Pet book so that you have a handy reference.

Third – Like my social media pages (listed below) where I post content on how to safely use essential oils with your cats, dogs and other animals.

Fourth – Check out a few of my favorite animal essential oil experts who happen to be veterinarians, who teach at national conferences, are highly respected in this field, and use Young Living essential oils in their veterinary practices:

Be well,

Woo woo, says who? As a Chief Master Catalyst blending 10 coaching & energy certifications with my lawyer brain, my passion is helping people understand the science and logic behind crystals, energy healing, essential oils, Universal Laws and more. Once you logically understand how they work, you will understand the metaphysical and spiritual benefits and have your ah-ha moment. I am the author of The Oily Pet and The Oily Crystaland creator of The Sacred Shift community, The Oily Crystal Master Class and The Crystal Cluster community. As a former prosecuting attorney & animal protection expert, I love helping people understand their animal companions at a deeper level, while helping abused, neglected & shelter pets heal. For those of us who have them grace our worlds, they are our soul mates.

Why are essential oils for pets so controversial?

August 10, 2023April 13, 2025 by Allie Phillips

Learn how to safely use essential oils with your cat — **My kitty Stella**

When I decided to specialize in essential oils for pets I KNEW that I would be swimming in a hornets nest. I have no problem with that because the foundation of my business is helping animals (and the people who have animals), especially abused, neglected and shelter pets. And that means being innovative and changing the paradigm of how we help our animal companions. I made that decision over 10 years ago and this topic is still a hornets nest.

Why is this so controversial? I have a few theories.

1 – There are essential oil brands on the market that are SO adulterated with chemicals (from the growing and distillation process) that they are unsafe for animals (and honestly for us, too). So the blanket response is to not use oils with pets.

2 – There are essential oil brands that distill the oils improperly to not allow for ALL of the constituents to be released which is what balances the oil for safe use with animals (even the controversial oils). Most people don’t know that.

3 – There are essential oil brands that never ever mention usage with animals (on their website or bottles) yet people think they can be used with pets. When their pet is then harmed they blast it all over social media perpetuating the MYTH that essential oils cannot be used with animals. This spreads fear.

4 – There are animal care professionals and organizations who are untrained in essential oils yet have a platform where they pronounce that ALL essential oils are harmful for pets. I would rather have people be safe than sorry with their pets, but this is ill-informed misinformation that continues to be spread.

5 – There are essential oil studies that people cite that proclaim that certain essential oils are unsafe for animals yet they do not disclose the brand that was tested. My cats ingest citrus essential oils everyday (gasp!) and I diffuse citrus oils all day long. Their lab tests show that they are healthy and thriving.

I could go on and on and on …..

Essential oils can be safe for your cats and dogs — *My kitty Dobby*

Here’s what I know from 10+ years of intensive studying AND usage of essential oils with pets …

…. it absolutely comes down to the safety of the brand. When I only teach about using pet-safe oils, I only mention Young Living. Some people think it’s a sales ploy.

You know what? IT IS! I only want people buying pet-safe esssential oils AND learning from people like me who are trained and skilled in how to use them.

As an attorney who specialized in animal protection cases, I look to what a company says about their products. If an essential oil company has ZERO information on their website about animals, they are telling you by omission to not use the oils on or around your pets. That includes diffusing.

Young Living has information on their website about essential oils for pets, they have a pet-specific essential oil line called Animal Scents, and they host educational events on oils for pets.

Thank you for reading this far (you get a gold star for that!).

Learn how to safely use essential oils with your cats and dogs in The Oily Pet book — *My kitty Rudy*

4 ways to learn about safe essential oils for pets.

First – Be sure to like my Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube pages for education on safe essential oil techniques for pets.

Second – Grab The Oily Pet book, now in it’s 2nd edition. This book will give you the foundation to be confident in offering essential oils to your cats and dogs.

Third – Watch my Oily Pet online class to understand some of my favorite ways I use essential oils with my cats and pet clients.

Fourth – Get the oils that I have been using since 2013 and are safe to use with your pets. You can start with the Animal Scents kit or the Pet Premium Bundle. With your purchase I will send you a FREE copy of The Oily Pet book and add you to our private education pages where we talk about animal wellness.

And if you’re interested in other animal wellness education? Check out upcoming class dates for my Crystal Healing for Animals classes (in-person and online). You will love the science and the practical tips specific to animals!

Be well, Allie

Woo woo, says who? As a Chief Master Catalyst blending 7 health & energy certifications with my lawyer brain, my passion is helping people understand the science and logic behind crystals, energy healing, essential oils, Universal Laws and more. Once you logically understand how they work, you will understand the metaphysical and spiritual benefits and have your ah-ha moment. I am the author of The Oily Pet and The Oily Crystal and creator of The Oily Crystal Master Class and The Crystal Cluster. As a former prosecuting attorney & animal protection expert, I love helping people understand their animal companions at a deeper level, while helping abused, neglected & shelter pets heal. For those of us who have them grace our worlds, they are our soul mates.

Essential Oil and Crystal Grief Protocol

April 13, 2022April 13, 2025 by Allie Phillips

Updated April 13, 2025

From December 2019 until March 12, 2022, I was in the prolonged and anticipatory grieving process of losing my mom to Alzheimer’s. Here’s the short story.

