Okay so this question is a bit controversial depending on what Essential Oil circles you ask. Some of the independent consultant type of Essential Oil businesses will tell you EOs are okay to apply topically, inhale, and ingest. Herbalists will tell you EOs should only be used as aromatherapy / inhalation (steam, diffuser, etc.) or topically, but not ingested unless you have specific training to do so, and then you can also add EOs to various products to use around your home (cleaning, air freshener, etc.)
For inhalation or aromatherapy purposes, the use of EO can be as simple as adding a few drops to a bowl of steaming water, such as boiled water (I prefer filtered or Spring water for this.) You’ve seen people throw a towel over their head and sit over a bowl when they’re sick. I don’t necessarily advise this. Take a breath between breathing in your EO concoction. I will say that eucalyptus and peppermint oils help me with headaches or when I’m feeling stuffy.
Aromatherapy is sort of a broad spectrum of things. It can be something like inhalation, massage oil, baths, and diffusers. We’ll try to cover a whole post on aromatherapy though.
For topical use, EOs can be added to your bath water (with a carrier oil,) or can be applied to various “butters” for lotions (cocoa butter, shea butter, etc.,) lotions, and more. Again, use a carrier oil. Don’t use them straight on your skin.
My sister-in-law will tell a story how she made an Essential Oil face moisturizer for her mom. She didn’t use a carrier oil. She used straight Essential Oils: no one had ever told her about carrier oils. She read things online about the benefits of Essential Oils, but no one ever put any information about precautions or carrier oils or anything. She made her mom a frankincense-based “moisturizer,” but what she ended up doing was creating a caustic blend of Essential Oils that irritated her mom’s sensitive skin. So please please be careful when working with Essential Oils.
WARNING: Just because Essential Oils are "natural" doesn't mean they are always safe. Always use caution when working with Essential Oils. Remember chemistry sets as a kid? Yeah, treat EOs like THAT until you are well-versed in the EOs you use. ALWAYS research the EO you are using or are interested in and watch for precautions, potency levels, etc. The information contained in my blog posts are meant to inform and for entertainment and in no way should be used as a guidebook nor to treat or diagnose any illnesses.
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| Photo from rsc.org |
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