Following up from my last post I thought I would give you a few insights on how to use essential oils in your everyday.
When using essential oils it’s important to use therapeutic-grade oils. It is also key to dilute the oils because if administered improperly, side effects like rashes or an allergic reaction can occur.
Inhaling
The oldest and easiest method. Drip a drop or two of your chosen oil onto the palm of your hand, rub your hands together and breathe in deeply – be careful not to cover your eyes.
You could even inhale directly from the bottle, or add a few drops to a handkerchief and inhale whenever you want or need to.
Diffusing
Place as few as 2-3 and as many as 6-10 total drops in your diffuser and let it spread throughout the room.
Essential oil diffusers are a much safer and healthier alternative to scented candles, and are a fraction of the cost of scented candles.
My favourite is an ultrasonic diffuser because it does not use heat in the production of vapor.
These are the ones I use:
Young Living Dew Drop Diffuser
Stadler Form Jasmine Diffuser
You can buy many diffusers on Amazon or from any of the essential oil distributors. A review of the best diffusers.
Topical
Blend your favourite oil with a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil, almond oil or jojoba. As mentioned before, essential oils are pretty potent, always dilute them one way or another. Add a few drops of your chosen essential oil to the carrier oil and apply to the part of your body you want to “treat”. You can also make your own
Best locations to apply are on the nape of your neck, wrists, temple, abdomen, chest and the soles of your feet. e.g. Applying Lavender on the soles of the feet is great for a restful sleep.
Never apply near your eyes or ear canals. If you accidentally get an oil in your eye or another area where it feels as if it is burning, flush with olive oil, NOT water!
More great info on topical use here.
Massage
Aroma massages (or Aromatherapy) are a wonderful way to treat yourself. They can also be used for various reasons e.g. correcting health issues, deep relaxation, pain management or as a complementary treatment with other therapies.
Make your own massage oil by adding 10 – 15 drops to a carrier oil or find an aroma massage therapist to treat you.
Is aromatherapy massage safe during pregnancy? Maybe not…
Bath
To assist the absorption of the oils to your skin, add a few drops to a carrier oil or epsom salts and add to the warm (not hot) bath water.
Foot bath – Add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to a large bowl of warm water (Lavender is great for this).
5 ways to use essential oils in every day
More tips on Essential Oils.
Essential oils NOT to put in your bath
Ingesting essential oils is not recommended unless you are working with a certified health practitioner or under medical supervision. It has become quite a controversial subject.
More on essential oil safety here
Many more ways to enjoy the benefits of essential oils here.
A great article on where to buy and what to consider when buying essential oils.
Best Essential Oils for Autism and ADHD – The Ultimate Guide
Essential oil mistakes
Is Tea Tree Oil safe during pregnancy? A great insight from Mom Loves Best
When misused, essential oils can be poisonous.
If I hope you enjoyed some insights on the uses of essential oils. Have a happy sweet smelling day!