Article written by Janice Rosenthal
Owner gardenofessences.com and gardenofessences on etsy
ALWAYS DILUTE ESSENTIAL OILS
Essential oils are concentrates, so never apply them to your skin, unless you have diluted them in a carrier medium, such as vegetable oil, body butter, or water:
ESSENTIAL OIL DOSAGE FOR DIFFERENT AGES
ADULT DOSE: TEN DROPS per thirty milliliters (one ounce) of carrier.
6 TO 12 YEAR OLD : FOUR drops, per thirty milliliters (one ounce) of carrier.
3 TO 6 YEAR OLD : TWO drops, per thirty milliliters (one ounce) of carrier.
BABY DOSE : ONE drop, per sixty milliliters (two ounces) of carrier.
HOW TO BLEND ESSENTIAL OILS INTO CARRIERS
1. Use Body Butters, for massage or moisturizer. Stir Body Butter thoroughly, after oil dropping, using a firm spatula, or a spoon.
2. Use Carrier Oils, for massage or moisturizer. Shake Carrier Oil, for a few seconds, after oil dropping.
3. Use Water as your carrier, for room freshener, facial toner, mouthwash or body spritzer. Shake thoroughly, after oil dropping.
4. For Bath, place 6 to 12 drops in bath, mix evenly through the water, then soak for 15 minutes.
PRECAUTIONS USING ESSENTIAL OILS
Before using an Essential Oil, please check to find out if that particular oil, could put you at risk. Here is a thorough list of possible Essential Oil dangers: ‘SAFETY DATA: Do not use these Essential Oils if the following apply to you:’
NEVER USE THESE CARRIERS
Do not use as a carrier, any product CONTAINING:
petrolatum
petroleum jelly
mineral oil
paraffin oil
vaseline
All of these have been obtained from waste products,
during the manufacturing of petroleum (gasoline).
These products are so dense, that
they prevent essential oils from penetrating the pores of the skin.
They also clog the pores, contributing to blackheads, acne, and devitalized skin.
Because our Shea Cream is free of petroleum-derived ingredients, (which prevent essential oils from penetrating the skin), it makes the perfect ‘carrier’ cream, to which you can blend in your own essential oils, or extracts.
Some other Petroleum-derived ingredients, which block the pores, are, for example: Mineral oil, PEG, DEA, butyl alcohol, butylparaben, butylene glycol, EDTA, isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycol, propyl alcohol, parfum, fragrance, diethanolamine. ethanolamine, ethanol and words with “ethyl,” such as ethyl alcohol, ethylene oxide, methanol and words with “methyl,” such as methyl alcohol, methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, ceteareth, laureth, myreth, oleth, isopropyl alcohol, and propylene glycol, to name a few.
WHICH CARRIER WITH WHICH ESSENTIAL OIL?
Most carrier oils of plant origin, will work perfectly well with any essential oil.
However, if you are formulating a blend for a very specific purpose, try to match the carrier’s properties, with the essential oil’s properties:
Example 1: Cucumber Carrier Oil is cooling and anti-inflammatory, so match it with a cooling and anti-inflammatory Essential Oil, like Peppermint.
Example 2: Mustard Carrier Oil is warming and stimulating, so pair it with warming and stimulating Essential Oils, like ginger and black pepper.
Example 3: Carrot Seed Carrier Oil is anti-aging, so it goes well with anti-aging Essential Oils, such as frankincense and rose.
Example 4: Tamanu Carrier Oil is very anti-inflammatory for the skin, so mix it with anti-inflammatory Essential Oils, like chamomile and copaiba.
Example 5: Calendula Carrier Oil has analgesic properties, so blend it with analgesic Essential Oils, which are lavender and eucalyptus.
Example 6: Rosehip Seed Carrier Oil is scar-reducing, then mix it with scar-reducing essential oils, such as rosewood, carrot seed, helichrysum, and of course, lavender.
There are hundreds of pairings of Carrier Oils to Essential Oils, so get creative, and let your blending, blossom into a wonderful healing craft, for all to benefit from.
Apply blended Essential Oils To the body, correctly, to get results:
Sadly, many people apply undiluted essential oils to their bodies, with results from burnt skin to stomach upsets.
It is important to always dilute essential oils, according to the above instructions, to create a blend, that is safe to use.
Once you have created a blend, it will only be effective, if it is applied correctly.
Here are a few examples of correct application:
Ailment: Blocked sinuses.
You need to affect the Respiratory System.
So, apply blend to: Respiratory System – lungs front and back / throat and neck / forehead and nasal areas of the face.
Ailment: Nausea.
You need to stimulate the Liver.
So, apply blend to: Upper abdomen and mid-back.
Ailment: Insomnia.
You need to calm the Nervous System.
So, apply blend to: Entire body.
Ailment: One small area of Muscle Tension.
You need to affect the entire Muscle Group.
So, apply blend to: A larger area of muscle. For example, if tension is in one spot in the shoulder, apply blend to the entire Trapezius muscle. Use a muscle chart, for reference.
Ailment: Eczema behind the knee.
You need to stimulate the organs of detoxification: Spleen / Kidneys / Liver / Skin.
So, apply blend to: Entire abdomen / mid-back / behind knee.
How much blend should you use?
You should use 5 ml of your blend (which is the size of one of those large teaspoons they sell with cough medicines.)
This 5 ml should be used for any of the above Ailments, or any other Ailments.
How often should you use the blend?
You should apply the blend as follows: 5 ml in the morning, and 5 ml in the evening.
In acute cases, for example, flu, you should use 2.5 ml (half a teaspoon) every 2 to 3 hours.
Happy blending,
Article written by Janice Rosenthal
Owner gardenofessences.com and gardenofessences on etsy