Application methods of Essential oils.
Aromatherapy isn’t just for sniffing!! You can administer essential oils many differnet ways.

Topical Methods
For absorption into the skin and bloodstream – try topical applications such as
• Dropping oils directly onto skin where needed for pain, injury, swelling - in appropriate dilutions.

• Add to ointments, creams, lotions, sprays,  hair and skin products to create your own customized products

• Massage – add essential oils to and organic, cold pressed vegetable or nut oils such as Jojoba, Almond, Sesame, and Apricot. 

• Foot and hand soaks – a little peppermint for tired feet, add grapefruit or juniper if they feel swollen. Use a small amount of salt, bath gel, or vegetable oil to disperse the oils into the water

• Sitz baths – Divine for new Moms, hemorrhoid suffers, yeast infections

• Compresses – hot or cold, add selected oils to water and soak a small towell, apply to area. Great for sprain, arthritus, impact injuries.

• Baths – add oils to unscented organic bath gels, vegetable oisl, Sea Salts, or Epsom Salts to disperse the oils intothe water. Or just a drop 3-5 drops of your favorite oil in right before you step in, just be careful of sensitive skin areas!

• Showers – steam yourself with eucalyptus if your feeling stuffy, Rosemary if your brain is foggy…

 

Can I use Essential oils "neat" or “straight” on the skin? 

(Neat means undiluted)
Please consult Essential Oil safety charts as a first step for those not familiar with the oils that choose to use them at higher dilutions or neat.  
Minor burns and sunburn respond well to Lavender, Helichrysum, Tea Tree or Geranium, these are examples of oils that generally are safe to use undiluted.

Make sure you  oils are of high quality, fresh, and known to be generally safe for undiluted use. 
 Take caution to never get EO’s into the eyes and be careful on damaged or sensitive skin areas.  The feet are a good place to apply essential oils in stronger amounts, the skin is thicker and typically less reactive should the oils irritate the skin.   See the Essential oil Safety page for more informatin on safety.

Inhalation
This method is most commonly associated with aromatherapy.  A multitude of effects are available with inhalations.  First – pleasure associated with pleasant aromas help lighten the mood, reduce agitation, or stimulate overworked brains – think aroma break instead of coffee break!!
Replace unwanted and unpleasant aromas by using a diffuser or spraying with area. Essential oils will rid the air of not only unpleasant smells, they have long been known for their airborne antiseptic properties, allowing them to disenfect and purify the air.

For therapeutic purposes like relieving symptoms of a respiratory condition, or if you find yourself in an emotional crisis, it is important that you take into consideration the effect you are expecting the oil to have on you.
Example, if you are having a panic attack or are wracked with nervous tension, a light citrus oil like Mandarin, Lemon, Petitgrain, or Bergamot would assist you in calming and balancing the situation, verses choosing an oil which might stimulate you even more and add to the situation. An example of this may be peppermint or rosemary. 
Senior Care facilites are using diffusers in the day rooms for agitation and behaviors that commonly occur in late afternoon with great success. 

Direct inhalation:  Place a few drops onto a cotton ball or a tissue, or even you hands. Breath deeply, the aromatic molecules go directly into the olfactory system, stimulating the limbic system of the brain where emotional responses are directed in the body.  This method is effective and recommended for many condition and situations, such as: mental fatigue, anxiety, headache, congestion and respiratory problems, upset stomach to name a few.  

Diffusing:  Also known as vaporizing, there are many ways to do this and many uses. You can use candles, oil burners, micro diffusers, fan diffusers, mini crock pots, even a sink of steaming hot water will bring the oil molecules up into the air.
The most effective way is with an electric glass nebulizer diffuser, which works by blowing a tiny stream of droplets into the air with an air pump.  The oils are dispersed into the air to help kill airborne germs, take out odours,  and enhances absorption into the lungs.
When there is sickness in the house.  Diffusing Lavender, lemon, Tea tree or Eucalyptus can help to rid the air of ariborne micro organisms.
Amount of EO to use in the burner or diffuser depends on the chosen EO and the chosen equipment, but typically between 10-20 drops should be enough for a standard sized room.  For a large room, you will achieve better results if you use two diffusers.

 

Steam Inhalations
Just add the selected oil to a bowl of steaming water, close your eyes, and drape a towell over your head and breathe.  Best for minor respiratory issues. Do not do this if you have a serious infection of the sinus. The heat may aggravate the issue.

Internal Use
This is the most controversial area of administration of Essential oils.  Although I believe it is also a most effective way to use the oils for certain conditions such as bacterial based infection, and certain systemic infections and disorders. However, we need to remember that this should only be done under MEDICAL supervision, from a Dr. that is trained in the use of essential oils internally. And yes, there are some out there. This is not a recommended practice for a home user.  The prevailing wisdom is, that unless you have a Medicaly trained Aromatherapist administering EO’s it’s best to not take them internally.

Remember to always seek professional medical advice.  This information is not intended to be used as medical advice.  This information is for healthy individuals  who wish to self treat simple, common daily complaints.