How To Use Essential Oils

Since essential oils are highly concentrated, most must be diluted before they're used and not applied directly on the skin. You can use them in any of the following ways:

In a bath: Hopping into a warm bath at the end of a long day is one of life's most blissful moments. Add 5 to 8 drops of a blend of 3 oils before you climb into the bath. Agitate the water. Submerge your body to prepare yourself for the night ahead -- whether you're staying at home for a quiet and relaxing time, going to a party, or spending a romantic evening with your lover. You can also use essential oils in the morning to invigorate and refresh you for the day ahead.

Vaporizer: You can use a vaporizer at home or work to uplift or relax you. Vaporizers are used to fill the atmosphere with essential oils. Add 8 drops in total of your chosen combination of oils to the shallow dish filled with water at the top of the unit. You can choose oils to freshen the air, to assist with breathing, to aid concentration, or during a romantic interlude.

Massage: Massage is already a popular and highly respected way of loving and healing the body. Combine this with the use of essential oils, and you have a recipe for divine relaxation. A massage oil is a combination of essential oils added to a base oil. You can use massage oils to promote circulation, stimulate the release of toxins from the body, or uplift the senses -- the list is endless. To every 10 milliliters (ml) of base oil, add 5 drops of essential oil (a 10:1 ratio).

Body rub: You can begin every day with energy and vitality by indulging in a two-minute body rub after your shower. When the body is warm, it absorbs oil quickly. Choose 3 essential oils to add to your base oil, and blend in a small bowl. Smooth the oil over the entire body to stimulate circulation and protect you during the day to come.

Inhalation: To help balance physical disorders and release emotions, you can inhale oils directly by adding 3 to 5 drops to a stainless steel or glass bowl, filled with boiling water. Add the drops of essential oils to the water (agitate to release the vapors). Place a towel over your head, and breathe deeply. For maximum benefit, keep your head over the bowl for 10 minutes. Remember to protect the sensitive eye area.

Diffuser: Follow directions that come with diffusor. Do not run 24 hours a day. Only run approx. 15 to 30 minutes at a time.

Compresses: Use a compress for facial skin care-- it's useful for softening the skin and promoting cell regeneration -- or for first aid to help relieve pain and swelling and reduce inflammation. Hot compresses are generally used to alleviate chronic pain, while cold compresses are ideal for acute pain and injury

To make your compress, add 5 drops in total of your chosen 3 essential oils to a basin of hot or cold water. Fold a piece of gauze or a small towel, and soak it in the water. Squeeze out the excess water from the cloth, and apply it to the skin after the cloth has absorbed as much of the oil as possible from the surface of the water.

Cotton balls or fabric made with natural fibers (no polyester or synthetic balls as they will melt with most oils) are great to put in front of fans or hang anywhere, especially where there is moving air. Also a good way to use Neem oil in pantries to get rid of pantry moths.

Use a dab of Neem oil on bottom of lids of containers that are subject to pantry flies such as flour, rice, popcorn, etc. - works great.

Spritzer: Ideal for summer, a spritzer hydrates and re-energizes the skin. This is a bottle with a nozzle that sprays water in a mist-like form. You can also use a spritzer to apply essential oils to wounds or burns. Using 90 ml of water, add 5 drops of a combination of 3 essential oils to a spritzer bottle and shake often as oils and water do not readily mix..

Health - Apply to bottom of feet as that takes the oils immediately to the rest of the body. The cells on the bottom of the feet are some of the largest cells in the body. Also all the electrical meridians go through the feet. (Our bodies are electrical) Energy (acupressure) points are also great places to put oils. I also like over the tonsils on the throat or main lymphatic points.

Put a drop or two on your palm, rub your hands together a few times and then cup your hands over your nose and breathe in the delightful fragrance. Great way to use the oils in public as the nose has large blood vessels that gather the oil and take it directly into the blood stream.

To repel insects we use either Catnip essential oil or Pest Away and apply a drop on the back of the hands, top of feet, forehead or any other exposed area. It just takes a drop and should be used with a carrier oil (vegetable oil) especially if you are red headed or very blond with sensitive skin.

Go to Garden Essence Oils Index Page to order oils