Some Ideas to Help Make The Most Of Your Essential Oils

As most know I love my essential oils and use them for everything from cleaners to soap to the obvious medicinally in lotions, ointments, massage oils, straight and in my aromatherapy nebulizer. Knowing how to extend and use them when I need them medicinally was a huge help. For this post I will stick to some tips on how to mix oils so that you can use them better and know how to mix them with a carrier and still get the benefits. Remember that oils, while used straight by a lot of people, can cause issues, burns, reactions and can be toxic if not used properly. Like I have said before, they are still medicinal so there are definitely things to be aware of. 

While this isn't a comprehensive "lesson" in how to mix and use EO's it does give a decent guideline to use as a rule of thumb to be more responsible in the use of these more natural methods to help ease medical issues that arise. I find I can extend my oils quite a bit by mixing with a carrier oil also, gotta love that especially when using more expensive oils!! 

Mixing oils is simple, first find the carrier oil that you want to use. I generally use Grapeseed oil due to it's faster absorption rate and natural vitamin E so that I can keep it longer than some other oils without adding Vitamin E. That is my preference but there are many oils that you can use as a carrier oil. This is not an exhaustive list but gives you a start. I encourage you to research which oils will work best for you. 

Some common carrier oils are;

Apricot oil

Sweet Almond oil

Jojoba oil

Avocado oil

Fractionated coconut oil

Coconut oil

Kukui oil

Sunflower oil

Olive oil

Grapeseed oil

(Some of the above oils can cause or exacerbate allergic reactions which I covered in my massage oil post.)

Once you have the oil that you are going to use for whatever need and have your carrier oil picked out then it's time to figure out the percentage you want. I was reminded of this from a person on our DōTERRA FB site and was so thankful to have the reminder. I hope that others find this as useful as I have. 

Remember that if you are on medications already for any issue always run EO usage by your physician or naturopath prior to starting. Also, making sure to list any EO usage when asked for medications is needed to ensure you aren't using something that is contraindicated or could have an adverse effect on any new medications. 

Here is a general guideline to use when mixing EO's for use. This is what I use, and it works well for us in my family. Feel free to research and check if there may be other concentrations if you are going to use this for your family. 

Blends are generally not considered therapeutic strength under 3%. While I don't recommend or advise use on babies, a percentage of 1% strength is what I have seen used by others. For the elderly or frail a strength of 1% is generally used also. If you chose to use EO's on either of the previous mentioned I highly recommend contacting a primary care provider prior to using EO's on them. 2% is good for full body massages and lotions although I have gone as high as 4% for my husband due to muscle strains and need to massage and treat at the same time. 5% is good for small area or spot treatments as a rule of thumb. 

To mix a one ounce bottle the best tip I have seen is to fill a one ounce bottle up to where the bottle starts to curve. Then add your EO with a dropper so you can control the number of drops better. 

1% concentration is 5-6 drops/one ounce

2% concentration is 10-12 drops/ounce

3% concentration is 15-18 drops/ounce 

4% concentration is 20-24 drops/ounce

5% concentration is 25-30 drops/ounce

To do a compress you can use 5 drops in 1/4 c. water

A bath is 3-15 drops in a warm, not hot bath

If you are making a mouth rinse use 1-2 drops EO in 1/4 c. water

Using as an inhalant is 3-5 drops in a bowl of steaming water (not to be used for an asthma attack)

Sitz bath 3-4 drops in a bowl large enough to sit in, fill with cool/warm water

Neat 1 drop direct application 

In a aromatherapy nebulizer, 4-6 drops and diffuse

You can use more than one EO by just dividing between the oils until you achieve the amount of drops needed. 

Some oils that we use neat are lavender, peppermint, tea tree oil but using any oil neat can cause irritations, rashes, burns or allergic reactions so while we use them that way, I recommend getting professional advice first. 