My mom had another fall, the visit to the emergency room accelerated her dementia, they told us she was dying and had only days to live (that was a shock to us), she went into assisted living for what we thought would be a short time. Fast forward 3 months and the lockdown happened in March 2020 and my dad and I were excluded from seeing her and even standing outside of her window to wave to her. Her dementia progressed rapidly until we moved her to a different assisted living facility where we could visit her daily. Fast forward 26 months where little by little each day she slipped away until her passing on March 12, 2022.

Grieving occurred every minute of this process and was prolonged because the mom I had before her final fall was not the mom that I watched decline for over 2 years. There are 5 times that we were told that she had days to live, only to have her bounce back. She contracted “the virus” and we thought she would not make it, but she physically recovered (not mentally). The rollercoaster of she’s dying to she bounced back was hard to handle. It was horrible watching her not eat for weeks and eventually slip away. I am thankful that she recognized me and my dad even in the end, that she was peaceful and in no pain.

Then on September 28, 2023, my dad went to the emergency room and they found a mass in his abdomen. He passed on December 15, 2023. I was devastated. He was my best friend, my biggest cheerleader, and the one person that I could talk to about anything. His fast moving illness put me in a nervous system state of flight he slipped away. I put my life and businesses on hold, was there for him throughout the entire process, and made sure his estate paperwork was in order. Then having to empty our family home of over 60 years and sell it put me in a subsequent state of functional freeze.

We all grieve differently

We all grieve in different ways and on different time lines in reaction to a loss.

Mourning is the outward expression of a loss, grief is the internal suffering we experience.

You can go back and forth in the stages of grieving. What is important is not to linger in grief because prolonged grief settles into the physical body in the lung meridian and heart chakra. We have all heard of a spouse who became ill after the prolonged illness of their loved one, and sometimes passing shortly after their loved one was gone.

Grieving can occur from:

Loss of a loved one (person or pet)
Loss of a pregnancy
Loss of health
Loss of a job
Loss of relationships
Loss of a home
Loss of a lifestyle
Loss of freedom
Loss of your world as it was

Your physical and emotional health before the grief incident can determine how long your grief process will happen. Grief meets you where you are and progresses from there.

Prolonged grieving can result in:

Depression
Anxiety
PTSD
Guilt
Isolation
Numbing behaviors
Numb emotions
Eating disorders (not eating or junk eating)
Concentration problems
Addictions
Low energy
No desire to do things once enjoyed
Heart attacks
Unhealthy behaviors

You will know that you have come out on the other side of grieving when:

You accept the loss
You no longer feel physical and emotional pain from the loss
You have adjusted to a “new normal”
You have moved on and do not feel guilty being happy

My Essential oil and Crystal Grief Protocol

I knew that my mom was on the dementia path and it is the primary reason that I left my legal career in the DC area and moved back home to Michigan in March 2015. I wanted to be there for her and my dad as she progressed.

In July 2019 I created an essential oil protocol to support the grieving process in response to so many friends losing beloved pets. I had several friends test the protocol and received feedback. I soon found that it was helpful in our rapidly changing world that started in March 2020. And then it was helpful for me and my dad during this prolonged time with my mom.

And then I added crystals and continued to refine the protocol.

This protocol meets you where you are in the stage of grieving.

This protocol is NOT intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease; it is a protocol that addresses the vibrational energy of grieving to help soothe what you are feeling and support you through the back-and-forth stages.

Click here to download an e-book with my Oily Crystal Grief Protocol.

For me, my grieving was long-term the entire time my mom was in assisted living. That time provided me and my dad the opportunity to adjust to a “new normal.” With her peaceful passing, I found peace.

But then the unexpected health issue for my dad left us both in shock. He was 85-years-young, still worked full time because he loved his job of over 50 years, was very active in his Rotary Club and young at heart. So we both went into overdrive trying to get him the medical help he needed, but the medical system was simply too slow. So the grief was compounded.

I now realize how prolonged grief impacted my energy these past 5 years. While I was able to keep going and keep up with the work I enjoy in my 3 businesses, I did not have the energy for much else. I found myself visiting my healing location at Lake Michigan frequently (on average every other week throughout the year). Visiting Lake Michigan became an obsession as I allowed the water and waves to heal me. Listen to those cravings (when they healthy).

I engaged in extreme self-care and prioritized keeping myself healthy and well. Essential oils, crystals, healthy food, lake time, and restricting my time to supportive positive people helped me greatly. It is important to take care of yourself first and foremost because others depend on you. I am still in the process of recovering my energy and do not feel bad when I say no to things I once enjoyed. Give yourself permission to say no.

I hope this protocol will help you, like it helped me, during the inevitable grieving that we all experience at one or more points in our lifetime. Being proactive in your self-care is one of the most important things you can do for yourself, your loved ones, and everyone around you.

About Allie:

I like proof, not fluff! As an attorney certified as a Usui Reiki Master-Teacher, Integrated Energy Therapy Master-Instructor, Advanced Crystal Master Teacher, and 4 coaching certifications, I believe in empowering people with education that is well-researched, easy to understand and implement with many options for success, and with experience that it works. My passion is blending all of my expertise together as a Holistic Wellness Coach to help people and pets stay well and thrive in our changing world. I am the author of The Oily Pet and The Oily Crystal and have written several award-winning animal protection books and publications. As an animal & family protection attorney who is an internationally recognized educator on prosecuting family violence and animal abuse cases, and the Founder/CEO of Sheltering Animals & Families Together (SAF-T)®, I love helping animal companions live safely and with wellness because for those of us who have them grace our worlds, they are our soul mates.

Be sure to check out my wellness workshops happening every month!

Check out my energy healing certification classes!

