Disclaimer:
I’m not an essential oil (EO) expert. I’ve merely gathered information on them and put them together as a ‘beginner’s guide to essential oils’ which I found crucial for my keeping when I first started using them. And now, I’d like to share them with you. So please don’t perform crazy stunts like dropping EOs on your eyes just to see what would happen or drink them to find out what they taste like.
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1. Use diluted. Most EOs should not be used undiluted directly on skin. It may cause irritation and burning. Keep EOs away from eyes. Always use with a carrier oil (eg. sweet almond oil) if using on skin. Most EOs are not suitable for ingesting. Seek professional guide if you wish to ingest EOs.
2. Always test EOs first in case of sensitivity or allergic reaction. Mix 1 drop of EO to 1 tsp of carrier oil, and apply 1 drop of this mixed oil on the inside of your wrist or elbow. Avoid getting the test area wet. Wait for 24 hours to see if there is any irritation or reaction. If there is, immediately wash the area with water and mild soap.
3. Citrus EOs like lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, mandarin or bergamot can cause skin to burn if exposed to sunlight. Do not use if you plan to go in the sun within 24-48 hours after application.
4. Dilution guide:
| Dilution: | 1% | 2% | 5% | 10% |
| Essential Oil (EO) | ||||
| 1 teaspoon carrier oil | 1 drop | 2 drops | 5 drops | 10 drops |
| 1 tablespoon carrier oil | 2 drops | 6 drops | 15 drops | 30 drops |
| 1 fluid ounce carrier oil | 6 drops | 12 drops | 30 drops | 60 drops |
A safe and effective dilution for most applications is a 2% dilution which translates to 2 drops of EO for every 1 tsp carrier oil (or 100 drops carrier oil). 3% is also generally safe for adults. 0.5% for babies, young children, pregnant women and the elderly.
5. Storage: Store EOs away from heat and light to preserve its freshness and potency. Store them in dark colored bottles. Shelf life depends on individual EOs but most can keep for at least 5 if not 10 years.
6. Safety: Use caution when using EOs on pets, pregnant or nursing women, babies, young children, people with health concerns and the elderly. Daily application of the same essential oils for more than 2 weeks is not recommended. Alternate and rotate the EOs at least every two weeks to give the body time to process the oils.
7. Purity of EOs: Put one drop of EO on a piece of paper (medium dark colored preferably). If it evaporates quickly and leaves no noticeable ring, it’s pure. (This test may not apply to certain EOs depending on the makeup of the oil)
8. First EOs purchase: Not sure which EOs to buy first? I found these EOs to be the most commonly used in home aromatherapy, healing, making DIY products or in cleaning solutions:
a. Peppermint
b. Rosemary
c. Eucalyptus
d. Lemon
e. Orange
f. Lavender
g. Tea Tree
9. How are EOs used:
a. DIY beauty and personal products – homemade lotion, lip balm, vapor rub, deodorant, salve, body wash, toner, scrubs, cleanser, cream.. the list is endless.
b. DIY massage oils – like how they do it in the spa
c. Bath (whole body or just foot) – couple drops in water.
d. Scent – in diffuser or hot water steam, homemade laundry detergent, in vinegar as softener, in baking soda as room freshener.
e. Disinfectant or cleaner – some EOs have great antibacterial properties and when mixed with any liquid solution in a spray bottle, it can be used to disinfect or clean surfaces.
f. Healing – EOs can help in a myriad of health problems. For example: peppermint. Mix it with a carrier oil and rub on the temple for headache, stomach for gas or nausea, targeted areas for bruising or itching (not open wound), feet for fever. You can also put a drop of peppermint EO in water and inhale for congestion.
10. EOs that are safe for babies and young children:
a. 3 months or older:
i. Chamomile
ii. Lavender
b. 6 months or older
i. Geranium
ii. Rose
iii. Tea Tree
c. 2 years or older
i. Bergamot
ii. Cedarwood
iii. Grapefruit
iv. Mandarin
v. Orange
vi. Sandalwood
You can use the EOs for:
a. Massages
b. Baths
c. Colic
d. Diaper Rash
e. Teething
f. Digestive Issues
g. Respiratory Issues
Never use EOs undiluted and don’t use on babies younger than 3 months of age. This just a general guideline and care must be exercised before use. Best to consult your doctor or a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using EOs on babies and children.
11. EOs that are safe for pregnant women:
a. Lavender
b. Orange
c. Patchouli
d. Sandalwood
e. Tea tree
f. Spearmint
g. Ginger
You can use the EOs for:
a. Morning sickness
b. Stretch marks
c. Heartburn
d. Indigestion
e. Insomnia
f. Lower back pain
g. Swelling or water retention
h. Hemorrhoids
i. Yeast Infection
Use in your second and or third trimester. This just a general guideline and care must be exercised before use. Please consult your doctor or a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using EOs especially if you have a history of miscarriage or other health issues.
12. Brands of EOs to purchase:
I currently purchase my EOs from Mountain Rose Herbs because they have the largest selection of organic EOs at a decent price. If any of their EOs aren’t organic, they are either wild harvested or cultivated without chemicals. They source their EOs from reputable distillers that they know and trust. They are certified by USDA and OTCO.
With that said, this is a difficult topic to discuss because there are so many brands in the market now and each company has different claims to their products. Price and quality obviously varies. There’s really not a quick answer to this. Unfortunately, you have to do some research work by reading what each company has to say about their policies and principles. Read their labels, talk to the companies, and talk to other consumers who use them. Some articles online have it all down on which brand they chose and why. You can read them as a guideline. Ultimately, it’s your choice and my best advice is to use your own judgment and buy the best quality EOs that you can afford.
What other Essential Oil information is important? What brand(s) do you use?
