Essential oils are extracted from plants. These oils have healing and medicinal properties. They are also used for beauty and skin treatments, beautifully scented homemade soaps, potpourri, candles and bath salts. Essential oils are also synonymous with helping health problems; from as little as an insect bite to more complex problems such as depression and IBS for example. Working with fragrances by using essential oils is also known as aromatherapy. Here is a list of my favorite ways to use essential oils.
Essential Oils Guide
What are the Common Ways to Use Essential Oils?
There are several ways to use essential oils to reap their benefits. Here is the list of my favorites.
Ingestion
Essential oils are highly concentrated products. Pure ingestion is therefore prohibited. They need to be diluted. However, as their name doesn’t suggest, essential oils are not proper oils. But same as oils, they are not soluble in water. To dilute them, mix them with sugar, honey or even a spoonful of oil. Treat essential oils with respect…they are powerful!
Diffusion
Electric diffusers, wooden sticks, ceramic cups, soaked cloths – the means of diffusion are almost as numerous as the essential oils. The electric diffusers allow rapid and effective dissemination but consequently, use up the oils faster. However, avoid leaving diffusers too long (more than 20 minutes at a time) and ensure good ventilation in the area.
If you are looking for a new diffuser, this one is very nice and does a good job.
Inhalation
Some essential oils can be placed on a tissue near the pillow or a soft piece of cloth to gently inhale. And very simply, a few drops of essential oils with respiratory benefits can also be placed in a bowl of hot water and breathed in with a towel on your head.
Skin application
Just like direct consumption, essential oils should never be applied to the skin without diluting them first. Lavender oil is about the only exception. Essential oils dilute well in carrier oils or cosmetic creams. They are used for massage, skin care applications, homemade beauty products including shampoos and toothpastes. Aromatherapists normally recommend to not use more than 15 to 20 drops in 50ml base of oil or cream. If you suffer from headaches, try our headache remedy recipe using essential oils here.
Bath
For use in the bath, do not pour directly into the water but dilute the oil beforehand in bath salts, milk or vegetable oil. Many people are allergic to certain compounds of essential oils. Before use in contact with the skin, always do a skin test first.
Flavoring
Finally, some essential oils are used to flavor food. Once again, use sparingly. One to two drops are quite enough in general. I love using peppermint oil when making peppermint based recipes. Specialized books will give you proper advice to determine which essential oils to use and at what dosage.
Popular Essential Oils and How they are Used
A look at some of the most popular essential oils and their benefits will enlighten you further.
Basil Essential Oil Uses
Basil Essential Oil strengthens the nervous system and reduces anxiety and stress. Reduces cramps and disinfects. Helps against flatulence and depression.
Bergamot Essential Oil Uses
Bergamot Essential Oil is stimulating, refreshing, energizing and reducing stress and anxiety. Also works against cramp and is calming.
Cypress Essential Oil benefits
Cypress Essential Oil is soothing, stimulating and invigorating. Soothes irritation and anger. It works well with fluid retention, varicose veins and menstrual symptoms.
Lemon Essential Oil Uses
Lemon Essential Oil refreshes and cheers. It lowers blood pressure. The detoxifying effect helps digestion, reduces stomach acid, strengthens immune system and tightens the skin.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil Uses
Known as a remedy for respiratory problems, Eucalyptus essential oil is also good to use in a steam bath. It also reduces fevers, soothes inflammation, infection goes against and fights fatigue.
Geranium Essential Oil Uses
With its floral fragrance, Geranium essential oil works against anger, depression, anxiety and regulates sebum secretion.
Chamomile Essential Oil Uses
Chamomile essential oil is a mild oil that can also be used for children for its healing and analgesic effects. It increases resistance and is suitable for muscle or menstrual cramps. Chamomile oil also helps with dry, chapped skin and eczema.
Cinnamon Essential Oil Uses
With its deliciously spicy scent, Cinnamon essential oil stimulates body and mind. It drives away fatigue and stimulates vitality.
Thanks for this Catherine.
I’ve been looking into essential oils a lot,
and this packed and amazing amount of information
into this article.
I also really liked the picture with all the information too.
I hope you write more about essential oils
==>Jim
Hi Jim,
I’m very glad you enjoyed my article! Yes, essential oils truly are amazing, both for therapeutic reasons and for their lovely smell in beauty products.
Thank you Catherine. Very useful (and fascinating) information. I’m trying to learn more about essential oils.
Hey Gregory,
My pleasure! We will be bringing you many more articles how specific essential oils can be used.