August is the Month to Feel Your Best: Lion’s Gate Energy

August 4, 2021 by Allie Phillips

August is the Feel Good Month because there is an energy about August that is supporting all of us to feel our best.

August enjoys the power of the Sun encouraging us all to shine
August has the power and strength of Leo energy to give us natural energy, get us moving, motivated and hear us ROAR
August is a month where you are encouraged to take a long weekend or a vacation which allows you to reconnect with who you really are (and you are not your 8-5 job)
August is a month where you are prompted to get outside for Fun in the Sun which is what cats like to do
August is a month to infuse your body with natural Vitamin D3 from the Sun
August is a month where you are prepping your body-mind-spirit for the upcoming darker Winter months (in the northern hemisphere)
And August is the month of the Lion’s Gate energy

The Lion’s Gate Energy is open from July 28 – August 12 with the height being on August 8 (the 8/8 portal).

If you were born under the Leo astrology sign, you may be feeling your absolute best right now. Leo’s are ruled by the power of the Sun and it’s your time to Shine! It’s an awesome fiery energy of motivation and inspiration. I’m a Leo with my birthday at the height of this energy and I FEEL IT! (And no wonder I love cats of all sizes)!

But maybe you’re feeling fatigued, achy, fearful, anxious, and all the negative feels.

This is a high frequency energy portal that combines the Sun in its home sign of Leo, the star Sirius rising in the skies (which becomes visible around August 8), and the numerological auspicious meaning of the number 8/8. Add to that a New Moon on August 8 in the sign of Leo. Collectively it is creating a vibration with an auspicious energy.

This is what makes August 8 a particularly lucky day for manifesting success and turning your dreams into reality.

The 88 in numerology also represents DNA activations and we receive light codes on this day from Sirius which is our spiritual sun. It’s a bold energy of new beginnings, highlighting what’s unique about you, your creative powers, it’s a very lucky day filled with inner child energy because Leo’s love to play … we are cat energy!

If you’re thinking, “Allie, I don’t feel any of that. I feel the exact opposite. What’s wrong with me?” Nothing is wrong with you. These upgrades can feel like crap. When you know what is happening, you will ride the energy much better.

But here’s something to think about:

How you feel in this energy is related to your mindset, where you are energetically, and whether you relate more to the energy of the 3rd, 4th or 5th dimensions currently on Earth.

So where are you with all of that?

Here’s what can help right now in the Lion’s Gate energy:

Be like a cat (rest, relax, lay in yoga positions, play, bask in the sun)
Soak in the energy of the Sun because it’s energizing and happy
Get out and play
Stay away from negativity
Write down your intentions, dreams and goals that will take you to the 2022 Lion’s Gate
My favorite essential oils for this Lion’s Gate and Leo season are Young Living’s Rise Above or Magnify Your Purpose oil blends. Rise Above blend can help you create an environment where you can transform negative thoughts into positive and motivating intentions, open up to new ideas, can be used to transform old thoughts that hold you back, so you can rise above to help achieve your soul’s true purpose. Magnify Your Purpose blend helps when goals are not manifesting and you need to shift your energy in how you talk about or believe in your goals (shift from getting to giving). This blend busts thru the energy blocks to release procrastination, fear and get us moving forward.

My crystal of choice is Stella Beam Calcite, a high vibrational stone of motivation to break old patterns and move forward in new energy.

August is a beautiful month to raise your energy and vibration as high as you can which will then hold you well into the Fall and Winter season.

About Allie Phillips:

My name is Allie Phillips and I like proof, not fluff! I am a Certified Health Coach, Life/Law of Attraction Mindset Coach, Usui Reiki Master-Teacher, Integrated Energy Therapy Master-Instructor, Advanced Crystal Master, Universal energy educator, Young Living Essential Oil Brand Partner Leader (#1414338), and an Attorney. I believe in empowering people with education that is well-researched, easy to understand and implement with many options for success, and with experience that it works. My passion is blending all of my expertise together as a Holistic Wellness Coach to help people and pets stay well and thrive in our changing world. I am the author of The Oily Pet and The Oily Crystal and have written several award-winning animal protection books and publications. As an animal & family protection attorney who is an internationally recognized educator on prosecuting family violence and animal abuse cases, and the Founder/CEO of Sheltering Animals & Families Together (SAF-T)®, I love helping animal companions live safely and with wellness because for those of us who have them grace our worlds, they are our soul mates.

Be sure to check out my wellness workshops happening every month!

Check out my energy healing certification classes!

Join in on the fun!

If your pet could talk

July 10, 2021 by Allie Phillips

If your pet could talk, what would s/he say to you?

I’m nervous
I’m anxious
I’m afraid
I’m stressed by the new baby/new pet/new person in our home
I’m having digestive issues
I’m having itchy skin
I’m having problems with my food
I’m not happy with my litter box
Thank you for giving me a home … I love you so much

We want the best for our 4-legged (and feathered) family, right? We would do anything for them. We do our best to feed them the healthiest species-appropriate food. We hire pet sitters, doggy day care facilities, groomers, trainers, behaviorists. We buy them birthday gifts, holiday gifts, celebrate their adoption anniversary.

Sometimes we do not realize that the loving home we provide for our pet is not the healthiest environment. The air in our homes can be up to 5 times more polluted than the air outside. And the emotional energy can be toxic as well.

There are some easy things that you can do to create a healthy non-toxic environment for your pet.

