1. INHALATIONS

This is the use of essential oils on hot compress, in diffusers, or in hot water for inhalation. Standard dose is 5-10 drops. 

*Caution: prolonged inhalation of concentrated essential oils can cause headaches, vertigo, dizziness, nausea, and lethargy.

Benefits: Best for respiratory, sinus problems, and headaches. 

2. BATHS

The best way to use essential oils in the bath is to mix them first with salts or an emulsifier such as milk or sesame oil. Aromatic bath salts disperse the oils safely into the water, while milk and sesame oil emulsify the essential oil so that it disperses. Without salts or an emulsifier, drops of essential oils will float on the water and then get directly on the skin. Combined with the heat of the water, this can cause dermotoxicity, especially if the oils are of a heating nature.

Recommended Herbs in the Bath: The oils that are generally considered mild and safe for bath are lavender oil, clary sage oil, rose oil, geranium oil, frankincense oil, sandalwood oil, eucalyptus oil, and conifers such as cedar oil, fir oil, pine oil, pinon pine essential oil, spruce oil, and juniper oil to name a few. A generally safe dose is 5 - 10 drops, mixed with 1/2 to 1 cup of salt or emulsifier.

Herbs to Avoid in Baths: Oils that should be avoided in the bath include spicy oils such as cinnamon oil, oregano oil, thyme oil, and tulsi; phototoxic oils such as citruses, especially bergamot oil, and those with specific irritant potential such as lemongrass oil.

Benefits: 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 oil and clary sage oil.

3. COMPRESSES

10 drops oil in 4 oz hot water. Soak cloth and wrap.

Benefits: Good for bruises, wounds, muscular aches and pains, dysmenorrhea, and skin problems.

4. FACIAL STEAM

1 - 5 drops on hot water in a pot, cover head with a towel, steam face. 

Benefits: Excellent for opening sinuses, headaches, and as a 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% blend = 6 drops per oz
2% blend = 12 drops per oz
3% blend = 18 drops per oz
5% blend = 30 drops per oz
10% blend = 60 drops per oz

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. More viscous oils cannot be diffused (such as sandalwood oil or ylang ylang oil).

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.

DIFFUSING JEWELRY

There are several types of jewelry that can absorb the oil of your choice so you can carry the scent with you everywhere. Most commonly used is lava stone for its porous properties that allow maximum oil absorption.