Using Essential Oils in Aromatherapy

Essential oils can be powerful, so it's important to follow some essential oil safety guidelines:

1. Always read and follow all label warnings and cautions.
   
2. Keep oils tightly closed and out of the reach of children.
   
3. Skin test oils before using. If redness, burning, itching, or irritation occurs, stop using the essential oil immediately.
   
4. Keep oils away from eyes and mucous membranes. If essential oil gets into your eyes, flush with lots of water immediately.
   
5. Consult a professional before using any essential oil while pregnant.
   
6. Angelica and all citrus oils make the skin more sensitive to ultraviolet light. Do not go out into the sun with these oils on your skin.
   
7. If you have a medical condition, certain oils may be inappropriate. Get professional advice.
   
8. Don't buy perfume oils thinking they are the same thing as essential oils. Perfume oils do not offer the therapeutic benefits of essential oils. To understand what it takes to make a therapeutic-grade essential oil, see chapter 5 of the Essential Oils Desk Reference.
   
9. Be selective of where you purchase your essential oils. The quality of essential oils varies widely from company to company. This is the source I use for my essential oils.

Reference: Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals

For direct use on skin, the standard recommendation is to always dilute essential oils in a "base" oil, although some oils can be used undiluted (neat) if you are not sensitive to them. Base oils include almond, walnut, and grapeseed, but any good quality vegetable oil works fine.

Self-massage. To blend a massage oil, add about 10 drops of essential oil to an ounce of base oil or lotion. Click here for more aromatherapy massage recipes.

Baths. Add about 10 drops of (nonirritating) oil to a tub of warm water, and soak.

Compresses. Soak a clean towel in a sink of very warm water to which you have added 5-10 drops of a blend of essential oils. Wring out the towel and apply it to your sore body part. Resoak the towel when it cools and use for a total time of 20-30 minutes.

Diffusion. Use a diffuser or nebulizer to diffuse essential oils into the air.

Here are just a few ways to use therapeutic essential oils (consult a professional as appropriate):

1. Sniff peppermint oil for nausea.
   
2. Sniff lavender or peppermint oil for headaches.
   
3. Massage menstrual cramps with clary sage diluted in a carrier oil.
   
4. Gently massage varicose veins with a massage oil containing cypress.
   
5. Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to your shampoo to help dandruff problems.
   
6. For wrinkles, massage your face nightly with a few drops of frankincense oil diluted in sweet almond oil or rosehip seed oil.
   
7. For depression, diffuse jasmine or rose in the air.
   
8. Dab tea tree oil on acne pimples, cuts, scrapes, and headlice.
   
9. When you have a cold or flu, put a few drops of eucalyptus oil on a cloth by your pillow at night to help your breathing.
   
10. Use cold compresses with a few drops of essential oil for headaches and swelling.

Another use for essential oil is as a bug repellent. Use citronella, lavender, or peppermint. Sprinkle a few drops of essential oil onto tissues or cotton balls and place near your doorways and windows to help repel insects. Be cautious, as some oils may not be suitable for use around pets. Do not apply the oil directly to fragile surfaces.

For pets, essential oils can help keep ticks and fleas off your dog or cat for less than commercial chemicals. Learn more with Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals: A Comprehensive Guide to the Use of Essential Oils and Hydrosols With Animals.

Here's an in-depth three-part aromatherapy article series: How Do Essential Oils Work, Aromatherapy: Mind and Emotions, and Aromatherapy: Esoteric and Spiritual Applications.

Some essential oils may have antiviral effects. The antiviral effect of an oil is due to particular components. According to Kurt Schnaubelt, Ph.D., in Advanced Aromatherapy: The Science of Essential Oil Therapy, here are the components of essential oils that have antiviral activity:

• Anethol - found in Anise
  
• Alpha-Sabines - found in Tea Tree, Laurel, and other oils
  
• Beta-Caryophyllene - found in Lavender, Rosemary, Thyme Linalool, and other oils
  
• Carvone - found in Dill
  
• Cinnamic aldehyde - found in Cinnamon Bark
  
• Citral - found in Melissa, Lemongrass and other oils
  
• Citronellol - found in Rose and Geranium
  
• Eugenol - found in Clove
  
• Gamma-Terpinene - Found in Juniper, Eucalyptus, Niaouli, Tea Tree and other oils
  
• Linalol - found in Lavender and Neroli
  
• Linalyl acetate - found in Clary Sage, Lavender, Bergamot and other oils

Misty Rae Cech, a Naturopath in Boulder, Colorado, and owner of Ananda Apothecary, offers a list of ten basic essential oils for your home medicine cabinet.

Lavender

Lavender has often been called the 'medicine chest in a bottle' for its broad range of applications. Every home should keep Lavender on hand, even if no other oil is used, as it is so very effective on burns. Its anti-inflammatory action is responsible for the beginnings of modern aromatherapy, as Dr. Jean Valnet discovered Lavender's healing properties after being burned in a laboratory accident.

Lavender is considered to speed wound healing and reduce scarring. The oil is also pleasantly calming, and can be used to reduce stress in a variety of situations - a commonly used technique is to apply Lavender oil 'neat' (undiluted) to the soles of the feet of patients recovering from almost any ailment.

