How to Use Essential Oils

1: Safe Use Of Essential Oils

Throughout recorded history cultures from all over the world have used botanicals as healing agents - with safe and predictable outcomes. However, as modern lifestyles have evolved, a greater reliance on laboratory technology has replaced the interest in (and understanding of) natural therapies that use therapeutic plants.

We believe that aromatherapy offers us an important component of a return to an original, holistic, gentle and effective means of self care. essential oils are highly concentrated, therapeutic agents which require respect and basic understanding of their applications.

However it is important to remember that therapeutic essential oils are used in increments of drops, and 'less can be more' when working with pure aromatherapy oils. If you are under the supervision of a health care professional, please consult them before using aromatherapy essential oils.

Bearing this in mind, essential oils can be used by almost everyone, depending on the oil and the dilution. Generally, they are used externally in about 2% dilution in a carrier massage oil such as organic sweet almond, jojoba, sesame or sunflower. A lower percentage is recommended for children and the elderly. Below are some guidelines for use with babies and children.

0-6 MONTHS: The only oils that should be used are lavender, Roman Camomile, and a small amount of Clary Sage. Add 1 drop of oil to 2 tsp of Sweet Almond Oil or jojoba oil for a massage, or use in an aromatherapy diffuser. For a perfect blend which is 100% certified organic try Oshadhi Floral Baby Oil.

6-12 MONTHS: Use only camomile, Roman Camomile, lavender, mandarine, neroli and rose.

1-6 YEARS: You can introduce orange, coriander, palmarosa and tea tree.

7-12 YEARS: Most of the commonly used aromatherapy essential oils are now suitable but at a quarter of the dosage used with adults.

For considerations regarding specific essential oils, please refer to the contraindications section in our product descriptions. Always keep essential oils of out the reach of children, and away from your eyes.

2. Methods of Using Essential Oils

Bath

Essential oils can be used in a bath for therapeutic or simply pleasurable purposes. The essential oil can be added directly to the bath, or it can be diluted in a tablespoon of vegetable oil, a teaspoon of honey, or half a cup of milk. (Honey and milk are excellent emulsifiers and will help the aromatherapy essential oil to disperse in the water, while adding a touch of luxury). The safest oils for everyone to use in the bath are Lavender and Chamomile because of their gentle non-irritant qualities. If you want to experiment with others, watch out for oils that may be irritant or photosensitising when in direct contact with the skin. Remember the oil is not dispersed and diluted in the water; it is at full strength, so go carefully, one drop at a time. Safety first!

Use up to eight drops of your chosen essential oil or blend. Run the bath as usual, and add the essential oil (or mixture) to the water. Keep the bathroom door closed to ensure that the aroma does not disperse. Swish the water around vigorously before getting in.

If you are using Oshadhi Floral Bath Oils, add a couple of capfuls to the running water shortly before the bath has filled.

Chest Rub

There are many essential oils which have a clearing effect and are recommended to support the respiratory system. Among these are eucalyptus, fir, rosemary, and Spike Lavender. Prepare a blend of 10-20 drops of essential oil in 30ml of carrier oil and rub on the chest and upper back.

Compress

A compress is a clean, damp, folded cloth that has been infused with essential oils and is then applied to the problem area. A compress can be either cold or warm, depending on the purpose. Fill a small bowl with water, add 2-5 drops of essential oil. Stir briskly, soak the cloth, wring, and apply. Repeat this procedure as needed.

Diffusers

You can completely transform the character of a room in just a few minutes using a few drops of a favourite essential oil or synergy blend in one of our diffusers. aromatherapy diffusers are also ideal for cleansing and purifying the air.

Aromatherapy diffusers disperse essential oils into the room in a number of different ways. The preferred method does not heat the essential oil, but uses a fan to pass cool air through a pad which has been impregnated with the essential oil. You can use 4-8 drops of essential oil on the pad (Spa Scenter, Mio), or 25 drops or more in an Oshadhi Professional Aromatherapy Microdiffuser. Use 3-5 drops with warming diffusers (Aroma Shell, Car Scenter). Refresh as needed.

Direct Application

Some essential oils such as lavender and tea tree can be applied directly to the skin to soothe minor insect bites, scratches and burns.

