How To Use Essential Oils Effectively

Here is a brief overview of how to use essential oils effectively.
This article includes:

• The Seven Best Ways of Using Essential Oils Effectively
• How Essential Oils Work: Absorption and Effects
• Contamination: Ten Important Facts To Know Before Purchasing
• The Safe Use of Essential Oils

We recommend that you begin your journey into the world of our Aromatic Treasures by reading this overview first. Please visit the ‘Writings’ section of the website for more in depth and inspiring educational material where you will learn the stories, healing properties and various uses of these phenomenal medicines.

The Seven Best Ways of Using Essential Oils for Health and Healing

1) Inhalations
This is the use of essential oils on hot compress, using diffusers, or onto hot water for inhalation. Standard dose is 10 drops. Best for respiratory and sinus, headaches. Caution: prolonged inhalation of concentrated essential oils can cause headaches, vertigo, dizziness, nausea, and lethargy.

2) Baths
A generally safe does is 5 - 10 drops of milder oils. Put oil on water immediately before entering bath, disperse. Can be mixed with 1/2 to 1 cup sesame oil or milk then poured into bath. A 1/2 ounce bottle is a perfect size for a bath blend. Add 2 or more essential oils using up to 7 or 8 drops to total to carrier oil. Pour this into tub.

Aromatic baths are excellent for skin problems, circulatory problems, respiratory symptoms, stress and nervous tension, insomnia, muscular and menstrual pains.

Caution: overuse of essential oils in the bath can cause irritation. Use only mild, non-irritating oils for bath, such as lavender and clary sage.

3) Compresses
10 drops oil in 4 oz hot water, soak cloth, wrap. Good for bruises, wounds, muscular aches and pains, dysmenorrhea, skin problems.

4) Facial steam
1 - 5 drops on hot water in a pot, cover head with a towel, steam face. Excellent for opening sinuses, headaches, skin treatment.

5) Massage
Pure essential oils are about 70 times more concentrated than the whole plant.
Dilutions are typically 2% - 10%. For adults, a 2.5% dilution is recommended for most purposes. For children under 12, 1% is generally safe.

A 2.5% blend for a 1 ounce bottle of carrier oil is 15 drops of essential oil.
1% = 6 drops per oz
2% = 12
3% = 18
5% = 30
10% = 60

6) Direct Palm Inhalation
Caution: This method of use should only be done with oils that can be safely applied to the skin (see the toxicology and safety section below). Apply 1-2 drops of oil to the palms, rub together gently and inhale deeply. This is an excellent method of use for a quick and easy exposure to the anti-microbial and other therapeutic uses of essential oils.

7) Diffusers
There are various types of diffusers on the market, with different advantages and disadvantages.

Candle diffusers
Usually a heat resistant vessel for water and essential oils, and a heat resistant platform that holds the vessel over a small candle.
Advantages: very simple to use; provides light background fragrancing
Disadvantages: does not produce strong concentration for therapeutic benefits.
Electric heat diffusers
Small absorbent pads are placed inside of a heating chamber with ventilation that allows the aromatic compounds to evaporate into the surrounding air.
Advantages: easy to use; minimal maintenance; can diffuse thicker oils.
Disadvantages: heat damages some aromatic compounds.

Cool air nebulizing diffusers
A system that uses air pressure generated by a compressing unit to vaporize the essential oils. A glass nebulizing bulb serves as a condenser, allowing only the finest particles of the essential oil to escape into the air.
Advantages: strong diffusion maximizes therapeutic benefits in respiratory conditions.
Disadvantages: diffusers need to be cleaned regularly, and tend to clog. More viscous oils cannot be diffused (such as sandalwood or ylang ylang).

Timers
Electric heat and cool air nebulizers can be purchased with timers, to produce intermittent diffusion. This reduces the amount of oil consumed, and prevents over-saturation in a room.

Other methods
Adding essential oils to room humidifiers
Essential oil rings places on light bulbs

The Absorption and Effects of Essential Oils

Glandular
Essential oils probably exert their most powerful and direct pharmacological effects systemically via the blood supply to the brain. They also have an indirect effect via the olfactory nerve pathways into the brain. Essential oil fragrances are absorbed through blood circulation and nerve pathways from the sinuses into the central glands of the brain, which control emotional, neurological, and immunological functions.