Hopefully this gives a nice way for those of you that use EO's to use them more effectively, extend the life of your EO's and, like me, enjoy your essential oils more appropriately with less chance to cause harm from oils that may cause adverse effects. This works well for our household so I thought I would share so that others that are just beginning and not sure how to mix their oils can get a good jumping off point to doing so. 

Enjoy!!

For links to some of the oils listed above click on the picture. 

                   

 

Disclaimer: Please understand that this information is for educational purposes only. I am a mom, I am not a doctor, I enjoy passing on the knowledge I have learned in doing these types of projects and through my research. The statements made here have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and they are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure or prevent any disease. Don’t take my word for it…you should always engage conventional wisdom and consult with your medical professional to determine potential drug interactions and safety of use. Always when using essential oils for a medical condition or if on prescribed or over the counter drugs, seek advice from a medical professional (DR./PA/NP/Naturopath/pharmacist) on whether the oils will cause potential adverse reactions. 

These practices are what work for me and my family, if you chose to take and use them I encourage you take my research and do some of your own prior to using the tips I give. While I do a lot of research when putting these posts out it generally fits into what I would do with and for my family. If you have specific issues, allergies or conditions these practices may not work or may be detrimental to what you are intending to do for yourself. Again, I encourage wisdom and discussions with your healthcare provider to determine safe use of all posts that I provide that can be used for health reasons. 

Massage Oil Recipes

Who doesn't love a good massage?? I know I do, I also bring my own blends with me when I go, so when a friend told me if I made some she would help me sell them I was thrilled. Catch is this would be for Kiddos with special health care needs and their families. That poses a challenge to make sure I came up with good blends that were safe for them. Those who have done essential oils (EO's) for any amount of time can tell you some EO's cause reactions, some carrier oils pose risks to those with certain allergies. In some cases you can't know everything that will cause reactions, but just having a general knowledge base is good in helping identify things that may or may not work on you or your kiddo when using these.   

Along with the research, I really believe in Andrea's (from Frugally sustainable ) practice of selling something, but also sharing the recipe to allow others to make their own if they want. I love that I can grab recipes from her and learn why those ingredients do what they do. Even if I buy from her I have an understanding of why the ingredients she uses are in there.  I love that, I make better decisions on what to use and why. With that being said I will share that same information with you so you can use the carrier oils that benefit you most. 

My family has very few sensitivities and allergies so those don't always tend to be on my mind when I make a lot of the products I do. I forget that when looking for just a carrier oil things need to be taken into consideration. I will break down the few carrier oils that may cause issues with certain allergies and why. Hopefully this also can help some that have found they are sensitive to certain products but don't know why. I do want to note that while these oils may cause a reaction, I didn't find many that had a full blown anaphylactic reaction (in most cases) cause by their allergy to any of oils I am listing, more so it was some type of skin reaction. 

CARRIER OILS THAT MAY CAUSE ISSUES*;

Those with nut allergies should be aware of the following;

Sweet almond oil- One of the most popular with massage therapists, this is very commonly used. Sweet almond oil is made by pressing the dried kernels or nuts of the almond tree. This is the same tree that the almonds we eat come from. Whole or ground they are usually known as just almonds, the "sweet" in the oil just differentiates between the edible kind as opposed to the bitter almond which is poisonous. People with tree nut allergies should know that this is applying nut oil. There are few documented allergic reactions (most were not severe if any at all) to this oil, although there is concern that people have been noticing reactions to this oil who have tree nut allergies. 

Coconut oil**- a VERY popular oil to use in a lot of products right now. The FDA defines coconuts as a tree nut, and FAAN recommends speaking with your doctor if there is a concern for an allergic reaction. FAAN also has said this is actually classified as a seed not a nut so they are not against it's use if you have a tree nut allergy. Being that this was classified as a tree nut there is a lot of differing ideas out there about if it is safe. Other allergy experts have said this is from the palm tree and is concidered a seed not a nut and has been deemed safe. Botanists have classified this as a dry drupe which is a fruit with a hard stony covering. So do your research (if not just for the interesting discussions as to what a coconut is) and always be aware to check if the coconut oil you are using is made in a factory that also does tree nut products. 

