Applications & Dilutions
Bath
8-10 drops essential oil to 15 ml base oil. Add the blend to the
bath just before getting in and relax in the water for 10-15 minutes.
As for bath, but use half quantities of oils.
Add 6 drops of essential oil to a bowl of warm water and soak
feet or hands for 10-15 minutes.
Use hot water for chronic conditions, cold water for acute.
Add to a bowl of water (hot or cold) 6 drops of essential oil. Place a small
yowel or piece of lint on the surface of the water and apply to the injured
area. Repeat as needed – you may need to add more water to retain the right
temperature.
Add 6 drops of essential oil (Lemongrass, Cypress or Peppermint
are recommended) to a 50 ml spray bottle of spring water. Shake well before use.
Shampoo
Add 10 drops essential oil to 200 ml unscented shampoo. Shake well before use. Rosemary or Rosewood are good for dark hair, Lemon or Chamomile for fair.
Add 10 drops per 200 ml unscented conditioner. Leave on the hair
for 5 minutes, then rinse as usual.
40 drops essential oil to 100 ml carrier oil.(Jojoba or coconut
carrier oils are recommended for the hair). Massage into the scalp and leave on
for 15 minutes, then shampoo thoroughly. NB – see Ailments section on headlice.
3 drops of essential oil to 1 pint of steaming hot water. Drape a
towel over your head and the bowl and inhale for 5 minutes. This application
also acts as a facial steaming and can be very effective against blocked pores.
Contraindications – use extreme caution if asthmatic as steam inhalation can induce an attack.
Cleanser
10 drops of essential oil to 60 ml unscented cleansing lotion.
Apply with cotton wool.
10 drops essential oil to 60 ml unscented moisturizing lotion.
10 drops essential oil to 60 ml unscented toner or spring water.
Shake well before use.
Certain oils are safe for neat use on small problem areas such as
warts, verrucae, boils, spots, cuts, minor burns and scalds. Tea Tree and
Lavender are two such oils. If in doubt, do a 24 hour patch test and always
refer to safety data before use.
2 drops of essential oil to 300 ml water. Shake well before use.
Do not swallow. Suitable oils are Tea Tree or Peppermint.
These can be helpful during panic attacks, to relieve a stuffy
nose and to alleviate the symptoms of nausea, headaches and insomnia. Put a
couple of drops of oil on a tissue or hankerchief and inhale as needed.
Massage is the time honoured, perhaps most traditional method of
introducing essential oils into the body. It can be an invigorating, sensual,
deeply relaxing experience, depending on the oils used and the method of the
massage itself. It can be used for psychological benefits as well as
physiological ones.
Unfortunately, this website hasn’t (as yet !!) the scope for detailed instructions, but as I remarked in the Introduction, first hand hands-on experience is the way to learn this skill.You really do need to practice.
Blending essential oils for use in massage can be fun, you can experiment to your hearts content; a general rule of thumb, however, is to blend no more than 3 or 4 oils together for any one massage. The reason for this is that all essential oils don’t mix equally well with all others – some clash together and smell unpleasant and some when blended can cancel out each other’s therapeutic qualities. Some oils, though, can enhance each other in a synergistic way.(; which means that the oils together have more effect and value than the sum of their parts).
It is important that the massagee likes the aroma of the oils to be used on him/her; if one particular oil is disliked, another with similar qualities can often be used instead to good therapeutic effect.
It is also important that the massagee is able to feel trust and confidence in the person doing the massage; we all carry around our own “personal space” –and we’re all familiar with the uncomfortable feeling we get when someone we don’t know very well comes too close – we back away ! Massage is a unique experience and should be an enjoyable one. A relaxing ambience can be achieved with the use of soft lighting, candles, music etc. The massagee should be in a comfortable position before and during the session and if any stroke or pressure hurts or feels unpleasant, it is wise to stop as pain and discomfort are signs that all is not well.
Here are some dilutions:
5 drops essential oil to 15 ml carrier oil.
10 drops essential oil to 30 ml carrier oil.
20 drops essential oil to 60 ml carrier oil.
Contraindications:
Do not massage if the massagee is suffering from the following conditions:
High temperature, Thrombosis, Phlebitis, Severe Heart
Disease, Varicose Veins, Joint Inflammations, Fractures, Torn Ligaments, Burns
& Cancer,
Use Caution in pregnant woman.