How Do I Use Essential Oils?

Internal

Certain essential oils have a rich culinary history and can be used as dietary supplements supporting a variety of health conditions. When you sprinkle cinnamon on your oatmeal, sip a mug of peppermint tea, or add fresh basil leaves to your spaghetti, you are actually consuming some volatile aromatic essential oil compounds.

Essential oil contributes to many health benefits as well as flavoring and aroma properties to foods. When in their concentrated form, essential oils can be used as dietary supplements for more targeted and potent health benefits. Internal use is a very safe and effective method of application because of the sophisticated physiologic processes of our bodies.

Effective Methods of Internal Application 

• Use oils in recipes for cooking or baking to replace fresh or dried herbs and spices
• Remember that essential oils are much more potent than dried or fresh herbs and spices, so start with a very small amount
• For more potent oils, it may be better to administer them by toothpicks (dip the end of a clean toothpick into the oil and then add to the food) rather than drops
• Add essential oils to water, smoothies, milk, tea, or other drinks
• Take essential oils internally in a veggie capsule or add to a small amount of water

Aromatic

The sense of smell is a tool that can elicit powerful physiologic, mental, and emotional responses. Essential oils are quickly absorbed by the smell receptors, which have a direct link to the limbic system by way of the olfactory nerve. The limbic system is part of the brain that supports a variety of functions including smell, emotions, behavior, and memory. For this reason, essential oils have an especially powerful effect via the aromatic application.

Additional aromatic uses For Essential Oils Include:

• Apply oil to a cotton ball and place in the air vents of your vehicle
• Mix oils in a spray bottle with water and mist over furniture, carpet, or linens
• Add oil to a batch of laundry or to dryer sheets
• Use in household surface cleaners

Topical

Topical application is a very effective method for applying essential oils. Because essential oils have low molecular weights and are lipid soluble, they easily penetrate the skin. Once absorbed, they stay in the applied area for a localized benefit.

Although essential oils are readily absorbed, there are many ways to increase absorption. Using a light massage will increase the blood flow to the area of application, in turn improving distribution throughout the body. Use of carrier oil can also increase absorption, especially in the skin that is dry or flaky as it helps moisturize the skin and slow evaporation of the oil.

Beneficial Areas You Can Apply Essential Oils

• Neck
• Forehead and temples
• Chest and abdomen
• Arms, legs, the bottom of feet
• Other Effective Methods of Topical Application
• Add a few drops of oil to a warm bath
• Make a hot or cold compress by soaking a towel or cloth in water, adding essential oils, and then applying to the desired area
• Add oil to a lotion or moisturizer and then apply to skin
• Sensitive Areas to be Avoided:
• Some facial areas, such as the skin around the eyes
• Eyes and inner ears
• Broken, damaged, or otherwise injured skin

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