**I know this one isn't on the "do not use" list for tree nut allergies, but it is one that comes up so I thought I would give some information for you to make your own decision about using this oil. 

Shea butter- FAAN and the FDA both classify this as a tree nut. Shea butter is extracted from the nut of the African Shea tree. It is thick and usually not used alone in massage oils but added for it's moisturizing properties. To my knowledge there is no documented cases of allergic reactions to Shea butter which is likely because the proteins left after made into an oil for skin care products is lower than just eating the nut itself. Being it's the proteins that cause the allergic reaction that would help to keep the allergy levels down. However, there are people who find that they have reactions to this and so I need to put this in. While it may not cause a reaction at first, using it for periods of time, like in a massage oil, may cause a reaction with more use. In products with higher doses it may cause the skin to become very itchy. 

Those with an allergy to Latex;

Shea butter- As stated above this is from the nut of the African Shea tree. This one I have actually found stories of people that, with repeated use and having a latex allergy, have had to take Benadryl to curb the allergic reaction they have had. In published medical literature it's hard to find anyone that has done an actual study with pure vs. blended Shea butter and what issues have arisen and if it is indeed from pure Shea butter or blends. There is enough people that have complained of issues though to make sure I post that this may be an issue if you have a latex allergy. While the Shea nut is not genetically related to the rubber plant who's sap is used to make latex products, a latex-type substance has been identified in some Shea butters. So if you have a latex allergy be aware that Shea butter may cause you to have issues, if not an allergic reaction if you are not aware of this. 

Avocado oil- WebMD states "people who are sensitive to latex can have an allergic reaction to avocado". Avocados contain certain enzymes called chitinases that are associated with the latex-fruit allergy syndrome. If you have a latex allergy you can very likely have an allergic reaction to this fruit due to the chitinase enzymes. 

* Note this list isn't exhaustive, I have just used some of the most popular carrier oils and ones that I found had people that had issues with the oils. There were other allergy possibilities listed but not enough documentation of people having issues to warrant mention. Always do a patch skin test before using any product if you have an allergy or skin sensitivity. Also note that it may take a few times being exposed to something to cause a reaction. 

Now that we have covered those lets get onto some carrier oils and their benefits shall we??

Sweet Almond oil- One of the most popular massage oils used. This is slightly oily which allows hands to glide easily, while absorbed fairly quickly it's not so quick you need to constantly reapply. Reasonably priced and generally doesn't cause skin irritation. 

Apricot Kernel oil- similar in texture and color to sweet almond oil but is slightly more costly. This is rich in vitamin E so naturally has a longer shelf life than other oils. This is absorbed well like sweet almond oil so you don't have as much of a "greasy" feeling afterward. This is a good alternative for people with nut allergies that want to stay away from sweet almond oil. 

Jojoba oil- this is made from the wax extracted from the seed of the jojoba plant. Due to the potential antibacterial properties of jojoba it is a good option for those that are prone to acne. It also contains long chain wax esters that closely resemble skin sebum. This also has a longer shelf life than other oils making it a good choice if you don't use your oils much. Being that this oil is usually non-irritating it makes a great oil, however it is more pricey than other oils, and is so silky and quickly absorbed that it is best mixed with other carrier oils. 

Sunflower oil- this light non-greasy oil won't leave skin feeling oily. It is rich in the essential fatty acid linoleic acid, along with palmitic and stearic acid which are all components of healthy skin. HOWEVER Sunflower oil goes rancid fairly quickly and should be mixed with pure vitamin E oil to help extend the shelf life. 

