Essential
Oil Questions and Answers
Q: Do you have a recipe for nasal congestion, stuffy nose?
A: Possibly a more internal approach would be helpful. There are
several options for you to choose from. I would look at what may be
causing the congestion as well. I have to stay away from milk
products and
sugar when I get congested because they create more mucus.
Personally, I like to use Tei-Fu Oil. It opens up my sinuses. I use
Fenugreek & Thyme to help me drain and it helps me with sinus
headaches. ALJ is also one of my favorite products to clear my sinuses.
Q: My mother suffers from some sort of foot fungus
, its so bad now
that all the toe nails are turning black and falling off.,
The doctor
keeps giving her different things to try and nothing seems
to work.
is there something we can use that may help.
A: I would try this recipe from "The Complete Book
of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy" by Valerie Ann Worwood:
Mix
2 drops of Tea
Tree Oil and 1 drop of Lavender
Oil in your palm and spread it between the
toes and around the nails. For the rest of
the feet, mix 5 drops Tea
Tree Oil and 1 drop Lemon
EO in 1 teaspoon of Massage
Oil (or olive oil) and rub on the feet morning and
night. Keep the feet dry and use only cotton or wool socks.
Q: I receive your newsletter and really appreciate the valuable information
- do you have any essential oil suggestions for poison ivy?
A: I would try using Peppermint
Oil. I would use 15 drops in an ounce of
Calamine Lotion. It should help the itching for about an hour. I would reapply
frequently to help calm the itching.
If you want to step outside of the essential oil use specifically, you might
consider Black Walnut
Extract which has a long history of use for poison
ivy. A friend of mine began doing blood cleansing with an herbal formula
in Spring and Fall each year and afterwards he was no longer bothered by
poison ivy as he had been all his life. He suggested this same approach to
a friend who got shots every year because of being so allergic to it. He
and his mother began the cleansing program towards the end of winter and
by the time poison ivy came around, the mom didn't get it at all and the
guy had a very mild patch that year. There are several good blood cleansing
formulas. I would use BP-X or Chinese Blood Build.
Q: Do you know of a blend I can create for a
strained "trapezius" muscle
(on
the back of neck spreading toward the shoulder) due to vigorous gardening?
I
don't think it will be a long term problem but know that pain unaddressed
can create one.
A: I would start with ice to reduce any swelling or inflammation. Then I'd
take a hot bath with 3 drops of Marjoram
Essential Oil and 2 drops of Lemon
Essential Oil and soak for at least 15 minutes. After getting out, I'd
follow it up with a massage using this blend of oils:
5 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil
5 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
5 drops Ginger
Dilute essential oils in 1 tablespoon of Massage Oil
You can also try Nature's Sunshine Tei
Fu Oil or Lotion. I have used
the oil for muscle pain in my shoulders and back.
Q: When using essential oils on the skin, I'm told that there needs to be
a"carrier" used. What is a carrier? I'm assuming it's an oil, but
what kind
is appropriate and safe?
A: A carrier oil is an oil that is used to dilute essential oils. There
are
many different types of oils you can use for a carrier oil. Nature Sunshine
sells a Massage Oil which I use as a carrier oil. You can also use cold
pressed, olive, nut, or seed oils. I prefer to use Nature's Sunshine Massage
Oil because it is made for use with essential oils and I know it is safe.
Other oils bought at a grocery store may have been manufactured with other
chemicals.
Q: I am wondering how to safely disperse essential oils into the
air in my home. Are diffusers the same as nebulizers? And do I always use
a carrier oil when using a nebulizer? I need some good direction! Help,
Please!
A: There are different types of diffusers. The nebulizer is a type of
diffuser. I wouldn't use a carrier oil with the Nebulizing
Diffuser.
I
would use undiluted essential oils. The Nebulizing Diffuser takes the
essential oils and ionizes them into a vapor which uses them to their
fullest potential. I think this is the best way to diffuse essential oils
because you get the maximum use out of them and it covers 300-600 square
feet.
