So I have Essential Oils, now what do I do with them? I know many of you have asked yourself that question when you first began to explore Aromatherapy. There is so much to learn! This is why I put together this simple guide to help get you started. Read all the way through,  as in the bottom of this page you will find specific information on how to dilute essential oils and more.

Suggested Uses

These are general guidelines. Every essential oil may not be suitable for some uses. Diluting essential oils is crucial when you apply essential oils to your skin. Do not take essential oils internally unless under the supervision of a Medical Doctor who is also qualified in clinical aromatherapy. Read more here. Essential oils should be stored in a cool, dark place, in dark amber or cobalt blue Glass bottles.

• Diffuser: Add up to 6 drops (depending on the size of the room) of essential oil blend to the well of your aroma lamp, be sure to add enough water. Follow the directions that came with the packaging of your diffuser.
• Therapeutic Bath Salts: Add 10-15 drops to 1 C. Epsom salt or sea salt and mix. Add 1 tbsp. castile or unscented soap + 1 tbsp carrier oil. Dissolve in bath water before getting in. Soak for 20 mins.**
• Milk Bath: Mix ½ cup powdered milk, ½ cup Epsom salts, ½ cup baking soda. Add 10 drops Essential Oils to mix. Dissolve in warm bath water. Or you may use 1 cup whole milk and blend with your Essential Oils.**
• Exfoliating Sugar Body Scrub: Blend in 4 oz plastic jar: ½ cup turbinado sugar, ¼ cup Carrier Oil, 10-12 drops Essential Oil. Do not use on face. May be used 1-2x/week.
• Roller Bottle: 5-8 drops Essential Oil, dilute with carrier Oil.
• Massage /Body Oil: In a dark glass bottle mix 10-15 drops to 1 ounce carrier oil of your choice. See dilution chart here
• Spritzers: Mix 20-30%  151 Proof Alcohol (such as everclear) with purified or distilled water. To make a facial mist use 8-10 drops of essential oils per 4 oz, for a  body spray 30-40 drops per 4 oz. and for a room spray 80-100 drops per 4 oz. Add EO’s first to a 4 oz aluminum bottle with atomizer. Then add alcohol. Mix. Then add water.

**Do not use these oils in the bath: include but are not limited to basil, oregano, thyme, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, black pepper, lemongrass, and bay (Pimenta and Laurus).**

Which Essential Oils may help with….

State of Mind

Calming/ Relaxing: Lavender, Lemon, Amyris,  Marjoram, chamomile, Patchouli, Lemongrass, Orange, Vetiver, Ylang Ylang.

Anxiety/Depression or the Blues:

Bergamot, Clary Sage, Eucalyptus, Geranium, Lime, Lemon, Grapefruit, Lavender, Orange, Patchouli, Rosemary, Ylang Ylang

Stress:

Cedar wood, Geranium, Cypress, Lavender, Bergamot, Lime, Mandarin, Orange, Patchouli, Ylang Ylang, Lemongrass.

Refreshing:

Eucalyptus, Juniper, Grapefruit, Cypress, Lime, Lemon, Orange, Peppermint, Tea Tree, Rosemary, Spruce, Fir.

Mental Clarity:

Rosemary, Peppermint, Lime, Eucalyptus, Basil, Bergamot, Cinnamon, Juniper, Basil, Rosewood.

Fatigue/Wiped Out:

Bergamot, Lavender, Geranium, Basil, Lime, Mandarin, Lemongrass, Ginger, Grapefruit, Juniper, Peppermint, Rosemary, Frankincense, Eucalyptus.

Grounding/Centering:

Cedar wood, Juniper, Bergamot, Amyris, Patchouli, Clove, Lemongrass, Frankincense, Vetiver.

Well Being

Muscle/Joint Pain:

Rosemary, Juniper, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Frankincense, Ginger, Clove, anise, black pepper, balsam fir, spruce, Helichrysum, Orange.

Sleeplessness:

Clary Sage, cedar, Lavender, Mandarin, Bergamot, Orange, marjoram, vetiver, Melissa, ylang ylang.

Circulation:

Ginger, Juniper, Geranium, Anise, Lavender,  Rosemary, Frankincense, Orange.

Swelling:

Eucalyptus, Geranium, Ginger, Clove, Juniper, Grapefruit, Lavender, Lime, lemon, Rosemary, Peppermint.

