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Did you know that you can apply essential oils to your feet to relax and rejuvenate yourself? It’s true. There are multiple methods, including the popular Vita Flex method.
Essential oils can be applied topically to your body, but there are some safety tips you should know.
Besides direct application when diluted, you can add them to creams and lotions, use them for massage, or add them into your bath.
One very popular location for using essential oils to relax and refresh is on your feet!
Why use essential oils for feet?
Why are the feet such a popular location for essential oils? There are a few reasons this is a popular method:
1. Better absorption
Our feet have a thicker outer layer which means that irritation tends to be minimized — so it’s a great place for absorption with fewer irritations.
This makes it a great place to use “hot” oils, like oregano, when diluted, of course!
The bottom of your feet (and your hands) don’t contain sebaceous glands so there isn’t any sebum to act as a barrier to quick absorption.
2. More nerve endings
Your feet are also porous and contain many nerve endings. This means small essential oil particles can enter the body more quickly, therefore you can get the benefits of oils faster into your system.
Of course, depending on what you’re using those oils for, direct application might be a better option.
A headache, for example, would be better served by applying the oils directly to your head, focusing on certain pressure points.
But for a cold or a cough, you can apply a few different oils to different parts of the body (the feet being one of those locations) to combat the illness.
Foot application for essential oils can be one of the many tools in your arsenal!
How to Apply Essential Oils to Feet
It’s really quite simple to apply essential oils to your feet.
- Choose your favorite essential oils (I prefer an oil like oregano)
- Dilute with any carrier oil (like coconut oil or almond oil)
- Apply to your feet an rub on until absorbed.
That’s it. No muss, no fuss!
If you want to get more fancy with it, you can give the Vita Flex method a try.
Use Essential Oils on Feet With the Vita Flex Method
Vita Flex means “vitality through the reflexes”.
In simple terms, it is a method of applying oils to specific locations on the feet that allow them to be carried along the neuro-electrical paths in our bodies.
Besides diffusing — which is the quickest way for our bodies to absorb the properties of essential oils — the large pores on our feet allow essential oils to travel through our bodies at a very quick rate.
While you can simply apply the oils to the specific areas on your feet, using the massage technique described below on the Vita Flex points on the feet can be helpful as well.
Use the Vita Flex chart below to figure out where to apply essential oils for the best impact and relaxation.
Rolling & Releasing
Another method used with the Vita Flex technique is the “rolling & releasing” method.
When the oil is applied to the feet you use a rolling motion with your fingers along the Vita Flex area. This is said to be the most effective form of vita flex use.
Here’s a quick video tutorial for rolling & releasing.
How to identify Vita Flex Points on Your Hands
For those with highly sensitive or pain in their feet — or if you’re just in a hurry — you can apply the oils to specific areas on your hands.
There are Vita Flex points on the hands that correspond to various organs and body systems on the fingers and palm.
Do you apply essential oils on your feet?
Note: there is plenty of debate about whether or not feet are actually a good location for applying essential oils.
You’ll find lots of people on either side of the fence. Personally, I do apply essential oils to our feet (especially during cold & flu season) and have found that I can benefit from the application.
Give it a try and see for yourself!
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