How Do I Choose an Essential Oil?
Depending on your needs, you should carefully choose which essential oil is best for you. Essential oils can be used in aromatherapy or even as a diluted topical cream for different skin breakouts. Most mood enhancing essential oils are used in aromatherapy for mental fatigue, stress, and anxiety. If physical uses are the focus of your needs, then using essential oils that help with rashes or acne problems would be more beneficial. It is important to use the proper essential oil or you may find yourself frustrated from inactivity.
Before choosing an essential oil that is perfect for you, doing research and reading articles related to several essential oils will help you decide. Some essential oils are better as mood enhancers. If you suffer from depression or low self esteem, certain essential oils will properly help lift your spirits and increase your mood so that you can be more active during the day. You can also ask a professional or qualified consultant to help you choose. A professional can help you choose which essential oil will quickly help your condition with the best efficiency.
After you choose an essential oil it is important to test it prior to using it. Essential oils should never be applied without testing a small area of the skin. The oils should also never be used without first diluting the extract. Essential oils are potent, so using them on the skin without diluting can cause a rash or burn. Conversely, dilute a small drop in a few milliliters of vegetable oil. Spread the essential oil cream on a small area of your skin and observe for twenty four hours. If your skin becomes irritated or red, then you may be allergic to that specific oil. Use this method even before burning essential oils for aromatherapy.
After checking for allergies, it is time to use the essential oils. There are several different methods that you can use. Below is a list of ways to inhale or apply the essential oils for the different therapeutic effects. It is important to use them the way they are intended for the best benefits.
Diffuser
A diffuser will allow you to inhale the essential oils. Put a few drops of essential oils into the diffuser with water. Some essential oils can be used just with the heat, so make sure to read the directions. A diffuser will evaporate the essential oils into the air, and most come with a timer so that they can be used while sleeping.
Dry Evaporation
Dry evaporation is a more simple way to inhale the essential oils. You can place a few drops on a cotton swap or tissue and allow it to evaporate into the air. If you need a quick, strong scent inhale the fragrance directly from the cotton swap. For a less potent effect, allow the essential oils to evaporate on the tissue or cotton swap and leave it in the general vicinity of where you will remain for about an hour.
Steam
Steam is a simple way to inhale the essential oil aroma. Place a few drops into a steaming bowl of water. The oils will quickly vaporize into the air. Place a towel over your head and place your head close to the steam and inhale. The fresh fragrance of the essential oils will penetrate your senses and help you feel refreshed.
I like to place a few drops into a steaming bowl of water. Works!
I love using them too great info thanks
I like your testing method with the vegetable oil, I will use that. I learned a lot reading this. I have been wanting to start using essential oils for a lot of reasons, but haven’t yet and one of the reasons was fear of allergy, so your information is very useful for me to get started. thanks
One of the essential oils I know I want to get is peppermint….not just because I like the scent, but because I see spiders don’t and they are the only ‘creatures’ I have in my house and I would like to get rid of them…but naturally.
I think I like the diffuser option. So many great scents to choose from too.
I’d like using essential oils with the steam, as I already do that for my clogged sinuses. Would be nice to be able to not only smell again, but smell something nice as they open up.
I think rather than trying one at a time, I’m going to get a variety pack and see what emerges as a favorite.
Most of the time I think I would just enjoy the fragrant aromas with no need for a medicinal use.
I love essential oils also. I have a diffuser I use a few times a week!
It makes sense to me that some, if not all, essential oils could be mood enhancing. I’ve read, and know from experience, that scents can recall memories. And since many memories can easily change your mood, I guess the oils could work on two different levels.
I am fairly new to using essential oils, but have heard wonderful things about them from people who are using them. I want to use them for calming properties, and the lavender has been working well for me.
I have never used essential oils before but I am interested in trying one. This article was a big help.
I just started using essential oils. I specifically rub peppermint oil on my sore muscles from my workouts. Peppermint is also a great energizer for my early morning workouts. I also mix frankenscense with tea tea oil to make an under eye cream. It works great. I really need to get a diffuser. I would love to diffuse citrus and lavender.
never used one
Thanks for the info. I am new to essential oils. I have a diffuser but I have never used it.
I love essential oils for diffusing and cleaning mostly. I just found a perfect mix for my diffuse I use mostly ginger eo and a little lemon eo and my house smells wonderful.
I enjoyed reading this as I am still a newbie on using essential oils, I often ask friends or other nana or mommy bloggers for help if I need it on choosing an essential oil for a particular cause.
@tisonlyme143
This is a great article! I would like to start using essential oils someday.