Use a plant-based all-natural cleaner in your home. Pets walk all over everything, right? And then they lick their paws. So if you’re not willing to lick your cleaners, then a change is needed. This is what I use.
Remove chemically-filled toxic candles, plug-ins, sprays and aerosols and switch them out to diffuse pet-safe essential oils. I only recommend Young Living essential oils because other brands do not promote their oils to be used with pets.

*Stella enjoys her naturally cleaned blanket.*

Clean bedding and toys in a plant-based all-natural laundry soap. Most “green” laundry products contain harmful ingredients like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. This is what I use because my cats sleep face down on their blankets.
Buy organic hand-made toys since too pet toys are made of toxic materials. Our pets put toys in their mouth so any toxins can soak in through the mucous membranes.
And other recommendations are detailed in my book The Oily Pet.

But what do you do when your dog is constantly anxious, over-reacting to the door bell, barking excessively, or the cat is vomiting or not using the litter box for no medical reason?

We instinctively know that something emotional or energetically is wrong. But we run up the veterinary bills and walk out with no answers. It’s frustrating, right?

These are the questions that I get the most. This is the focus of what I do.

I have loved animals ever since I could walk. As an attorney for the past 26 years (and former prosecuting attorney) I have dedicated my legal career to helping animal victims. I have spent over 20 years volunteering and fostering for animal shelters and rescues. And for a decade my healing business has been focused on helping people and pets transform to an energetically healthier lifestyle.

*Marni welcomes Reiki at the shelter and in a twist of fate 15 months later* *she became a burn victim and came into foster care with me to heal.*

I understand animals at an intuitive and energetic level. Pets are sensitive to human’s emotions and are highly sensitive to the changes happening to our planet.

This is what I help you understand and empower you with the tools to help your pet.

Reiki helps your pet relax because a relaxed body can repair and release blocks
Integrated Energy Therapy releases the emotional issues stored at the cellular level
Crystals work energetically at the cellular and DNA level and all energy layers
Essential oils can work rapidly on physical and behavioral imbalances so long as they are pet-safe

If you have a beloved 4-legged family member that is physically or behaviorally struggling, empower yourself by checking out my pet classes below. Your pet will thank you with snuggles and kisses!

About Allie Phillips:

Be sure to check out my wellness workshops happening every month!

Check out my energy healing certification classes!

Join in on the fun!

Essential Oils & Crystals for a Positive Mindset

May 7, 2021 by Allie Phillips

Recently my essential oil group spent a month focusing on how to shift from a negative to a positive mindset. Our inner feelings and beliefs dominate our mindset. When we can identify the underlying feeling or belief, we can then start the shift from a negative to positive mindset.

These are some of our favorite essential oils and crystals to help us shift.

Shifting from overwhelm to motivated

We live in a world with a lot of noise and information overload. It can be so much that we feel smothered and weighed down which can create apathy and numbness. These are our favorites:

Magnify Your Purpose blend = Overwhelm can set in when you have lost your purpose. Smell this oil and let it get you back on track with your purpose.
Motivation blend = This was a team favorite and the name says it all! When you smell it or diffuse it, you will be amazed at what you get done.
Sacred Mountain blend = When you can calm and ground yourself, you can begin to re-energize and move out of the mindset of overwhelm.
Crystals I love for motivation are Celestite (helps calm when overwhelmed), Clear Quartz (amplifies your energy field simply by holding it) and Stellar Beam (Dog Tooth) Calcite (very high vibrational energy to get moving).

Shifting from worry & fear to strength & courage

Worry and fear are feelings of scarcity, lack, disempowerment, panic, and despair. All you are doing is traumatizing yourself about something in the future that has not and likely will not happen. Worry stores in the stomach as powerlessness and fear stores in the kidneys. These emotions will lower you in to a frequency where dis-ease can take root. So don’t go there! These are our favorites:

Valor blend = When we worry and are consumed with fear, we simply need to find our confidence and courage. Valor helps to shift your energy to get back on track.
Abundance blend = Abundance is an energy and mindset. It is about shifting to see all that you have in your life and that your glass is overflowing! When you see that, fear and worry melt away.
Present Time blend = When you are present, everything is perfect in that moment. Do not let your mindset get stuck in the past or worried and afraid of the future. This is a very calming blend that really helps to focus on being present.
Crystals I love for courage are Black Tourmaline (grounding and strength), Celestite (releases negative patterns of fear and worry) and Dumortierite (calming strength and courage).

Shifting from anger to forgiveness

Have you felt a lot of anger floating around in the air? Sometimes the anger that gets into our energy is actually not our own. But it still can still cause havoc in our body. Anger stores itself in our liver, and resentment in the spleen. When anger is not processed it can result in bitterness, intolerance, and settle into resentment … more toxic emotions for our poor body to deal with. These are our favorites:

Release blend = When you are ready to let go of toxic feelings and mindset. Topically apply over your liver and then deeply inhale it while saying “I release all negativity from body, mind and spirit”.
Forgiveness blend = As Mark Twain said, “”Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.” Forgiveness is beautiful once you find it. When you smell this blend it can bring you into a higher awareness and vibrational frequency to the point where you can let go and move on. Topically apply over your heart and then deeply inhale while saying “I am thankful for life’s experiences and the lessons they teach.”
Humility blend = Humility is the step after forgiveness so that we can learn and transform. It keeps you sweet and strong no matter what is happening around you.
Crystals I love for forgiveness are Blue Lace Agate (calming), Rose Quartz (forgiving) and Rutilated Quartz (let go of the past hurts).

