How to Use Your Essential Oils

Using essential oils is as easy as drawing a bath, indeed soaking in the fragrance laden waters is one of the most popular ways to gain the benefits of these little dears!  The bath infuses the oils into your being in two ways, one through inhalation, and the other through the skin.  When using the bath  method always use some kind of demulcent to aid in breaking down the oils.  Envision the old “oil and water not mixing” deal?  If you use your three or four drops of essential oil in the tub water you will see right off that the oil congeals together right on top of the water only to rush to your body once you’ve slid on in.  For some oils this is fine, but I learned the hard way with irritating oil that it must be demulsified first with a soapy substance or my preference, two cups of sea salt.  Anyone not familiar with the healthing benefits of the bath may wish to consult an old favorite of mine, Jethro Kloss’s, Back to Eden.  My own practice is to have a salt bath (with way too much Clary Sage essential oil) for at least an hour a day.
 
I mentioned the inhalation method, this is a very convenient use of e.o.’s.  Simply pop the top and sniff.  The “vibrations” of the oil will help with a plethora of indications.  For instance, if you are having trouble concentrating sniff some rosemary, or if you are having trouble sniffing and find yourself sniffling and snuffing use eucalyptus!
 
Massage therapists find that using e.o.’s in their sessions make not only a luxurious massage, but can be used to deal with emotional upsets clients may bring in,  for e.o.’s are famous for helping to bring out deeper thought and assist in dealing with problems  in perspective.  When using e.o.’s  directly on the skin it is best to mix them with carrier oils.  My favorite is olive oil.  Just a few drops of e.o. in about an oz. of carrier oil are sufficient.
 
Another way to use e.o.’s is to make a room fragrant.  I have tried many ways to do this and find that simply putting a few drops on a pillow (on the back in case the oil doesn’t evaporate well, like patchouli).  There are other ways to infuse the air with these wonderful odor molecules too.  Vaporizers are routinely used in European hospitals to keep the air free of viruses.  Those light bulb rings are very popular, but I prefer not to burn my oils (they are expensive).  Nebulizers are available commercially (rip-off).
 
You can put your favorite oils in your shampoos, face creams, on your menstrual pads and your underwear drawers.  You can scent your sheets and I’ve even heard of some putting it in their paint!  E.O.’s have been used in cleaning products and in the garden.  In Europe they take it in gel caps!  I’ve made potions to rid hair of lice, to grow hair, to brush teeth, to cool down hot flashes,  to diminish liver spots, to encourage ants to leave, and to seduce my husband (with the scent of woo-man, patchouli).  Once while wearing a combination of Oregano and Rosemary a chubby little Italian altar boy took in a deep breath and exclaimed “delicious!”
 
Last but not least is the usage of e.o.’s in magickal amulets.  Combining the vibrations of different oils create a “sentence” of intention.  These can be worn, or rubbed in a certain place to keep your prayer active.  In Candle   Magick the candle is anointed with essential oils.