The AromaBall
Diffuser is a more economical way to diffuse essential oils.
I
often use the AromaBall Diffuser and love it! Just a couple drops of my
favorite essential oil fills up a room. Both of these methods are safe. I
would always take special safety measures when using essential oils around
children. Keep the diffusers out of their reach.
Q: My nebulizing diffuser came with an automatic timer and I set it to run
for about a half hour every two hours during the day time. Won't a lot of
my
oil just evaporate out? And do you think running it that often is too much.
I thought I had read that with some of the oils only a few drops were to
be
used, so they would have to be used with a carrier oil then, wouldn't they?
A: I would never use carrier oil in the nebulizing diffuser, it might clog
up the system. The Nebulizing
Diffuser was made for use with undiluted
essential oils. It is supposed to make the essential oils work to their
fullest potential. I would not worry about them evaporating too fast. The
Nebulizing Diffuser works to conserve the essential oils. I do not have a
Nebulizing Diffuser myself so I'm not the expert on it. It is your choice
on
how often and for how long you run your Nebulizing Diffuser. I don't think
you are running it too often. I have read that 15-20 minutes every 1 or 2
hours is effective within 300-700 square feet, and 30-60 minutes for an area
above 700 square feet. That timing can vary depending on what you prefer.
25
drops of a single essential oil or a blend is the minimum you should use
in
the Nebulizing Diffuser. That can vary as well depending on the strength
of
the essential oil, but I would never use a carrier oil in the Nebulizing
Diffuser.
Q: If I already have bergamot and a lemon mix in my diffuser, is it ok to
add tea tree oil in as well to help fight a cold and congestion? What I am
really wondering is, is it dangerous to put certain oils in a diffuser
together or can I mix any of the ones that I may current have?
A: It is okay to add Tea
Tree Oil to the Bergamot & Lemon essential
oils. Bergamot mixes well with most essential oils & Lemon is
great with Tea Tree
Oil. I like to experiment with mixing different essential oils. There are
some that work better with certain oils than with others. Just let your
nose be the guide! If you don't like the smell when you mix them, your
body probably doesn't need that mixture. So have fun with it, you can even
discover your own recipes that way.
P.S. Tea Tree will definitely "drown out" the scents of the other
two oils,
but if you need the properties of Tea Tree, there is nothing wrong with
adding that oil. It might be recommended that you keep an AromaBall for such
uses, so you can easily target a room with a specific oil.
Q: I have been studying the last few months about the many different
things the essential oils can help. The only thing they don't tell you
is how to use it. Sometimes they will say diffuse or put in a base oil
but for the most part, they just list all the things each oil can do. Is
there a general guide? Am I to assume if it doesn't say, that means put
in a base oil and massage or that I should be diffusing?
A: There are so many ways to use Essential Oils, so there is no general
guide. If it doesn't say, I would use it the way that works best for me.
I
like to use Essential Oils in my bath. I also love the Aromaball
Diffuser.
I
wouldn't apply most of the Essential Oils directly to my skin, I would
dilute them in a carrier oil. If I'm having stomach problems I like to apply
a recipe directly to my stomach. To help me sleep, I like to spray a mixture
of Lavender Oil & distilled water on my pillow. If I'm stressed I like
to
put some Chamomile in my bath then put some on an Aromaball Diffuser in my
room. For headaches, I rub Tei-Fu
Oil directly on my head & directly
on my
shoulders without a carrier oil. I also use the Peppermint
Oil direclty on
my skin for headaches or sinus problems. I like to put a drop of Peppermint
Oil in my water to help digestion. So, really you can use the oils in
several different ways, & the best method would depend on the recipe & what
you want to accomplish with it!
Some other ways to use Essential Oils:
The Nebulizing
Diffuser is a good
way to get the most out of your Essential
Oils. However, I would not put a carrier oil in this diffuser. You can also
add Essential Oils to humidifiers, or lamp rings. You can also you a bowl
of
boiling water, add 1-9 drops & allow to penetrate the room. One drop
of an
Essential Oil can be used on a tissue or handkerchief, & you just sniff
it
when you like. These are just a few of the many methods to use Essential
Oils!
