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This page includes information about how to apply essential oils using various methods such as aromatic baths, compresses, massage, "neat" directly on the skin, inhalation, and orally depending on the need or condition you are working with.  Choosing the method that fits the need just takes a bit of thought. 

By way of an example; if you have a head cold and want to relieve your stuffy nose, an inhalation using a bowl of steaming water would be a good choice.  This choice however, wouldn't be your best fit for a sprained ankle, a compress would.  Read on and you will find many ideas to get you started.

Aromatic Baths
This is a wonderful way to enjoy the benefits of Essential oils.  In this method you have the added bonus of receiving the benefits of the Essential oils via the olfactory system and through the skin.  When the skin is both warm and moist, your pores open wider, which increases amount of oils absorbed by the skin.

Essential Oils can be added to the bath for pleasure when you want to relax and melt away the stress and tension of the day,  to have what I would call an “attitude adjustment”, meaning to significantly improve my attitude!   After a day of physically strenuous exercise, you can significantly decrease the soreness in your muscles with the appropriate oils added to your bath.

• First, make sure that you are choosing an oil that does not irritate the skin and is safe to use directly on the skin. 

• Mix the oil in either a teaspoon of base oil or unscented bath gel, and add it to the water when the tub is full. 

• If you choose to add essential oils to the tub without first mixing them in a carrier oil or bath gel, be very careful to agitate the water before you get in.  Essential oils do not mix well with water and will sit on top of the water.  Be careful of sensitive areas!!

Just one more note here, Essential oils added to an Epsom salts bath is therapeutically perfect!  The Epsom salts ease muscular aches and pains, will soothe tensions and works well when feeling a cold or flu coming on.  In another viewpoint, according to Chrissie Wildwood, 1996, the addition of Essential Oils would only have psychotherapeutic effects because the body would be busy throwing off toxic wastes through sweating.   

In the Shower
A quick way to enjoy an aromatic shower is to place a washcloth over the shower drain long enough for a low pool of water to form.  Then drop the chosen EO on the shower floor and breath deep.  This is wonderful for head colds, or to clear your head after a long day.

Amounts:   In all of the above examples, 5-15 drops of your favorite EO is the recommended amount to add to the bath.  Although individual considerations would apply here based on the EO chosen.  If using Epsom salts, use 1lb. of Epsom salts to a tub of warm water.

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Compresses
Compresses are beneficial especially for muscular pain, sprains, bruises, fevers, and even for congestion from a cold. Compresses can be either hot or cold depending on the need. 

• Cold compresses are used for injuries like a sprain that is swelling up, bad bruises, headaches and fever.

• Hot Compresses are indicated for chronic muscular pain, like old back pain, menstrual cramps, and toothaches.

• To make a compress, fill a quart size bowl with either the hottest water tolerated or icy cold water, depending on need.  Use a small hand towel type cloth and dip it in either hot or cold water that has had the appropriate essential oil added to it.

Amounts: Individual oil recommendations would apply here, but generally in the range of 4-6 drops of oil would be sufficient.   Wring out the towel and apply to the affected area for 10 -15 minutes. Reapply as needed.

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Massage
Combining massage and the art of aromatherapy may perhaps be the best way to utilize all the benefits of Essential oils.  You will receive the benefits of therapeutic touch along with the healing properties of the oils.  In this manner you are receiving the oils via the olfactory system as well as through the skin. 

• The first step in choosing your blend for a massage would be to determine the need.  If the need is to balance and relax you could choose from many oils such as chamomile, clary sage, bergamot, lavender, neroli, vetiver to name just a few. 

• If you are trying to relieve aching sore muscles you could try black pepper, cypress, chamomile, lavender, marjoram, peppermint, basil or thyme.  

• Use base oil such as Grapeseed or Almond oil, or even just a plain vegetable oil of good quality, (prefer cold pressed, organic) will do fine. 

• Make just enough for one or two massages, a 2 ounce plastic bottle with a squeeze top works best for massage so you can easily access the oil. 

Amounts: Add up to 15 drops of a single oil, or a combination of chosen oils per 1 ounce carrier oil. Fill the empty bottle 1/2 full, or 1 oz. of base oil, and then add your chosen oil. If using a combination of oils, mix them together first, then add to carrier.  Go for a 3-5% dilution rate of essential oil to carrier oil. 

The person should be lying preferably on a massage table, if not, a comfortable pad on the floor will do.  Make sure to keep them warm and only expose the body parts that are being massaged.  Soothing music and dim lighting also helps enhance the effects of the massage.

