How an Aromatherapist THINKS about a Topical Application

This is the question I get most often.  It goes something like this, "How many drops of eucalyptus oil should I put on my baby's chest, he has croup?"

So, let's break this down:

1.)  How many drops?
As a professional aromatherapist, I rarely, if ever use "drops" to measure essential oils for topical applications.  The reason is simple.  A "drop" of lavender essential oil is not the same size as a "drop" of vetiver essential oil due to the viscosity of the liquid.  To complicate matters, different manufacturers have different sized orifice reducers, so every brand could potentially have a different drop size.  To get around this, I use a disposable syringe which holds up to 1mL of liquid and is marked in 0.1 mL increments.  They are inexpensive and assure me that my measurements are precise. Using this type of measurement, I can know, with confidence, that my chest rub contains exactly 0.5% total EO in a carrier oil or salve.  This type of precision is not as important with very mild EOs such as lavender, but can be very important with a potent EO such as wintergreen or a common sensitizer such as cinnamon bark EO.

Another note on number of drops is to keep in mind that with essential oils, less is more.  Start with the lowest dilution, and if more is needed, it can be added, but if there is too much, it is very difficult, and in some cases impossible to reduce the amount to EO being used.


2.) Dilute
Dilution in a carrier is very important with regard to topical use of essential oils to avoid irritation and sensitization.  Dilution is based on many factors including:

• the exact species / chemotype of the EO in question
• any other EOs to be included in the blend
• the purpose of the application
• the age of the person it is to be used on
• the % of the body which will be covered (spot treatment, large area, whole body)
• where will it be applied (how sensitive is that area, how thick or thin is the skin)
• how often will it be applied (daily, hourly, weekly?)
• what is the expected duration of the application (once and done or every day for a month?)
• are there any other concerns such as medications or conditions?
• what are the safety parameters for that EO specifically, every EO has its own unique parameters for use which may change when used in a blend
• are essential oils being added for the purpose of scent or to accomplish a specific task?

Although easy to read charts seem like a simple way to safely dilute essential oils for topical use, they do not generally take into consideration that some EOs are quite mild and others are very potent.  They also cannot take into consideration all of the factors outlined above.  Charts are a must-have for simplifying the arithmetic, but they cannot tell you what the proper dilution is for a specific scenario.

3.) Choice of Essential Oil(s)
The last problem with this question is intertwined with the choice of essential oil for use.  Again, knowing the species and chemotype is important as is the age and any physical conditions of the person.  Many essential oils are fine to use (at proper dilution) with children, others need to be reserved for those over the age of 6; sometimes even older.  In our example above, it is necessary to know the baby's age and the species of Eucalyptus being used.  Also, it is prudent to consider that inhalation / diffusion is generally the most effective route for administering an EO for respiratory ailments.  There are MANY species of Eucalyptus, some are gentler than others.  There are other essential oils which are also effective for the upper respiratory tract (pines, firs, spruces, various Melaleuca species).  There are options to consider, and perhaps a blend is most appropriate.  It is also worth noting that many essential oils are not appropriate for a baby (e.g. peppermint, wintergreen, fennel, cinnamon bark, ylang ylang, and others)

In conclusion, essential oils are a wonderful addition to the home wellness "toolbox",   They are powerful tools for providing relief and support during illness and for everyday wellness, but they should be respected and used appropriately in order to be effective.  Consult with a trained, registered, or certified aromatherapist for proper usage and safety.