Essential oils are therapeutic grade oils extracted from various botanicals, like plants.

Essential oils have been used for therapeutic reasons for thousands of years. They offer many benefits, each dependent on the plant they are derived from.

So, you've heard about the many great benefits that essential oils could have for you; congratulations, you're well on your way to a better you. Now, you just need to figure out the best application process for you.

This varies based on the type of oil, what it's being used to treat, and the tools you have available to you. In this chapter, we'll walk you through the many different essential oil applications to help you figure out how to use your essential oils to get the most out of them.

Aromatically

Essential oils can be "absorbed into the bloodstream when inhaled," which is done through the blood vessels located in the lungs. A diffuser is a good option for aromatically absorbing essential oils. You can diffuse any of your essential oils and receive their many benefits like reduced stress, improved mood, better focus, and much more. You can also place some drops.

Ingestion

Ingestion is another good option for absorbing your essential oils, however, you must be sure to do your research first. Certain essential oils, like oregano and clove, shouldn't be taken orally like this for more than a week and should be diluted before ingestion, but oils like lemon and peppermint are fine to be taken as one to three drops in water.

Homemade Items

It's becoming fairly trendy to make your items containing essential oils to reap their benefits in your way.

For example, you could make candles or bar soap containing a combination of essential oils and other good things and reap the benefits when you use the soap, absorbing the oils in your skin, or burn the candle and inhale.

You could also make shampoos, toothpaste, household cleaners, body butter, bug spray, lip balm, and more.

Topically

Essential oils can be absorbed through the skin and enter the bloodstream for you to reap their many healing benefits. You can either rub the essential oils yourself on the affected area or, if you'd prefer, there are many lotions, body washes, and shampoos made with essential oils in them that you could use as well.

You could also put essential oils in your bath by dropping them on a sponge and placing the sponge in the bathwater with you. Be sure to only use the essential oils as indicated by the bottle, as overusing could become a problem.

Almost all essential oils must be diluted with a carrier oil, such as Jojoba, avocado, almond, or walnut before applying them to the skin.

If you're applying essential oils topically, you should test first, by applying a small amount of the diluted oil on your wrist to test for any adverse reaction. This is especially important for those with highly sensitive skin.

Benefits of Essential Oils

Essential oils have a world of various benefits they can offer their users. For instance, lavender oil can help to relax you, peppermint oil can help you focus, and rosemary oil can help to minimize hair loss.

There are a wide variety of essential oils that offer several healing benefits each. Each essential oil is different, however, and has unique properties; many have specific ways they need to be applied or taken and certain limitations. You need to do your research before consuming the essential oils.

Essential oils can offer many healing benefits that can improve the health and appearance of your skin and hair, your digestion, treat your pain, help with inflammation, and even reduce the frequency and intensity of your headaches.

There are many ways from which you can choose to apply or take your essential oils.