In ancient Tibet, ignorance was considered the primary source of all suffering. Aromatherapy awakens our senses and connects us deeply with nature and with the inner message of self-regeneration that is inherent in the plants. As we expand our awareness of what essential oils can do, we deepen our trust in our intuition, which will guide us to the right oils at the right time.

Healing ourselves begins with insight into the source of our distress or challenge. As we look closely at our lives and what is causing the disturbance, we discover this is the first step to healing ourselves, and at the same time, to developing our inner wisdom. Thus, we become even more clear that we are our own healers.

Essential oils give us what our bodies need. Study the characteristics of each individual oil so that you get to know it, just like you would become acquainted with a dear friend. A great way to do this is to take a new oil each day, dilute it, and apply 1 or 2 drops to a pulse point on your body, such as on the inside of your wrist. Inhale its fragrance deeply, read over its qualities, and throughout the day, take in the aroma and remind yourself of its gifts.

Browse with your nose — use your sense of smell to guide you in the selection process each time you choose your oils, since it is intrinsically linked to your intuition. There are no set guidelines on having to blend this or that — simply choose 3 oils to create your blend. The experiment begins as you dispense the drops into a bath, base oil, or vaporizer.

How Many Drops Should You Use?

Essential oils are concentrated substances and should always be used with a gentle hand. For general home use, a combination of 3 essential oils; 8 drops to a bath or vaporizer; or 3 drops to a massage blend is recommended until you have a better understanding of the oils and how to work with them. It’s okay to use more drops with the guiding hand of an aromatherapist, or if you have experience with essential oils.

It’s important to take note of an oil’s toxicity levels (see Safety Information in the A-Z rundown of essential oils), and even more important, to know which oils can be used during pregnancy. If you’ve never used essential oils before and you’re pregnant, it’s recommended you wait until after the birth of your child before you start using them. Additionally, people with sensitive skin should take extra care when using all essential oils.

As with any healing modality, you must have an understanding of your working tools before you can embark on treatment or healing. This knowledge increases, of course, as you form your own special relationship with the oils. As you experiment, you may find that some oils are not for you. Others may have an euphoric effect. You are usually the best judge of what works and this book has been written to provide you with the necessary knowledge to get started.

As a final cautionary note, it’s important to take care when using citrus oils. Don’t use them on the skin if you’re going to be in direct sunlight, and be careful about how many drops you use in a bath. If you have sensitive skin, you may find that you don’t want to use citrus oils while bathing.

With knowledge of what essential oils can do, and with intuition about how they can work for you personally, you can cultivate a nurturing and healing relationship with Mother Nature’s healing aromas.

Ways to Use Essential Oils

Since essential oils are highly concentrated, they must be diluted before used and not applied directly on the skin. You can use them in any of the following ways:

In a bath: Hopping into a warm bath at the end of a long day is one of life’s most blissful moments. Add 5 to 8 drops of a blend of 3 oils before you climb into the bath. Agitate the water. Submerge your body to prepare yourself for the night ahead — whether you’re staying at home for a quiet and relaxing time, going to a party, or spending a romantic evening with your lover. You can also use essential oils in the morning to invigorate and refresh you for the day ahead.

In a vaporizer: You can use a vaporizer at home or work to uplift or relax you. Vaporizers are used to fill the atmosphere with essential oils. Add 8 drops in total of your chosen combination of oils to the shallow dish filled with water at the top of the unit. Underneath, light a candle to heat the water and scent the air with healing vapors. You can choose oils to freshen the air, to assist with breathing, to aid concentration, or during a romantic interlude.

Massage: Massage is already a popular and highly respected way of loving and healing the body. Combine this with the use of essential oils, and you have a recipe for divine relaxation. A massage oil is a combination of essential oils added to a base oil — see Base Oils for more information. You can use massage oils to promote circulation, stimulate the release of toxins from the body, or uplift the senses — the list is endless. To every 10 milliliters (ml) of base oil, add 5 drops of essential oil (a 2:1 ratio).

Body rub: You can begin every day with energy and vitality by indulging in a two minute body rub after your shower. When the body is warm, it absorbs oil quickly. Choose 3 essential oils to add to your base oil, and blend in a small bowl. Smooth the oil over the entire body to stimulate circulation and protect you during the day to come.

Inhalation: To help balance physical disorders and release emotions, you can inhale oils directly by adding 3 to 5 drops to a stainless steel or glass bowl filled with boiling water. Add the drops of essential oils to the water (agitate to release vapors), place a towel over your head, and breathe deeply. For maximum benefit, keep your head over the bowl for 10 minutes. Remember to protect the sensitive eye area.

