There are a variety of application ways for aromatherapy. This includes massage, acupuncture, layering, compress, inhalation, bath and shower. The use of the essential oil depends on what the user wanted to achieve.
Massage
This is the most popular application in aromatherapy. By massaging, the skin and tissue tend to relax. The use of the essential oil maximizes the healing power of the massage. It can produce a calming or energizing effect depending on the oil used and the strokes of the masseur.
To make a massage oil we have to dilute the essential oils in canola, safflower or a blend of emollient vegetable oils.
People may ask this question a lot. “What is the ratio of mixture between the carrier oil and the essential oil?”. A table below gives a general idea for the equivalent fluid ounce of carrier oil and the number of drops of essential oil mixture.
For one fluid ounce (600 drops) of carrier oil.
| 1% of 600 | = | 6 | drops | |
| 2% of 600 | = | 12 | drops | |
| 2.5% of 600 | = | 15 | drops | |
| 5% of 600 | = | 30 | drops OR | 1.5 ml |
| 10% of one oz | = | 60 | drops OR | 3 ml |
For every 600 drops of carrier oil, 6 drops of essential oil is needed.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a method that also uses aromatherapy. The essential oil increases the effectiveness of the method. The essential oil is used by dipping the tip of the needles before inserting it. The oil to be used is not limited to one. A combination of oils can be used if desired.
Layering
This technique is the application of one oil after another. For example, marjoram oil is applied to a sore muscle through massage. When the area gets dry, the second oil is used like the peppermint to revitalize the muscle and then after this the third oil is used and so on. The type of oil to be applied on the body would depend on what the user is after. The effect on the body would depend on what oil was used.
Compress
By using a basin with hot or cold water and adding desired essential oils can create a hot or cold compress. Since water and oil do not mix, the oil floats on top so when a towel is put in and saturated the oils are absorbed. The towel is then put on the area where the compress is needed. A compress can also be used after a massage. After a session of massage by putting a hot wet towel on top of the massaged area, the heat from the towel would force the oils to be absorbed deeply in the body.
Inhalation
An oil diffuser is the simplest way to put the oil molecules into the air for inhalation. The use of inhalation method is most effective if it is used for 15 minutes out of an hour only. This is so that the body can recover before receiving more. There are many other ways to use the inhalation method. These are: putting oils on a cloth, a tissue, a cotton ball or a pillow and then hold it to the face for inhalation; dropping a few drops of oil on hot water and inhaling the vapors; using a vaporizer or humidifier; lastly, by attaching a cotton ball with oil on fans or vents.
Baths
Most people use the essential oils for bath water. Since oil will separate from water, the skin gets the oil from the top of the water after bathing. There are some comments that using more than six drops of oil is very uncomfortable. Bath and Shower Gels are another form of medium that is used for bathing. By adding the oils to the gel base creates the scented bath and shower gel. It is advised that the combination of shower gels and oil is more beneficial because the oil would be evenly dispersed throughout the water and it does not separate easily.