NaturalMedications

There are many ways to use essential oils for their fragrance and balancing properties. The proportions given for diluting essential oils are a guideline and you can adjust them to your preference. The key is -a little goes a long way. One drop of essential oil is often equal to one ounce of the plant.

Aromatic Effect

The simple, no frills way to use essential oils is to take the cap off the

bottle and breathe deeply. It's most effective and you can use it anytime and anywhere.

An aroma diffuser has a small container that is filled with water and heated usually by a candle. Add 6-10 drops of an essential oil to water in the bowl of an aroma diffuser. The aromatic vapors of the essential oils are diffused as the water is heated.

Create a natural air freshener to enhance moods or freshen the air at home, work or in the car. Add 50-75 drops of an essential oil to 2 ounces of pure water in a mist spray bottle. Shake well before spraying into the air. Add 25 drops of an essential oil to a potpourri that has lost its scent. Or create your own potpourri by adding drops of an essential oil to dried leaves, flowers, etc. Mix together in a container, cover tightly and store for several days to allow the potpourri material to absorb the essential oils.

Direct inhalation of the aromatic vapors can be useful for quick effect of the essential oils and to help breathing Add 8 drops of an essential oil to a bowl of hot water, place a towel over your head, and breathe deeply for about 5 minutes.

A nebuliser type diffuser is a device which continuously disperses minute particles of essential oils into the air at high pressure. Follow diffuser manufacturer instructions for adding essential oils.

Bath

Full bath: Add 8-15 drops of an essential oil to the tub after the water has finished running. Stir the water to mix the oils evenly. It is best not to use soap - simply the essential oils. Baths are very effective as you

breathe the vapors and absorb the oils through the skin.

Massage

Create your own massage oil by adding up to 18 drops of an essential oil to 1 oz of pure vegetable oil, such as jojoba, grapeseed or almond. For children use only 6 drops of an essential oil per 1 oz of a carrier oil. The massage oil can be used for a full massage or spot massage at pressure points for quick effect.

Compress

Add 6 drops of an essential oil to a bowl of hot or cold water. Submerse a cloth in the water, wring it out and place it on the area needing healing. Hot compresses are useful for muscular pain and cramp relief and cold compresses are useful for swelling or headache.