There are 4 application methods when using essential oils
DILUTED
I want to start with dilution first because it may seem complicated and it’s also important to know how to do, so I’m going to try to simplify it.
Dilution is when you add a carrier oil to your essential oil(s). Carrier oils are coconut oil, jojoba oil, rosehip, castor, olive, grapeseed, or sesame. This is not a comprehensive list, but hopefully you get the idea. I would guess you at least have coconut oil and olive oil at home. (I am putting together a post about each carrier oil too so check back for that.)
Adding carrier oil to essential oils can help minimize possible skin irritation, it enables more skin surface contact, and it can help your essential oils absorb better.
A common question I hear is, “does it make my essential oils less effective?” The answer is no! It can even make your oils more effective because of better absorption and coverage.
Some oils, like spice, herb and mint oils, are considered “hot” oils (like cinnamon, clove, wintergreen, and oregano.) These are especially important to dilute to avoid skin irritation.
If irritation occurs it is important NOT to wash with water - this can intensify the irritation. Oil and water don’t mix! Instead, use more carrier oil - even milk or butter in a pinch. This will further dilute the oil and neutralize the irritation. And be sure to avoid the eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas.
Reasons to dilute your oils:
Sensitive skin
Babies, children, and elderly
Desired results over a large area (ie. back pain)
Hot oils
How to dilute:
Some people will give you ratios, but that’s where it can seem complicated. When starting out, put about a nickel size amount of carrier oil in the palm of your hand, add your essential oils and then apply. You can always add more. As you play with what your body responds to, you will learn to adjust more or less.
Roller bottles are another easy way to dilute your oils. doTERRA has a lot of pre-diluted rollers you can purchase which makes it super easy and convenient. But you can also easily make your own.
How to make a Roller bottle:
Add your essential oils first. I usually do about 30 drops to start in a 10ml roller bottle. But again, you can adjust the strength by adding more or less. This can be a single oil or combination. See the Blended section for more on combining essential oils.
Fill the rest of the bottle with your carrier oil of choice (fractionated coconut is the most common) and secure the roller top. To mix, rock the bottle upside down a few times. Use cap stickers to mark what oil(s) are in your roller or add some kind of label so you remember. You can purchase cap stickers from doTERRA or Oil Life. (code EOLU at checkout)
Roll away! Take them on-the-go or for quick use around the house.
NEAT
Neat application means you don’t add carrier oil. Some say to avoid this, but I disagree.
Oils are meant to be used! I know too many people with oils on their shelves not being used because they don’t know how to dilute their oils.
Get your oils out where you can see them and remember to use them. Put them on! Diffuse them! USE them!
Reasons for neat or undiluted application:
Unable to dilute
Desired strong effect (ie. removing warts)
Hand diffusing (see this post)
BLENDED
Blending oils is any time you use more than one essential oil mixed together at the same time. This can be in roller bottles, a pre mixed bottle of your favorite diffuser combinations, blends purchased straight from doTERRA (like On Guard or Breathe) or even combining them in your hand for application or in a bath.
Blending oils can be very beneficial for ease and getting a synergy of properties at once.
Reasons to blend your oils:
Ease
Traveling, on-the-go
Favorites on hand quickly
How to blend:
Choose 2 or more oils. You can look up uses and properties or simply choose from the smell. I am creating a workshop to go into this a little more, so stay tuned!
My favorite resources to look up oil uses are The Essential Life (for physical properties) and Essential Oils and Emotions (for mental, emotional, and spiritual properties.) Both can be purchased at oillife.com with my $5 off code EOLU
To find a smell you enjoy I suggest opening the bottles and holding them together while you waft them under your nose. You can adjust the height of the bottles (one lower and one higher) to imitate adding more or less drops depending on the potency of the aromas. Continue adding or changing oils until you find the smell you enjoy.
Start with 1 or 2 drops of the strongest aroma. From there add drops starting at 2 of each of the other oils. Remember, you can add oil, but you can’t take it away! Start small. Swirl and smell between adding more oils until you reach your desired blend. Citrus oils, especially lemon, are great to cut the intensity of deep strong smelling oils.
Make sure you keep track of how many drops you do of each so you can recreate the blend again later. Put a label on your bottle or use cap stickers to help you remember.
Blending is a really fun way to use oils. Play around using your diffuser as a tester. You don’t need as many drops in a diffuser as you do in a roller bottle, so get creative and have fun with it!
LAYERED
This is a technique for targeted application. I first learned it from Boyd Truman and his system called Symphony of the Cells. The idea is to apply one oil at a time including simple massage to drive the oils deep into the skin. There are protocols for a variety of needs. Respiratory, Infectious Diseases, Inflammation and more. I highly recommend his resource book to learn his protocols.
You can also apply this same idea to blends you are already using. It’s a great way to connect with your baby or child. Humans thrive with touch. It’s a very intentional way to apply oils because it takes a little more time and more touch.
Do this when massaging your feet, shoulders, or back. Use a little carrier oil or lotion and 1-3 drops of oil, one at a time, for each area.
If you felt overwhelmed by the options, that’s okay! Choose one and start there - whatever is easiest for you! My intention is for you to use your oils, not just display them on a pretty shelf.
If you have questions or would like more personal help, please email or message me to connect. I am here for your success.
Let me know what your favorite application methods are or your favorite blends! Let’s have fun with our oils!
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