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Dilutions for success

by Angie's Organics

Dilution is a key step to safely and successfully using essential oils. After you choose oils that are safe for you and your home, you are ready to start diluting. There are many opinions and methods on this subject, so we recommend a cautious approach, acknowledging how your body is responding to each oil. Using the lowest possible dilution for desired results protects your health and the population of what plant species the oils come from. These tiny, convenient bottles of essential oils are highly concentrated. The numbers below help put an oil’s potency into perspective, and demonstrate how important it is to follow a “less is best” mentality:

  • It takes about 1,500 to 3,000 rose petals to make a single kilogram of Rose Otto essential oil. (Butje 2)
  • It takes about 2 pounds of lavender to produce a 10ml bottle of essential oil.
  • There are around 200 drops in each 10 ml bottle of essential oils, this small bottle can be used diversely through your home.

When diluting essential oils, it is important to remember that these ingredients are very powerful and should never be applied neat to skin. Without the catalyst of another carrier substance to lower the potency of an oil, a person can experience sensitivity to that oil for decades after use. (Clark 1)

 There are certain oils that are best used topically under 1 % even for healthy adults, such as Lemongrass oil (Cymbopogon flexuosus) and cinnamon leaf (Cinnamomum zeylanicum). Oils like these are commonly known to cause skin irritation in higher dilution, so always check the safety tab before blending.

 

Please consult our dilution chart below:

Review of dilution chart:

  • 1% dilution

Children 5 +, of only Kid-safe oils

Delicate systems – Health issues, Immunocompromised, Facial care, sensitive skin, pregnancy.

  • 2% dilution

Heathy adults, can be used long-term.

  • 3% dilution

Healthy adults, short term use. Injuries, chest congestion, problematic skin, bug bites.

  • 5% dilution

Healthy adults, short term use. Bruising, burns, bee stings, head, and muscle aches.

 

 

WORKS CITED

  1. Clark, Marge. Essential Oils and Aromatics: a Step-by-Step Guide for Use in Massage and Aromatherapy. Vol. 1, Silverleaf Press, 2008.
  2. Butje, Andrea. The Heart of Aromatherapy: an Easy-to-Use Guide for Essential Oils. Hay House, Inc., 2017.
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