Compresses: Use a compress for facial skin care — it’s useful for softening the skin and promoting cell regeneration — or for first aid to help relieve pain and swelling and reduce inflammation. Hot compresses are generally used to alleviate chronic pain, while cold compresses are ideal for acute pain and injury.

To make your compress, add 5 drops in total of your chosen 3 essential oils to a basin of hot or cold water. Fold a piece of gauze or a small towel, and soak it in the water. Squeeze out the excess water from the cloth, and apply it to the skin after the cloth has absorbed as much of the oil as possible from the surface of the water.

Spritzer: Ideal for summer, a spritzer hydrates and re-energizes the skin. This is a bottle with a nozzle that sprays water in a mist-like form. You can also use a spritzer to apply essential oils to wounds or burns. Using 90 ml of water, add 5 drops of a combination of 3 essential oils to a spritzer bottle.

Lifestyle Tips

Essential oils have many applications for mind, body, and spirit. You can use them in all areas of your life to promote general well-being and to enhance the quality of any experience.

The Spirit — To Fortify The Spirit…

Black Pepper — Black Pepper is an oil for strength. With daily massage, it can dispel past anxieties and fortify a sense of confidence and adequacy. Combine with Lime and Cinnamon to encourage confidence in your own strength in face of dire circumstances.

Dill — In ancient times, gladiators would rub their bodies with this pungently aromatic oil. It is a symbol of the healing spirit and the possibility of moving on. For those who like life to be balanced and controlled, and who feel knocked around when confronted with natural highs and lows of life, Dill combined with Clary Sage and Geranium will establish an equilibrium. Dill assists you in staying true to your intentions.

The Body — Morning Kick Start…

Pine — Pine with Lemon and Cardamom stimulates circulation and mobilizes the body’s cleansing system, providing a new level of energy and vitality to get you going. Body brushing with an aromatic wash in the shower eliminates toxins. Fill a small bottle with warm water, add 3 drops of your blend, sprinkle over your body, and brush in a circular motion.

Rosemary — Inhale Rosemary from a tissue prepared with a few drops of oil; this sharpens the mind and brings the senses alive so that they are fully engaged during the day. Use a body brush in the shower, and finish off with a Rosemary rinse to get the circulation going. A great way to wake up small children is to place a Rosemary tissue under their nose and gently shake their body all over to bring consciousness to their muscles.

For Travel — Flying

Caraway — Caraway is very good for those who travel frequently, as well as those who are fearful of heights, as it is said to diminish vertigo. In combination with Frankincense and Palmarosa, it allays fears and acts as an effective skin regenerator. This is particularly helpful when you’re traveling. Add 2 drops of each essential oil to a glass spritzer bottle filled with water, and spritz your face regularly before and during the flight.

Ginger — With its warming, digestive function and balancing effect, Ginger is an excellent travel companion for those who suffer from travel sickness. In conjunction with Orange and Roman Chamomile, it should be massaged onto the abdominal area, especially if eating and sitting for long periods. It acts as a preventive measure. If nausea persists, inhale Peppermint.

In the Home — For dining

Caraway — Place a few drops of Caraway along with Ginger and Lime in your vaporizer before the guests arrive. This will create a calm atmosphere ready for sumptuous dining. These stimulating oils will get the digestive juices flowing.

In the family room

In the cold of winter, dispense several drops of Pine and Sandalwood onto the logs of the open fire. The relaxing qualities of Sandalwood with the refreshing aroma of Pine will enhance your quality time with friends and family.

Lavender — A few drops of Lavender, along with Orange and Palmarosa in your vaporizer, can stir your senses. As you let go of the troubles of the day, this comforting ambiance restores and calms.

At the Gym

Sage — Smelly shoes and sweaty feet can be refreshed with Sage, Lime, and Cypress. Spritz feet by adding 3 drops of each oil to a small spritzer bottle filled with water.

Eucalyptus — Eucalyptus oxygenates your body quickly, and revives your focus. Blend with Black Pepper and Lemongrass in Jojoba for endurance and performance. Rub your body down with the oils before and after training.

At the Office

Fennel — Use Fennel for new possibilities in board meetings. Combine with Grapefruit for spontaneity and Basil for focus. Fennel and Basil make an excellent blend when you want to promote communication and implement new ideas.

For learning and concentration

Bay — Bay, with Rosemary and Lime, reactivates the mind, expands awareness, and opens up new learning opportunities.

