How to use essential oils Essential oils are powerful, concentrated substances that can be used in a variety of ways to bring deep healing, but they must be used safely. Nearly every essential oil MUST be diluted prior to application. It’s important to remember that even everyday herbs become potent medicines when they are steam distilled and their most volatile oils are captured to create essential oils. The most common form of delivery for essential oils is skin application. The skin absorbs the oils and their carriers which are then circulated to every part of the body. Oftentimes, it takes only a very small amount of the active compounds to begin a molecular reaction, bringing the desired healing result. To avoid skin sensitization and overdose, the standard dilution of essential oils to carrier oil is 2.5%. This dilution is equal to 15 drops per ounce of carrier oil. Also, most citrus oils are photo-toxic and should not be applied before exposure to sunlight. When using oils on children and pregnant women, the maximum safe dilution is 1% and only a certain subset of oils are considered safe for use. This is due to the still-developing nature of the infants’ and childrens’ organs and body. Children often react quickly to even the smallest amount of oils. Another popular way of reaping the benefits of essential oils is through inhalation. Essential oil molecules instantly reach your body when inhaled and they are some of the few substances on earth that can pass the blood brain barrier, causing near instantaneous changes in brain function. Essential oils may also be used in body, sitz and foot baths, and in the sauna. Below is a listing of the maximum safe dosage of essential oils for adults. If you are pregnant, nursing, or are on medication, it is best to consult your doctor, or an aromatherapist and do some research on the oils you plan to use. -To apply essential oils to the body, add 15 drops of total essential oil to 1 ounce (or 2 tablespoons) of a carrier oil (such as almond, jojoba or safflower oil). Or, 3 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil. Certain oils, such as cinnamon, must be diluted to extremely low quantities if being applied to the skin and are often best left off the skin entirely and used in diffusion. To test for sensitization or allergy, dilute the essential oil and put a small amount on your inner elbow. Discontinue use if irritation occurs. -To add essential oils to the bath, add the oils to milk or oil or salt so that they may disperse in the water. Use a maximum of 8 drops per bath and 2-6 drops for a foot bath. -To inhale essential oils, you may use them in a diffuser or simply place a drop on a tissue -As a compress, put 1-2 drops of essntial oil in a bowl of warm water. saok washcloth in water, ring out excess water and apply to injured area -For a room spray, add 10-15 drops of essential oil to alcohol or water, shake and spray   How many plants does it take to make an essential oil? Essential oils vary widely in cost due to the complexity of harvest and the amount and type of plant material it takes to produce its essential oil. For example, citrus oils are made from the rind, which holds a large amount of volatile oil, and are easy to harvest. Therefore, they are relatively inexpensive. Rosemary needs approximately 60 lbs of plant material to make a pound of essential oil. To make an ounce of Lavender essential oil, you need to harvest approximately 50 plants, or about 12 pounds of plant material. By contrast, it takes 60,000 rose petals to make one ounce of oil! Producing Jasmine essential oil requires that the blossoms be hand-picked on their first day of opening before the sun becomes hot, and it takes 250,000 blossoms to make an ounce of essential oil. Sandalwood is harvested from a tree that must be 30 years old and 30 feet high before it can be harvested for it’s essential oil. Even the most aromatic and easily harvested of substances requires many, many plants, fruits, seeds, flowers or stems to make each ounce of essential oil. These little bottles of oil hold thousands of plants from all over the globe! They truly are Nature’s most concentrated and powerful medicine.   Click here for our "Top Ten Most Useful Essential Oils"   Click here for an article and blends on "Nature's Antiseptics- Antimicrobial Essential Oils"   Click here for some simple, effective formulas using only 5 different essential oils!   Click here for info and blends concerning "The Mental and Emotional Uses of Essential Oils"   Click here for an overview of "Anointing Oils History and Use"