Q: I have been making a sugar scrub for face and body using just sugar
and olive oil. But I also like to add an essential oil for an extra scent
and perhaps to make the scrub more effective. Currently I'm using sandalwood
oil
because I read that it is good for the skin...and also because it's one that
I had. Is sandalwood oil OK for this? And what other oils could I use?
A: Sandalwood Essential
Oil is fine for use in a facial scrub. There are
several different oils that you could use as well. I would use one that is
best for my skin type. For example, the Sandalwood Essential Oil is good
for dry, puffy or disturbed skin. Below I've included a list of skin
conditions and the Essential Oils that may improve that particular skin
type:
Oily: Chamomile, Lemon,
Geranium, Lavender,
Patchouli, Marjoram, Peppermint,
Rosemary, Jasmine, Ylang-ylang, Frankincense, Juniper
Dry: Lemon, Geranium, Chamomile, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Rose, Neroli
Dehydrated: Lemon, Geranium, Lavender
Puffiness: Lemon, Geranium, Lavender,
Chamomile, Sandalwood, Rose
Sensitive: Geranium, Lavender
Disturbed: Chamomile, Lemon, Geranium, Lavender, Patchouli, Sandalwood,
Juniper, Clary-Sage
Energizing: Lemon, Bergamot
Dermatitis: Lavender, Chamomile
Acne: Lemon, Eucalytpus, Juniper, Lavender, Patchouli, Sandalwood,
Clary-Sage
Dry Eczema: Bergamot, Chamomile, Geranium, Rosemary
Wet Eczema: Chamomile, Juniper, Myrrh
Wrinkles: Lemon, Sandalwood, Clary-Sage, Geranium, Rosemary, Rose,
Neroli
Psoriasis: Chamomile, Bergamot, Lavender
Normal: Chamomile, Geranium, Lemon, Sandalwood, Rose, Neroli, Lavender
Broken Capillaries: Chamomile, Geranium, Rose
Combination Oily/Dry: Chamomile, Geranium, Rose, Lavender
Revitalizing: Geranium, Lemon, Rose, Neroli
Q: I need to find an effective mosquito repellent. My daughter is allergic
to mosquito bites and we are now being warned of an encephalitis outbreak
from mosquitoes in our area. Any help you could send would be a blessing.
We
live in hot, humid NE Florida.
A: Lavender Oil is a great deterrent for mosquitoes along with other
insects. There are several different methods you can use to get keep insects
away. For your house or somewhere your staying, you can fill cups with
hot
water, preferably boiling, and place a couple drops of Lavender Oil in
them
and place them on windows or other places where mosquitoes might visit.
Filling a bath with hot water & putting 6-8 drops of Lavender Oil in
it& keeping the door open, so the Essential Oil molecules will drift into the
room through the steam.
You can put a couple drops of the oil on the Aromaball diffuser when you're
near an electrical outlet. This would be good while your sleeping. I would
also make a Lavender
Oil Spritzer, just use a 2 oz. spray bottle, fill it with
purified or distilled water and add 6 drops of Lavender Oil. Then at night
I
would spray it about 4 times all over my bed, this also helps me to sleep.
When you're outside, you can put a few drops on ribbon and hang them from
trees. Mosquitoes seem to aim at the ankles, so I would wear socks and
put 2
drops of the Lavender
Oil on the socks. You can also put the drops on the
bottom of your trousers. You can hang tissue paper around your balcony
when
your eating and place a drop of the oil on each on one.
You can use the oil in massage oil and massage it on your body. I would
keep
a bottle of 2 tablespoons of the massage oil with 30 drops of Lavender
Oil.
Use this to massage on your skin before going out and before going to bed
to
protect yourself.
Q: My question is, can you ingest some essential oils and if so how? My
girlfriend thought some essentials oils would be helpful for digestion
but
she didn't know which ones and how to use them for internal purposes. Thanks
for you help.
