While there are many essential oil benefits that await anyone who is ready to welcome natural solutions into their life, it is important to have an understanding of how to safely use essential oils before getting started. Whether you are just learning how to use essential oils, or you’ve been using them for a while, you’ll want to make sure that you know all of the safety guidelines so that you can keep yourself and your family safe, while still enjoying all of the wonderful benefits that essential oils have to offer.
Dilution Rate Chart for Essential Oils in Carrier Oil
The following chart is a guide you can use to help you dilute your essential oils into your favourite carrier oil. Since essential oils are concentrated, a little can go a long way. With this chart you get to create your own recipes based on your preferences for scent and strength.
When applying essential oils topically, not only is it important to follow the guidelines in the chart above, but it will often be necessary to dilute the essential oil so that it is not too powerful for the skin. Because essential oils are so potent and many essential oils have a strong chemistry, sometimes you will need to dilute the oil before applying topically to ensure that you don’t experience any sensitivity.
The best way to dilute an essential oil is with a carrier oil. Carrier oils are typically a pure vegetable oil that will literally “carry” the oil to the skin. While some worry that using a carrier oil will reduce the benefits of essential oils, it will actually help to increase absorption so that the oil stays on the skin for a longer period of time.
Some good carrier oils are:
Almond oil, Coconut oil, Grapeseed Oil, Argan Oil, Halzelnut Oil, Jojoba Oil, Rice Bran Oil, Safflower Oil, Sunflower Oil, Avocado Oil and Shea Butter.
Personal Considerations
If you have any specific health conditions or concerns, it is always a good idea to consult your healthcare professional before use. The same goes for your children—if you have any concerns about using essential oils on your children, consider talking to their paediatrician or primary care physician before starting essential oil use with your kids.
It is possible to use essential oils safely in conjunction with healthy eating and exercise in order to promote a healthy lifestyle, but you must consider your own personal health status and any health concerns first. For example, women who are pregnant should always consult with their doctor before using oils.