How to Use Essential Oils
Posted by Rain Shadow Labs on 3/12/2012 to
Oils
If mixing essential oil with carrier oil, for diluted products like massage oil, the general recommendation is 2.5% essential oil content. In other words, to an ounce of carrier oil, you would add 15 drops of essential oil.
But not all mixtures call for 2.5%. It is thus important to know that an ounce of carrier oil contains about 600 drops of carrier oil. This will help with formulating percentages of essential oil. For example, a 1% ratio would mean 6 drops of essential oil are required for an ounce of carrier oil. Or, for a much stronger solution, 10% calls for 60 drops (3 ml) per ounce of carrier oil.
There are several other natural products that can be made with essential oils. A facial steam is a simple mixture of 5 or 6 drops of the desired essential oil in a pint of hot water or in a facial steamer. And adding just 3 to 5 drops to honey, clay, and/or mashed avocado makes an excellent facial mask.
Many people are not aware of this, but a tiny amount of oil (3-9 drops) can be added to the water of a humidifier, and depending on the essential oil used, it can help a sick child overnight. Menthol, eucalyptus, and peppermint are excellent choices for opening up the bronchial airways and the sinuses.