*Disclaimer: I am not a health professional and essential oils are not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.*
Where to apply essential oils is one of the biggest questions I get about using them. As a general rule of thumb, you can apply them to wherever you’re having an issue. For example, if you have a headache, you would apply the oil to your head. Closest to the actual spot of pain.
Using essential oils are pretty simple and intuitive in this way. You really don’t have to over think it. If you enjoy over thinking things though (I do), you can get really specific into topical use.
What is Topical usage exactly?
Topical use is the method of essential oil application where the oil is placed directly onto the skin, used on the hair, mouth, teeth, nails or mucus membranes of the body. When you apply with a carrier oil, it’s diluted and when you apply without one it’s considered “neat” (yeah just like at the bar). Always look and see if the oil you are using is okay to apply “neat” or if diluting is suggested.)
More is less. Essential oils are incredibly potent and too much can cause irritation to the skin, teeth, hair, etc. Generally speaking, 1 to 3 drops is plenty although you may consider less with “hot oils”, on children, the elderly or people with sensitive skin.
Diluting Ratios for Applying Essential Oils
When applying oils to babies, children, elderly and those with sensitive skin, always dilute. Make sure you know which oils are safe to use on who. Always test a small patch of skin before applying liberally to ensure no reaction occurs (you don’t want to be a walking rash, trust me). Some places on the body may be more sensitive than others.
- Babies: 1-3 drops essential oil per tablespoon of carrier oil
- Ages 2-5: 1-3 drops essential oil per teaspoon of carrier oil
- For massage oil (regular adults): 3-10 drops per 15ml of carrier oil (or lotion base)
Topical Application Methods of Essential Oils
Massage is my favorite methods of topical use. Unless you’re a certified massage therapist, light to medium pressure is best on the muscles, avoiding sensitive areas like the spine. Extra cautions should be taken with pregnant people and those with health conditions. See the above dilution list for massage oil.
Layering is recommended instead of blending as blending some oils together can cause their properties to change. To layer, simply apply one oil at a time on top of one another. Rub one oil (with a carrier if desired) onto the skin and then rub another on. Essential oils absorb very quickly into the skin so no more than a couple of seconds between each is fine.
Reflexology is the method of applying essential oils to nerve endings in the hands and feet that connect directly to specific organs in the body. Hand rotation movements at these points can send energy through these pathways and clear any blocks you may have. See this post on energy healing to understand this better.
Auricular therapy is similar to reflexology but in the ears instead of the hands and feet. A drop of oil is applied to specific points in, on and behind the ears and massaged in to stimulate the point for the desired result.
Compresses are made by filling a basin with about 2 quarts of water and then adding 3-6 drops of the desired oil. Stir vigorously and then lay a medium hand towel over the top. Since the oils float on top of the water, the towel with absorb them immediately. Wring the excess water (the oils will remain) and wrap the area in the towel. Cover with a dry towel and a hot water bottle for a hot compress and cover with plastic wrap for a cold compress. Allow to sit for 1-2 hours.
Apply Essential Oils With Caution
I use to be one of those people who threw caution to the wind. Essential oils seem small and their power is often under estimated. Like someone thinking they’re too cool for sunscreen, I was rubbing them all on without dilution or care and more than once found myself on the ugly side of a skin reaction.
Make sure you know which oils are safe to apply “neat” and which ones need to be diluted. Some oils are considered “hot oils” and are more likely to cause an adverse skin reaction. Always look it up until you learn them but through practice you’ll find yourself learning more than you realize!
Modern Essentials 9th Edition (2017) AromaTools
Other Articles You May Enjoy:
- The Three Ways of Using Oils; Topical, Internal and Diffusing
- The Three Beginner Oils
- The Ancient History of Essential Oils
- Essential Oils for Each Chakra
Author
S.S.Blake; Spiritual Life Coach, Yoga + Meditation Teacher and Founder of Earth and Water
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