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Can I use Essential oils "neat" on the skin?  (Neat means undiluted)

Consulting the Essential Oil safety charts is necessary as a first step for those not familiar with the oils who choose to use them at higher dilutions or neat.  

Some situations call for direct use of oils.  Minor burns and sunburn respond well to Lavender, Helichrysum, Tea Tree or Geranium, minor cuts and wounds that need cleansing and a styptic action, insect bites and animal bites would require immediate response and Essential oils have much to offer in these situations.

 Always take caution to never get EO’s into the eyes and be careful on damaged or sensitive skin areas.  In a emergency situation when skin testing the oils is not practical, use small amount, 1-2 drops and watch the area carefully.  Dilute if necessary with a fixed oil like Olive oil or a vegetable oil if a there is burning or stinging.

If you believe that therapeutic benefits can be obtained for health issues, and you would like to use oils on the skin, the feet are a good place to apply the oils.  The skin is thicker and less reactive. 

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Inhalation
This method is most commonly associated with aromatherapy.  Whether you are scenting a room with candles to create a certain mood with the aroma, or intentionally inhaling carefully chosen Essential Oils to assist you for a wide range of healing purposes.  For therapeutic purposes like relieving symptoms of a respiratory condition, or if you find yourself in an emotional crisis, it is important that you take into consideration the effect you are expecting the oil to have on you.

Example, if you are having a panic attack or are wracked with nervous tension, a light citrus oil like Neroli, Petitgrain, or Bergamot would assist you in calming and balancing the situation, verses choosing an oil which might stimulate you even more and add to the situation. An example of this may be peppermint or rosemary.  

There are many methods to disperse the oils for inhalation.   Some are more therapeutic than others but all can have an effect on the physical, emotional and spiritual levels. The least therapeutic of these would be using candles made with oils, using oils in cleaning water when cleaning the home, spritzing the house with a atomizer, adding it to your vacuum cleaner bag, etc.  For a more therapeutic level of use, direct inhalation would be necessary. 

Two examples of this would be:

Direct inhalation:  Place a few drops onto a cotton ball or a tissue, then breath deeply, the aromatic molecules go directly into the olfactory system, stimulating the limbic system of the brain where emotional responses are directed in the body.  This method is effective and recommended for many condition and situations, such as: mental fatigue, anxiety, headache, congestion and respiratory problems, upset stomach to name a few.   This approach can be stepped up a notch by adding the oils to a bowl of steaming water and breathing in deeply over the bowl for 5 – 10 minutes. 

Diffusing:  Also known as vaporizing, there are many ways to do this and many uses.  The most effective way is with an electric  diffuser, which works by blowing a tiny stream of droplets into the air with an air pump.  The oils are dispersed into the air to help kill airborne germs, take out odours, or change the mood in a room.

When there is sickness in the house.  Diffusing Lavender or Eucalyptus can help to control the amount of infectious matter floating in the air. Amount of oil depends on the type, but usually between 1-2 mls (apprx.50 drops) will last for the day.

 Another common method of diffusing would be to use an earthenware burner that heats a small pot with a little tea candle under the pot.  The pot is filled with a small amount of water, then adding a few drops of oil to it.  This works very well also for the same intentions as listed above.  The warm heat seems to move and deepen the scent of the oil.  Do not put oils that have been diluted with a carrier oil in this type of burner.  If it goes dry, and it will, the oils will burn onto the bottom of the pot and leave you with a sticky mess.

Amount of EO to use in the burner depends on the chosen EO, but typically between 5 – 8 drops should be enough for a standard sized room.  For a large room, you will achieve better results if you use two burners rather than putting much more oil in one burner.

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Oral Administration 

This is the most controversial area of administration of Essential oils.  Although I believe it is also a most effective way to use the oils for certain conditions such as bacterial based infection, and certain systemic imbalances.  The user and the Aromatherapist or Natural Health Consultant, must carefully practice oral administration; this is not a recommended practice for a home user.  The prevailing wisdom is, that unless you have a Medical Aromatherapist or toxicologist trained in administering EO’s it’s best to not take them internally, or at least not in high dosages or for prolonged periods. 

Oral dosage:  The carefully chosen formula can be mixed into hot water to be dispersed before consumption.  Pay close attention to dosages. 

The formula can be consumed by putting the oils into a veggie/gel cap.  Other ways are to add the oils to honey and wrap it up into a piece of bread, or add it to a sugar cube. Some people also take the oils with milk, this helps to coat the mucous membranes.

Remember to always seek professional medical advice.  This information is not intended to be used as medical advice.  This information is for those who wish to self treat simple, common daily complaints.

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