If you’re new to essential oils, you may be wondering how to use them. There are a few different ways that you can use essential oils, depending on your needs. In this beginner’s guide, we will discuss how to use essential oils topically and with a diffuser. We’ll also give you a few tips on how to get started using essential oils safely and effectively!
How do I choose a method to apply essential oils?
The essential oil you pick will be determined by the goal: do you want it to improve your mood or provide relief for a burn? There is no definitive list of essential oils that says which one is used to treat which medical problem.
While certain essential oils, such as lavender, chamomile, basil, frankincense, and bergamot, are reported to have a soothing impact and may aid in anxiety relief, others like peppermint oil are stimulating and can assist people suffering from depression. You’ll need to be more proactive about conducting research and talking with knowledgeable aromatherapists or others with essential oil experience.
A book about therapeutic aromatherapy is a good place to start. There are several excellent books available, and you will be able to discover one that meets your demands.
Make careful note of the precautions for each essential oil and application technique. We have some pointers and examples in this part, but it’s crucial to properly dilute the oils, consider your own responses, and closely observe for negative effects.
Diffuser
Essential oils are put in this device, sometimes with water (check the instructions), and often with heat to encourage them to evaporate. This is a simple and effective technique to add the scent of an essential oil to a space, such as in a yoga session or class, for example. Essential oils should never be burned because the chemical structure is drastically altered by incineration.
Dry evaporation
A few drops of essential oil are placed on a cotton ball or tissue and allowed to evaporate into the air. Sneeze the cotton ball if you want an overwhelming dose. If you want to achieve a lighter, more consistent exposure, simply keep the cotton ball beside you (for example, on your desk next to your computer).
Steam
A few drops of essential oil are put into a bowl of steaming water, which quickly evaporates the liquid.
Place a towel over your head and the bowl of water with essential oil droplets, then breathe deeply. The high concentration of this approach, which uses more than 1-2 drops, may be overwhelming. When utilizing this method, keep the eyes shut.
Spray
Drops of essential oils are sprinkled into a water-based solution, agitated, and sprayed into the air to deodorize a space or create a mood.
Spraying an aqueous solution of pine or citrus oils to enhance holiday sentiments, or a solution of peppermint oil to stimulate alertness, are just two examples.
You could also use a mixture of water and your favorite essential oil as a yoga mat cleaner. It’s critical to shake the bottle before spraying so that the solution is evenly distributed and not just water.
How do I apply essential oils topically?
Essential oils may be used in a variety of ways to apply them topically to the skin. It’s vital to note that most essential oils can’t be applied directly to the skin unless they’re diluted.
How do I prepare a solution?
As a general rule, essential oils should be diluted in a carrier substance (such as vegetable or nut oil or water) no more than three to five times.
To generate a 3% solution, you’d use one teaspoon (5cc) of carrier and three drops of pure essential oil. This would result in a 3% solution that could be applied to part of the body.
The 1% solution (one drop of essential oil in one teaspoon of carrier) is typically a safe concentration for massage or for application over large regions of the body. Using a 0.25 percent solution (0.5 percent for toddlers) is advised for infants.
Mix by hand to achieve better results, and this also means that you have more control over the finished product.
What carrier oil should I use?
Natural foods shops or stores that specialize in natural bath and body goods are two of the most common locations to buy essential oils.
Sweet almond, apricot kernel, grapeseed, jojoba, and avocado oils are some examples of organic and cold-pressed carrier oils.
These oils have no distinct odor of their own. They should be refrigerated until needed and discarded if they develop an unpleasant or rancid odor. If properly stored, oils may last a year or more if kept in the refrigerator.
What are the techniques?
There are a few techniques used to get essential oils into action. These include a compress, gargle with them, add them to a bath or use as a massage oil.
Compress
A diluted essential oil is applied to a dressing or directly to the afflicted region using a liquid carrier (water or oil). Heating or chilling the remedy can be used as desired.
To create a compress, add a few drops of ginger (Zinziber officinalis) essential oil to the water and mix it; then soak a cloth in the solution and apply it to your stiff joint. As needed, more heat may be applied.
Gargle
Essential oil is dripped into water. You combine the ingredients, then gargle and spit out the solution. It should not be swallowed. For a sore throat remedy, one drop of tea tree oil can be dripped into a glass of water and gargled.
Bath
Drops of essential oils are added to bath water in a dispersant immediately before entering the tub. This method allows for skin and inhalation of the volatile essential oil, as well as absorption via the skin. A little handful of full-cream milk can be used as a dispersant.
Remember, essential oils are water insoluble; therefore, they will float on top of the bath and skin. Essential oils will also be exposed to full strength oil if bath salts are used to separate them. One part baking soda, two parts Epsom salts, and three parts sea salt may be combined to make a soothing bath base. Add six drops of real lavender essential oil to approximately two tablespoons of this mixture and stir it into a bath before coming in.
Massage
A natural carrier oil is combined with drops of essential oil and gently massaged onto the skin. Adults should avoid massage blends that contain more than 1% essential oils (one drop in a teaspoon).
For children, concentration should not exceed 0.25% for infants, 0.5% for toddlers aged 6 months to 2 years, and 1% for children aged 2 years and above. The choice of essential oils when performing a massage is dependent on the intended outcome.