Shifting from loneliness to self-love

Did you know that the remedy to loneliness is self-love? Lack of self-love can come from unresolved grief and when grief is not processed and released it can lead to depression. When you are comfortable hanging out with yourself, your thoughts, and engaging in self-care and personal development during isolation, you are less likely to feel lonely. These are our favorites:

Frankincense = Simply smelling this oil can get your energy moving. It is my favorite when missing a person, pet or lifestyle, to restore faith, to ground and uplift. It is also soothing for moments of unworthiness and loneliness.
White Angelica blend = You will want to slather all over yourself (your pets). I call it the Wrapped-In-A-Warm-Blanket Oil and the All-Is-Well oil. It is like being wrapped in love. It feels protective so that you do not feel the need to isolate. I love to use it with abused and shelter pets.
Hope blend = Hope is a good start with when it comes to deep emotional healing. Because other than love, we all need hope. When you combine the energy of Melissa for those who are highly sensitive with the deep grounding and empowerment of Juniper, Myrrh and Black Spruce, you find Hope! It is my go-to for deep emotions that need to be released. It will help you keep moving forward one day at a time.
Crystals I love for self-love are Citrine (happy vibe crystal), Lepidolite (contains lithium to pull out of grief and sadness) and Rose Quartz (self-love).

And always remember … Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change.

About Allie Phillips:

Be sure to check out my wellness workshops happening every month!

Check out my energy healing certification classes!

Join in on the fun!

My Team’s Favorite Essential Oils

March 10, 2021March 10, 2021 by Allie Phillips

I recently spent a month polling my essential oil group (The Purrmaste Oils Team) about their favorite essential oil products. I am excited to share their answers with you!

What is your favorite essential oil to smell good?

Believe = Tanya B. loves this blend because it reminds her of the Pacific Northwest where she used to live. It’s a blend of tree oils (like Balsam Canada, Idaho Blue Spruce, and Frankincense) and floral oils (like Geranium and Ylang Ylang). It’s divine.
Davana = Erin M. said this oil helps her feel light, free, like a kid again! Did you know that Davana smells different on everyone because it adapts to each person’s chemistry and unique energy? I love that!
Geranium = Grace B. wears this as perfume. It makes her feel all dressed up for a special occasion even when she’s just going to the grocery store!
Joy blend = Dee H. wears this everyday because it helps her feel happy. I do, too! Joy combines citrus and floral oils that are known as happy oils. This is one of my favorites.
Jasmine + Neroli = Sara A. blends these two together and will sometimes add a citrus oil like Tangerine or Grapefruit, or a tree oil like Black Spruce.
Sacred Mountain blend = Rose H. goes for this blend because it is grounding which brings a smile to her face. This combination of tree oils like Grand Fir, Cedarwood and Black Spruce with the floral oil of Ylang Ylang makes this a team favorite.

I love to create my own essential oil diffuser blends, I took the responses and created this Smell Good Diffuser Blend. It can also be made into a roller bottle blend.

What is your favorite essential oil for sleep?

Frankincense = This was an overwhelming team favorite, especially for topical application on the head to calm the inner chatter. Everyone loves Frank at bedtime.
Peace & Calming blend = Rose H. loves this blend because Orange and Tangerine calm the mind, and Patchouli and Ylang Ylang bring on a soft sweetness.
Release blend = Several team members grab this oil when emotions and thoughts keep them awake at night. It’s amazing to release anger and frustration that can disturb sleep. It’s a blend of floral oils, citrus oils, grounding tree oils, and the powerful Blue Tansy oil that energetically kicks negative emotions to the curb.
Sacred Mountain blend = Margaret S. uses this blend to settle in for the night due to the tree and floral oils.
Sleepyize blend = Many in the team voted for this blend to diffuse it at bedtime and topically apply to the forehead. It blends calming oils like Lavender, Roman Chamomile, Sacred Frankincense, Tangerine, Rue and Valerian with sweet happy oils like Bergamot and Geranium for sweet dreams.
Tranquil blend = This roll-on blend of Lavender, Cedarwood, and Roman Chamomile is on my forehead every night to calm my mental to-do list. This is one of my favorites.

What is your favorite essential oil for happiness?

Christmas Spirit blend = I agree with Susan N. on this one. It’s a blend of Cinnamon Bark, Orange and Spruce is a fan favorite. I could (and sometimes do) diffuser it year-round! This is one of my favorites.
Citrus Fresh blend + Purification blend = Karen R. blends these two together for a really happy home blend. I never thought of doing that!
Grapefruit = Sara A. says it goes well with everything, like a little black dress.
Orange = This was a team favorite. Allyson G. said, “it is definitely a happy oil” and she likes to blend it with Thieves oil blend. Interesting combo, eh?
Vanilla = Dee H. adds this to Orange oil for a happy diffuser blend and I do that, too. Vanilla with any happy citrus oil is delish!

When I looked at some of the team favorites, I created a Happiness Diffuser Blend. It can also be made into a roller bottle for a beautiful perfume

What is your favorite essential oil for your skin?

CBE Beauty Boost = I love this at nighttime for a morning youthful glow. The blend of CBD isolate with Rose oil (oh my, skin loves Rose), Tamanu oil and Grapeseed oil does wonders for skin tone, dry skin and reducing fine lines and wrinkles. This is one of my favorites and my skin does not look dry or my age!
Frankincense = Frank gets around and got the most votes because everyone loves him for skin. As you can tell, Frank is one of our most popular oils because it does so much!
Mirah Luminous Cleansing Oil = This was a team favorite and I could not agree more. Oil cleanses oil and this will leave your face feeling ultra moisturized but not greasy. The Rose, Sandalwood and Jasmine oils in it are amazing for your skin.

