Essential oils have been used for centuries in many cultures for their therapeutic qualities and have profound health benefits in the hands of experienced users. Single oils and even complex blends are effectively used in the following three ways:
1. Aromatic: The volatile nature of essential oils allows them to be easily evaporated and diffused throughout a larger space. Using this application method helps create an atmosphere where several individuals can enjoy the calming, stimulating, and soothing benefits of essential oils.
2. Topical: Essential oils are safely and easily absorbed by the skin allowing you to use a variety of topical application techniques to different parts of your body.
3. Internal: Whether you are taking capsules or the oil itself, essential oils can be used as dietary supplements supporting a variety of healthy conditions.
Aromatically
Aromatic application can:
- Be nurturing to the respiratory system, including the sinuses.
- Have a supportive affect on moods, the hormonal system, tension, etc.
- Increase indoor air quality or help protect against airborne contaminants.
- And the positive compounds and their properties, once within our blood stream, can encourage our immune system response or promote well-being in a multitude of ways.
This is because the "aroma" you breathe is actually a fine mist or vapor of the oil, containing all the same properties of the oil itself. And it is due to the fact that the olfactory system is closely connected to the limbic system of the brain that essential oils have such a positive affect on the physical and psychological systems of the body.
- Diffuse with ultrasonic diffuser
- Inhale from cupped hands (your personal diffuser)
- Inhale from oil bottle
- Wear an oil pendant
Topically
Learning how to use essential oils topically is a little more delicate, but still fairly simple. Please remember that although most essential oils can be used topically, HOW they are used will vary from oil to oil. Some come with precautions for dilution or frequency, but even those that don't can still affect some skin types, causing itchiness or a rash if not used with mindfulness.
Know your skin type! Do you tend to have sensitive skin? Then always dilute, no matter the oil. Are you not sure? Do a patch test an area of your inner arm first. Start with one diluted drop, then increase an undiluted drop if the oil is generally safe for undiluted use in most people. And always use one oil at a time, so that if you have a negative reaction, you know what you reacted to.
*Always dilute for young children as the essential oils are potent and concentrated. The young children just need the minimal of essential oils to get better.
Diluting doesn't decrease the effectiveness of the oil, and may help to increase absorption by preventing evaporation, as well as decreasing the likelihood of a skin reaction, so unless you have reasons not to, it's a good idea to do so.
All the essential oils include application guide in how to use each essential oils:
Here are some other topical precautions to consider:
- Citrus oils (Lemon, Bergamot, Lime) can cause a sensitivity to the sun. It's usually recommended to avoid sunlight within 12 hours of applying topically, but Bergamot in particular can cause issues for up to 3 days. We usually will apply these in the evening, or to an area of the body that won't be exposed to the sun, or we avoid topical use altogether.
- Everyone is different and even the most gentle oils can still cause a reaction. If you know you're prone to sensitive skin or skin reactions, always test the oils highly diluted first, then with a lighter dilution, before trying undiluted if it's an oil that is generally recognize as one you can use "neat".
- Even if you've used an oil before without problems or don't consider yourself to have sensitive skin, you can still develop a reaction to it with excessive use over the same area of the body. Try to mix it up when possible (alternating application locations AND the oils you're using) and dilute as necessary. Again, diluting never hurts. Because you may not know you have a sensitivity, this is why many say you should ALWAYS dilute. You may feel comfortable not diluting some "neat" oils, but when in doubt, dilute.
- It's usually better to "layer" oils than to blend them. What this means is that if you're using 2 or more oils topically, apply one, then wait between 5-30 minutes and apply the other over it (instead of mixing a drop of each in your hand and then rubbing this into the skin). Mixing the oils is as much an art as it is a science, which is why we tend to stick to the blends a company has already created, since we know they are safe and effective.
- Apply to area of pain or concern (dilute as needed- fractionated coconut oil)
- Apply under nose, back of neck, forehead, or wrists
- To affect entire body, apply to bottoms of feet, spine, or navel
- To affect specific organs or body systems, apply to reflex points on the ears, hands, or feet *Add warm compress or massage to drive oils deeper into body tissues
Internally
Some safety precaution for Internal use:
- Less is More: Instead of using multiple drops of an oil internally, such as in a veggie capsule, start off with one to see how it works.
- Increase Frequency Before Drops: Your liver can only tolerate oils in small doses. It's a better idea to use one drop 30-90 minutes apart, rather than 3-4 drops all at once.
- There's a Time and Place: Not all needs will respond to internal use. And sometimes topically works just as well (such as digestive oils massaged over the belly). I like to save my internal use for when I really feel I need it.
- Limit Your Daily Drops: The general consensus is to consume no more than 10-25 drops of all essential oils per day (25 being for oils such as citruses). You might be able to push this limit with citrus oils, but I stick to the lower end should I ever have a need for a stronger oil. And if you really don't NEED it daily, it's better to save it for when you do.
- Certain Oils = More Caution: Oils high in phenols (such as oregano, cinnamon, thyme, etc) are generally more likely to accumulate in the liver. Use these with care. For a very general guideline/starting point, the hotter the oil, the more precaution. And if you wouldn't normally eat it, think twice before consuming its oil.
- Dilute: Even if you're putting your oil in a veggie capsule, while it may not always be necessary, but it's still a good idea to dilute with an edible carrier oil, such as raw coconut oil, olive oil, etc. This helps to ensure less potential irritation to any mucous membranes.
- Some People Should Just Avoid It: If you are pregnant, nursing, have a major health concern, a compromised immune system, or liver issues, I would recommend avoiding internal use of most oils until you speak with your physician.
- Put as drop of two of oil under tongue, hold a few seconds, and then swallow
- Drink a few drops if a glass of water
- Put a few drops of oil in an empty capsule and swallow
- Put a drop of oil on the back of your hand and lick
- Cook with essential oil to enhance the taste
Frequency
For acute conditions use every 15 to 20 minutes until symptoms subside, then apply every 2 to 6 hours as neede.d. For chronic or ongoing conditions repeat 1 to 2 times per day, typically a.m. and p.m.