Tea Tree

When first examined for it's antiseptic properties, Tea Tree essential oil was found to be 100 times more powerful than carbolic acid - the medical standard at the time. Tea tree has an extremely broad range of antibiotic, antiviral, and antifungal properties that have been confirmed by modern scientific research.

Often used topically on small wounds, Tea Tree is also commonly found in oral hygiene preparations, and can also be effectively employed for Candida, athlete's foot, and acne, among other things.

Peppermint

An excellent digestive tonic, Peppermint essential oil can sooth many stomach complaints. For the traveler, its effectiveness on calming motion sickness can be of great help. Further, at least eight controlled studies have shown Peppermint oil to be effective in reducing symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, a painful condition of the intestines.

Beyond its support of the digestive system, Peppermint is delightfully stimulating to the mind, brightening and sharpening mental focus. Finally, Peppermint is considered by some to be a more effective insect repellent than citronella when used on the body (rather than in the surrounding air).

Chamomile

Ah, the great tension reliever, Chamomile oil. This extremely gentle basic essential oil is useful for a wide variety of nervous conditions, and is often indicated for cases of stress in children (including teething and general 'crankiness'). Rubbing the oil into the solar plexus is a commonly used application, if that is where one tends to hold tension.

Chamomile essential oil is available in two varieties, German or Blue Chamomile and Roman Chamomile. The Roman variety is most often used for stress relief, whereas the German variety has the added bonus of being an extremely effective anti-inflammatory.

Eucalyptus

Another essential oil with a broad range of properties, Eucalyptus is most often used for respiratory conditions, being useful in clearing congestion with coughs and colds. However, its effects are certainly not limited to the airways - because of its broad range of effects, it has been called the aromatherapist's "designer oil." Eucalyptus oil can cool the body in summer, and support the immune system in winter. Diffusing Eucalyptus oil can kill most staphylococcus bacteria, again being supportive of bronchial infections. It is considered equally effective in cases of cystitis, candida, and sunburn, to name a few, as well as being an insect repellent.

Geranium

Geranium (sometimes known as Geranium Rose) works wonderfully on both physiological and psychological levels. Its floral aroma is brightening and uplifting, while also working as a sedative.

Malte Hozzel has made this statement regarding this oil: "Geranium's vital, sensual presence is not subtle, but direct and unavoidable, making it one of the oils of choice for aphrodisiac qualities. [Geranium Essential Oil] inspires natural beauty & enjoyment, uplifts instantly & 'tonifies' the mind & intellect in a powerful, nearly demanding attitude. Mobilizing hidden creative & emotional reserves, helping us to rise to our own earthly & spiritual identify. A fiery beauty for the spells of all worlds."

Particularly noted for its effect on female physiologic conditions, Geranium oil can be effective for menopausal problems, uterine, and breast complaints.

Rosemary

Rosemary essential oil is an effective physical and mental stimulant, whether used in a diffuser or in a morning bath. Its slightly spicy, rather than floral aroma, has a warming effect particularly useful for arthritic joints and other muscular complaints. It also has a long history of treatment for colds and flu - Rosemary was a component of 'Four Thieves Vinegar,' which robbers rubbed upon their bodies to prevent infection when up to no good during the plague years of the Middle Ages.

Also, Rosemary is the basic essential oil most often associated with improving hair growth in cases of Alopecia.

Thyme

Thyme oil is a powerful antiviral, antibiotic, antiseptic, and diuretic, though it should be employed with great care. There are many types of Thyme oil available, but only the 'linalol' chemotype is appropriate for use with children; all varieties should be diluted prior to topical application.

Given the precautions, Thyme can be a first line of defense in cases of flu when used in a room diffuser. It also supports elimination of toxic wastes from the body (particularly noted for excessive uric acid), and its warming quality can eliminate mucous and phlegm. Its application for the digestive system is that of a powerful anti-parasitic, and for the muscular system, it can be helpful for rheumatic aches and pains. Thyme oil may also be supportive in cases of hair loss.

Lemon

A recent study on test-taking college students showed the diffusion of Lemon oil into a room improved test scores more than any other oil. In addition to its mind-brightening qualities, it can also disinfect room air and act as a natural deodorant. Lemon has been noted to support liver function, and is also commonly used to assist in weight loss and cellulite reduction. In blends, lemon adds a pleasant top note and can create a synergistic effect with other oils. Finally, Lemon oil is commonly used as both a fragrance and flavoring agent.

Clove

The power of Clove essential oil is noted upon the first sensing of the aroma - it is quite strong, sharp and earthy. Clove oil has been found to be the strongest anti-oxidant of any essential oil, and is a component of 'longevity' formulas. It is also an extremely potent antibacterial, effective against a broader range of microbes than any other oil, except perhaps Oregano. Clove oil has even been employed to sterilize surgical instruments.

Clove also has analgesic properties, and can be used to temporarily reduce the pain of toothache. Clove oil (or ground cloves) is also a component of Dr. Huda Clark's anti-parasite protocol, helping eliminate parasites from one's digestive system. This is a very powerful oil that should be diluted to 1% or less for topical application.

This is the source I use for my essential oils.