Using Essential Oils for Healthy Living

If you are going to use essential oils on your skin it is best to first dilute them in a carrier. Water is not a carrier for essential oils being applied to the skin. Carriers include: organic oil light lotion cream Below are some general dilution guidelines: 1% Dilution 1 oz (30 ml) — 5 to 6 drops 2 oz (60 ml) — 10 to 12 drops 2% Dilution 1 oz (30 ml) — 10 to 12 drops 2 oz (60 ml) — 20 to 24 drops 3% Dilution 1 oz (30 ml) — 15 to 18 drops 2 oz (60 ml) — 30 to 36 drops Below is how  you choose which dilution to use: 1% Dilution  — Use for children under 12, and seniors over 65, pregnant women and people with long-term illnesses or immune system disorders. A 1% dilution is also a good place to start with individuals who are generally sensitive to fragrances, chemicals or other environmental pollutants. 2% Dilution  — Use for general health supporting blends such as skin care, natural perfumes, bath...

Once you start incorporating essential oils into your daily routine you will begin to benefit greatly from the healing properties essential oils offer. The correct storage conditions is imperative for keeping your oils vibrant. Storage is actually easy. Just keep your oils tightly capped in a dark glass container, out of the sun, in a cool place. I store my oils in the refrigerator. When essential oils are stored cold, their shelf life increases. How can you tell if your oils have begun to oxidize? it will appear cloudy it will be thicker it will smell more acidic It is also important to note that different types of essential oils have different in general shelf lives. If your essential oil has been received shortly after distillation and the glass bottle is dark, kept full, closed, and cold a few generalizations can be made. The following oils will keep approximately 1 to 2 years from distillation: Distilled Lime ( Citrus aurantifolia ) Orange ( Citrus sine...

Have you noticed there is a Latin name for each plant listed for every oil? The importance here is that the Latin name identifies the exact type of essential oil in your bottle. Here is a short introduction to plant identification: The Latin name or botanical name is the most precise way to identify a particular plant. Many plants have several species. For example Lavender has many different species like angustifolia or latifolia. Each species of Lavender has different aromas and different therapeutic qualities. We can know which essential oil is in the bottle by what is written on the bottle. The label must include the Latin name so you can be sure from what species your Lavender comes from. The importance here is that different Lavender species have different chemical makeups and different therapeutic properties and safety considerations. The Latin name on your essential oil bottle is always Italicized.  Here  are some more common oils and their Latin names: ...