Ambient Diffusion

You can completely transform the character of a room in just a few minutes using a few drops of a favourite essential oil or synergy blend in an aromatherapy diffuser. The diffusers disperse essential oils into the air with a cool air-stream or gentle warmth. They are ideal for cleansing and purifying the air and for creating a mood-enhancing, fragrant atmosphere. Use 4-8 drops of essential oil on the replaceable cartridge or pad for cool air diffusion. Use 25 drops or more in a microdiffuser (atomizer or nebulizer). Use 3–8 drops in aroma lamps (with candle or electric). Refresh as needed.

Massage

Massage is considered by many to be one of the best ways to experience aromatherapy, due to the combined benefits of touch and the beneficial effect of the essential oils. Massage relaxes muscles and improves muscle tone, circulation, and lymph flow. It promotes a relaxed state of mind and emotions.

Dilute for Massage

Essential oils should always be diluted in a good quality vegetable carrier oil before applying to the skin (i.e. sweet almond, sesame, jojoba, olive oil, etc.). The standard dilution is 1–3% essential oil, or about 20–40 drops of essential oil to 2 ounces (60 ml or 4 tablespoons) of vegetable oil or fragrance-free lotion. Sensitive skin may require a lower amount, such as 10 drops in 2 ounces, or even less.

Facial Oil

Use 2–5 drops of essential oil to 1 ounce (30 ml) carrier oil (e.g. almond or jojoba oil).

Facial Steam Bath

Add 1–2 drops of essential oil to 2 litres of hot water, put your face over the water

Facial Mask

Mix clay, healing earth, or oatmeal with water to form a smooth paste and add 2-4 drops of essential oil.

Neroli is one of many oils that can be used for facial treatments. Refer to Power of Essential Oils booklet.

Mist

Misting is a convenient way to impart the enticing aroma of essential oils in the room or on your skin. Fill an 8-ounce mister bottle with 20–30 drops of essential oils. Shake vigorously each time before misting.

Geranium is one of many oils that can be used for misting. Refer to Power of Essential Oils booklet.

Bath

Baths combine the restorative effects of both water and essential oils in a most pleasant way. They are perfect for relaxation and to enhance physical, mental and emotional balance and well-being. Use 5–15 drops to a full tub of water and 3-5 drops for a sitz bath. It is best to mix the essential oils with some carrier oil, a little cream or honey, or with bath salts to help them disperse in the water, and add the essential oil after you have immersed yourself, so you receive the full benefit of the oils as they begin to diffuse in the warm water.

Sage, clary is one of many oils that can be used for the bath. Refer to Power of Essential Oils booklet.

Shower

After your shower, add 3-5 drops of essential oil in your hands and rub them together. While your skin is still damp from the shower, quickly and evenly spread the oil over your arms, legs, and torso. Allow to dry.

Spruce is one of many oils that can be used after a shower. Refer to Power of Essential Oils booklet.

Sauna

Put one drop of essential oil on the hot rocks or mix 5 drops of essential oil in one cup of water and pour over rocks.

Fir Balm is one of many oils that can be used in a sauna. Refer to Power of Essential Oils booklet.

Direct Application

In certain situations a specific direct application is useful. In these cases, a stronger dilution can be applied for a brief period of time. The essential oils can be diluted in a carrier oil or other medium such as aloe vera gel or witch hazel.

Some essential oils such as lavender and tea-tree can be used undiluted for small areas. Experiment with the strength and adjust to a higher dilution if there is skin irritation. To start: 10 drops of essential oil in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil.

Wintergreen is one of many oils that can be used diluted for direct application. Refer to Power of Essential Oils booklet.

Chest and Upper Back Rub

Many essential oils are recommended to assist respiration, such as eucalyptus, fir, rosemary, and spike lavender. Dilute 10–20 drops of essential oil in 1 ounce (30ml) of carrier oil and rub on chest and upper back.

Ravintsara is one of many oils that can be used for a chest or upper back rub. Refer to Power of Essential Oils booklet.

Direct Inhalation and Steam Inhalation

Inhale the fragrance three or four times through the nose, directly from the bottle or from a tissue sprinkled with 4 drops of essential oil. Alternatively, add 3 drops of essential oil to a bowl of hot water, cover your eyes, place a large towel over your head, and inhale the steam deeply. Repeat as required. (Excellent to maintain healthy respiratory function.)