I hope you found the favorites of my Purrmaste Oils Team helpful. In the comments I would love to know what are your favorites in these 4 categories?

About Allie Phillips:

I am the author of The Oily Pet and The Oily Crystal and have written several award-winning animal protection books and publications. As an animal & family protection attorney who is an internationally recognized educator on prosecuting family violence and animal abuse cases, and the Founder/CEO of Sheltering Animals & Families Together (SAF-T)®, I love helping animal companions live safely and with wellness because for those of us who have them grace our worlds, they are our soul mates.

Be sure to check out my wellness workshops happening every month!

Check out my energy healing certification classes!

Join in on the fun!

You have control over your health & well-being

August 5, 2020 by Allie Phillips

As we continue to live in challenging times, the one thing that I hear is “we have no control over what is happening in our world and I feel so helpless.” I get it … but I’m here to tell you that YOU have more power and control than you may realize.

We are experiencing many challenges when it comes to our physical health. And that is putting stress and pressure on our emotional and mental health. And then we are being bombarded with energetic changes. Put it all together and #hotmess sums it up pretty well, right?

But you actually have power and control over your health & well-being, along with your family and pet(s) health and well-being. Because what you feed yourself (food, thoughts, emotions, and experiences) will determine your health and well-being.

If you’re like me, when you’re doing something proactive, you feel more confident and happier rather than waiting for something or someone to come to the rescue. And right now, the only rescue that can happen are the steps that YOU take. Ready?

My Top 10 Lifestyle Techniques

There are things that you can do daily that will help you regain control and joy as you maintain or improve your health and well-being. I want to share the top 10 things that I am doing daily and how it’s helping me thrive in all areas of my life no matter what is going on around me.

Food = Be intentional about what you consume. Make sure it’s real whole foods and organic if possible because it will give life and energy to your body. There are too many toxins being put in food and sprayed on products. That beautiful strawberry may actually harm your health if it’s sprayed. Spending a little more money on whole foods that are organic will save you a lot of money down the road in lost wages and high medical bills due to illness. While white sugar, white flour, genetically modified wheat and processed foods will harm you from the inside out by creating inflammation. If you find yourself binging on junk food during stressful times, let’s work on stress levels (see below). But in the meantime, why not retrain your taste buds to crave veggies or other whole organic foods during stress? A few years ago I forced myself to grab organic greens (brussel sprouts, broccoli, leafy greens) when I was stressed and IT WORKED! And that’s now what I crave when I’m comfort eating.
Water = It is important that we drink half our body weight in ounces everyday with filtered/purified water. Drinking water throughout the day (every 20 minutes take a sip) can flush your throat of viruses that want to enter the body that way. And water helps our bodies to eliminate toxins. What I love to do is add a drop of Young Living Lemon Vitality essential oil (a safe dietary essential oil) or Young Living’s Vitality Drops in Bergamot-Grapefruit that also contains beneficial electrolytes. I now crave water more than ever before!
Stress = Keeping daily stress at bay is really important for so many reasons. For your physical health it reduces binge eating, digestive and cardiovascular stressors, sleep issues and so much more. For your emotional health de-stressing techniques can calm the emotional rollercoaster that can result in physical issues. For your mental health it helps you focus on what is important in your life. You can literally stress yourself into physical problems. What I like to do is diffuse calming essential oils like Peace & Calming when I am working or at the end of the day. Citrus essential oils like Orange are calming yet they keep you alert so that you can focus and make good decisions. Because when we are stressed, our brain is not capable of making rational decisions. I also do deep breathing for a minute when I find myself getting worked up. And I get outside to sit or do a walking meditation along the river or Lake Michigan because nature has a calming effect on our nervous system.
Sleep = Getting 8 hours of quality sleep that is not drug-induced is so important to our overall health and well-being. When your brain can naturally go into deep sleep and REM modes, your body can detox, repair and rejuvenate while you sleep. Sometimes I have trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep, especially during a full moon or when the energetics of the planet are heightened. My sleep protocol involves putting away technology and TV an hour before bedtime, not eating/drinking at least 2 hours before bedtime, calming essential oils in my bedside diffuser (like Clary Sage with Lavender essential oils), Frankincense on my forehead, and Progessence Plus on my wrists (every women should be using this essential oil blend).
Nature = Being out in nature and moving is so important to our overall well-being. When you can put your bare feet on the ground our bodies soak up electrons from Earth that creates an anti-inflammatory and calming benefit. This is why I have been spending time at Lake Michigan every week since the weather warmed up. A 2012 study in the Journal of Environmental Public Health found that earthing promotes better sleep, reduces pain, reduces chronic stress, improve health disorders and create overall well-being for longevity. So whether you go outside and hug a tree or plant your feet on the ground, do this every day even just for a few minutes. And if weather prevents you from earthing, bring the earth inside with tree essential oils (like Cedarwood, Black Spruce and Blue Spruce) and grounding crystals like Black Tourmaline and Shungite.
Supplements = Even with an organic whole food diet, we often need to supplement what we eat with vitamins, minerals and other supplements. But not all supplements are made the same. Make sure that you are taking a whole-food supplement that does not contain fillers or synthetics. I personally take essential oil-infused whole food supplements. If you want to ramp up your wellness plan, check these out:
- Vitamin A is important for a strong immune and respiratory system, and is also beneficial for vision especially since many people are spending more time online for work or staying connected to family and friends;
- Vitamin B Complex is your happy vitamin that is also beneficial for your eyes, brain, digestive health and energy;
- Vitamin C is necessary for repair of all body tissues and is beneficial for a strong immune system;
- Vitamin D3 is best taken thru Mother Sun but taking the supplement daily is also beneficial for calcium absorption for strong bones, a strong immune system to fight disease and combatting the blues;
- Zinc regulates immune function, decreases risk of age-related chronic diseases, and helps with eye health including preventing age-related macular degeneration;
- Omega 3s have been researched for supporting lung, brain and cardiovascular health as well as improving the appearance of skin, banishing the blues, improving eye health and fight inflammation;
- Turmeric & Curcumin are known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits when combined with Black Pepper to help with absorption, beneficial for brain and cardiovascular health, and helps with depression.
Detox your Home = We are washing our hands more often and probably cleaning our homes more often too. If you are using toxic hand soap, hand purifier and home cleaners, are you really creating a healthy and safe environment? NO! Plant-based cleaners that are FREE of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and are important to overall health. And make sure the air in your home is clean. One of the easiest things to do is to replace all plug-ins, candles and sprays with a cool-mist essential oil diffuser and diffuse therapeutic-grade pure essential oils (not fragrance oils). Also switch to plant-based cleaners. But please do not be GREEN-WASHED by the pretty green labels in the cleaner isle at the grocery store. If you look at the ingredients and see Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, don’t buy it! I use the line of Thieves products from Young Living because I understand and have researched all of the ingredients, and the essential oils naturally clean so that it’s safe for kids and pets.
Detox Your Skincare = What you put on your skin can be as harmful as what you put in your mouth. So are you willing to ingest your skincare? Probably not unless you are using a truly toxic-free plant-based skincare product. The ingredients in almost all skincare and makeup products are frightening and IT’S LEGAL! My lawyer brain gets really angry about this topic. Because what you put on your skin leeches in to your blood stream. Understanding ingredients is really important, but also trusting the company to be honest about the ingredients is just as important. For my skin, I only use Young Living’s skincare and Savvy Minerals Makeup.
Avoid negative people/situations = Please stop watching the news and limit your time on social media. All it does is feed your worry, promote shaming by other people and implant the idea that you have no control over your life. It was easy for me to get sucked back in to news reports when our world went crazy in March. But when I stepped away I realized that there are amazing beautiful things happening in our world right now. I also liberally use the “30 day snooze” and “unfollow” button on Facebook because I see too many friends getting sucked into negative energy. So step away from the negative people, negative situations, negative news, and if you are in a negative job we are in energy where you are being asked (and possibly forced) into reconsidering your path. Make some decisions in that regard before the decisions are made for you.
Daily Self-Care & Fun = It is important that you do things every day to feed your soul. I did an entire yearlong series on The Year of You Self-Care in 2018 because self-care is not getting a mani-pedi or massage. Self-care is nurturing your inner self and soul to evolve and is only something you can do. And if you don’t do it, no one else can. So create a morning/daily ritual of what feeds your soul. For me, it’s the 3 Ms: meditation (sometimes a walking meditation, laying in a crystal grid, or learning the art of surrender which is so hard for me), movement and mindfulness where I journal and visualize my day rather than letting my day smash me around. But it’s also about having fun. As we adult, it is too easy to be filled with responsibilities, concerns and worry. And our to-do list will never be completed. Taking time daily to do something fun for you will feed your inner self. For me it’s either time with friends, time at Lake Michigan or tending to my fairy garden.

