Using the Oils

Qualified Aromatherapists use essential oils to treat a surprising number of ailments. Since this is intended for non-professional use, we include here the main uses of a selection of oils that can be safely used at home, with self, family and friends.

While serious conditions should be treated by a qualified practitioner, many common ailments can be relieved safely and effectively at home with Aromatherapy. You may soon come to regard essential oils as a vital part of your home first aid kit.

For self-help, essential oils are most commonly used to relieve aches and pains, for relaxation and stress reduction, and for skin and hair care, but they have much wider possibilities.

Many oils have proven antiseptic properties and can be used as first aid and on going treatment for cuts, burns, insect bites and bruises. Others are anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, antibiotic, etc. Oils with anti-fungal properties can be used in such conditions as athlete's foot and other fungal infections. Some can be used as an aid in the overall management of more serious conditions such as candida, arthritis and rheumatism.

In addition, since the oils work through the brain to act on the emotions, they are very useful not only for stress relief, but in cases of anxiety, overwork, stage fright, etc.

Lists of oils recommended for specific Physical and Emotional Symptoms are given on the pages ahead. While essential oils may help to alleviate symptoms, people suffering from serious conditions should always seek expert advice from a qualified Aromatherapist.

Caution should be exercised when using the oils to treat children, in pregnancy, etc., and there are some people for whom Aromatherapy is not always suitable. So do take time to read the Cautions section, if in doubt, seek advice from a qualified practitioner.

Selscting Oils

If you want to alleviate a specific problem, first look up your symptoms in the list of Physical Symptoms, and see which oils are recommended; then if appropriate, read the list of Mental/Emotional Symptoms. For example, if you are suffering from fatigue, are your symptoms accompanied by anxiety or depression, or caused by overwork? To complete the picture, read the description of recommended oils. Then you can make up a blend of the two or three oils which come close to your personal needs.

Since we are all individuals, some oils will be more appropriate to particular people than others. Enjoy experimenting with the oils; experience will help you to become more expert.

The sniff test: If you can sniff essential oils as well as fitting your other needs. Essential oils have a powerful aroma that can cause a strong reaction when you sniff them, especially if you sniff direct from and open bottle. The best way to test the scent of an oil is to put a single drop onto a handkerchief, and gently inhale from that.

Blending the Oils

The concept of individuality is important in Aromatherapy, and it is rare for two people to react in exactly the same way. We can however generalise about the effects of particular essential oils which have specific actions - for example, a particular group of plants may have anti-inflammatory properties, some are relaxing and sedative, some invigorating and so on. Blends of 2-3 oils can be made with these general characteristics to suit your particular needs.

Your chosen oils can be blended together and diluted in a carrier oil, but do not exceed the total amounts recommended.

Oils bought ready blended in a carrier oil for general purposes, like baths, massage, and room fragrance, will not require further dilution.

Using the Oils

Once you have chosen a suitable oil or blend of oils, you can use them in the following way:

Massage

Massage is a very effective way to relieve stress and tension. The ideal of course is to visit a professional Aromatherapist. However, for home care, massaging your self or getting a partner to give you a gentle massage will still have benefits. Massage encourages circulation and eases minor aches and pains; it enables the essential oils to be absorbed and used by the skin and body. You do not have to have a full body massage to benefit; you can rub the blended oils locally into the area giving you problems, whether it be muscular aches and pains, a stiff neck or a bronchial chest. In self-massage, use gentle strokes towards the heart to encourage circulation. When massaging the abdomen, move your hands in clockwise circle, following the flow of the intestines; among other benefits, this helps to relieve constipation.

Making Up Massge Oils

Choose a vegetable based carrier oil, preferably a blend of two oils with therapeutic properties of their own. Add 2 drops of your chosen essential oil/s to 5ml (1 tsp) of carrier oil. Keep in a dark, stopper glass bottle, and always recap tightly after use. The aroma will be taken up over a period of time, so the oil will smell more rounded after a week than just after it has been mixed.

Most oils are suitable for massage; for specific problems, see the list of symptoms. Bear in mind that some oils are relaxing and stimulating.

Examples of recommended blends are:
For relaxation - Geranium and Lavender
For aches and pains - Juniper, Lemon and Rosemary
For cellulitis - Juniper, Geranium and Rosemary

Baths

Bathing with essential oils is not just a pleasant way to relax; it can help to relieve many aches and pains and other many physical conditions. Use a ready mixed blend, or add a maximum of 7-8 drops of pure oil to your bath, ideally at about 30° C, just before getting in. Stir the water well to disperse the oils. Do not use any other bath oil, salts or foam preparations at the same time. Close the windows and doors and relax in the water for ten minutes. You will benefit from the action of the oil both on your skin and in the water vapour.

Most oils are suitable for baths; however some of the stronger aromas, like Mint, may cause skin irritation. Check the recommended use for oils.

