Inhalation through atmospheric diffusion
Inhalation through micro-diffusion is one of the fastest and most effective ways of receiving benefits from pure essential oils. Micro-diffusion is achieved by means of an air pump and nebulizer, which efficiently diffuses molecules of essential oil into the air of an entire room with maximum penetration.

Essential oils have been tested and found effective for their airborne antiseptic activity, especially those that contain monoterpenes. They would be our first choice to disinfect and purify the air in the event of a bacterial contamination. Such facilities as day care, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, as well as our personal homes would benefit greatly from equipping themselves with micro-diffusers and high quality oils during the annual cold and flu season. .

Essential oil diffusion also creates an ambiance in a room that can be soothing to the body-mind and anti-stress, or intellectually or physically stimulating. The Japanese and, to some degree, here in the U.S., businesses are increasingly using diffusion of essential oils into the air to improve the quality of the life and working performance.


Through the skin
The most popular way of benefitting from essential oils by way of the skin is massage. This is a most pleasant way to receive the effects of aromatherapy. Children particularly like this form of aromatherapy. When using massage with young children always dilute the essential oils into a carrier oil. For new born to age two use no more than 3-6 drops essential oil to 60ml (2oz) of carrier oil, up to eight years 8-10 drops essential oil to 60ml of carrier oil, ages eight and above, up to 15 drops essential oil to 60ml of carrier oil.

Foot massage or a back massage is a good way to help a child or an adult unwind after an active day and prepare them for sleep. It is also a good home remedy for aching muscles when you have been overactive or to aid your child while participating in school sports programs


Baths
In the wonderful book ‘The World of Aromatherapy’ by Jeanne Rose and Susan Earle, there is a chapter titled ‘Bathing in the souls of flowers’ by Barbara Bobo. What a wonderful way to experience aromatherapy and the use of essential oils. Fill your bath and add 3 drops essential oil into a bath salt or shower gel for children 2 to 8, and 5 to 10 drops for children over 8 and adults. Not only is this a very relaxing experience, but it can relieve aches and pains and is good for the skin. (Do not add essential oils to a bath without an agent to disperse the oil, such as salt.)

You may also want to try hand or foot baths, this is particularly effective for fungal problems or for the aches and pains of sprains or arthritic conditions. (Reduce the number of drops used to one half of those stated above.

Compresses
You can use a hot compress in cases of muscle aches and pains or bruises. You could also use it for eczema or psoriasis. Fill a large bowl with as hot a water as you or your child can stand, add 3 to 4 drops of the essential oil, stir with your finger to disperse the oil. Soak a cotton cloth or diaper in the water, wring out and lay over the area to be treated, wrap with saran wrap and you can add a hot water bottle over this with a towel wrap to hold it in place. This will keep your compress warm.

For swelling and inflammation, insect bites or sprains with swelling, you can make a compress using the directions above, only using cold water with ice added. Once it is wrapped in saran, add an ice pack or cold water bottle.

Neat application
Very seldom will you use essential oils undiluted or neat. On occasion I have used them neat on an insect bite, or a bee sting. My daughter has applied tea tree neat on a developing acne blemish with great results. Most often, you will receive good beneficial results by properly diluting your essential oil.

Use in a mister
You can make up a mister bottle of essential oils to spray into the home or office environment or around your head and shoulders to refresh yourself. Mix 4oz of distilled water with 10 to 12 drops of essential oil in a spray bottle, shake well before each use. May be sprayed into a room as an environmental fragrance, or sprayed around your head (caution: keep your eyes shut) as a refreshing pick-me-up. This can be very uplifting when you are over-tired and stressed. You may also use your mister to spray a disinfecting mist into hotel beds and bathrooms when you travel.

Use as anointing oil
To work with the meridians or to use with energy work, dilute 9 drops of essential oil into 1 tablespoon of carrier oil. Apply one drop to the meridian or acupuncture point or on primary or secondary energy centers. Anointing with oils is an ancient practice used for protection, devotion, celebration or special recognition.

The Greek physician, Hippocrates claimed that the way to good health is to have an aromatic bath and scented massage every day.