Do you need help?

Sometimes it can be difficult to get started when it comes to changing long-term habits. This is where I can help get you started and keep you on track. As a Certified Health Coach, Certified Energy Healer Master-Teacher, and Certified Life Coach, I can guide you in the best path for you. If you would like a complimentary 15-minute call to see if working together is a good fit, please click here to get scheduled.

I also host in-person events and online classes multiple times a month. Have you attended one? Each is filled with lifestyle techniques and natural methods to help you regain the healthiest part of YOU! And be sure to check-in daily on my Facebook and Instagram pages for helpful ways to naturally stay well and Energy Check-in videos when I sense that the energetics are strong and impactful.

You have more power and control than you think and I hope you resonate with a few of the ideas that I have shared.

❤️Allie

About Allie Phillips:

Allie is a multi-careered energy therapist (Usui Reiki Master-Teacher, Integrated Energy Therapy Master-Instructor, and Advanced Crystal Master), Certified Health Coach, essential oil educator, award-winning book author, attorney and internationally-recognized animal advocate, and Founder/CEO of Sheltering Animals & Families Together (SAF-T)®. She travels the globe to teach about essential oils, healing, and keeping pets & people safe from harm. As the author of The Oily Pet and The Oily Crystal, she helps people create a natural non-toxic lifestyle, find financial freedom, and help animals live with comfort in our hectic world. She particularly loves helping our animal companions and those temporarily in animal shelters because for those of us who have them grace our worlds, they are our soul mates.

Join in on the fun!

Be sure to check out my workshops happening every month!

Check out my energy therapy certification classes!

Essential Oils for Summer

May 23, 2019June 16, 2019 by Allie Phillips

Summer is the time when our minds are on playtime, vacation time, and relaxation time rather than work or school. It’s a time of travel, kids asking are we there yet, and being so wound up with excitement that sleep can be challenging. You’re eating cotton candy and elephant ears at festivals and questioning that decision afterward. It’s a time of rollercoasters, long car rides and plane rides that our stomach may not enjoy. You’re loving the sun and sometimes too much of it. And essential oils can be part of Summer survival kit!

