How To Use Essential Oils: A Guide | Ultimate Paleo Guide

How to use Essential Oils

Are you new to essential oils and want to know how you use them? These tiny bottles of concentrated plant oils are very potent and powerful. Safety is the key factor when using essential oils.

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Essential oils are very versatile; they can be used as aromatics, topically applied to the body, and be used for green cleaning. Read on for more practical uses of essential oils in everyday life.

Diffuse

The most popular and easy way of using essential oils in your home is by diffusing them. Diffusers vary from simple reed diffusers, traditional candle oil burners to modern ultrasonic diffusers. They all have the same function to release the essential oil into the air and fill your space with aroma.

Practicality will push your decision on which type of diffuser suits you. If you have children and pets in your household, then an electronic ultrasonic diffusers is the best, and safest, option.

So how do electronic ultrasonic diffusers work? Just fill the water reservoir with clean water to the level line (it’s important never to overfill). Next, add your chosen essential oil 5 – 10 drops, remember not to use more. Some scents are stronger than others; experiment to find your preferred strength.

Replace the lid, then turn on your diffuser, some models have different settings for desired length of time. By vaporizing the essential oils into the air, you clean the air and create a relaxing, stimulating, or calming atmosphere. It’s all down to what essential oil you use to create your desired need.

If you have a cold, use frankincense essential oil for easing respiratory problems and coughs. Peppermint oil is ideal for clearing blocked sinuses. Perfect for winter, diffuse blends of lavender, eucalyptus, and thyme essential oils as all have antiviral and antibacterial properties that when diffused will clean the germs in the air and help relieve symptoms of a cold. ¹

Steam Inhalation

A tried and tested effective method to deliver essential oils to your system fast. Boil water and fill a bowl half full, add 3-4 drops of a single essential oil or blend. Then drape a towel over your head and lean over the bowl remember to close your eyes and breathe.

You should ‘steam’ for 7-10 minutes only, breath easy, slowly and deeply to inhale the vapors. Steam inhalation is a perfect remedy for winter colds and tension headaches.

For instant relief from blocked noses, use any combination of cypress, frankincense, pine, peppermint, eucalyptus, thyme, cinnamon, and lavender essential oils. Thyme oil is proven to be very effective against drug resistant bacteria including respiratory tract infections. ²

For the Skin

Essential oils are so beneficial for the skin and can be applied in numerous ways. When used on the skin, essential oils should always be diluted either in creams, oils, balms, butters, or lotions.

Massage

Massage is the traditional way essential oils are used on the skin in aromatherapy treatments. Having a massage by itself is relaxing and helps the lymphatic system remove toxins from the body. Adding the therapeutic benefits of essential oils is a bonus!

Massage oils are made using a carrier oil such as sweet almond, apricot kernel, hemp, coconut, or jojoba. A basic recipe is to add 5 drops of essential oil to 10ml of carrier oil. Good essential oils for massage are lavender, frankincense, roman chamomile, neroli, sandalwood, cypress, and bergamot. Aromatherapy massage was shown to reduce waist size and improve body image in a study on women. ³⁴

Facial cleansers

Essential oils work well for the skin on the face, helping problem skin like acne and spots. To use essential oils on your face as a cleanser for acne and problem skin, use coconut oil as your base oil and add 5-6 drops of essential oil to 10ml of coconut. Or you could just add essential oils to your current facial cleanser.

Specific essential oils have strong antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that have proven to be effective against antibiotic resistant acne vulgaris. These essential oils are orange, sweet basil, rosewood, clove, thyme and tea tree; they help reduce scarring, control bacteria growth, and can reduce acne severity up to 75%. ⁵ ⁶ ⁷

Facial toners and moisturizers

Essential oils have been used by women throughout history seeking the elixir of youthful skin and complexion. Science has proved some significant benefits of essential oils to protect and help sun damaged.