Eucalyptus is one of many oils that can be used for steam inhalation. Refer to Power of Essential Oils booklet.

Medical use

According to the laws governing the sale of essential oils, there are very strict guidelines concerning what vendors of essential oils can claim about the medicinal properties of the products that they sell. While we are happy to abide by these guidelines, we would like to point out that authors of books on aromatherapy are not subject to the same constraints, and there are many books available which have a wealth of information about essential oils and their known effects in all areas of life.

Refer to Power of Essential Oils booklet.

Compress

A compress is a clean, damp, folded cloth that has been infused with essential oils and is then applied to the problem area. It employs either warm or cool water, depending on its use. Fill a small bowl with water and add 2–5 drops of essential oil. Stir briskly, soak the cloth, wring, and apply. Repeat this procedure as needed.

Chamomile is one of many oils that can be used for a compress. Refer to Power of Essential Oils booklet.

Mouthwash

The antiseptic and antibacterial effect of essential oils can be perfect for freshening the breath and helping to maintain healthy gums, etc. Simply add a few drops of an essential oil to a cup of water and swirl around in the mouth. Do not swallow.

Gargle

Thoroughly mix the essential oil in a teaspoon of honey, then dilute with luke-warm water until the honey is dissolved. Use 1–2 drops per 1 ounce (30 ml) of warm water.

Thyme is one of many oils that can be used for mouthwash or gargle. Refer to Power of Essential Oils booklet.

Foot and Hand Bath

Footbaths are a wonderful way to pamper yourself-perfect when you do not have time for a full bath. Remember: when your feet feel good, you feel good all over the feet are a very important area in aromatherapy, because their reflex points affect every area of the body, and because the skin on the feet absorbs essential oils rapidly.

Hand baths are a soothing way to enhance circulation and joint health. Use 3-5 drops in a bowl of water. Adjust the temperature of the water to suit your needs; cool water invigorates and energizes, warm water sedates and relaxes.

Rosemary is one of many oils that can be used for a foot or hand bath. Refer to Power of Essential Oils booklet.

Perfum

Mix 10-20 drops of essential oil in 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil. Apply to one or more of the pulse points behind the ears, underside of the wrist, inner elbow, behind the knees, and on the backs of the ankles.

Ylang Ylang is one of many oils that can be used diluted as perfume.
Refer to Power of Essential Oils booklet.

Add to Cosmetics

Essential oils can be added to pre-made, fragrance-free products. For a facial oil use 2-5 drops of essential oil to 30 ml carrier oil (e.g., almond or jojoba oil). For a facial mask mix clay, healing earth, or oatmeal with water to form a smooth paste and add 2-4 drops of essential oil. Use 10-15 drops per 2 ounces (60 ml) of moisturizer: 20-30 drops per 8 ounces (240 ml) of lotion; 20 drops per 8 ounces of shampoo; and 20–30 drops per 8 ounce of conditioner.

Palmarosa is one of many oils that can be used in cosmetics.
Refer to Power of Essential Oils booklet.

Cooking and Food Flavouring

Use ½-1 drop essential oil for salad dressings, sauces, sweets, and drinks.

Basil is one of many oils that can be used in cooking.
Refer to Power of Essential Oils booklet.

Hydrolates

A true aromatherapy hydrolate (aromatherapy hydrosol) is the water that is collected when plants are steam-distilled for their essential oils. Hydrolates (flower waters and hydrosols) have a delicate nature and a light aroma. They are ideal for situations requiring gentle aromatic care, especially for children, the elderly, the highly sensitive. They do not require dilution and can be applied directly to the skin. Some popular uses are: hydrate and moisturize the skin, refreshing facial toners for all skin types; soothing eye-pads; add to facial masks; flavour natural yoghurt; mist house plants, home fragrance (room sprays).

Rose is one of many hydrolates that can be used for skin care. Refer to Power of Essential Oils booklet.

Meditation

Using aromatics for meditation and spiritual focus has been done for thousands of years. Veda Aroma has several oils well suited for this purpose, such as frankincense, patchouli, sandalwood, and myrrh. Diffuse in the meditation environment or put a drop in your hands, rub the hands together, and inhale the aroma.

Sandalwood is one of many oils that can be used during meditation.
Refer to Power of Essential Oils booklet.