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Selecting Essential Oils

Don’t buy a dozen at once while starting your collection; you’ll discover them unused months later (like I did). Instead, begin with one or two traditional scents that have numerous purposes in wellness, the home, and beauty (such as tea tree, lavender, or lemon). Then, when you find your favorites, apply one or two more oils at a time.

When it comes to quality, search for essential oils that are produced without the use of any additional substances and are organically obtained by distillation or expression. Avoid anything with alcohol or preservatives stated on the label. Because there are many synthetic and poor-quality oils available, do your homework and purchase directly from distillers or reputable companies.

It’s important to always buy oils that are labeled as “100% pure.” Pure oils may appear pricey, but since each recipe only calls for a few drops, a little container will last for a very long time. Look for it prediluted in a carrier oil or its principal constituent in a blend of other essential oils if a pricy pure oil (like rose or jasmine) is out of your price range.

Remember that essential oils and fragrance and perfume oils are not the same thing. They have no healing properties.

How Do I Pick And Apply Essential Oils? 

Depending on the goal—whether you want it to improve your mood or you need something to treat a burn—the essential oil you choose will vary. Which essential oil should be utilized to cure which ailment is not explicitly listed? 

For instance, although bergamot and peppermint oil are stimulating and can aid those with depression, the essential oils of lavender, chamomile, basil, and Frankincense are typically thought to have a relaxing effect and may help with anxiety. 

However, this is fairly individual. Therefore, you should take the initiative to conduct a study and consult with certified aromatherapists or other people who have received training in the use of essential oils.

Purchasing a book about therapeutic aromatherapy is a fantastic place to start. You can pick a nice book that suits your needs among the many excellent publications that are out there.

How Should I Use Essential Oils? 

Applying essential oils to the skin, inhaling them, or ingesting them are the three main ways they enter the body. There are numerous varieties of application strategies for each of these. For instance, you can massage essential oils into the skin or use compresses, sprays, or baths to physically administer them.

How Do I Pick An Essential Oil Application Method?

The technique of application chosen is determined by the desired effect and the essential oil picked. Because of their chemistry, some essential oils, for example, are irritating to the skin. These would require greater dilution or would be better used through inhalation.

After purchasing an essential oil, the application method is determined by the ailment to be treated and the intended effect. Some pointers:

• Topical applications are most commonly used in wound care.
• Inhalation or topical application may be used to treat mood effects. Inhalation may be recommended for quick effect.
• Baths involve inhalation as well as cutaneous absorption.

Note: Please see an aromatherapist if you are unclear about which application method to utilize with essential oils.

Storage Of Essential Oils 

Essential oils can be harmed by light, heat, moisture, and oxygen, so store them in blue or amber glass bottles in a cool, dark place. Plastic containers should be avoided because both the bottle and the oil will deteriorate. 

Keep the bottles well covered and replace the lids immediately after use to prevent evaporation and oxidation.

In general, essential oils have a shelf life of at least one year. Citrus oils lose their potency after two years, but floral, herbal, and wood oils might last four or more. 

Concoctions using carrier oils, on the other hand, have a shorter shelf life, so produce small amounts and utilize them within six months (or as mentioned in the recipe). 

Label your blends with the recipe ingredients as well as the expiration date.

When creating essential oil beauty treatments, make sure to sanitize all glass containers before storing your recipes in them. Wash them in boiling soapy water or boil them for 20 minutes before completely drying them.

How Do I Inhale Essential Oils?

Diffuser

Essential oils are placed in these devices, sometimes with water (read the recommendations carefully) and sometimes with heat to allow them to evaporate. This is a fantastic approach to introduce the aroma of essential oil into space, for example, if you want to improve relaxation during a yoga practice or class. Essential oils should never be burned directly since the molecular structure changes substantially with combustion (Buckle, 2003).

Dry Evaporation

Several drops of essential oil are placed on a cotton ball or tissue and released into the air. Sniff the cotton ball for a stronger dose. If you want a gentler, more consistent exposure, simply keep the cotton ball in your immediate area (for example, on your desk next to your computer).