Young Living’s Premium Starter Kit is your Summer survival kit!

It comes with 12 essential oils and a diffuser which every home should honestly have. It also comes with a Thieves Hand Purifier (for bathroom rest stops), a Thieves Spray (for restaurant tables), and samples of Ningxia Red (my daily energy drink).

What’s even better? I will send you two essential oil books to jumpstart your oily journey, and offer you a wellness assessment so that you get the most out of your experience with Young Living. And when you get the starter kit, you also get a wholesale account with Young Living so that all of your orders are at a 24% discounted rate.

So if you LOVE LOVE LOVE Summer and want to enjoy all that you can, this kit is for you. Click here to get started!

Seriously … I use these oils pretty much every day and they will help you have the best summer!

Not all essential oils are made the same

May 22, 2019May 23, 2019 by Allie Phillips

I recently finished “Spring Expo Season” where I had booths at women’s expos and pet expos to share information about safe and effective essential oils. I met a lot of great people and pets. And I realized that not all essential oils are made the same.

I found myself saying the same thing over and over and over again because essential oils are suddenly the hot new commodity. #theresanoilforthat But it also showed me that there’s a lot of confusion about essential oils (you can’t believe everything you read online), stores will not teach you how the use the oils, and it’s really important that you align yourself with an essential oil educator that you trust. #pickme

Here’s the thing … essential oils may be a hot topic, but they are not new, they have been around for 5,000+ years. But now they are EVERYWHERE! Seriously …. I now see essential oils at the gas stations. #saynotogasstationoils They are in stores that sell everything from food to gerbils and gun licenses, to the discount store chains, and everywhere online. #justsayno

OILS OILS OILS EVERYWHERE!

But as with everything, there are quality essential oils and inferior essential oils. There are essential oils that can improve your wellness physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually and there are oils that simply scent a room. There are essential oils that are safe around pets and those that are not. There are essential oils that are safe for babies and children, and those that are not.

I don’t know about you, but if I’m spending money on essential oils, I want to feel better physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually and I want them to be safe for me and my cats. I want them to actually DO something to help me feel better. #yougetwhatyoupayfor

So what’s a curious essential oiler to do when you’re surrounded by those little bottles but you don’t know which ones are good for you? #askallie

Here’s some of the most popular questions and my answers:

Question: Can I ingest this essential oil (especially if it’s a product that you can also eat, like lemon or peppermint)?

Answer: If the label says “do not ingest”, then the label is telling you that there is something else in the bottle other than the oil. If the label says yes, then you have a quality essential oil that can be safely used in a variety of ways and with your entire family. But be aware that the FDA does not allow an essential oil to be labeled both topical and for ingestion on the same bottle. Different labels are required for each. This is why Young Living has the Vitality line of oils (for ingesting) and all of those same oils are labeled differently for topical use. Same oil, different label. This is why it’s important to know the company.

Question: Can I topically apply the essential oil?

Answer: If the label says no, then once again the label is telling you that there is something else in the bottle. This is likely just a fragrance oil and fragrance oils tend to contain synthetic oils, too.

Question: Is it safe for me to smell the oil (directly from the bottle or through diffusing)?

Answer: Whatever you smell, topically apply or ingest goes into your bloodstream. So if you cannot ingest it or topically apply it, you should think twice about smelling it.

Question: Is it safe to use with my pets?

Answer: The #1 answer to this question is to go to the company’s website, type pet or animal in the search bar, and if the company does not promote their oils for pets, then you should not use them in that way. Here is a blog that I wrote that outlines a lot of information specifically on this hot social media topic.

Question: Is it safe to use on babies or pregnant women?

Answer: Labeling laws require cautions on products that are used in homes that have children or pregnant/nursing women. So again, go to the company website and if the company promotes their oils to be used with babies, children, and pregnant/nursing women, then you have a quality essential oil.

Question: What do you really know about the company?

Answer: When the essential oil company has their own process from having their own farms, to the seed of the plant, to growing without the use of pesticides/herbicides, to harvesting at the proper time for that plant, to distilling their own oils using only low pressure and water (no solvents or chemicals) or cold pressing citrus without solvents or chemicals, then you can safely use those essential oils with your family. And does the company specialize in essential oils?

There’s a few quality essential oil companies on the market, but most essential oils have been compromised to sell cheaply. The company that can answer YES to all of these questions is Young Living (especially when it comes to pets).

It’s why I ditched dozens or oils from other brands and moved to Young Living in 2013. I did that because I have cats, I work with animals and shelter pets, and my lawyer brain wants to keep me legally safe in what I do by making sure that the company backs how I use the products. And it’s why I teach about Young Living because, now more than ever, people want quality and they want answers.

What questions do you have about essential oils?

About Allie Phillips:

Allie is a multi-careered energy therapist (Usui Reiki Master-Teacher, Fairy Reiki Master, Integrated Energy Therapy Master-Instructor, and Advanced Crystal Master), essential oil educator, award-winning book author, attorney and internationally-recognized animal advocate, and Founder/CEO of Sheltering Animals & Families Together (SAF-T)™. She travels the globe to teach about essential oils, healing, and keeping pets & people safe from harm. She helps people create a natural non-toxic lifestyle, find financial freedom, and help animals live with comfort in our hectic world. She particularly loves helping our animal companions and those temporarily in animal shelters because for those of us who have them grace our worlds, they are our soul mates.