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Dilution Rates For Using Essential Oils - Serving Joyfully
Dilution Rates For Using Essential Oils - Serving Joyfully
Because essential oils are so highly concentrated, they should be diluted in order for you to use them
safely.
I know, I know. It seems just crazy that one little drop of essential oil can really benefit your health,
but it can and will. In some cases, that is literally all it takes! Diluting your essential oils allows you
to use them safely and still receive the highest level of therapeutic benefits.
And a nice bonus is that essential oils are actually quite frugal when you consider cost per use. I love
it when I can stretch something and actually increase its efficacy!
Appropriate Rates of Dilution
Here are some recommendations to get you started. Consider them general guidelines since exact
recommendations may vary among professionals in the field of aromatherapy.
In general, age is a good factor in determining the proper dilution rates to use. I derived this list from
several sources, and my own research, as noted in the reference section below.
Under 6 months: Do not use essential oils unless under guidance of certified aromatherapist or
healthcare professional.
6 months2 years: .25.5% dilution
2 years6 years: 12% dilution
611 years: 1.53% dilution
12+ years: 25% dilution
Note: Use the lowest effective dosage. Try the lowest recommended dilution first, and then if that is
not effective, you can add more oil to get to a higher dilution.
Other Factors to consider
Though age is a good starting point, there are also other things to consider:
The oil being used. For example, a gentle oil like lavender can be used at a much higher dilution,
while a stronger oil like cinnamon bark will require a much heavier dilution.
The purpose of the treatment. The bottom end of the range in each section would be more for
everyday use, while the higher end would be for treating acute conditions, and for short term
use.
The overall health of the person being treated. People who may be more sensitive should start
with a 1% dilution rate (.5% for children under 6). Some examples: chronic health conditions,
known sensitivities, compromised immunity, elderly, pregnant or nursing women.
How to Dilute Oils
Note: For ease of using this chart, the number of drops is rounded to the nearest whole drop.
.25% Dilution Rate
1 drops of EO to 20 ml of carrier oil
.5% Dilution Rate
1 drops of EO to 10 ml of carrier oil
2 drops of EO to 20 ml of carrier oil
3 drops of EO to 30 ml (1 oz) of carrier oil
56 drops of EO to 60 ml (2 oz) of carrier oil
1% Dilution Rate
1 drop of EO to 5 ml of carrier oil.
2 drops of EO to 10 ml of carrier oil
3 drops of EO to 15 ml of carrier oil
56 drops of EO to 30 ml (1 oz) of carrier oil
1012 drops of EO to 60 ml (2 oz) of carrier oil
2% Dilution Rate
2 drop of EO to 5 ml of carrier oil.
34 drops of EO to 10 ml of carrier oil
56 drops of EO to 15 ml of carrier oil
1012 drops of EO to 30 ml (1 oz) of carrier oil
2024 drops of EO to 60 ml (2 oz) of carrier oil
3% Dilution Rate
23 drop of EO to 5 ml of carrier oil
56 drops of EO to 10 ml of carrier oil
89 drops of EO to 15 ml of carrier oil
1518 drops of EO to 30 ml (1 oz) of carrier oil
3035 drops of EO to 60 ml (2 oz) of carrier oil
5% Dilution Rate
45 drop of EO to 5 ml of carrier oil
810 drops of EO to 10 ml of carrier oil
1315 drops of EO to 15 ml of carrier oil
2530 drops of EO to 30 ml (1 oz) of carrier oil
5060 drops of EO to 60 ml (2 oz) of carrier oil
Helpful Conversions
83 drops EO = 5 ml = 1 tsp
250 drops EO = 15 ml = 1 Tbsp.
30 ml = 1 oz
Additional notes about diluting essential oils.
The EO amount is the total amount of essential oils that should be included for that amount of carrier
oil. If you are using multiple oils, you should mix and match them to get the proper dilution rate.
For some blends and dilutions, this might mean that you should use more carrier oil and make a
greater amount. For example, if you're making a 1% dilution of 3 different oils then you would need
1 drop of each oil and 15 ml of carrier oil.
Tip: For my most commonly used oils, I like to predilute them in roller bottles so that they are ready
to go.
References:
Aromahead Institute: http://www.aromahead.com/onlinecourse/introductio... (must be logged in to
view)
Robert Tisserand, Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals
Robert Tisserand, Essential oil dilution chart
The Herbal Academy, https://theherbalacademy.com/aguidetoessential...
Vintage Remedies, Essential Oils & Natural Health (course)