Colds/Flu:

Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Cedar Wood, Spruce, Peppermint, Rosemary, Ginger, Frankincense, Ravensara.

Bacteria Busters:

Tea Tree, Rosemary, Lime, lemon, cinnamon, clove, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Bergamot, Cajeput, Ravensara.

Women

PMS: Geranium, Clary Sage, Jasmine, mandarin, marjoram, Bergamot, Cedar wood, Grapefruit, Lavender, Juniper, Orange.

Hot Flashes: Clary Sage, Geranium, Lavender.

Balancing/Harmonizing: Geranium, Lavender, Jasmine, Amyris, Bergamot, Cedar wood.

Men

Oils that are the most strongly favored by men include: Amyris, Patchouli, Basil, Cinnamon, Spruce, Star Anise, Scotch Pine, Marjoram, Juniper, Frankincense, Bay, Cypress, Ginger, Black Pepper, Vanilla, Vetiver, Sandalwood, and the citrus oils.

Essential oils are the concentrated extracts derived from different parts of the plant including:  roots, leaves, seeds, resins, barks, or flowers. These oils are highly concentrated. It can take a pound of peppermint leaves to make a drop of Peppermint Essential Oil and approximately 50 rose flowers to create just a single drop of Rose oil!

These precious oils are highly concentrated, and should never be underestimated. Even when used sparingly, they can offer immense therapeutic benefit. With Essential Oils, less is always more. A little goes a long way!

The complex chemical composition of Essential Oils is how we receive the Therapeutic benefits through inhalation and/or external application on the body.

What is a Carrier Oil?

Carrier oils are also referred to as base oils, and are a natural vegetable oil used to dilute Essential Oils in before applications on the body.

Some examples of carrier oils include:

• Grapeseed
• Coconut Oil
• Almond
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Avocado
• Cherry Kernel
• Jojoba
• Apricot Oil

These oils are high in a variety of nutrients such as fat soluble vitamins, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids. For the most part, carrier oils we use in aromatherapy are generally odorless with the purpose of not overpowering the aroma of the Essential Oil. Some carrier oils might have a light, nutty aroma that many find pleasant.

What is an Infused Oil?

An Infused Oil is carrier oil that has been infused with herbs. Infused oils are generally made with Extra Virgin Olive Oil as the base. The beauty of using an infused oil is that not only will it contain the properties of the Essential Oils you add to it, but you will also receive the benefits of the herbs that have been infused in it. There are some herbs that we do not have available as

Essential Oils or are very rare to find, but by using infused oils we can still receive the benefits of these botanicals.  

Some examples of infused oils include:

• Capsicum
• Garlic
• Plantain Leaf
• Rose Petal
• Whole Chamomile
• Diluting

ALWAYS dilute the essential oil in an oil based carrier. When using a carrier oil, essential oils will stick with the fats in these oils. You will also have the best absorption into your skin, and will avoid skin irritation. Not only that, but by blending with other oils, such as Jojoba, you will receive the nourishing skin benefits as well.

Dilution Chart – Below is a chart you can use when diluting in your favorite carrier oil.

Essential Oil Blends

Essential Oils work better together!  Blending more than one Essential Oil is key to have a superior formula. When Essential Oils are blended properly, each of their individual properties can be greatly enhanced.

Barefūt Eternity Blends are synergistically formulated so that it takes the guess work out and you can have the convenient, ready to use formula in one bottle.

Essential Oil Safety

• Essential Oils should never be used undiluted on the skin.
• Do not take essential oils internally without appropriate advanced aromatherapy education and understanding of the safety issues involved in doing so.
• Keep essential oils away from the eyes.
• Keep all essential oils out of reach of children and pets.

Do not use photosensitizing essential oils prior to going into a sun tanning booth or the sun. They cause the skin to be more sensitive to sunlight (actually any ultra violet – UV – light) and one would therefore burn and damage more easily. Stay out of the sun or sun tanning booth for at least twenty-four hours after treatment if photosensitizing essential oils were applied to the skin. This is more common with the oils from the citrus family, when they are extracted by direct expression and without distillation.

Essential oils that may cause sun sensitivity:

• Less is more- It takes a whole lot of plant material to extract Essential Oils. The smallest amount of Essential Oil can usually get the job done.
• Do not take essential oils internally without appropriate advanced aromatherapy education and understanding of the safety issues involved in doing so.
• Use only high quality oils from reputable sources.
• Store oils in a cool, dark place.