Frankincense essential oil is a standout for skin – its anti-inflammatory properties reduce puffiness and tighten the skin. A trial showed that women who used a base face cream containing frankincense oil (0.5%) had improved skin elasticity, smoother skin, less fine lines and a marked decrease in the appearance of sunspots. ⁸

Hair Care

Essential oils are a great addition to your hair routine. Practical for cleansing the scalp without drying the skin, helping thicken hair, or just to add luster and shine.

Lemon and chamomile essential oils can be used to gently lighten your hair. Rosemary essential oil is my favorite used to help stimulate hair growth. It’s actually great for treating stress-induced alopecia. Tea tree, lemongrass, and peppermint oils cleanse the scalp from excess oil and can help treat dandruff. ⁹ ¹⁰

You can buy base shampoo’s from essential oil suppliers. These are paraben free and don’t contain sodium lauryl sulphate (a known irritant). To a 100ml bottle, add 10-15 drops of your chosen essential oil with 5 ml of hemp oil or coconut oil just for extra conditioning and shine. ¹¹

Bathing

At the end of a busy day, a warm bath is so welcoming to wind down and relax tense or tired muscles. Adding essential oils to your bath water is one of the easiest ways to enjoy their healing and calming benefits. Simply add 5-6 drops of your favorite essential oil to truly unwind – pure bliss!

If you’re not a morning person, use invigorating and stimulating oils in your bath to start your day. Rosemary, lemongrass, peppermint, and eucalyptus essential oils certainly give your senses a pick me up.

Footbath

We are always on our feet and they are probably the most neglected part of our body. Indulge in a footbath after walking, gardening, or exercising and take the aches away.

Feet and peppermint essential oil are a perfect match. Add 3-5 drops to your foot bath and soak the tiredness away. Peppermint is good for muscle aches and pains. It’s also good for foot odors.

When combined with salt in hot water, a blend of twelve essential oils, including peppermint, showed they help kill the fungal bacteria that causes athlete’s foot. ¹²

First aid

Having a few key essential oils in your first aid box is a must.

Antibacterial and antiseptics like tea tree essential oil can be used for insect bites, cuts, and grazed knees. Tea tree essential oil can be applied neat on adult skin – 1 drop rubbed into affected area. For children over 3 years, dilute 1 drop in 5ml (1 teaspoon) of water and use on cotton wool to clean grazed knees and sooth insect bites. ¹³

Peppermint oil can be useful for tension headaches when applied diluted to the temple area. The traditional use of peppermint oil in tea to alleviate digestive symptoms including gas and bloating is well documented. ¹⁴ ¹⁵

Lavender oil is also good for headaches but this oil excels as a treatment for mild burns and scalds. Research has shown that lavender oil speeds the healing process and is thought to be due to lavenders antimicrobial components. If you’re new to using essential oils, lavender is the go to oil for most first aid uses. ¹⁶

Green Cleaning

The cleansing properties of essential oils are where their practical use excels. Essential oils are a natural alternative to chemical household cleaning products. They are effective at killing bacteria and germs from surfaces around your home.

For green cleaning, the essential oils tea tree, lemon, grapefruit, peppermint, lavender, and pine are best. Simply add a few drops of essential oil to soapy water as a floor cleaner or in a water sprayer to sterilize kitchen and bathroom surfaces.

Final Thoughts

This list of practical uses for essential oils could be endless! If you are interested in using essential oils more in your lifestyle, there are a few must have oils.

The essential oils lavender, peppermint, tea tree, lemon, and frankincense will work as antiseptics, antibacterials, calmatives, anti-inflammatories and cleansers. These oils have such a broad range of uses and are a good introduction to using essential oils in your life.

You should use your nose when choosing essential oils; aromas are very personal, what one person likes might smell awful to others. Finally, always read the guidance notes on the label for each essential oil and practice safe use.

Source

This is our guide to essential oils. Check out our other installments:

Essential Oils Guide

Where To Buy Essential Oils

Common Treatments With Essential Oils

Health Benefits of Essential Oils

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How To Use Essential Oils