6 Step Plan for Rotating Essential Oils
Disclaimer: The following information has not been approved by the FDA. This information should not be interpreted as medical advice and is not a substitute for a visit with a medical care professional. Always speak to your doctor about any health concerns.
If you’re new to the world of essential oils, you may be wondering what I mean by “rotate”. What is it and why is it necessary? If this is a new concept to you, read on to learn the reasons it is important to rotate essential oils to avoid sensitization, as well as a simple method of how to do this.
Why Rotate Essential Oils?
Everyone has their go-to essential oils. But using the same oil long-term may gradually cause you to develop a sensitivity to it and any other oils with similar compounds. This reaction is termed “sensitization”. It doesn’t happen to everyone, but it is much more likely in people who use essential oils internally or undiluted. Sadly, sensitivities rarely disappear with time.
Most of us develop favorite oils. That isn’t usually a problem until we are using them consistently most days. I’ll admit when I first started using essential oils I knew little about safety and applied peppermint oil almost every night, undiluted! I was also using it to brush my teeth!
Unfortunately, all mint oils now cause me to have a severe headache, and on a recent IgG Food Sensitivities test I reacted to peppermint. I know another person that was over-exposed to cinnamon oil and has now become sensitive to almost all essential oils. These experiences are not uncommon.
To be clear, sensitization typically happens with oils that are used consistently, with little or no breaks. But remember, internal use and not diluting essential oils will increase the likelihood of this reaction.
An Easy Method
To ensure safety, I’ve developed an easy system that allows me to rotate my essential oils. I apply this to all my oils, even those that I am not using daily. This provides an extra layer of protection from essential oil sensitization and has increased my knowledge and experience with unfamiliar oils.
Roller bottles are the key to this system. I mix up several different bottles for each health condition I would like to address. The bottles contain a carrier oil and a single oil, or a sometimes a blend of oils. I keep two little boxes with my #1 blends and my #2 blends. Each Sunday I switch boxes, even if I have only used an oil for a day or two. This makes it less confusing for me. I don’t have to remember how long I’ve been using an oil. They are just automatically switched.
Follow These Steps
1. Start With A List
Make a list of ways you use essential oils regularly. For example, there are oils specific for treating burns, but that isn’t a long term condition. On the other hand, you might use oils most nights to reduce tension in your neck and shoulders or as a sleep aid. Any area that you use oils on a frequent or daily basis should be included on your list.
Here are some examples of health concerns where you would want to rotate essential oils in order to avoid sensitization:
- Anxiety/Stress
- Chronic Inflammation
- Depression
- Digestive Aid
- Headache Relief
- IBS
- Pain Relief
- Respiratory Congestion
- Sleep Aid
2. Pick Your Essential Oils
After each category list oils that work to provide relief. Obviously there are many oils to choose from and my list isn’t exhaustive. You can do your own research or use some of my suggestions.
- Anxiety/Stress: bergamot, citrus oils, Roman chamomile, frankincense, lavender, vetiver, Virginia cedarwood
- Chronic Inflammation: German chamomile, clove bud, cinnamon bark, ginger, lavender, yarrow
- Depression: Roman chamomile, clary sage, frankincense, geranium, lavender, lemon, sandalwood
- Digestive Aid: anise seed, cardamom, cinnamon bark or leaf, sweet fennel, ginger, sweet orange, peppermint
- Headache Relief: Roman chamomile, clary sage, eucalyptus, lavender, neroli, peppermint, rosemary, thyme
- IBS: bergamot, German or Roman chamomile, geranium, lavender, peppermint
- Pain Relief: frankincense, German or Roman chamomile, eucalyptus, fir, ginger, lavender
- Respiratory Congestion: Atlas and Virginian cedarwood, clary sage, cypress, Eucalyptus radiata, pine, tea tree
- Sleep Aid: cedarwood, Roman chamomile, lavender, lemon, sandalwood, sweet orange
You can see some oils appear in several different categories. For example Roman chamomile appears in half of them. At this point it is easier if you make two lists with each containing the health concerns you are addressing. You could use an oil in more than one way in a week. Just make sure that each oil you choose isn’t used both weeks. Thankfully, there are such a wide variety of oils available you will have no problem finding enough to rotate and meet your health needs.
