Lifestyle Choices

First choose the essential oil(s) to suit your physical and/or emotional needs.

Essential oils need to be diluted at a rate of 1/2 to 3 per cent depending on the person’s skin, the strength of the essential oil and the condition for which it is being applied. The lowest concentrations (¹/2 to 1 per cent) are best for facial oils and for those with sensitive skin.

If your skin is sensitive, it is best to start with the 1/2 per cent concentration and, if this causes no irritation, increase to 1 per cent. For a body oil, gradually build up to 2 per cent. In practice, I rarely use concentrations above 2¹/2 per cent for massage (even for those with ‘normal’ skin). However, 3 per cent concentrations of certain oils can be most helpful when there is a great deal of muscular tension.

CAUTION:

A few oils are very strong and should always be used in concentrations no greater than 1/2 to 1 per cent. These include basil, camomile, fennel, ginger, lemongrass and melissa.

I tend also to be wary of black pepper, citrus oils, geranium and ylang ylang. These are best used at a concentration no greater than 2 per cent for body massage, for these too can irritate sensitive skins in higher concentrations.

Essences of rose otto and neroli have a very high odour intensity, which means a tiny amount will go a lo’ fig way. So you will rarely need more than ¹/2 to 1 per cent of these oils in blends.

Easy Measures

If you intend to mix only enough oil for a single massage, use a 5 ml plastic medicine spoon to measure the base or carrier oil. Ordinary teaspoons generally hold less than 5 ml.

Facial Oils

For a ¹/2 per cent concentration add 1 drop of essential oil to every 2 teaspoonsful of base oil. For a 1 per cent concentration, add 1 drop of essential oil to each teaspoonful of base oil. For a 2 per cent concentration, add 2 drops of essential oil to each teaspoonful of base oil. However, do not exceed a 2 per cent concentration when preparing facial oils.

Body Oils

For a 2 or 3 per cent concentration, add two or three drops of essential oil to each teaspoonful of base oil.

For larger quantities of massage oil to be stored in dark glass bottles, fill a 50 ml bottle with a base oil, then add the required amount of essential oil. For a 1/2 per cent concentration, add 5 drops to 50 ml of base oil. For a 1 per cent concentration in the same amount of base oil, add 10 drops of essential oil; for a 2 per cent concentration, add 20 drops, and for a 3 per cent concentration, add 30 drops. Store in a cool dark place, but use within 2 to 3 months.

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