Avocado oil- this heavier oil is usually mixed with a lighter massage oil. While usually pretty expensive this oil has quite a few potential health benefits when used as a massage oil. It can be used to help psoriasis (usually combined with Vit. B12), healing wounds, promoting hair growth and other conditions. 

Coconut oil- composed of medium chain length fatty acids, or triglycerides MCT's, it has multiple health benefits along with being anti fungal and antibacterial in nature. Great moisturizer, light and not as greasy as some oils. 

I made these then put them on notes with each recipe underneath. Some of the recipes I made for my friend to use on the kiddos (EO free), also she asked for them to be lighter so I went with these;

3 oz. Apricot Kernel oil

1 oz. Jojoba (moisturizing, antibacterial)

(Carries a warning for latex allergies)

3 oz. Apricot Kernel oil

1 oz. Avocado (for the healing properties)

Lighter weight

2 oz. Apricot Kernel oil

2 oz. Grapeseed oil (absorbs quicker so needs to be mixed with something a little longer lasting)

For my friend and her family I did a couple blends just for them, those include;

Relaxing

1/2 oz. Jojoba oil

1/2 oz. Apricot Kernel oil

15 drops Lavender EO

3 drops Chamomile EO

Sore muscles/cold relief

1.5 oz. Coconut oil

.25 oz. Avocado oil

.25 oz. Jojoba oil

10 drops Peppermint EO

10 drops Lavender EO

5 drops Rosemary EO

Sore muscle relief 

.25 oz. Jojoba oil

.75 oz. Apricot kernel oil

9 drops Peppermint EO

6 drops Cajaput EO (remember that this causes a mild skin reaction which produces a warming action, some slight redness may be noted)

5 drops Camphor EO

If you add about 3 Tablespoons beeswax/1 oz. of oil you can make a "lotion" or closer to what looks like a salve out of any of the above mixes. If you would like softer add a little less, harder a little more. If you are using ones with EO's in them make sure that you add the EO's after melting the oils and beeswax together first, then poor into a glass container. All oils should be stored in an amber or blue bottle to keep the integrity and those that haven't been listed as longer lasting and won't be used in a short period of time you can add 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon of vitamin E oil to help lengthen the shelf time. I generally try to use mine within 6 months to keep the integrity of the oils and EO's intact. All the above recipes with the oils I have listed shouldnt need extra vitamin E added being they have a longer shelf life. 

I will be making more so watch for new recipes later, for now these are a few to get you started. Make your own and bring them with to your next massage!!! Add Essential Oils (EO's) to any of the plain mixes to create your own favorite scents!! :) Remember that using citrus oils may cause photo toxicity and it is advisable to wait 24 hrs after placing citrus oils on your skin prior to exposing that area of skin to the sun. Also if you mix your own and bring them with for massages, write down the ingredients to ensure your massage therapist is ok using those oils and combinations so you don't inadvertently cause issues with the person trying to help you out!! :)

Again, you can visit my Amazon Affliliate estore and go under the 'Massage Oils' category to find most of the products I have listed here easily and quickly. Amazon is awesome in supporting bloggers and allowing us to not increase your costs, but get benefits to help us out in our endeavors to bring new products, ideas and make new creative ways to do every day things at a lower overall cost to you than conventional stores!! I am currently using all benefits I receive to bring (hopefully) monthly giveaways to those who visit my blog and Facebook page. Currently, I am giving away all the products needed to make my DIY Tiger Balm (giveaway link). I would love to be able to do more of things like that so using my store enables me to cut some of my costs to do that. Thank you so much for all that have and continue to support me in that manner!!

I am also affiliated with Piping Rock here is some of the products you can obtain from them also!

Disclaimer: Please understand that this information is for educational purposes only. I am a mom, I am not a doctor, I enjoy passing on the knowledge I have learned in doing these types of projects and through my research. The statements made here have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and they are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure or prevent any disease. Don’t take my word for it…you should always engage conventional wisdom and consult with your medical professional to determine potential drug interactions and safety of use.