New AromaWeb Article: Guide to Diluting Essential Oils
March 08, 2010
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Adding essential oil, drop by drop, to carrier oil. | |
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As I was facebooking about my review recently, Marge Clark of Nature's Gift and I briefly exchanged comments about our mutual concern over the topical application of any undiluted essential oil. It was during this exchange that I realized that I should be expanding AromaWeb's coverage of the concerns and potential consequences of applying neat essential oils to the skin, as well as a beginner's guide to diluting oils. Read Marge's own history with sensitization to lavender within the Guide to Diluting Essential Oils.
In a nutshell, the undiluted use of essential oils on the skin can be harmful and potentially cause severe irritation or sensitization. You don't need to be afraid or avoid essential oils and I'm certainly not trying to scare anyone out of enjoying all the benefits that aromatherapy offers. Aromatherapy and the safe use of essential oils can be an amazing blessing within a holistic lifestyle. Do remember, however, that when working with essential oils, less is more.
If you are new to aromatherapy, are unsure of how to properly dilute essential oils prior to topical (skin) application and/or aren't sure which essential oils are more likely to cause irritation or even sensitization, I warmly encourage you to read AromaWeb's new Guide to Diluting Essential Oils. And please spread the word about this new guide. My hope is that this article can play a part in reducing the number of incidents of sensitization and irritation caused by the neat use of essential oils and of essential oils more prone to causing sensitization/irritation.