Essential Oil Applications
In Lesson 6, you’ll explore the many ways essential oils can be incorporated into your daily life. Each method of application serves a unique purpose and offers a different level of interaction with the oil’s aroma and benefits. Understanding how to safely and effectively use essential oils helps you create meaningful rituals that support your lifestyle, environment, and well-being.
Inhalation
This one's simple: Just open the bottle and smell. With each inhalation of a fragrance, thousands of olfactory nerves in the nostrils send messages to the brain’s limbic system. This is the area that processes emotions and memory. With quick inhalation you can use tools like a blotter strip, cotton ball or a tissue, so you don’t overwhelm your senses. Use anytime you need quick emotional support or to reconnect with a grounding or energizing scent. This method is perfect for on-the-go use or quick pick-me-ups.
Diffusion
Diffusion is the method of releasing essential oils into the air. Diffusion doesn't deliver as concentrated a scent as inhalation, but it does extend the scent for longer applications. Diffusion includes the use of vaporizers, diffusers, candle lamps, air fresheners, room sprays, and more. Many of these applications combine water and one or more essential oils. Diffusion is ideal for creating mood-based atmospheres, such as a relaxing evening or a fresh, energized morning. Always follow your diffuser's instructions and clean it regularly to prevent residue buildup.
Topical
Essential oils are readily absorbed through the skin, where they mingle with the skin's natural emollients. Because essential oils are so concentrated, they must be diluted with skin care oils (like sweet almond, jojoba, or argan), lotion, aloe, or other carriers before being applied directly to the skin. There are many topical applications for essential oils, including massage oils, face creams, body moisturizers, bath blends, foot scrubs, eye creams, skin mists, hair and scalp applications, and more. A typical safe dilution is 1–3% (about 6–18 drops per ounce of carrier). You can always perform a patch test on a small area of skin before full use to ensure there is no irritation.
Outdoor
Essential oils are useful in outdoor living and activities. They can help support comfort, freshness, and natural protection. You can create patio sprays, protecting body oils and mists, shoe powders for when you’re running or hiking, and post-sun skin soothers or body oils. Use caution when applying oils before direct sun exposure, as some citrus oils can cause photosensitivity. We carry a bergaptene-free bergamot, which is the distilled version that removes the photosensitive component. Oils we love for outdoor use include citronella, lemon eucalyptus, geranium, cedarwood, lavender and peppermint.
Home Care
Essential oils bring fresh, natural aromas to everyday home routines and can be a great alternative to synthetic fragrances. Essential oils can be used in surface cleaners, room sprays, toilet sprays, air clarifying diffusions, deodorizing or scrubbing powders, fabric softeners, laundry soap, multi-purpose spray cleaners, polishing oils, and more. Always follow appropriate dilution guidelines and test your formulas on surfaces before regular use.
Kids
Essential oils can be safely used with children when properly diluted and selected. Always use gentle oils and keep concentrations low. Essential oils can be added to many products for children whether you’re making home DIY recipes or adding to unscented products, essential oils can be found in baby balms, lotions, foam baths, shampoos, and more. Dilute to 0.5–1% for children (about 3–6 drops per ounce of carrier oil or lotion). Avoid strong oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, or rosemary around young children, especially under age 2. Aura Cacia has a full line of kids aromatherapy products including mists, roll-ons, bath products, and essential oil blends for diffusion.
Pet Care
While we do not have any blends created specifically for pets, many are safe to diffuse at home with animals present if you follow appropriate drop recommendations for your diffuser and the space you are in. Please ensure all your pets have room to roam while diffusing essential oils. Popular calming choices for dogs include lavender, chamomile, and frankincense in low concentrations. Cats unfortunately lack liver enzymes necessary to metabolize essential oils effectively. Therefore, extra caution should be used around cats. Do not use essential oils directly with cats and keep them at a safe distance when spraying or diffusing essential oils around the home. Use caution and consult with a veterinarian experienced with aromatherapy before using essential oils with animals.
Internal - Not Recommended
Ingestion is a widely misunderstood practice. We do not recommend using essential oils internally because essential oils are highly concentrated, and there is potential for harmful effects. For example, 1-2 drops of peppermint essential oils is the equivalent of consuming 60 cups of peppermint tea. Even when diluted, essential oils are more volatile, unstable, and concentrated than most people realize, making them more problematic than helpful when used internally. Thus, we don’t advocate or support internal essential oil usage, nor do we condone swapping them for herbs in cooking. There are not established dosages for safe internal usage; Aura Cacia 100% pure essential oils are intended for aromatherapy purposes and are labeled in compliance with FDA regulations to protect users.