3. Develop Your Plan
Everyone has their own favorite oils. Usually these preferences are based on scent. It may take some experimenting to find blends of oils that appeal to you as well as treat your conditions.
To illustrate how to develop a plan I will show you what mine looks like.
Week #1
- Digestive Blend #1: 3 drops sweet fennel, 1 drop ginger (ginger should never be used in more than a 1% dilution rate)
- Pain Relief #1: 4 drops frankincense
- Sinus Congestion #1: 4 drops eucalyptus radiata
- Sleep Aid #1: 2 drops cedar wood, 2 drops lavender, 1 drop vetiver (this blend is at a 2.5% dilution rate)
Week #2
- Digestive Blend #2: 3 drops anise seed, 1 drop sweet orange
- Pain Relief #2: 4 drops fir
- Sinus Congestion #1: 4 drops pine
- Sleep Aid #2: 4 drops Roman chamomile
Determine Your Dilution Rate
The roller bottles I use hold 10ml (2 teaspoons). You should use a 2% dilution rate for combinations that you will be using often. To achieve a 2% dilution with a 10ml roller bottle add 4 drops of essential oils and your carrier oil.
SAFETY NOTE: Download our free dilution guide for information on dilution rates for infants, children, the elderly and those with serious health concerns. You’ll find the link at the bottom of the page.
4. Gather Supplies
It helps to have everything on hand and your bottles clearly labeled before starting! Here’s what you need to put together:
- Your List: It really does make this easier if you have a plan written out, especially if you are creating blended bottles as well.
- Roller Bottles: You need one bottle for each preparation you want to make.
- Labels: It is really important to label the bottles before you begin! Make sure your bottles include how many drops of each essential oil are included. This is important information for mixing up your next batch. You can also give these blends your own creative names for fun!
- Carrier Oil: You may not have a preference for this or even know what carrier oils are. Check out this article for more information. I always use jojoba oil in my roller bottles.
- Essential Oils: Have your essential oils ready to go. I like to line them up behind the roller bottles to help ensure I don’t get them mixed up.
- 5. Prepare Your Bottles
Remove the lids and rollers. Label the bottles! It may seem like I am overemphasizing the labeling aspect of this adventure, but I have learned from experience that it is easy to get your bottles mixed up when filling.
6. Fill the Bottles
The last (and most fun) step! Always add the essential oils first. Be careful to tip essential oil bottles very slowly to avoid adding too many drops. Next you will add your carrier oil. Before you do this, look at a bottle with the roller still in it. Note where the bottom of the roller fits. Fill with the carrier to just below this point. If you add too much carrier oil the bottle will overflow when you put the roller back in. Make sure to reinsert the roller and cap each bottle as you finish filling them.
Customize Blends for Each Family Member
With this easy method you can have bottles made up that are appropriate for each member of your family. Remember there are a limited number of oils that are safe for children under the age of six. Learn more about essential oil safety in this article.
Essential oils have become increasingly popular. The Healthy Place team is committed to providing information regarding their use and safety. We hope this article provides a simple way to rotate oils that maximizes safety and daily use. We believe it is better to err on the side of caution with this potent botanical product. As always, our aim is to help you “Find Your Healthy Place”!
DOWNLOAD OUR FREE Essential Oil Dilution Chart
*Disclaimer: All information and recommendations given on this site, in email correspondence, newsletters or other materials provided by The Healthy Place is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice nor be viewed as a substitute for a face-to-face consultation with a healthcare provider. Consult a licensed healthcare practitioner before modifying, stopping, or starting the use of any medications, health programs, diets, and/or supplements, as well as regarding any health concerns you may have. Our statements and information have not been evaluated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration. As with any health-related program, product, or service, your risks and results may vary. We expressly disclaim responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or damage caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the information provided to you here.”
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