Understand that essential oils are not the same as perfumes.
Most perfumes are made from synthetic ingredients, even when their packaging claims that they are "natural" fragrances. If you're planning to buy an oil for therapeutic purposes, be sure to check the bottle for the words "essential oil."
Remember that essential oils are highly concentrated.
Just a drop or 2 of most essential oils will be more than enough to produce the desired effect. An essential oils will be more than enough to produce the desired effect. An essential oil represents a very powerful concentration of terpenes.
Add Essential Oils to Carrier Oils.
Essential oils are so concentrated, they can cause skin irritation and other adverse effects if you apply them directly to your skin. Always dilute your essential oils by adding 2-3 drops to carrier oil to 1 part essential oil.
Beware that essential oils can eat through plastic.
Use only glass bottles with metal lids to store your oils, and only a ceramic or glass bowl to create a blend.
Test your skin for sensitivity before using an essential oil.
It is always wise to do a skin test before using an essential oil, just as you would with any kind of topical medication. Add a drop of essential oil to a teaspoon of a carrier oil or to a cream, wax, or another diluting substancem and then rub a little of the solution on the inside of your upper arm. Wait for a few hours and see if redness or a rash develoos. If nothing happens, you are ready to use the diluted oil more liberally. If you do develop redness, you have a sensitivity to this particular essential oil, and you should refrin from using it on your skin.
Not all essential oils are safe for children.
You should rarely use an undiluted essential oil on your own skin, and you should never use one on a child's because the absorption rate through a child's skin is much faster than through an adult's. For a child, you'll need only half the amount of essential oil recommended for an adult. To be sure that an oil is safe for your child, consult the precautions here.
Avoid topical use of lavender essential oil and tea tree essential oil on prepubescent boys - these oils' high hormonal-trigger content can cause boys in this age group to grow breasts.
Avoid essential oils during the first trimester of pregnancy, and consider avoiding them throughout your pregnancy.
As you will read over and over in this book, essential oils are natural, but many of them are not recommended for use while you're pregnant - and no essential oil should be used during the first trimester. Always look for warnings about pregnancy and nursing.
Treat your essential oils the way you would treat an over-the-counter medication.
Keep them away from childre, use them only as directed, and store them in a cool, dry place awat from direct sunlight. Many of your essential oils will last for years - the bottle you buy today could still be with you a decade or more from now, and it will retain its full strength. The longevity of an effective essential oil makes that oil a particularly good choice for inclusion in an emergency-preparedness kit.
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