The essential oil you choose will depend on the purpose. Do you want it to help lift the mood, or do you need something to treat an injury? No definitive list specifies which essential oil treats which health condition. For example, while the essential oils of lavender, chamomile, basil, and Frankincense are generally found to have a calming effect and may help with anxiety, bergamot and peppermint oil are stimulating and can help those with depression; this is somewhat individual. So it would help if you were proactive about researching and talking with qualified aromatherapists or other individuals with training in essential oils.
A good place to start is to get a book about therapeutic aromatherapy. There are many good books available, and you can find one that matches your needs.
Pay attention to caution for each essential oil and application method. We provide some tips and examples in this section, but it is important to dilute the oils properly, consider your reactions, and watch closely for adverse effects.
How do I use essential oils?
Essential oils enter the body primarily: applied to the skin, inhaled, or ingested. Within each of these, there are many different kinds of application methods. For example, applying essential oils topically using compresses, sprays, and baths or massaging them into the skin.
How do I choose a method to apply essential oils?
The application method chosen depends on the desired effect and the essential oil selected. For example, some essential oils irritate the skin because of their chemistry. These would need more dilution or might better be used by inhalation.
Once you have purchased an essential oil, the application method depends on the treatment condition and the desired effect.
Some tips:
Wound care most often involves topical applications.
Either inhalation or topical application might address mood effects. For fast action, inhalation might be preferred.
Baths involve both inhalation and topical absorption.
How can I inhale essential oils?
The easiest inhalation method is to open a bottle of pure essential oil and inhale it deeply.
Diffuser Essential oils are placed in this device, sometimes with water (be sure to read the directions) and sometimes with heat, so they evaporate; this is a good way to add the scent of essential oil to a room; for example, add lavender if you want to enhance relaxation in a yoga session or class. Essential oils should never be directly burned as the chemical structure dramatically changes with incineration (Buckle, 2003).
Dry evaporation
This method only requires some dry material, such as a cotton ball or fabric and allowed to evaporate into the air. Add a few drops of essential oil to the material. Hold t is to your nose and inhale or allow the scent to disperse naturally. If you want an intense dose, sniff the cotton ball. If a milder, more constant exposure is desired, keep the cotton ball in your immediate vicinity (for example, leave it on your desk next to your computer).
Steam Drops of essential oil are added to a bowl of steaming water, which quickly vaporizes the oil. Place a towel over your head and the water bowl with essential oil drop(s) and breathe deeply. This method is very direct and potent—using more than 1-2 drops may be overwhelming. It is important to keep your eyes closed when using this method. The use of eucalyptus essential oil in this way can feel helpful with upper respiratory and sinus infections.
Note: This is not recommended for children younger than 7 years old. Children not older than 7 can use swimming goggles to protect their eyes.
Spray Drops of essential oils are placed in a water-based solution, shaken, and sprayed into the air to deodorize a room or set a mood. An example might be spraying an aqueous solution of pine or citrus oils to enhance holiday feelings or a solution of peppermint oil to stimulate alertness. You m might also want to use a solution of water and your favourite essential oil as a yoga mat cleaner. It is important to shake the bottle before spraying to spray the solution, not just water.
How do I apply essential oils topically?
Essential oils can be applied to the skin using a variety of techniques. Importantly,
most essential oils cannot be applied directly to the skin without diluting.
How do I prepare a solution?
As a rule, essential oils should be diluted in a carrier substance (vegetable, nut oil, or water) at no greater concentration than 3-5%.
That means if you have one teaspoon (5cc) of the carrier, you would add 3 drops of pure essential oil. And this would make a 3% solution that could be used on a portion of the body.
When diluting essential oils with a carrier oil, it's important to follow these dilution guidelines. For adults: 2.5 per cent dilution: 15 drops of essential oil per 6 teaspoons carrier oil. 3 per cent dilution: 20 drops essential oil per 6 teaspoons carrier oil.
A 1% solution (one drop of essential oil in one teaspoon carrier) is generally safe for massage or application over large body areas. For infants, using a 0.25% solution is recommended (.5% for toddlers).
Note: If you use water as a carrier, shake or mix your solution well before applying.
What carrier oil should I use?
Cold-pressed carrier oils are preferred; examples include sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, and avocado oil. These oils do not have a strong smell of their own. They should be kept refrigerated until used and discarded if they smell rancid. (Oils typically keep about 3 years if refrigerated.) For wound care, an ideal essential oil would be gentle on the skin and antimicrobial. Some essential oils can be used in different ways. For e ample, true lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia) can be used on the skin for cuts and minor burns, and it can be inhaled to promote relaxation and sleep. Laven er is one of the few essential oils that can be undiluted on small skin areas.
There are several techniques.
Compress The essential oil is diluted in a liquid carrier (water or oil) and applied to a dressing or the affected area. Optio al heat or cold can be applied. For example, a few drops of ginger (Zingiber Officinalis) essential oil can be added to comfortably hot water and mixed to disperse the oil; then, a cloth can be soaked in the solution and placed on a stiff joint. Additional heat can be applied as desired.
Gargle Drops of essential oil are added to the water. You m x, then gargle the solution and spit it out. Do NOT swallow it. For example, one drop of tea tree oil in a glass of water can be gargled for sore throat discomfort.
Bath Drops of essential oils are added to bath water in a dispersant immediately before stepping in. This method results in absorption through the skin and inhaling the volatilized essential oil. A few tablespoons of full cream milk can be used as a dispersant. Remember, essential oils are not water-soluble; thus, they will float on top of the bath and skin passing through the oil will be exposed to full-strength essential oil. Bath salts can also be used to disperse essential oils. A relaxing bath base can be made by mixing one part baking soda, two parts Epsom salts, and three parts sea salt. Add six drops of true lavender essential oil to about two tablespoons of this mixture and mix it into bath water before entering.
Massage Drops of essential oil are added to a natural carrier oil and applied to skin areas with gentle rubbing. As noted earlier, massage blends should not exceed 1% concentration of essential oils (one drop in a teaspoon) for adults. For children, concentration should not exceed 0.25% for infants, 0.5% for toddlers aged 6 months to 2 years, and 1% for 2 years and older. The choice of essential oils for massage depends on the desired effect.
Treat Essential Oils With Respect
Please treat essential oils with the same care that you treat medicines. You don't need to be afraid or avoid essential oils; try not to be scared of enjoying all the benefits of aromatherapy. They can be an amazing blessing within a holistic lifestyle. Remember, however, that less is more when working with essential oils.
Expert Contributor:Linda Halcón, PhD, MPH, RN, RATC
Studied Aromatherapy: Clinical Use of Essential Oils
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