Aromatherapy - Using Essential Oils

To ensure that you obtain the best possible results from essential oils, always keep in mind the guidelines below. These apply whether you are using the aromatherapy blends suggested in this book or experimenting with essential oils on your own.

Use only pure essential oils. Never substitute synthetics.

Buy your essential oils from reliable sources that guarantee the purity of their oils. Consult the Aromatherapy Resource Guide in the Appendix for recommended suppliers.

Always dilute essential oils in a carrier oil, such as almond, apricot kernel, canola, hazelnut, jojoba, or sunflower oil, before applying them to your body. Essential oils are highly concentrated—sometimes as much as 100 times stronger than the fresh plant or dried herb—so even one drop of pure essential oil applied directly to your skin can cause irritation.

When using an essential oil, uncap the bottle for a few seconds only. Drop the oils from the dropper into the palm of your hand or into a clean container for blending. Keep the dropper and the rim of the container from touching your skin or anything else. Keep bottles tightly capped and away from sunlight and heat when not in use.

Follow the directions for the aromatherapy blends carefully. Never add more than the recommended number of drops of an essential oil. You can use fewer drops if you wish.

When using essential oils on infants or children, dilute them even more. Consult the instructions for different types of aromatherapy treatments in Part Four for the correct dilutions.

Use glass containers for all blends consisting of essential oils only, and for all other aromatherapy blends whenever possible. Suitable glass bottles are available at some beauty supply stores, body care stores, and drug stores. Or ask your local pharmacist if you might purchase bottles through him or her. Many pharmacists will be willing to sell you some empty glass dropper bottles, but usually you have to ask for them.

If you must use a plastic container for an aromatherapy blend, be sure to add the carrier oil or water to the container first and then add the essential oil or oils. Essential oils are very concentrated, and may damage a plastic container unless diluted.

Do not shake bottles of essential oils, and do not shake an essential oil blend to mix it. Instead, turn the bottle upside down a number of times or gently roll the bottle between your hands for a few minutes to blend the ingredients.

Trust your nose. If you dislike the smell of a certain oil, don't use it.

Inhale essential oils for short periods only. If you are using a diffuser, run it for only five to ten minutes at a time.

If you have doubts about using an essential oil or an aromatherapy blend, trust your instincts or check with a qualified aromatherapist or your health care professional.