DIFFERENT WAYS OF USING ESSENTIAL OILS
As you are now well aware that how aroma therapy works over our body and environs. Now here are few ways to are different kinds of essential oils.
METHOD AND USAGE
Rub oil : 8-10 drops of essential oil in 10 ml base oil. Use only 4-6 drops once a day preferably at night.
Baths : 6-8 drops in a tub, 2-3 drops in a bucket once a day.
Shower : 10-12 drops in 10 ml base oil once a day. Wash as usual. Add oil on your face towel, cloth or sponge or even your hands and rub briskly all over the body as you stand under the running shower. Breathe deeply to benefit from the aromatic vapour.
Massage oil : 8-10 drops of essential oil for every 30 ml of vegetable base oil once a day.
Diffuser : 1-6 drops
Inhalation : 2-3 drops once a day
Tissue : 1-2 drops on a tissue. Sniff when required. Keep the tissue under the pillow during the night.
Cotton balls : 2-3 drops of essential oil on a piece of cotton and left for 10-15 minutes to dry. This piece of cotton can be kept in the cupboard, car, shoe rack, lockers etc.
Water bowls : 1-9 drops of aroma oil to be added to bowl of boiling water. Keep in the room and close the windows, door and allow the aroma to spread in the room. This can also be used in the work places.
Room sprays : 4-6 drops can be added to 30 ml of water in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray the mixture in the air. Avoid spraying directly on delicate machines. Ideal for home and office use.
CAREFUL HANDLING
• Essential oils are not recommended for internal consumption
• Certain oils are to be avoided during early pregnancy as they can induce menstruation and some even have diuretic properties which can deplete the fluid in the foetal sack. These oils include basil, clarysage, rosemary, juniper, marjoram, clove bud, fennel, cypress, peppermint, cedarwood. However this caution does not apply to oils used in vapourisers.
• Avoid exposure to sun for at least four hours after using essential oils as some oils can make the skin photosensitive to ultraviolet rays from the sun. Bergamot, lemon, orange, petitgrain are some such oils that can cause photo-sensitivity.
• People suffering from high blood pressure, epilepsy, neural disorders or kidney disease should avoid some oils viz. Black pepper, rosemary, cypress, juniper.
• Aroma oils are not a substitute for any drugs being taken under the advice of a qualified physician for serious ailments. It is always advisable to consult a qualified therapist before considering the use of essential oils particularly when suffering from serious ailments.
• Use the oils in recommended dosage. Usage in excess can lead to opposite effect to that which you are trying to achieve and there are chances of building up of the toxicity within the body. Ylang Ylang, marjoram, clarysage need to be used with utmost precaution.
• Essential oils should always be used diluted unless recommended otherwise.
• Keep out of reach of children
• Store the oils only in dark glass containers. The colour of the bottle should preferably be amber rather than cobalt blue. Only blended oils should be stored in cobalt blue bottles.
• Store in a cool, dark place away from sunlight to prolong the life of the aroma oils and also to preserve the therapeutic powers of the essential oils.
• Avoid using essential oils near the eyes or other sensitive areas.
• Avoid contact with plastic, varnished or painted surfaces.
• When blending essential oils use a stainless steel, glass or ceramic container and not plastic.
• Do not use essential oils on newborn. Use only one drop of lavender in the bath until the age of four months. For the use of essential oils on children up to the age of 12 years, all the essential oil dosage given to an adult must be divided into 4 portion.
• What suits one may not necessarily suit another person.
• Avoid certain aroma oils under the influence of alcohol. Oils viz. clarysage, marjoram, ylang ylang should particularly be avoided in case alcohol has been taken.
• Some oils may irritate the skin. Always do a skin patch test before applying the oils to larger area.
• If you are not sure of a particular blend, it is always better to take advise from a professional aromatherapist.