Maybe you have recently bought a bottle of essential oil or someone has lovingly gifted you a whole set of them. But the problem is that you’re not really sure about how to use these sweet-smelling oils. Well, there are multiple ways to use these oils, and each has its own benefits.
On that note, here’s showing you the most popular and viable methods to use essential oils.
How to inhale an essential oil
There are four ways to inhale essential oils. If you primarily want to use lavender or vanilla oil for skin, relaxation, or relieving congestion, these four methods of inhalation can come in handy.
Diffuser:
A diffuser is basically a device on which essential oils are placed. Diffusers of essential oil can be of different types, but their primary purpose is to spread the oil in the air. Water or heat can be used to make the oil evaporate and be carried through the air.
It is one of the best ways to use aromatherapy to induce sleep or relaxation. For instance, apart from vanilla essential oil benefits, you can also use a few drops of it in the diffuser at night for a peaceful sleep. Similarly, your yoga sessions can be enhanced with the smell of lavender in the air.
Just keep in mind that you are not supposed to burn any essential oil because that will change its chemical structure and associated benefits.
Dry evaporation:
If you don’t have a diffuser at home, there’s still nothing to worry about. Take a few drops of your favorite essential oil on a tissue or cotton ball and let it evaporate in the air. If that isn’t intense enough, hold the cotton ball at a distance from your nose and sniff. It is especially helpful for peppermint and eucalyptus oil that relieves nasal congestion.
You can keep the cotton ball near your desk or bed to keep the sweet smell consistently coming to you. Putting two to three drops of an essential oil on the pillow before sleeping also has the same effect.
Steaming:
Get a bowl of steaming hot water and add drops of essential oil to it. The heat will vaporize the oil quickly. Now, take a towel and place it over your head in a way that it also covers the bowl. Gradually, start inhaling the steam coming from the water.
Since you are going to directly inhale the essential oil containing steam, make sure to limit the use to one or two drops of essential oils. This method will help your skin by letting the steam open up and cleanse your pores. Also, if you have sinus issues, using this technique with eucalyptus oil can be beneficial in helping you breathe easier.
Spraying:
Are the guests about to come to your place any moment? Is it going to be a long day at work for your special person? All you need to do is to fill up a spray bottle with a water-based solution and add four to five drops of essential oil in it.
Now, use this mixture to spray around the house to set a welcoming and relaxing mood. A good idea would be to use citrus oils for this purpose. Their sweet, fruity smell instantly uplifts the mood and stimulates positive vibes. This method of using essential oils will also work for your yoga sessions.
Topical application of essential oils
Topical application refers to use of essential oils over the skin. The most important thing to remember in this regard is that these are highly potent oils that cannot be directly used on the skin. You will have to use a carrier oil or gel to dilute the essential oil before use.
Preparing the solution with a carrier oil
There should be no more than three to five percent essential oil when it is mixed with a suitable carrier oil. So, the simple math is to add a teaspoon of the carrier oil for three drops of an essential oil. Now, this solution is suitable to apply over a small part of the body. If you want to use the oil over a wider area of your body, you can dilute the solution further, i.e., one drop of essential oil for a teaspoon of carrier oil.
If you don’t have a suitable carrier oil near at hand, even water can get the job done. But remember to shake the mixture well before use.
In terms of carrier oil, the most common ones are vegetable or nut oil. So, if you are a frequent topical user of essential oils, you should keep the following carrier oils near at hand:
- avocado oil
- jojoba oil
- grapeseed oil
- apricot kernel oil
- sweet almond oil
- olive oil
- coconut oil
Using essential oils in the shower or bath
There are a ton of uses of essential oils in the bath, which is why you will find these products in the bathroom for most people. You can add these oils to your body wash, conditioner, or shampoos – just a few drops will be enough.
Do you want to make your bath time more relaxing than ever? Put a couple of drops of your preferred essential oil on the shower walls and keep inhaling as you wash your stress and anxiety away. Another way is to take two drops of an essential oil over a warm wash-cloth before taking that to exfoliate the body.
If you are into bubble baths, even better! Get as many types of essential oils as you can, and add a new scent to your bath water every time.
However, remember that essential oils are too potent to be used over cuts and burns. So, if you have such an area on your skin, make sure not to rub these oils over it.
And that’s all! You can choose any of the methods mentioned above to use all your essential oils. But remember to read the label well before using the product.