Skin
Essential oils are absorbed in minute quantities through the skin, depending on the oil, dilution, and application (carrier oil, compress, etc). Many of the indications for specific oils include various skin conditions.

Respiratory
Essential oils are inhaled during treatment, which have a direct effect of the sinuses, throat, and lungs. Many essential oils are specific medicines for respiratory conditions.

Circulation
Many essential oils have beneficial effects on circulatory problems, both through dermal and respiratory absorption. These oils enhance the circulation stimulating effects of massage.

Adulteration and Contamination

The 10 Most Important Points To Know Before You Purchase Essential Oils

1) “Pure”
In the US, the term “pure” has no legal meaning and is often applied to just about anything.

2) Synthetic Fragrances
Certain oils do not exist in a natural state, and are only available as synthetic fragrances or “bouqueted” fragrances (combination of essential oils, absolutes, and synthetics). These include honeysuckle, linden, gardenia, frangipani.

3) Adulteration
The more expensive an oil, the more risk of adulteration.
Some oils are highly adulterated, such as melissa (lemon balm), rose, and sandalwood.

4) Chain of Supply
The fragrance industry has many levels of buyers and suppliers. The more levels that are involved, the more there is risk of adulteration. Large volumes of oils are sold as “genuine” and “pure,” which are not. False advertising is rampant in the aromatherapy world. It is best to get oils directly from the distiller.
Pesticides
Some pesticides are carried over in the extracting process, some are not.
Expressed citrus oils contain pesticide residues.

5) Grades
Lower grades of oils are frequently sold as higher. A good example is ylang ylang.

6) Extenders
Many oils are “extended” using synthetic or natural solvents.
Expensive oils are frequently extended with jojoba.
Some oils are extended to make them more pourable, like benzoin; the solvent is frequently questionable.

7) Bulking
Bulking is the post-distillation combining of oils from one or more species, or loading plants of the same species from different harvests into the still together. Dried plant material from different years may be bulked with fresh.

Bulking is done to make the product cheaper and/or to make it conform to some standard desirable to the fragrance or flavoring industries.

8) Rectified or Redistilled:
Oils that have had natural components removed from them: terpene-less oils, furocoumarin-free oils.

9) Folded
Oils, (usually citrus) that have been redistilled a number of times to remove more of the monoterpenes (usually) to make the oil more desirable for the flavoring industry.

10) Reconstituted
Oils that have had natural or synthetic chemical components added to them after distillation.

The Safe Use of Essential Oils

In general, when used properly essential oils are quite safe and highly beneficial. However, because their uses are still relatively unknown, people can and do hurt themselves by using these highly concentrated botanical substances improperly.

Toxicology and Safety

• Do not use essential oils internally.
• Do not apply directly to skin; always dilute with carrier oil.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.
• Do not use citrus oils before exposure to UV light.
• Use only pure essential oils; avoid synthetic fragrances.
• Do not use essential oils on infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly, or those with serious health problems, without advanced medical study.
• Avoid prolonged exposure without ventilation.
• Store essential oils and carrier oils properly to avoid degradation and rancidity.

Do not use essential oils internally.
There are two exceptions to this rule.

• The first is properly administered dosages of essential oil medications prescribed by a licensed physician. This is now occurring in certain European clinics, but is rarely available in the US. People should avoid using essential oils internally if prescribed by a lay practitioner, especially if the practitioner’s education is primarily from the marketing perspective rather than clinical.

• The second exception is biocompatible levels of essential oil ingestion when taken as part of the diet. A good example of this is oregano oil. Oregano oil is widely marketed for internal consumption, with numerous claims made about its therapeutic efficacy. In actual practice, the internal consumption of this oil frequently causes the typical symptoms associated with the ingestion of essential oils, such as extreme gastric hyperacidity. On the other hand, the use of oregano as a fresh herb, steamed at the end of food preparation, provides all the benefits of oregano oil at a biocompatible level, with none of the gastric dangers.

Should accidental ingestion of any significant amount of an essential oil occur, immediately call your local Poison Control Center. Do not induce vomiting. Do not give water if breathing or swallowing is difficult.

Do not apply directly to skin; always dilute with carrier oil.
Essential oils are very concentrated. Dilute all essential oils before applying to the skin, either in a fatty oil, or in water as when used on a compress.

