by Irene Lewis

 

There are about 28 drops per ml of essential oil. The harder it is to extract or collect/the more pounds of plant it takes to collect the ml of essential oil, the more expensive the oil.

 

Ratio of drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil:

 

1% - 5 or 6 drops per ounce (1% recommended for pregnant women, children and health concerns)

2% - 10 to 12 drops per ounce

3% - 15 to 18 drops per ounce

4% - 20 to 24 drops per ounce

5% - 25 to 30 drops per ounce

 

Generally use: 

3-5% for salves or creams

2-3% for powders

2-5% for spritzers

1-3% for face care (standard skin care is a 2% dilution)

1-3% for hand or foot baths

2-5% for a liniment

1-3 drops in ¼ cup water for a mouth wash gargle

2-5 drops for steam inhalation

 

The American and English aromatherapists use smaller percentages of essential oils than do the French. The English usually use a 1-2% dilution while the French use 2-5% dilution. The French also will use up to a 10% dilution for severe, acute illnesses.

 

The following is a little bit of info on all the essential oils we carry in Scent Your Soul.

 

Bergamot: Mood elevator and balancer, antidepressant, anti-anxiety, can help w/ insomnia, calming, good for S.A.D., antiseptic, antiviral

 

Calendula: Broad spectrum antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, great for skin

 

Carrot: Moistens skin, improves skin elasticity, skin revitalizer, prevents wrinkling, can help precancerous skin conditions

 

Cedar, Atlas: Gently stimulating, energizing, can help with adrenal burnout, increases circulation, can reduce swelling, NOT TOPICALLY FOR PREGNANCY

 

Chamomile, Blue: Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-spasmodic, slows nerve firing so reduces nerve pain, anti-histamine

 

Cinnamon Cassia: Carminative, antiseptic, antidiarrheal, anti-spasmodic, astringent, antiviral, antibacterial

 

Clary Sage: Classic euphoric, antidepressant, anti-anxiety, good for PMS, S.A.D., helps reduce paranoia, panic attacks, calming and comforting, good for recovering from stimulant addiction, helps balance hormones

 

Clove: Numbs tissue, antibacterial, antiviral, carminative, expectorant, will increase blood supply to area, antiseptic, aphrodisiac

 

Eucalyptus, Globulus: Decongestant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, insect repellant

Eucalyptus, radiata A gentler eucalyptus, safer for children, elderly, powerful antiviral

 

Geranium, Rose: Effective antifungal, antimicrobial, helps prevent scarring, mild energizer, antidepressant (esp. S.A.D.), stimulating as well as sedating, hormone balancing, insect repellant

 

Ginger: Warming, aphrodisiac, antispasmodic, decreases gas & bloating, helps strengthen when fatigued, anti-inflammatory

 

Grapefruit: General energizer, can help with quitting stimulants (coffee, etc.) mood elevator, can help with the insomnia hangover, bile stimulator, a favorite of children, uplifting

 

Helichrysum: Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, stimulates cell regeneration, prevents scarring, good for injured skin, muscles, joints, mild antidepressant

 

Hyssop: Calming, refreshing, anti-anxiety, invigorating, can help clear a respiratory infection, warming, antiviral

 

Jasmine: Euphoric, anti-anxiety, deeply calming, mild antidepressant, helps process anger, helps calm PMS/Menopausal agitation, will help with insomnia

 

Lavender: Calming, relaxing, helps balance the nervous system, antiseptic, mildly sedative, good for cuts, burns, scrapes, bites, all skin complaints, cell regenerative, very helpful for tension and migraine headaches, analgesic, itch relieving

 

Lemon: Uplifting, refreshing, antidepressant, disinfectant, antiseptic, antiviral

 

Lemongrass: Antiviral, disinfectant, moderate antibacterial, sedative, regenerative, antifungal

 

Marjoram, Sweet: Carminative, smooth muscle antispasmodic, expectorant, disinfectant, anti-tussive, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal

 

Myrrh: Disinfectant, astringent, antiviral, antibacterial, reduces swollen, inflamed gums, antifungal, expectorant, mild anti-inflammatory

 

Neroli: Reduces anxiety, fear, irritability, deep seated depression, strengthen confidence & to see the positive, can help insomnia/nightmares

 

Orange: Orange is a basic scent, yang in energy, outgoing, antidepressant, disinfectant, antiviral, antibacterial, refreshing.

 

Oregano: Dilute this one, a bunch, can be aggravating to the skin. Great antimicrobial, antiseptic, expectorant, helps with parasites, stimulating and generally strengthening, antifungal

 

Peppermint: Reduces cramps, gas and bloating, relieve indigestion, mild diaphoretic, reduces nausea for many sources, increase bile secretion, antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, will improve blood flow to the area

 

Pine, Wild Scotch: Analgesic for joint pain, adrenal support, repels insects, antiseptic, antibacterial, expectorant, disinfectant, best for older coughs

 

Ravensara: Wonderful antiviral (great for flu), helpful for insomnia, expectorant, thins mucous

 

Rose Absolute: Great for working with grief, gentle mood elevator, antidepressant, softening, calms the nervous system, reduces anxiety, can help PMS & Menopausal depression, sometimes helps with S.A.D., aphrodisiac

 

Rosemary: Disinfectant (esp. for respiratory infections), clears mucus, helps digestion, antibacterial (good for gram positive bacteria like staph), energizing, aids circulation (diabetes), skin healer, energizing, clearing, antiviral

 

Sage: NOT FOR CHILDREN or PREGNANT WOMEN. Also not for any estrogen excess conditions – has estrogen like components. Another respiratory antiseptic, helps clear excess mucus, skin regenerative, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, astringent, antiviral, POTENT

 

Sandalwood: Endangered! However, some is being farmed. Use sparingly! Calming, grounding, gentle antibacterial, aphrodisiac, can help with insomnia, respiratory disinfectant, some expectorant actions

 

Tea Tree: Broad antibacterial – antiviral, antifungal, anti-infectious, excellent with lavender for acne, for any cuts/signs of infection, drying

 

Thyme, Linalol: Antimicrobial, this thyme is softer, ok for children, non-irritant

 

Thyme, Red Thymol: Energizing, stimulating, antimicrobial, warming, antispasmodic, antitussive

 

Vetiver: Not Eco-friendly! One pound of oil requires that TEN tons of soil be moved. Use sparingly. Strengthens adrenals, calming, can help with insomnia, reduce fear, tension, anxiety, aphrodisiac, very grounding

 

Ylang Ylang: Nervous system relaxant, mild antidepressant, helps with hormone related depression, reduce feelings of irritation, frustration, agitation, anger or fear, can help balance blood pressure and reduce heart palpitations, aphrodisiac, helps remind one of the sweet side of life

 

An additional note, all the suggestions in this compilation are conservative! As a retail store we are not allowed to offer additional information, although there is lots of it. If you want to take essential oils internally or use them neat (undiluted), you need to be consulting with a practioner! You can set up a consultation with one of our store herbalists or local herbalists in the community.

 

Sources:

 

Irene Lewis  Herbalist and Owner, Moonrise Herbs

Christa Sinadinos, Northwest School for Botanical Studies

Simplers Botanicals, Aromatherapy Guide

Julia Lawless, Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils