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Beginning Aromatherapy Guide For
Using Essential Oils

Essential Oil Bottle Surrounded By Leaves | Aromatherapy Guide

This aromatherapy guide gives you a variety of information related to essential oils and how they work.

Essential oils (sometimes inaccurately called aromatherapy oils) are concentrated liquid extracts made from plants. The word "essential" comes from "essence," as in the essence of the plant.

For the plants, the components of these oils provide natural defenses against disease and pests. These components also have beneficial effects for people. The articles in this guide introduce you to using aromatherapy for yourself and your family and friends.

For profiles of essential oils, see Essential Oils Guide.

Essential Oil Dilution

Wondering how many drops of essential oil to use in carrier oil for a specific dilution?

For a 1% dilution:

  • 1 drop essential oil in 1 teaspoon carrier oil
  • 3 drops essential oil in 1 tablespoon carrier oil
  • 6 drops essential oil in 2 tablespoons carrier oil
  • 12 drops essential oil in ½ cup carrier oil

For a 3% dilution:

  • 3 drops in 1 teaspoon carrier
  • 9 drops in 1 tablespoon carrier
  • 18 drops in 2 tablespoons carrier
  • 36 drops in ½ cup carrier

For a 5% dilution:

  • 5 drops essential oil in 1 teaspoon carrier oil
  • 15 drops essential oil in 1 tablespoon carrier oil
  • 30 drops essential oil in 2 tablespoons carrier oil
  • 60 drops essential oil in ½ cup carrier oil

For a 10% dilution:

  • 10 drops in 1 teaspoon carrier
  • 30 drops in 1 tablespoon carrier
  • 60 drops in 2 tablespoons carrier
  • 120 drops in ½ cup carrier

Aromatherapy Guide Articles

Aromatherapy Books
A list of recommended books and ebooks for learning about using essential oils.

Aromatherapy Carrier Oils
Information about the properties and uses of common carrier oils for essential oils.

Aromatherapy Education
If you want to study aromatherapy, here's a list of aromatherapy training programs.

Aromatherapy For Babies and Essential Oils For Children
How to use essential oils with babies and children.

Aromatherapy For the Emotions
How to use essential oils to balance emotions.

Aromatherapy Massage Oil
Massage blends for relaxing, calming, uplifting, invigorating, immune support, and more.

Ayurvedic Aromatherapy
Information about the use of essential oils in Ayurveda.

Easy Aromatherapy Recipes For Men
How to make aftershave, beard oil, cologne, and more.

Choosing an Aromatherapy Diffuser
Descriptions and pictures of the different types of essential oil diffusers.

Epilepsy and Essential Oils
Information about using aromatherapy if you have epilepsy.

Essential Oil Distiller
Learn about how distillers work and where you can buy one for home use.

Essential Oil Safety
Guidelines for using aromatherapy safely, including the shelf life of essential oils, dilution, and skin safety.

Essential Oils and Pregnancy
The safe use of aromatherapy during pregnancy.

Five Chinese Elements
How to use essential oils based on five element theory.

History of Aromatherapy
Brief background about the use of aromatic oils.

How Does Aromatherapy Work?
An explanation of how aromatherapy works.

How To Make Essential Oil
Instructions for making essential oil and hydrosol using a homemade still.

What Are Aromatherapy Hydrosols?
Learn about aromatherapy waters and their uses.

You can also visit the other sections of this website and find essential oil recipes for:

Facial Skin Care

Body and Hair Care

Essential Oils Healing

Household and Personal Uses



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