Essential oils are the fat soluble parts of plants that are separated from the water soluble hydrosol part, which is mainly done by the process of steam distillation. Essential oils are the main part of a plants aroma, and when a plant is separated from any of its chemical constituents, cautions and contraindications will follow. To prevent harmful misadventure, please read important guidelines and safety concerns before starting any treatment.
Always consult with a qualified Aromatherapist before using essential oils.
ESSENTIAL OIL GUIDELINES AND SAFETY
1. NEVER TAKE ESSENTIAL OILS INTERNALLY, even if they are organic.
Essential oils can irritate, inflame and damage skin, mucous membranes, mucosa and intestinal flora. People have harmed themselves by improperly taking oregano oil internally. Oregano has phenols, which are really hot, irritating chemical constituents that need to be diluted.
The whole herb is always greater than the sum of its parts, and the whole herb is always recommended over essential oils for internal use.
The natural flavours that are listed on product ingredients like orange juice are synthetic perfume from the perfume industry. Essential oils are no longer used for flavouring, because synthetics are cheaper.
2. NEVER USE ESSENTIAL OILS UNDILUTED.
Only lavender, tea tree and chamomile are used “neat,” which means you can use them undiluted in certain circumstances, such as treating burns and cuts. Always patch test first regardless, and always dilute these oils anyways just to be safe, they can still be drying and irritating depending on quality and the individual.
3. NEVER USE ESSENTIAL OILS CLOSE TO THE EYES, AROUND OR NEAR THE EYES OR OPENINGS OF THE MUCOUS MEMBRANES.
***If essential oils come into contact with eyes or mucous membranes like your private parts, rinse well with any kind of milk, yogurt, cream, ice-cream. If milk is unavailable flush eyes with lots of water. Milk works better than water, because the oils are fat soluble and dissolve more readily in fatty substances like milk. Any type of nut milk or coconut cream can also be used for vegans.
4. Never massage directly on veins, varicose veins, spider veins, broken
skin, cuts, bruises, infections, fractures, inflammation or acute injuries.
5. Avoid these essential oils with sun exposure: (Citrus Peels)
Bergamot, Lemon, Lime, Orange Grapefruit, Tangerine, Melissa, Lemongrass, Citronella, Angelica, and Anise
are photosensitizing, which means they can increase the risk of sunburn and skin rash with direct sun exposure.
6. Never use essential oils on babies under one month old and caution up to one year old.
In general only use Lavender, Chamomile and Tea tree with children under seven years of age.
DO NOT USE THESE TOXIC OILS:
Mugwort, Pennyroyal, Thuja-Northern White Cedar, Wormwood
Dosage Dilutions for Essential Oils
This is a general guide for essential oil dilution dosages found in the book “First Steps in Aromatherapy by Jane Dye, 1996, The C.W.Daniel Company Ltd.”
I use a complex calculation for what percentages of essential oil to use in products like lip balms and body butters, but this is an easier guide to follow and remember.
The average blend is usually 1-3% depending on use.
Use small 1% dilution of Essential oil blends for the face, meaning less is
more, because the face is a sensitive place. Avoid using strong or hot oils on
the face.
*Remember the stronger, hotter the essential oil the more you dilute and use less of the essential oil. Base notes smell stronger, last longer and are used less in a blend. Base notes are often resins and roots.
These are general basic guidelines, but important factors to consider are age, weight, height, general health and constitution.
DOSAGES FOR ADULTS
2-3% is approximately ½ drop to 1 ml of carrier oil
Therefore divide by 2 to the amount of carrier oil
4mls carrier oil= 2 drops of essential oil
10 mls carrier oil= 5 drops of essential oil
20 mls carrier oil= 10 drops of essential oil
DOSAGES FOR CHILDREN
1 month- 1 year old 1 drop in 10 mls carrier oil
1-year old -2 year old 2 drops in 10 mls carrier oil
2-year old -7 year old 3 drops in 10 mls carrier oil
7-year old -14 year old 4 drops in 10 mls carrier oil
*Essential oils are not recommended for pregnant, nursing women or babies.
Always consult with a qualified Aromatherapist before using essential oils.
