Do you know the reason why mixing essential oils with carrier oils is considered the safest route by experts? This is even more so for recipes that will be used directly to the body. While essential oils are known for their potency in delivering thousands of health benefits, each bottle usually contains highly concentrated oils which can cause adverse reactions when not diluted properly.
Essential oils have a high concentration of oils, and need to be diluted before they can be used on the skin. The best way to dilute them is by mixing them with carrier oils. While essential oils are very beneficial, they can cause side effects if not diluted properly. The best thing is to learn how to dilute the oils regardless of whether you plan on applying them directly to the body or not. Improper dilution can irritate the skin or cause allergic reactions.
This article will guide you on diluting your essential oils with carrier oils.
Why Proper Dilution Of Essential Oil Should Be A Priority
Ever wonder why essential oils are so beneficial? It’s because the highly concentrated nature of these oils must be diluted before they can be used on the skin.
Unfortunately, many people do not know how to accurately dilute these oils. This can create problems such as irritation and allergic reactions. Aside from sensitization or skin burning and discoloration, dermal sensitivity, headaches, irritation, and possibly even
nausea or breathing issues can result from an improper dilution of essential oils.
Also, some essential oils are also toxic when ingested. Think camphor, cassia, wintergreen and wormwood. When ingested in large quantities, they can create serious health problems such as laryngospasms, spasms of the diaphragm, and convulsions.
While essential oils are known for their potency in treating various ailments, they can do more harm than good if improperly diluted.
Safety First: Making Sure You Have Healthy Carrier Oil
When diluting essential oils, the most important thing to consider is the safety of the final product. Your carrier oils should have a low flammability rating and be free from contaminants, such as pesticides and herbicides. To ensure the safety of your final product, make sure that the carrier oils you choose have little to no history of allergic reactions about users.
Some of the popular and well known carrier oils are almond, Jojoba, coconut oil, and Olive Oil avocado oil, grapeseed oil, evening primrose oil, hazelnut oil, and many more. You may want to invest in a kit like the Carrier Oil gift set from Premium Nature that offers various carrier oils for you to check which one suits you best.
The Safe Formulas: The Best Way To Dilute Essential Oil With Carrier Oil
Keep in mind the following guidelines for diluting your essential oil with carrier oils.
- 0.25 Percent Dilution or 1 drop of essential oil per 4 teaspoons of carrier oil. This is considered the “kid-safe” dilution. While it can be used for young children, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before applying to your babies.
- 1 Percent Dilution or 1 drop of essential oil per 1 teaspoon of carrier oil (or 5 to 6 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil). This dilution is recommended safe for use to children 6 years and above, pregnant women, people with sensitive skin, and the elderly. It is also recommended for patients with pre-existing conditions duly approved by a healthcare provider. This dilution is also great for aromatherapy massage or when concocting lotions, rubs, salves, and cream.
- 2 Percent Dilution or 2 drops of essential oil per 1 teaspoon of carrier oil (or 10 to 12 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil). Recommended for most adults and in most aromatherapy and topical application
- 3 Percent Dilution or 3 drops of essential oil per 1 teaspoon of carrier oil (or 15 to 18 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil). Usually done for the treatment of temporary health issues and as a topical salve for injuries, muscle pains and respiratory problems.
- 25 Percent Dilution or 25 drops of essential oil per 1 teaspoon of carrier oil (or 125 to 150 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil). Best recommended for healthy adults with no known skin sensitivity. A patch test may prove to be wise before applying this dilution type to the skin or even in aromatherapy.
To dilute, simply put carrier oil of choice in an amber bottle then, slowly add essential oil of choice one drop at a time. Shake well and allow to sit for at least 48 hours in a warm dry place, away from the sun’s glare.
Or put carrier oil into a mixing bowl (usually made of clear glass for better observation) and
add essential oil one drop at a time until the desired dilution is reached.
For instance, try mixing a carrier oil like sweet almond oil with an essential oil like cinnamon oil and rub this mixture on your temples and neck to experience those well-known spice benefits.
Jasmine essential oils have a beautiful uplifting aroma, but because of their intoxicating influence, they should only be used by adults.
It is quite easy to learn how to dilute essential oil for use with a carrier oil especially if you follow the above guidelines.The most important aspect is to buy a good quality carrier oil. and essential oil. There are hundreds, if not thousands of different essential oils to choose from, so take your time exploring.
To get pure, natural, and therapeutic essential oils, look for companies that use CPTG (certified pure therapeutic grade) oils.
As always, perform a skin patch or patch test on the inside of your forearm before applying the essential oils directly to your skin .
Bottomline : Essential oils are incredibly beneficial to your health, but must be used properly to avoid adverse effects. Learning how to dilute essential oils with a carrier oil doesn’t have to be difficult – especially if you follow the formula and guideline provided above