Pine — Pine, with Eucalyptus and Hyssop, improves concentration as it oxygenates the body. Stimulating alertness, these oils work especially well in air-conditioned environments that feel stuffy and congested.

Peppermint — Peppermint is useful when preparing for study, especially after lunch when mid-afternoon lethargy can kick in. Instead of coffee or a chocolate bar, fill your desk vaporizer with the stimulating digestive aid that sharpens the senses, engages the mind, and helps you “digest” information. Blend with Lime and Black Pepper.

Lemon — Use lemon for clear communication. Blend with Tea Tree to use as a disinfectant. A couple of drops wiped over the mouthpiece of the telephone can protect you from viruses and bacteria.

Lavender — A drop of Lavender placed on the pulse points allays frustrations and calms the mind. When the going gets tough and it all seems like a little too much, take yourself into nature by inhaling Lavender.

Grapefruit — Grapefruit is particularly valued when you’re feeling tense and overburdened, with too much to do. It helps stimulate spontaneity and creativity, and in combination with Bay and Rosemary, it makes an excellent blend for high performance in professional environments. Fill a cup with very hot water, dispense your drops into the cup and inhale deeply.

For Women

Geranium — Geranium nourishes the feminine qualities and instills a sense of assuredness and stability. Geranium quells anxiety and allows for greater intimacy to be expressed in relationships. Used in a bath with Lavender and Cedarwood, it activates balance, stability and comfort. This blend has regenerating qualities and addresses discontent and over sensitivity.

During menopause

Clary Sage — With maturity, you move to an inner knowing and wisdom. This oil helps transform your knowledge into wisdom, and turn everyday tasks into mindful practices. Clary Sage is known to be the most euphoric of all essential oils. When self-doubt undermines your inner knowing, choose this oil to reconnect with your wisdom. This oil brings about comfort in times of confrontation and grief.

Clary Sage helps release fear and opens up the possibility for insight that is available to women during menopause. Combine with Geranium and Frankincense for best results.

Jasmine — Jasmine brings balance to hormonal changes or disruptions; and regularity during times of upheaval such as adolescence, menopause, menstruation, and postoperative care. When combined with Lavender and Geranium, it inspires balance, and provides you with the opportunity to get back in touch with your inner source of creativity.

Menstruation

Cypress — Cypress helps balance the flow of blood and energy in the entire reproductive area. Use in conjunction with Basil and Roman Chamomile as a tonic to strengthen and balance the energy and vitality of your inner strength.

For Men

Bergamot — Bergamot with Lavender can be used as an aftershave blend, or for use on sensitive skin. Add a cup of water along with Cedarwood and Tea Tree for use as an aftershave splash. Men with sensitive skin can add a combination of Lavender, Bergamot and Sandalwood oils to a massage base oil.

Rosemary — Rosemary added to Cedarwood and Juniper oils stimulates hair growth. Add to a base oil, and massage into your hair and scalp.

For Children

Sandalwood — Sandalwood, Cypress and Lemon help protect and stabilize when a young one feels sensitive and emotionally vulnerable. A few drops on a cotton ball placed inside their pillow does the trick.

Roman Chamomile — Roman Chamomile and Lavender soothe an aching tummy and also quell the emotions. Dispense 3 drops of each oil into a warm bath, or on a compress cloth.

Let your children choose their own favorite oils. They will develop their intuition when they are left to be guided by their sense of smell. Some favorites are: Orange, Lavender, Chamomile, Sandalwood, Geranium and Mandarin.

Base Oils

For a massage or body rub blend, add essential oils to one of the following base oils. Remember to keep your base oil blends in glass containers. Also, vegetable oils will become rancid after a while, so use them within six to eight months. Macadamia and Joboba oils can last for several years.

Joboba — Jojoba oil is high in protein and minerals, and is a natural wax fluid. This oil rejuvenates and nourishes skin and hair.

Peach Kernel — Peach Kernel oil is high in vitamin A and helps promote a rosy complexion. As a massage oil base, it moisturizes and softens the skin.

Olive — Olive oil is rich in proteins and vitamins and brings warmth to the body as a massage base oil. It is particularly beneficial as a body rub during winter.

Sweet Almond — Sweet Almond oil is light and perfect for massage. Place a few drops on your body and your hands will glide effortlessly over your skin for a soothing massage.

Wheat Germ — Wheat Germ oil is high in vitamin E; as such it is great for the skin, especially skin that’s scarred. As an antioxidant, Wheat Germ also extends the life span of your essential oils by preventing oxidation.