5 WAYS TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are the highly concentrated version of the natural oils in plants. They are made through the process of distillation of parts of certain plants like leaves, herbs, barks, and rinds. There are several ways to extract essential oils: steam distillation, water distillation, a combination of the two, and cold pressing. They can be very helpful if you know how to use them the right way.
Always check the labels and ask your doctor if you’re not sure if they’re good for you to use.
Massage And Body Oils
Every essential oil has its own properties, that’s why choosing the right essential oil(s) is very important to reach the effect wanted. By combining them with the carrier oil of your choice, you will be able to use them as body oil or massage oil.
The common uses of massage oils are:
- Muscle relaxation
- Stress relief
- Sleeping problems
- Body and mind energizer
To create your own oil blend, you can mix one or two essential oils with similar properties to one carrier oil.
Recommended dilution: between 10 and 20 drops of Essential Oil by ounce of carrier oil.
Facial Creams, Lotions and Oils
You can make your own facial treatments or buy unscented lotions in which you would add the essential oils or your choice according to the effect desired, your type of skin or the topical problems you encounter.
The common essential oils used in facial treatments are:
- Tea Tree Essential Oil for skin problem
- Lavender Essential Oil to balance combination skin
- Geranium Essential Oil to prevent from aging effects
- Citrus Essential Oil for oily skin
- Cedarwood Essential Oil for dry and sensitive skins
Recommended dilution: between 3 to 10 drops of Essential Oil by ounce of lotion/cream.
Baths
When you run a warm bath, add 3 to 10 drops of essential oil in a bath gel or directly in the water and stir gently before immersing yourself for about 30 minutes or more and relax. The essential oil will penetrate your skin and as you relax in the warm water.
The common effects of essential oils in bath:
- Reduce stress
- Relax muscles and stiffness
- Stimulate lymph and blood circulation
- Improve skin health and aspect
- Help with sleeping issues and fatigue
Inhalations and Face Steaming
The simple smells of some essential oils such as lavender, chamomile, and rosewater may help keep you calm. You can breathe in or rub diluted versions of these oils on your skin.
Recommended dilution: Add 3 to 5 drops of essential oils to a bowl of steaming water and stir. Cover your head with a towel and inhale vapor of the essential oils blend for up to 10 minutes. Repeat several times a day if necessary.
Diffusion
Depending on diffuser type, use as directed.
The common effects of essential oils in diffusion:
- Room ambiance
- Stress reduction
- Mood enhancement
- Air purification
Do and Don’t
- DON’T keep your oils more than 3 years
- DON’T use internally
- DON’T rub them anywhere (even diluted)
- DON’T use on damaged skin
- DON’T forget to store them safely away from children and from sunlight
- DON’T overdo it
- DO ask your doctor if you are pregnant or have any medical condition
- DO dilute them, always
- DO consider age (some essential oils may affect children and/or elderly)
- DO stop use if irritation, burning, itchiness or swollen occur
- DO respect dosage
Disclaimer: Cocojojo’s information and articles are for reference purposes only and are not intended to substitute the advice given by a pharmacist, physician, or any other licensed health-care professional. Our products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any health condition or disease. All our products are for external use only. Unless your Medical Doctor allow you to use this product it should not be used by anyone who is pregnant or under the care of a medical practitioner.