A: There are some Essential Oils that I have used internally. Peppermint
Oil aids in digestion. I put one drop in a glass of water. It's very strong,
so
one drop is all I use. Tei Fu Oil can be gargled with water for a sore
throat. Many Essential Oils are used for cooking as well. I'm not very
familiar with that avenue of Essential Oils yet.
Q: I've been getting blisters on my feet frequently (I dance in leather
sandals, and they're still pretty new). They're usually minor, but I have
two or three on each foot. Is there a good remedy for blisters using
essential oils, to help the pain and help them heal faster?
A: There are several Essential Oils that help heal blisters. I would apply
one drop of Lavender
Oil and one drop of Chamomile and rub in gently. The
Lavender will keep the blister from getting infected. Other Essential Oils
that can be used to treat blisters are Tea
Tree, Lemon, Myrrh, and Geranium.
Q: Can Clove Bud with a carrier oil be rubbed into a person's gums (in
the
mouth)?
A: I would use Clove
Essential Oil in the mouth by applying one drop to
a
fingertip to apply it to the gum area around the tooth in pain.
Q: Is there anything I can use to stop the itching from Chiggers?
A: For chigger bites I would use 10 drops of Thyme
Essential Oil to a
teaspoon of any alcohol and apply to area every 3 hours. The next day and
following apply Lavender
Oil three times a day.
Q: My daughter has several scars caused from eczema and when she had chicken
pox as a child. This has also discolored her skin. She worries about the
marks in her face from these conditions as she is now 17 yrs old. Please
help!
A: There are a few different products your daughter could try. Herbal
Trim has been used for scars, stretch marks, acne, among other skin problems.
It
contains a couple of essential oils that also aid in healing the skin.
It
has Lavender, Clove, and Tei-Fu
Oil. Your daughter could also use th
Lavender Oil directly on her skin. Neroli can be used blended with Massage
Oil to help prevent scars. If using Essential Oils, it may take 3-6 months
before the scars lessen. Bergamot may also be helpful in scar healing.
Q: I am wondering how to get rid of warts on the hands and how to make
bug
repellant for children and adults, how to make cleaning solution for fruits
and veggies. I will be living abroad soon and want safe things for my
children thanks!
A: I would use Lemon Essential Oil or Lavender
Oil on warts.
You
can apply them individually or mixed together. I would apply them directly
to the wart unless applying to a child of under 12 years of age. I would
dilute the essential oils in Massage
Oil if applying to a child under 12
years of age.
Lavender oil is a great deterrent for mosquitoes along with other insects.
There are several different methods you can use to get keep insects away.
For your house or somewhere your staying, you can fill cups with hot water,
preferably boiling, and place a couple drops of Lavender
Oil in them and
place them on windows or other places where mosquitoes might visit.
Filling a bath with hot water & putting 6-8 drops of Lavender
Oil in it& keeping the door open, so the Essential Oil molecules will drift into the
room through the steam.
You can put a couple drops of the oil on the Aromaball diffuser when your
near an electrical outlet. This would be good while your sleeping. I would
also make a Lavender
Oil Spritzer, just use
a 2 oz. spray bottle, fill it with purified or distilled water and add
6 drops of Lavender
Oil. Then at night I
would spray it about 4 times all over my bed, this also helps me to sleep.
When your outside, you can put a few drops on ribbon and hang them from
trees. Mosquitoes seem to aim at the ankles, so I would wear socks and
put 2
drops of the Lavender Oil on the socks. You can also put the drops on the
bottom of your trousers.
You can hang tissue paper around your balcony when you're eating and place
a
drop of the oil on each piece. You can use the oil in massage oil and
massage it on your body. I would keep a bottle of 2 tablespoons of the
massage oil with 30 drops of Lavender
Oil. Use this to massage on your
skin
before going out and before going to bed to protect yourself.
Sunshine Concentrate is a great natural wash for fruits and veggies.
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