Methods of Using Essential Oils
Topically: Applying certain oils to the bottoms of your feet every day will help you stay healthy. Essential oils have been shown to destroy threats in the body while simultaneously restoring homeostasis. I recommend diluting essential oils with fractionated coconut oil. I like this because it stays in a liquid form and doesn’t go rancid but any other pure oil such as almond oil is acceptable. It’s a good idea to keep a carrier oil handy in case of irritation. Diluting the oils will give you the same effect. However, carrier oils have larger molecules that slow down the absorption process and therefore you won’t have to reapply as often. For massage, dilute fifteen to twenty drops of essential oil in one ounce of carrier oil. If the essential oil irritates the skin, dilute it with fractionated coconut oil, never with water. Water and oil do not mix, and water will actually drive the oil deeper into the tissues, which can increase irritation.
Aromatic: Simply take the lid off and smell the oil, or use oils with a diffuser. As you inhale, the fragrance goes into the body through the nose and olfactory bulb and reaches the brain through the limbic system. You can also add a few drops to a spray bottle with distilled water, shake well, and spray into the air. Put a drop or two into your hand, rub together, cup your hands over your nose and mouth, and breathe in slowly.
Internally: The only essential oils I recommend ingesting are the highest grade of therapeutic essential oils. You will know if they are GRAS (generally regarded as safe to take internally) you will see a supplement box on the oil label. Please do your own research here. I have given you guidelines as to what to look for in a company or brand of essential oils. Add oils to drinking water, use them in food recipes, put them in gelatin capsules like any other supplement, or just drop directly under your tongue and chase with water. They are very concentrated. One drop of peppermint oil is equivalent to twenty-eight cups of peppermint tea.
General dilution ratio guidelines
Mild oils dilute 1:1
Sensitive oils dilute 1:2
More caustic oils dilute 1:3
Categories of Essential Oils
I love the idea of categorizing oils. It makes using them so simple. Everybody is different, and there may be a particular oil that will work for one person but not another. Or a person may not like the smell of one oil but love another. For instance, I am not a great fan of lavender to help me sleep, but I love the calming blend, this is a blend of lavender, sweet marjoram, Roman chamomile, ylang-ylang, Hawaiian sandalwood essential oils, and vanilla bean absolute. This blend calms the mind, relaxes the body, and soothes the soul, providing a safe haven from life’s daily stressors. My husband loves the combination of equal parts of frankincense, bergamot, Roman chamomile, and vetiver. It helps him get a great night’s sleep. This is also good information to have as you are collecting your own medicine cabinet of essential oils. You may not have or want to use all of them, but, by using this method, you can pick another oil in that same category that works for you. Use your imagination and create your own blends of your favorite oils in the category of choice.
I will categorize many of these for you. As you get to know your oils and what works with your body, add your own favorites to the applicable category. This list is not complete by any means. It lays the foundation for you to start exploring and categorizing the oils you enjoy most.
Relaxation and Calming
- Serenity
- Balance
- Bergamot
- Clary sage
- Frankincense
- Geranium
- Lavender
- Patchouli
- Roman chamomile
- Vetiver
- Wild orange
- Ylang ylang
Muscle and Discomfort Support
- AromaTouch
- DeepBlue
- PastTense
- Cypress
- Frankincense
- Lavender
- Lemongrass
- Marjoram
- Peppermint
- Roman chamomile
- Wintergreen
- Siberian fir
Immune System Support (Most essential oils support the immune system, I have listed a few of my favorites.)
- Zendocrine
- OnGuard
- Cassia
- Cinnamon
- Clove
- Melaleuca
- Melissa
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Rosemary
Digestive Health
- Zendocrine
- DigestZen
- Cardamom
- Fennel
- Ginger
- Grapefruit
- Lemon
- Lime
- Peppermint
Skin Health
- Immortelle
- HD Clear
- Cedarwood
- Frankincense
- Geranium
- Helichrysum
- Lavender
- Melaleuca
- Myrrh
- Rose
- Sandalwood
- Roman chamomile
