How to Dilute Essential Oils With Base Oils?

How to control the ratio of essential oils and base oils when diluting?

We know that base oil is a solvent, so it is certain that the base oil is a large proportion and the essential oil is a small proportion, but what range is appropriate?

1%? 5%? 10%? Higher or lower?

In fact, this is also a very controversial issue in the world of essential oils/aromatherapy, because:

1. Different essential oils have different effects on the human body.

Some essential oils are very mild (such as essential oils based on esters and alcohols, and multi-molecular essential oils), and absorb more. Even a few drops of pure essential oils directly on the skin will not be a problem;

And some essential oils (such as essential oils containing ketones, ethers, or some single-molecule essential oils) are relatively cautious, and the dosage should be controlled as small as possible.

2. It is also related to the user of the object and purpose.

It is understandable that the proportion of essential oils must be reduced for people with weaker bodies ' ability to break down and detoxify, such as babies, the elderly, or the sick.

For different individuals, the dosage of essential oils used for symptomatic purposes varies greatly.

For example, some need to increase the dose in the early stage and gradually decrease it in the later stage; while in some cases, in order to avoid stimulating the weak body, the proportion of essential oils is reduced in the early stage, and the proportion is increased when the body gradually recovers in the later stage.

3. Aromatherapy factions and ideas are different, and the guiding ideology of oil is also different.

The leading idea of ​​the British and American aromatherapy industry (mainly IFA, IFPA, NAHA, and other organizations) is to promote the application of essential oils in beauty, skincare, and daily body care, so the dosage recommendations are very conservative, basically no more than 5%, and the use is prohibited Take essential oils orally.

German, French, and Swiss aromatherapy are more actively promoting essential oils into the medical and healing system, using higher doses (such as more than 10% or even reaching 50%), and oral essential oils, or made into suppositories and other medical products ( Prerequisite: Aromatherapists must have a formal medical license and receive long-term aromatherapy and medicine, prescription and clinical training).

After these explanations, we hope you understand that the dilution ratio of essential oils is not a definite and static standard.

Dosage recommendations:

In principle, we still recommend conservative standards:

The ratio of essential oil to base oil is between 1-3%, and the highest is no more than 5% (that is, 3-5 drops of essential oil can only be dropped into 100 drops of base oil).

For children, a smaller amount is required, usually within 0.5 to 1%.

If in doubt, consult a certified aromatherapist.

Supplement:

Occasionally, there will be friends like this who come to ask in a panic: "I didn't pay attention just now. Two more drops of essential oil were added. What should I do if the concentration is too high?"

In fact, there is no need to be too anxious. The application of essential oils and aromatherapy is a science and an art.

On the one hand of science, we must earnestly study and study the chemical composition, mechanism of action of each essential oil, and the relationship between the human body.

But on the other hand, essential oils are concentrated scents, and their primary role is in our minds, so they are sensual, sensory, and difficult to quantify:

Most essential oils that we come into contact with every day are not dangerous unless they are used in high concentrations, large areas, and continuous long-term use.

We should study essential oils seriously, but we also need to use them in a good and relaxed mood. 2-3 drops of essential oil more and 2-3 drops of essential oil less does not matter much.

After all, essential oils act on the mind, nerves, secretion, and sympathetic systems of the human body. Even if there is slight discomfort, you can recover after a short rest. The ingredients ingested into the body will be quickly excreted from the liver.

Relax a little, and treat the dilution ratio of the essential oil as the ratio of the paint in the watercolor painting. There are rules, but there are also changes and inspirations.