There are two exceptions to this rule.
The first is the use of attars as perfumes. Because the floral essences are distilled into a base of sandalwood oil, the sandalwood oil acts as a carrier which dilutes the potency of the pure essential oil.

The second is the reasonable use of mild essential oils that have a well documented history of safety. The best example of this is lavender; however, even lavender can be problematic for some people. Skin reactivity is becoming more of a problem as synthetic aroma chemicals become more common adulterants in the essential oil industry.

A general rule is to never apply more than one to two drops of undiluted oil to the skin. Patch testing is always advisable. For people with sensitive skin, always test a small area with a diluted oil before applying over a larger area. For general non-medical use, avoid essential oils with highly sensitive skin and with any instances of skin allergies, severe inflammation and dermatitis. Pure essential oils are much less dangerous than synthetic aroma chemicals.

Skin Reactions
Skin reactions are dependent on the type of oil, the concentration of the oil, and the condition of the skin. It is best to check with clients to determine any prior history of skin reactions before using oils, either for dermal or respiratory applications.

Old and oxidized oils are more prone to cause reactions, especially rashes. Refrigerate fatty carrier oils to prevent rancidity. Essential oils generally have a shelf life of one to three years. Some get better with age, such as sandalwood, vetiver, and patchouli. The citrus oils are most prone to degradation, and should be used within one year.

Skin reactions to essential oils can take three forms:

• Irritation:
A small number of oils are strongly or severely irritant. These include horseradish, mustard, garlic, and onion (which are rarely used in aromatherapy practice). Some oils used in massage practice can be moderately irritant, such as cinnamon, clove, fennel, and verbena. These oils should be used cautiously or avoided in cases of skin sensitivity.
• Sensitization:
Skin sensitization means an allergic skin reaction; this usually manifests as a rash. There are relatively few oils used in a typical massage practice that will produce sensitization under normal applications in a carrier oil. However, there are a number of reports on Pubmed of allergic reactions to essential oils. These include contact dermatitis, eczema, asthma, and pruritic erythematous eruptions. These cases were predominantly among those who used essential oils professionally for long periods of time, such as massage therapists and estheticians. The cases frequently involved exposure to numerous essential oils, and it is also likely that the quality of the oils was poor.
• Phototoxicity:
Some essential oils can strongly increase sensitivity to sunlight when applied to the skin. This is especially dangerous when applied undiluted to the skin, but even low concentrations in a carrier oil can cause problems if followed by exposure to sun or tanning lamps. Phototoxicity will be much stronger directly after application of the oil, and will gradually decrease over an eight to twelve hour period; if higher than normal concentrations are used it can be longer. Most of the phototoxic oils are also photocarcinogenic. The most common oils which cause phototoxicity are the citruses; bergamot is the most reactive. Some citruses are phototoxic if expressed, but not if distilled, such as lemon and lime. Other oils include marigold (tagetes), verbena, and angelica. The best practice is to use proper dilutions, avoid direct exposure to UV rays after application, and avoid the use of citrus oils if exposure will be occurring after treatment.

The best treatment for skin irritation from essential oils is to apply a fatty oil, such as coconut, which will dilute the impact of the essential oils.

Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes
If an essential oil gets into the eye, do not rub it. Saturate a cotton ball with milk or vegetable oil and wipe over the area affected. In severe instances flood the eye area with lukewarm water for fifteen minutes.

Take special precautions with applications near delicate skin areas.

Use only pure essential oils; avoid synthetic fragrances.

Avoid prolonged exposure without ventilation
Overexposure to essential oils, especially in confined areas, can cause dizziness, nausea, light headedness, headache, blood sugar imbalances, irritability, euphoria. When exposed to high levels of essential oils make sure to keep the room well ventilated.

Store essential oils and carrier oils properly to avoid degradation and rancidity.
Air, heat and light degrade essential oils. Store essential oils in a cool, dark room and always keep your oils tightly sealed.

Do not use essential oils on infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly, or those with serious health problems, without advanced medical study.

General Advice
Before experimenting with an oil, become familiar with it’s properties, dose, and precautions.

When in doubt about a condition or an oil, consult a qualified medical specialist.
If in doubt use safe, non-irritating essential oils and dilute them with a carrier oil before using.