Steam

Drops of essential oil are placed in a bowl of heating water, where they immediately evaporate. Place a towel over your head and the bowl of water containing the essential oil drop(s), and take a deep breath. This method is very direct and potent—using more than 1-2 drops may be too much. When employing this procedure, it is critical to keep your eyes closed. Eucalyptus essential oil can be beneficial for upper respiratory and sinus infections. This is not suggested for children under the age of seven. Children over seven can use swimming goggles to safeguard their eyes.

Spray

Essential oil drops are mixed in a water-based solution, shaken, then sprayed into the air to deodorize a space or set a mood. Two examples are spraying an aqueous solution of pine or citrus oils to improve festive sentiments or a solution of peppermint oil to boost alertness. As a yoga mat cleaning, you may also make a solution of water and your favorite essential oil. Shake the bottle before spraying to ensure that you spray the solution, not simply water. 

How Do I Use Essential Oils On The Skin? 

There are many different ways to put essential oils on your skin. However, it’s important to remember that most essential oils can’t be put onto the skin directly without being reduced first.

How Do I Prepare For A Solution? 

Essential oil and carrier oil. Generally, essential oils should not be mixed with a carrier material (like water, nut oil, or vegetable oil) in a concentration of no more than 3-5%. 

That means adding three drops of pure essential oil to one teaspoon (5cc) of carrier oil. This would make a 3% fluid that could be used on a part of the body.

A 1% solution (one drop of essential oil in one teaspoon carrier) is a safe concentration for massages or extensive body areas. Use a 0.25% solution on babies and a.5% solution on kids.

Note: If you use water as a carrier, shake or mix the solution well before using it.

What Kind Of Carrier Oils Should I Use? 

Natural foods stores and retailers specializing in natural bath and body products frequently have common carrier oils. Organic and cold-pressed carrier oils are favored, such as sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, or avocado oil. These oils do not have a distinct aroma of their own. Therefore, they should be refrigerated until used and thrown out if they smell bad. (Refrigerated oils usually last about a year.)

An ideal essential oil for wound treatment would be antibacterial and soothing on the skin. Some essential oils can be used in a variety of ways. True lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia), for example, can be applied to the skin to treat cuts and minor burns and inhaled to promote relaxation and sleep. In addition, lavender is one of the few essential oils that can be applied on tiny undiluted skin areas.

What Are The Techniques For the Use of Essential Oils? 

Compress

The essential oil is mixed with a liquid solvent, like water or oil, and then put directly on the wound or on a dressing. You can choose to use heat or cold.

Adding a few drops of ginger (Zinziber Officinalis) essential oil to warm water is one example; mixed to spread the oil and then used to soak a cloth and put on a swollen joint. More heat can be added as needed.

Gargle

Drops of essential oil are put into water. You mix everything, rinse, and then spit out the solution. DO NOT EAT THIS. Gargling with one drop of tea tree oil in a glass of water can help with sore throat pain.

Bath

Drops of essential oils are dispersed in bath water soon before entering. This process results in skin absorption and inhaling the volatilized essential oil. A few tablespoons of full cream milk might be used as a dispersant.

Because essential oils are not water soluble, they will float on top of the bath, exposing the skin traveling through the oil to full-intensity essential oil. Essential oils can also be dispersed using bath salts. To make a calming bath foundation, use one part baking soda, two parts Epsom salts, and three parts sea salt. Mix in six drops of pure lavender essential oil to around two tablespoons of this mixture shortly before entering the bath.

Massage

Drops of essential oil are mixed with a natural carrier oil and gently rubbed into skin regions. As previously stated, adult massage mixes should not contain more than 1% essential oil concentration (one drop in a teaspoon). Concentrations for newborns should not exceed 0.25%, 0.5% for toddlers aged six months to 2 years, and 1% for children aged two years and older. The essential oils used in massage are chosen based on the desired impact.