Now that we understand why we want to dilute Essential Oils, let’s discuss dilution ratios.
First, note that these are guidelines: every person is chemically different. This means that some people may be more sensitive than others and may need to dilute more, while others will be fine diluting less. Remember what we discussed in the last Step: because every individual is unique, the dose will vary based on size, age, and overall health status.
For a baby, use only gentle oils and use one to two drops per four teaspoons of carrier oil. If making a roller bottle, use one drop, and fill the rest with carrier oil of choice.
To ensure you are using Essential Oils properly with children, follow the dilution guidelines listed below:
• Newborn to six months: one drop Essential Oil in four tsp. of carrier oil.
• Six months to two years: one drop Essential Oil in two tsp. of carrier oil.
• Two to five years: one drop Essential Oil in one tsp. of carrier oil.
• Five to ten years: one to two drops Essential Oil in one tsp. of carrier oil.
• Ten to eighteen years: one to five drops Essential Oil in one tsp. of carrier oil.
When creating your own roller bottle blends to use with children, use the following ratios to ensure proper dilution:
• Under two years: Fill the roller bottle 1/4 of the way with Essential Oils, then top off with carrier oil.
• Two to six years: Fill the roller bottle 1/3 of the way with Essential Oils and top off with carrier oil.
• Six years and up: Fill the roller bottle 1/2 of the way with Essential Oils and top off with carrier oil.
With each use of Essential oils on a child, stay within one to two drops every four hours as an ideal amount, with three to twelve drops in a 24-hour period as a guideline to maximum topical application.
For adults, dilute as needed, using three to six drops per use as the ideal amount, with a maximum of 12 to 36 drops per 24-hour period.
For those with sensitive skin, or fragile skin (such as the elderly), use the guidelines for a child to start, and adjust from there.
As always, it is important to be aware of one’s own unique health circumstances and adjust accordingly. A tip to remember is that we should be more moderate with our Essential Oil use when our health is compromised in any way.
NOTE: Did you know you can attend an entire Class on the subject of ESSENTIAL OILS AND KIDS? Ask for details if interested.
QUESTION – WHICH DILUTION AGE GROUP(S) WOULD YOU USE MOST IN YOUR HOME?
