Article co-authored by Stéphanie Monnatte-Lassus Aromatologist, Plantar Reflexologist and Relaxologist and Joëlle le Guehennec, President of the EAI, French School of Integrative Aromatherapy

In order to determine the dosages, here are some essential notions:

• 1 ml of essential oil = about 25 drops of essential oil
• For example: 10% essential oil in a 100ml bottle = 10ml essential oil = about 250 drops of essential oil
• Another example: 10% essential oil in a 50 ml bottle = 5 ml of essential oil = 125 drops of essential oil

The dosages below are given as an indication and depend on many criteria. It is recommended to contact a professional.

Precision : the term “child” is understood from 5 years old.

Several methods of application are possible by the cutaneous route, depending on the desired benefit and the age of the user:

In local application:

Directly on the affected area: in case of pimple, herpes, etc …

Dosage:

• Baby: dilute 1 drop of essential oil with vegetable oil (sweet almond oil for example) in the palm of the hand
• Child: 2 drops of essential oil mixed with vegetable oil in the palm of the hand
• Adult: 3 to 4 drops of essential oil diluted with vegetable oil in the palm of the hand

As an anointing for localized care:

Action: pain, contracture, tension, hematoma, burning, cellulite …

Dosage:

• Baby: dilute 1% essential oil in vegetable oil (sweet almond oil for example)
• Child: 3% essential oil mixed with vegetable oil
• Adult: 5 to 10% essential oil mixed with a vegetable oil

In massage, on a larger surface:

Action: relaxation

Dosage:

• Baby: dilute 1% essential oil in vegetable oil
• Child: 3% essential oil mixed with vegetable oil
• Adult: 3 to 5% of essential oils diluted in a vegetable oil

In the bath :

The essential oil is not water soluble and must be mixed with a neutral base (vegetable oil, liquid soap, shampoo, etc.).

Action: relaxing (Lavandula Angustifolia for example), decongestant (Eucalyptus Radiata) …

Dosage: The dosages are indicative but be careful about the proportion of essential oil compared to the amount of water in the bathtub.

• Baby: 1 to 2 drops of essential oil mixed with a neutral base, in a baby bath
• Child: Mix 2 to 3 drops of essential oil with a neutral base. Please note: vegetable oil makes the bottom of the tub slippery.
• Adult: Mix 5 to 10 drops of essential oil with a neutral base.

In cosmetics:

Action: regenerating, healing, anti-wrinkle, moisturizing, etc …

Dosage:

• Child: A few drops of essential oil (1%) mixed with a cream or an oil
• Adult: a few drops of essential oil (1 to 2%) mixed with a cream or an oil 

In the hair:

Action: anti-greasy, anti-dandruff

Dosage: 3 to 5 drops mixed with shampoo

Specific action: keep lice away for example (Lavandula angustifolia)

Dry dosage: a few drops directly on the affected areas of the scalp

In olfaction 

For targeted and individual therapeutic use: stand above the bottle of essential oil and perform 5 slow breaths (inhale 5 times by placing your nose above the bottle, and exhale 5 times by slightly spreading it)

Inhalation

Place your face over an inhaler containing 2 to 4 drops of essential respiratory oils mixed with hot water. If you don’t have an inhaler, you can use a bowl of hot water and cover your head with a cloth. Important note: do not heat the water with essential oils but integrate them at the last moment.

In diffusion

The basic principle, in order to respect the aromatic molecules, is to never heat an essential oil. It is recommended to avoid diffusers that heat essential oils. Several devices are currently on the market. There are two main methods of distribution:

1) Diffusers in which essential oils, poured into a cup of water, are emitted in the form of micro droplets (mist). These broadcasters adopt the principle of cold micro-spray. They are broadcast over a long period of time (from 60 to 90 minutes in general, some even broadcast up to 7 hours). The number of essential oil drops depends on the type of diffuser and the surface of the room. This process has the advantage of offering a pleasant, relaxing or invigorating olfactory atmosphere.

2) Diffusers in glassware: essential oils are diffused alone (without water) for 5 to 10 minutes per hour. The aromatic molecules are then released to offer all their therapeutic benefits, whether to cleanse a room (for example Lemon), to facilitate breathing (for example Ravintsara) or to install a relaxing atmosphere (for example Lavender). The amount of essential oil to pour into the diffuser depends on the surface of the room and the type of diffuser.

It is sometimes suggested to absorb an essential oil by mixing it with sugar or honey. The essential oil being lipophilic (soluble in fatty substances), it is recommended to ingest it with a vegetable oil or a fatty substance, the only food allowing to buffer the gustatory force and the causticity of an essential oil. However, some essential oils can be toxic to the liver, kidneys, and brain. It is therefore preferable not to ingest it, as a precautionary measure, except to seek the advice of a professional.

Only the doctor is authorized to offer the manufacture of capsules (administered orally), ova (vaginally) and suppositories (rectally).

Essential oils can be used, with the greatest of care, in the kitchen. For this, it is imperative to introduce essential oils at the end of the culinary preparation, once the dish is finished and cooked.

In fact, essential oils should not be heated so as not to alter their aromatic molecules and properties. If it is a dish in sauce, take part of the sauce in a spoon and incorporate half a drop. Return the contents of the spoon to the dish and taste. Proceed in this way, sparingly, until you reach the desired aromatic touch. Be careful about the choice of essential oil, stay on the “sure values”: lemon, sweet orange, rose, large green basil …

The essential oil can also enter your interior by integrating your household products : introduced in your household products (Lemon, Tea tree, Scots pine, Eucalyptus radiata for example) or in your vacuum cleaner bag (Lavender, Eucalyptus radiata for example).