How To Use Essential Oils

We hope this information will help simplify aromatherapy so you feel confident to use it. Aromatherapy can enhance so many aspects of your daily life and help you cope with so many common mental and/or physical conditions. With the use of essential oils, you can reduce the often unnecessary chemical overload on your body.

Once you start using aromatherapy products you will realise their uses are almost unlimited – from pet care and household cleaning to headlice and romantic massages! Always follow our safety guidelines. For more inspiration on how to use essential oils check out our recipes page.

Vaporise/Diffuse

4-8 drops as required into the water if using a candle burner, or neat if using one of our Electric Vaporisers. For the Ultra Sonic Essential Oil Diffusers, you add water to the internal chamber and add 4-8 drops of essential oil(s).

The smell is often the first means by which people become accustomed to aromatherapy. It is also one of the most effective and enjoyable. Smell has a powerful effect on the mind and body and is the sense most often linked to memory. Exactly how is still hotly debated. What we do know is inhalation is the quickest method by which essential oils enter the body and take effect. The surrounding warm air carries the tiny molecules up the nose as we breath. When these pass over minute hairs called cilia a signal is transmitted from the receptor cells to the olfactory bulb and then to the limbic system in the brain. Various chemicals (including important hormones) are then released by the brain which affects the body mentally and/or physically.

Try one of our essential oil blends such as Decongestant, Tranquil Sleep, or Stress Less or make up your own blend (see details below on how to make your own blend).

Bath

Use one of our Bath Oils direct in the bath: 10-20mls. Alternatively, if you are making your own bath blend use 8 drops of essential oil per 10mls carrier oil (or even milk) to ensure the essential oils are dispersed throughout the water.

Bathing is one of the easiest and most therapeutic ways to enjoy aromatherapy. The heat from the water releases the essential oil molecules as well as opening the pores on your skin so the oils are easily absorbed.

Aromatic baths can provide relief from stress and anxiety, assist with muscle pains, or offer a sensual introduction to a romantic evening with your partner. For a wonderfully relaxing experience at the end of a busy day choose from any of the relaxing oils such as Chamomile, Clary Sage, Lavender, or Sandalwood or try one of our essential oil blends Stress Less, Sheer Bliss, or Exotic. Alternatively, you can use oils in the morning to give you an invigorating start to the day such as Orange, Rosemary or Grapefruit or one of our essential oil blends Breath of Fresh Air, Clarifying and Stimulating. See our recipes page for more ideas of essential oil blends for the bath.

Or for simplicity use one of our pre-blended bath oils.

Massage

If making your own massage oil blend 5-10 drops of essential oil into 10mls carrier oil.

Or you can use one of our Massage & Body Oils or Luxury Massage Oils - these are already blended to a safe and effective level. Our Massage & Body Oils are 200mls and contain 1 or 2 different essential oils in an Almond and Vitamin E base. Our Luxury Massage Oils are 100mls and contain up to 7 different essential oils and 3-5 different carrier/healing oils. For example Pain Relief, Relaxation, Cellulite Toning, etc.

Massage is considered one of the most important methods of applying essential oils. The warmth and friction created during the massage ensure rapid absorption of the oils. It is used in most aromatherapy treatments when targeting a particular ailment. Depending on the essential oils chosen massage may have some of the following benefits;

PHYSICAL BENEFITS

• Improves skin tone by removing dead skin cells and increasing blood circulation
• Nourishes the skin
• Increases blood circulation
• Strengthens immune system (a great reason to massage your children)
• Aids the lymphatic system, improving the elimination of waste/toxins from the body
• Relieves sore muscles and reduces swelling
• Promotes faster healing of muscular injuries

PSYCHOLOGICAL

• Gives pleasure and promotes a feeling of well-being
• Improves sleep
• Improves concentration
• Increases our ability to cope with stress
• Reduces anxiety
• Reduces depression

How To Perform a Massage

Anything is better than nothing. There are many different forms of massage. Use smooth even strokes, always massage towards the heart, use fingers and/or your entire palm – with gliding strokes, kneading, tapping, and circular friction movements.

Skin Treatment

Blend 5 drops of the appropriate essential oil for your skin type into 10mls of the appropriate carrier oil.

Essential oils and carrier oils can be used as part of your daily skincare regime. Avoid all of the fillers often found in skincare and use 100% pure oils.

Compress

Put 4-6 drops of the essential oil(s) into very hot or icy cold water. Using a flannel soak up the oil and water mixture, wring out excess and apply to the affected area. Cover the area with a towel and/or wrap with plastic wrap. Leave on for a couple of hours.

This is a highly effective method of pain relief and first aid. A hot compress is for relieving chronic pain such as tired and overworked muscles, rheumatic pain, menstrual cramp, etc. A cold compress is for acute pain such as sprains, bruising, swelling, etc.

Steam Inhalation

Fill a large container with almost boiling water and add 4-5 drops of essential oil or essential oil blend. Lean over the bowl and breathe slowly and deeply for a few minutes until relief is felt. A towel may be placed over the head to help direct the vapours.

Used for centuries to help all respiratory tract problems, this method is a highly effective way to deliver essential oils into your system.

Take extreme care when using boiling water, not a suitable treatment for young children.

Direct Inhalation

Put 3 or 4 drops of essential oil onto a tissue or handkerchief and gently inhale. Alternatively, simply inhale directly from the bottle.

For instant relief, if you are suffering from a cold, asthma attack or hay fever or need a pick me up or improved concentration.

Blending Essential Oils

The "ideal" blend consists of a base, middle and top note.

Although as long as you have two of the three levels it is generally considered an appropriate blend (i.e. effective and smells balanced). Essential oil blends are designed to work synergistically to enhance overall efficacy – i.e. in most instances, the combination of essential oils blended together is more potent than each oil individually. If you would prefer to use one of our Blended Essential Oils click here.

See our recipe page for recipes for the above uses and others such as; Personal Hygiene, Pet Care, Household Cleaners and more.