Essential oils are very easy to use and have a wide safety margin for dosage error. Aromatherapy and essential oil use is becoming more popular and the demand for information on usage has consequently grown as well. Here are some practical guidelines for ways to enjoy the great benefits and happiness that essential oils offer us.

Inhalation Methods	Dermal Applications	Specific Conditions	Household Uses
Diffuse in Air, Sprays	Massage Oils and Lotions	Infections, Detoxification	Disinfectant Spray, Cleaners
Nose Cone Method	Serums and Ointments	Intestinal Imbalance, IBS	Glass Cleaner and Scrubs
Steam Tents, Saunas	Bath Salts, Scrubs and Oils	Inflammation, Pain, Swelling	Wood Polish, Floors, Carpet Care
Chest Rubs, Mask Blends	Using Essential Oils Undiluted	Circulation: Blood, Lymph, Nerves	Insect Repellant, Powders

Tips for using essential plant oils, in brief, are…….

“Inhalation” introduces essential oils into the body via breathing the vapors as they evaporate and are released into the air.  Essential oils are volatile molecules and release into the air quickly.  The molecules are absorbed into the blood stream through the tissues in the lungs and affect the brain as the essential oils pass through the olfactory nerves.  The olfactory nerves deliver the molecules to the limbic system of our brains and stimulate various parts of our forebrain.

The “Nose Cone Method” is highly efficient in the prevention and treatment of respiratory tract infections and congestion. Concentrated doses of essential oils are quickly absorbed into the respiratory tract with this method.  Take a napkin or fold over a tissue and make a 2-1/2 inch square, put two drops in the center of the paper square, fold it in half and roll it up to fit into a nostril.  Place the dry end, with no essential oil on it, into the nostril and keep it there for about twenty minutes.

“Steam Tents” are an effective way to instantly deliver concentrated doses of essential oils into the respiratory tract.  Boil a pot of water in a stainless steel or glass pot.  Take the pot off the burner and add 2 to 3 drops of essential oil.  Quickly, tent your face over the pot by covering your head with a towel.  Keep your eyes shut and raise yourself up high enough that you are not burned.  Breathe deeply for about five minutes.  The essential oil evaporates quickly.

“Air Sprays” are enjoyable, refreshing and easy to make.  Buy a glass bottle with a spray top.  4 oz. bottles are commonly sold.  Use ten to 30 drops of essential oil per 4 ounces (amount to your liking) and fill the rest of the bottle with pure water or hydrosol (floral water).

“Dermal Application” (applying to skin) works well because essential oils are composed of very small molecules that are easily absorbed into the body. Applying essential oils to the skin is a quick and efficient way to introduce into the blood, nerves and lymph.  Many essential oils are lipophilic, meaning that by their molecular design they want to jump into tissues containing protein, including our cells.

“Massage Oil” blends are quite potent and are pleasant when, generally, kept within a range of 5 to 10 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier (base) oil.

“Baths” are a wonderful way to use essential oils. The heat helps the essential oils penetrate the skin faster and stimulates circulation and the lymphatic flow.  The lymphatic system is able to cleanse the body efficiently with this added boost.  Inhaling the aroma while relaxing in the tub can feel divine and is an added health benefit. 

To make a salt base mix about 2/4 cup sea salt, 1/4 cup Epson salt and 2 heaping tablespoons of baking soda.  The baking soda absorbs toxins as they leave the body, so you do not reabsorb them and it helps balance the pH level.  Add between 5 and 15 drops of essential oils, sometimes 20 drops for the larger bathtubs.  You can also add essential oils to bath water with no added salt; swish the water before you get in, because the essential oils tend to bead together.

“Foot Baths and Sitz Baths” (hip baths) are other potent ways to deliver essential oils into the body.

“Internal Use” of essential oils should only be explored after consulting with a knowledgeable Aroma/Essential Oil Therapist or take a reputable course in using essential oils.  Use great caution in pregnancy, there are some oils to be avoided and some may even induce labor or abortions.  Although essential oils are safe to use with few exceptions, the outcome is dependent on the dose given.  Many oils will irritate and can damage the liver when taken for a prolonged time.  Internal use is mainly intervention for a short duration to reach a specific goal, not for daily use.

Here are some easy ways to incorporate essential oils into daily “Oral Care”.  You can put a drop of essential oil on your toothbrush or dilute 2 or 3 drops of essential oil into a small cup of water, dipping your toothbrush in the solution and brushing as usual is convenient and effective.  You can also add one or two drops of essential oil to the basin of your waterpick. Or onto unwaxed dental floss and use as usual.  Add some essential oil to your mouthwash (2 drops per one ounce of mouthwash).  Using a Q-tip you can dab undiluted essential oils on sores in the mouth and yes, you will taste it, but it works.

“Suppositories” introduce essential oils topically to the vagina or rectum where they are readily absorbed into the bloodstream and the pelvic lymphatic vessels.  For adults, use 5 to 8 drops of essential oil per 3 grams (3 mls.) of suppository base mixture; for children (over 3 years old) use 1 drop per 1 gram of base mixture.

Measuring tips:

These are approximate measurements and close enough for aroma/essential oil therapy in the office or at home.  If you were blending for mass marketing or a perfume company you would use a precise scale for accuracy.  Use glass, ceramic or stainless steel utensils.

1/8 oz.=          3/4 teaspoon=          3-4 milliliters=                       60-80 drops

1/4 oz.=          1to1-1/2 tspns.=       6-8 mls.=                               150 drops

1/2 oz.=          3 teaspoons=           15 mls.=                                 300 drops

1 oz.=             6 teaspoons=           30 mls.=                                 600 drops

Eyedroppers vary greatly in size.  These measurements are for eyedroppers that would fit 1/2 oz. or 1 oz. bottles, or the dropper/reducer inserts of 1/5 ml. - 15ml. bottle