Foot and Hand Bath

When your feet feel good, you feel good all over - and the feet are a very important area in aromatherapy. This is both because of their reflex points that affect every area of the body, and because the skin on the feet absorbs essential oils rapidly.

The value of foot baths has been recognised for hundreds of years. They are a wonderful way to pamper yourself, and are very practical in situations where a full aromatherapy bath is not possible; for example for the disabled and elderly or for people who only have a shower in their flat.

Hand baths can be soothing for people with aching joints.

Use 2-4 drops of your chosen essential oil in a bowl of water. Cool water revives, and warm water relaxes.

Gargle

First thoroughly mix the essential oil in a teaspoon of honey. Then dilute with warm water until the honey is dissolved. Gargle with a small amount and spit out. Use 1-2 drops per 30 ml of warm water.

Inhalation and Steam Inhalation

Sprinkle a few drops of an aromatherapy oil onto a handkerchief or tissue, and inhale as required.

Alternatively add three drops of your essential oil to a bowl of steaming water. Cover your head with a large towel, close your eyes, put your face above the water and inhale deeply. Repeat as required.

Massage

aromatherapy massage is one of the best ways to experience aromatherapy essential oils, combining as it does the benefit of touch and the therapeutic effect of the essential oils. Massage relaxes muscles and improves circulation and lymph flow, soothes physical tension and relieves mental stress.

Essential oils should always be diluted in a good quality carrier oil before applying to skin. The normal dilution is about 10-20 drops of essential oil to 50ml of carrier oil. Sensitive skin may require half this concentration, or even less.

Oshadhi Massage Oils are wonderfully rich blends, created for specific purposes, with a full 10-13% component of essential oil. You can dilute them if desired.

You may enjoy creating your own massage oil by combining approximately 5ml of your favourite Oshadhi Synergy Blend with 200 ml of Oshadhi Organic Carrier Oil such as sweet almond, hazelnut, or sunflower.

Mouthwash

The antiseptic and antibacterial effect of aromatherapy essential oils can be perfect for freshening the breath and to help maintain healthy gums, etc. Simply add a few drops of an essential oil to a cup of water, and swill around the mouth. Do not swallow.

Sauna

To refresh the sauna and to enjoy the therapeutic effects of the essential oil, mix five drops of your chosen essential oil in one cup of water and pour over the hot rocks. Alternatively you may like to try one of our floral sauna blends. Simply pour a couple of undiluted capfuls over the rocks, lie back and relax

Scented Pillow

One or two drops of an aromatherapy oil on a pillow case or on a tissue inside the pillow case is a wonderful way to enjoy the soothing and therapeutic effect of the essential oils. Take care not to get the oil in your eyes!

Essential Oils at Work

The Mio Personal Aromatherapy Diffuser, will help you enjoy aromatherapy while you work. Who knows, it might even mellow out your boss too!

Essential Oils on the Road

Take a Mio Personal Aromatherapy Diffuser and let Oshadhi aromatherapy oils help to make any hotel room a little more like home.

3. Synergy Blends

Aromatherapy essential oils often produce more powerful therapeutic effects when blended together. These blends of pure essential oils are known as synergies.

Our synergies are blends of 100% pure aromatherapy essential oils. Try them with a carrier oil in an aromatherapy massage; add a few drops to a bath; or use with aromatherapy diffusers and essential oil burners - there are endless opportunities for benefiting from the therapeutic properties of aromatherapy blends.

4. Methods Of Using Hydrolates

A true aromatherapy hydolate (or aromatherapy hydrosol) is the water that is collected when plants are steam distilled for their essential oils.

Hydrolates (also referred to as flower waters, and hydrosols) have a delicate nature and a light aroma. They are ideal for situations that require gentle aromatic care, especially for children, the elderly, the highly sensitive, and those who are very debilitated by illness. They do not require dilution and can be applied directly to the skin.

Here are some of their most popular uses and some that you may not have encountered before!

5. Medicinal Uses of Essential Oils

According to the Laws governing the sale of essential oils, there are very strict guidelines concerning what we as vendors of essential oils can claim about the medicinal properties of the products that they sell. While we are happy to abide by these guidelines, we would like to point out that authors of books on aromatherapy are not subject to the same constraints, and there are many books available which have a wealth of information about essential oils and their known effects in all areas of life.

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