How to Use Essential Oils

Posted by Rain Shadow Labs on 3/12/2012 to Oils
Essential oils are used for a variety of purposes. From massage oil to facial steams, and from dry brushing to compresses, just a few drops of essential oils can make all the difference in the efficacy of these products and methods.

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.