For children use 2 drops of oil to the bath.

Footbaths

Add up to 5 drops of oil to a bowl of hand-hot water and soak the feet for 10 minutes. Particularly suitable for tired and perspiring feet are Cypress, Juniper, Lemon, and Tea Tree.

Sauna

Stir 3-4 drops of your chosen oil/s in water and then splash on the hot stones.

Inhallation/Facial steam

This way of using oils simultaneously gives your skin a cleansing treat while helping to clear congested lungs and sinuses, catarrh and sore throats.

On average use 2-3 drops to 1 pint of water. Float the oil on the surface of a bowl of steaming water, just of the boil. Drape a bath towel over your head and breathe in the steam for 2-3 minutes.

For nasal congestion, breathe in through the nose; for a sore throat breathe through the mouth. Do not persist if this causes discomfort.

Exercise caution if you suffer from allergic conditions such as hay fever and asthma.

Compresses

Use hot compresses for long standing conditions like backache, arthritic and rheumatic pain.

Use cold compresses for recent injuries or acute conditions such as sprains, headaches, bruises and swelling.

For hot compresses, use water as hot as you can comfortably handle; for cold compresses, add ice to cold water. Add to the water up to 6 drops of essential oil (3 for small areas like the forehead), fold some lint, and place it on the surface of the water so that it takes up the essential oil. Wringing out, and apply where needed.

Hair and Face Oil

Some oils are particularly good for the skin and hair (see list of physical symptoms). Use proportions of 1 drop of essential oil to 10ml (2tsp) carrier oil (Preferably pre blended for the purpose) for a pre bath facial oil or as an after bath lotion and moisturiser.

For hair conditioning, massage the blend into the scalp and leave for 15-20 minutes before shampooing.

Head lice can be successfully and pleasantly treated with a mixture of Eucalyptus or Tea Tree with Lavender and Rosemary, using 40 drops of essential oil to 100 ml carrier oil. Apply to wet hair, massage well in and leave for an hour before shampooing and combing out with a fine tooth comb. Repeat as necessary.

Hair Rinse

After washing your hair, stir in 1 drop of oil in water in which you give your hair its final rinse. Or make up a hair rinse as follows:

4 drops essential oil to 1 litre of water. Use a screw top bottle and shake well to disperse the oil each time you use it, as it does not dissolve in water.

Suitable oils for hair include Rosemary, Geranium and Rosewood for dark hair Chamomile and Lemon for fair hair.

Skin Lotion

Skin lotion/tonics can be made by adding 10 drops essential oil to 50ml of spring water. Use a screw top bottle and shake well to disperse. Suitable oils are listed under 'Skin' in the list of symptoms.

Mouth Wash

Using a screw-topped bottle, mix 2 drops oil with 285ml/1/2 pint spring water, shaking well to disperse the oil each time you use it.

For fresh breath, suitable oils include Mint and Lemon. For mouth infections and gum problems, use Tea Tree. Don't swallow the mouthwash.

Room Fragrance

Used as a room fragrance, essential oils create a pleasant atmosphere; at the same time, specific oils will have an effect on your mood, creating a good atmosphere; at the same time, specific oils will have an effect on your mood, creating a good ambience for meditation, work, relaxation, romance or sleep. Some will also help to fumigate the air in cases of infectious illness. There are several methods of using oils for room fragrance:

• Add a few drops of essential oil to a bowl of dried flowers or pot pouri.
• Add a few drops to drawer liners and padded clothes hangers.
• Put a couple of drops on a hot light bulb.
• Add a few drops to a ball of cotton wool and tuck it behind a warm radiator. Oil vaporisers are available to in a number of shops. Float a couple of drops of oil on water at the top of a bowl, and burn a night light underneath, to release the aroma into the air.

Most oils can be used for room fragrance. Some are particularly suitable for special purposes, including:
Meditation: Cedar wood and Sandalwood.
Infection: Mint (alone); Tea Tree (alone); Eucalyptus and Rosemary; Lavender and Lemon.
Romance: Ylang Ylang, Geranium, and Sandalwood.
Relaxation/Sleep: Chamomile, Lavender, Sandalwood, and Ylang Ylang.

On Handkerchieves/Tissues

For colds, headaches, stuffiness, travel sickness, etc. put a drop or two on a handkerchief to sniff at intervals

As an aid to sleep, put 1/2 drops on a handkerchief or tissue and place beside your bed or close to your pillow. You can put drops direct on to the pillow, but do not let your skin come into contact with the neat oil.

Net Application

As a general rule, don't apply neat oils to the skin as they can produce a skin reaction. However, for the relief of insect bites and stings, and to disinfect cuts, a drop or two of certain oils (e.g. Tea Tree, Lavender, Rosewood) can be used on the spot. Put 1-2 drops on cotton wool, and dab gently.