How to use essential oils?

The cutaneous route is ideal for using essential oils since when applied to the skin, the essential oil passes through the epidermis very quickly and spreads throughout the body. If applied to the thorax for example, the particles act in less than 10 minutes! Uses vary depending on many factors: essential oil, associated risks (irritant, dermocaustic, photosensitizing, etc.), desired action, area of ​​application, users, etc. For example, certain essential oils are very dermocaustic and can be used on the skin provided they are very diluted (e.g. Cinnamon). Others are potentially irritating for sensitive skin, and therefore also require dilution (see below) before use. Finally, some do not pose problems, even pure in localized areas and in the short term (for example Ravintsara). Be careful, if you dilute your essential oil, you will have to wait a little longer before observing the effects. Vegetable oils have much larger particles than essential oils, which will therefore be trapped outside the epidermis. Massage for a long time so that it nevertheless penetrates the skin.

Also note that the area of ​​application is quite simply linked to the action sought. For example, an application along the spine aims to act on the nervous system but also on the immune system. On the thorax, the application targets the respiratory system. Liver, intestine, stomach, the organs are in this case directly targeted, for example in cases of difficult digestion or liver problems. In the case of the solar plexus, we target the autonomic nervous system but also the cardiac system. Concerning the folds of the elbow, inside the wrists, the veins are generally clearly visible there, these uses allow rapid passage of the EOs into the blood circulation, we speak of "aromatic infusion". This is often the case for situations of stress and insomnia; the desired effects must be rapid. So it’s all a question of physiology.

Oral use is possible for many essential oils, contrary to popular belief. Under the tongue, there is an important irrigation network, allowing rapid passage into the blood system. On the tongue, it will be effective for nasal infections, thanks to absorption through the mucous membrane and the sinuses.

Since essential oils have a strong taste and can be irritating, it is generally best touse a suitable support such as a neutral tablet, a teaspoon of vegetable oil or honey, sugar or a piece of breadcrumbs. It is then recommended to ingest it close to a meal for rapid assimilation.

The oral route should however be used with caution: it is considered the least well tolerated route of use due to the absence of a protective barrier, unlike the cutaneous route for example. That is why the ingestion of essential oil is strongly discouraged for children under 6 years old. For certain essential oils, a doctor's advice is necessary before ingestion: if the effectiveness is maximum this way, so is the toxicity!

There are different ways of diffusing essential oils, more or less effective depending on the diffusion technology used, and above all more or less expensive. The best known is of course the use of a streamer : nebulizers remain the most effective and powerful, to be favored for the therapeutic use of essential oils. Then there are misters, ventilation or gentle heat diffusers.

Other diffusion techniques exist but remain quite artisanal and not very effective:

• There wet diffusion : put a few drops of essential oil in a bowl of hot water near a radiator.
• THE room spray: add a few drops of essential oils in a spray bottle containing a base allowing their good dispersion (alcohol, white vinegar, etc.).
• THE incense burner : this last technique is to be avoided for essential oils. They are placed in a receptacle and heated to more than 40°C by the flame of a candle. This technology induces molecular modification of the essential oil, and risks dispersing harmful molecules into the air.

Inhalation allows absorption of essential oils directly through the respiratory tract in different ways since it can be dry or humid:

• We hear by dry inhalation, inhalations carried out using a support such as a tissue or an inhaler stick. The advantage of dry inhalation is that it is quick and portable, available everywhere. Simply place a few drops of essential oil on a tissue or the cotton wick of the inhaler and inhale deeply.
• L’wet inhalation can be done using an electric inhaler, or in a bowl of very hot water. Pour a mixture of water and essential oil into a bowl (about 5 drops in a bowl of water), and inhale with your head covered with a towel (to prevent the vapors from diffusing). The aromatic compounds are transported by water vapor which allows better availability of the molecules present in the essential oil. However, it is important not to inhale the essential oil for more than 10 minutes, and not to use essential oils that irritate the respiratory tract. This method is contraindicated for children, people with asthma or suffering from facial skin irritations.

• In vegetable oil : for skin application with minimal risk, this dilution remains the best solution. Vegetable oils are very nourishing for the skin. In addition, they have biochemical properties similar to those of essential oils, allowing very good mixing between them. Vegetable oils can also be used as a support for oral intake. In this case, choose edible vegetable oil.
• In water : essential oils never mix with water, they are lipophilic and generally remain on the surface of the water. For use in a glass of drinking water, it will be necessary to use a dispersant suitable for ingestion. For use in a bath, for example, you will need to mix the essential oil with a suitable dispersant (foaming base, bath salts, etc.).
• On a neutral tablet : they can be found in pharmacies or on the internet. They are generally formulated with acacia gum, and are, as their name suggests, neutral in taste. Simply place 1 to 2 drops maximum of the essential oil on the tablet, let it penetrate, then let it melt in the mouth.
• On a sweet support (honey, sugar, breadcrumbs) : these supports are effective when taken orally, reducing the very strong taste of the essential oil and allowing better digestion.
• In a cosmetic base (cream, gel, balm, etc.) : all these products allow easy skin application of the essential oil, reducing the risks for the skin. However, each of these blends requires precise dilution of the essential oil. You cannot mix as many drops in a balm as in a cream, for example.