How To Safely Use Essential Oils

Whether you are new to essential oils or you have been using them for some time, it is important that you know how to get the most out of your oils in the most effective and safest possible way. Essential oils when used properly are incredibly beneficial; they are often described as nature’s gift to our health and wellbeing. That doesn’t mean that they come without risks and it is vital that they are treated with caution in order to avoid potential problems.

There are many different ways of using your essential oils and your chosen method will depend on personal preference as well as the complaint that you are trying to treat. For some complaints a combination of methods might prove more effective. Whatever your reason for using essential oils, the following are the most common methods of application.

Inhalation is probably the most simple and convenient method of use and can be effective in dealing with certain physical issues like respiratory conditions as well as emotional complaints like managing stress or relieving anxiety. It is a popular option because you can do it pretty much anywhere and anytime. All you really need is your bottle of essential oil and possibly a handkerchief.

Aromatherapy diffusers are a very safe and effective way to disperse the vapors around a larger area. Diffusers can enhance the fragrance of your home or office while purifying and humidifying the air. Diffusing your essential oils is a great way to deal with emotional problems as certain oils are known to enhance the mood.

There are several types of diffuser available, all of which have advantages and disadvantages. Nebulizing diffusers and ultrasonic diffusers are the most effective types but cheaper candle lit heat diffusers are also available in a variety of attractive styles.

There are certain conditions that benefit from a much more hands on approach and massage is an extremely effective and popular method of applying essential oils to the body. Massage is a pleasurable and nourishing experience in its own right but when essential oils are added to the mix, it can be an even more beneficial experience.

When essential oils are massaged into the body, the tiny molecules of the oils pass easily through the skin and into the muscles and bloodstream where they can really start to do their magic. Massage is the preferred method of use among professional aromatherapists who will often perform a full body massage on the patient. Oils are carefully chosen depending on the condition of the patient as well as other factors.

This is vitally important; in their pure form essential oils are very strong and using them neat is never advisable. Essential oils are usually diluted with a suitable base oil like jojoba, grape seed, sweet almond or coconut oil. As a general rule of thumb, the massage blend should contain between 1 and 5% essential oil depending on the condition being treated.

Certain physical conditions such as rheumatism and indigestion require stronger concentrations than emotional complaints. A concentration of around 2.5% is considered to be more than adequate for most treatments.

Another easy but very effective and pleasurable way to put your essential oils to good use is a luxurious essential oil bath. An aromatic bath is a great way to relax, relieve the day’s physical pains and pamper your tired skin. Baths are especially useful for treating muscular pains, respiratory and circulatory conditions and menstrual cramps.

All you have to do is add between 5 and 10 drops of your favorite essential oil to the tub; jump in and relax. Make sure that your water has finished running before you add your oils or you run the risk of losing them to evaporation.

You should make sure that you only use gentle oils that are unlikely to irritate the skin. Alternatively, you can dilute your essential oils in a carrier oil or milk before adding them to the bath.

A facial steam is a great way to deal with sinus and other respiratory complaints as well as treating headaches and skin problems like acne and psoriasis.

1. Making your own steam bath could not be easier, simply fill a bowl or sink with hot water and add between 3 and 5 drops of your chosen oil.
2. Cover your head, neck and shoulders with a towel and breathe in the vapors for 5 minutes or so being very careful not to burn yourself on the steam.

A compress can be an extremely effective way of relieving pain and reducing inflammation. Making your own essential oil compress whether hot or cold is very easy.

1. To make a hot compress, fill a bowl with hot water and add between 3 and 5 drops of your chosen essential oil.
2. After that, dip a towel, flannel or cotton cloth in the water, ring out the excess liquid and apply it to the affected area.
3. A hot compress is especially effective in treating backache, muscle strains, rheumatism and toothache.

In order to make a cold compress, follow the same procedure only this time use ice cold water instead of hot. A cold compress can be used for conditions caused by hot swelling, headaches and sprains.

Essential oils can also be used to treat and enhance the condition of your hair. You can add a few drops of essential oil into your regular shampoo or put a few drops in your final rinse. You can also add your essential oils to a suitable nourishing carrier oil to make a very effective conditioner.

Good essential oils for conditioning the hair include rosemary and chamomile which can be blended with sweet almond or jojoba oil to a 3% concentration

Because they are so concentrated, essential oils must be diluted in either water or a base oil before being applied to the skin. There are certain rare exceptions to this rule and it might be possible to use very mild oils neat.

Lavender essential oil for example is considered to be sufficiently mild to apply without dilution but even mild oils like lavender might cause skin sensitization in some people and it is best practice to dilute all of your essential oils.

Essential oil dilutions are usually diluted to an essential oil content of between 1 and 5% depending on the condition being treated and factors like skin sensitization and the patient’s age.

To measure your concentration of essential oil, a 1% dilution can be achieved by adding a drop of essential oil to a teaspoon or 5ml of carrier oil. 2% would be 2 drops of essential oil per teaspoon and 3 drops would make a 3% dilution and so on.

•  Sweet almond oil
•  Sunflower oil
•  Olive oil
•  Jojoba oil
•  Grape seed oil
•  Canola oil
•  Avocado oil
•  Apricot kernel oil
•  Calendula oil

The choice is yours but avoid common refined oils that you typically see in the grocery stores. Refined oils are likely to contain solvents and other chemical residues. Unprocessed oils are by far the most effective carrier oils as they are rich in nourishing vitamins and minerals.

Certain citric essential oils are known to increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight when they are applied to your skin. Even after being properly diluted in a carrier oil, there is still a high degree of risk that exposure to sunlight or tanning bed lamps can cause problems for your skin.

The risk of reaction is strongest directly after the oil has been applied and it gradually decreases over the next 12 hours. To be extra safe, some experts recommend that you avoid exposure to direct sunlight for up to 24 hours after application. Photosensitizing essential oils can cause reactions ranging from moderate skin color changes to burning and deep weeping sores.

The following essential oils are considered to be phototoxic and those applying these oils to the skin should avoid sunlight and tanning beds for a minimum of 12 hours and preferably 24 hours after use.

• Angelica Root
• Bergamot
• Cumin
• Expressed lemon
• Expressed lime
• Bitter orange
• Rue

Contrary to popular belief, some citrus essential oils are not phototoxic including distilled lemon, distilled lime, mandarin, tangerine and sweet orange.

Even after following all the necessary precautions, there is still a small possibility that you might suffer an adverse reaction.

If you suffer from any type of adverse skin reaction after applying your essential oil, the best treatment would be to apply a fatty type oil like coconut oil as soon as possible.

If you accidentally make contact with your eyes, do not rub your eyes.

1. Wet a cotton ball in vegetable oil or milk then wipe it carefully over the affected area.
2. If this does not prove sufficient, try washing the eye out with clean warm water for 10 minutes.