INHALATION
Use a diffuser to fully appreciate the fresh, fragrant and healing aromas of your favourite essential oils by adding 4 – 8 drops to water. This is one way of effectively diffusing essential oils by vaporizing them into a fine mist in a wide range of spaces.
For direct inhalation, breathe directly from the bottle, but avoid touching your nose or mouth.
Using roll-ons, shake before use. To inhale, roll on palms of hands and rub, cup palms over nostrils and inhale deeply. You can also apply on the forehead, temples, chest, back of the neck, or soles of feet.
Add 2-3 drops of essential oils to a bowl or facial steamer of hot steamy water. Place a towel over your head and inhale deeply for 10 minutes. The essential oil molecules are absorbed via your respiratory system into your body.
MASSAGE
Dilute 3-5 drops of pure or blended essential oils in a teaspoon or 15 ml carrier oil/cream/lotion, use as a rub to your feet, back, or other desired body areas.
Using Muscle & Joint Pain Relief Blend, apply a moderate amount to the painful or affected area. Gently massage onto the skin until fully absorbed. To maximize the benefits try to keep the area with a warm towel about 5 minutes after the application.
WARM COMPRESS
To make a warm compress, add 4 to 6 drops of your choice of essential oil in 500 ml of warm water. Then soak your folded piece of material, bandage or small towel, on top of the water. Judiciously apply the compress on the body area being treated. This enables an increased blood flow and promotes healing.
BATH SOAK
Add 8 to 10 drops of your favourite essential oils to your bathtub to warm, soothe, and relax your body and mind. Soaking in warm water can also help relax muscles and loosen stiff joints. Do not add the oils to a running water as they will evaporate faster. Add the oils after you have run the bath and gently mix by hand.
SAFETY GUIDELINE
1. Always keep the bottle's oil tightly closed and keep them out of reach of children.
2. Never put oils in your ears, eyes or nose.
3. Do not use essential oils undiluted on your skin. They contain very concentrated properties of the herb or plant they are derived from.
4. Do not expose skin that has had photosensitive oils applied to it within the last 12 hours to sunlight. Examples of photosensitive oils are citrus oils such as Bergamot, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime, Orange and Tangerine.
5. Certain essential oils should be avoided during pregnancy and while breast-feeding namely Basil, Clary Sage, Clove, Juniper, Marjoram, Myrrh, Peppermint, Rosemary, Thyme, Cedarwood, Wintergreen, Oregano, Clove, Nutmeg, Bay, Spikenard, Tarragon, Hyssop, Myrrh.
6. Driving if using essential oils to scent the car, avoid those that could make you feel so relaxed you are in danger of losing concentration. Avoid chamomile roman, geranium, lavender, marjoram, neroli, petitgrain, sandalwood, spikenard, and ylang-ylang.
7. For people with epilepsy, the following essential oils should be avoided by those people prone to epileptic fits or those who may have a predisposition to epilepsy: fennel, hyssop, rosemary, sage, and wormwood.
8. It is recommended that people with high blood pressure avoid using the following essential oils: hyssop, rosemary, sage, and thyme.
9. People with kidney disease should avoid using fennel and juniper.
PROTECTING YOUR OILS
❖ Do not leave oils in extreme temperatures (hot cars, freezer, near windows)
❖ Do not place oils in direct sunlight
❖ Do not leave the lids off your oil bottles (this will speed up the oxidation causing the oil to lose its potency.)
❖ Do not boil or heat your oils in any way to distribute them aromatically. They will lose all therapeutic value
RECOMMENDED DILUTION RATES
❖ 0.5% – for people with sensitive skin, those with eczema & children under the age of 2
❖ 1% – children 2 – 6 years old, adults over 65, pregnant women (only with oils considered safe during pregnancy), for a full body massage and people with long-term health issues or immune system disorder.
❖ 2% – Most common dilution ~ skincare, bath & body blends & blends used on a daily basis.
❖ 3% – acute health concerns such as pain relief or cold & flu that are used for short periods of time and on small areas of the body and for body mists.
❖ 4 ~ 5 % – skin healing issues such as cuts (CAUTION), burns, sores and ulcers, insect repellent, hand sanitizer or when the blend will be used on small areas of the body such as perfume, roller balls, ointments & for a stronger body mist, or linen & room sprays.