Essential Oil Guidelines and Dilutions

There are approximately 500–600 drops of essential oil in 30 ml, depending on the oil. The dilution guidelines I used are based on this number.

 1% of 500 = 5
1% of 600 = 6

1.      Use low concentration for problems that are emotional in nature or for accessing the subtle energetic effects of the oils; for pregnant women and children; for anyone with a compromised immune system; and for using directly on the face: 

1% dilution = 5–6 drops total of essential oil in 30 ml of carrier

2.      For massage oils and daily use: 

2% dilution = 10–12 total drops of essential oil in 30 ml of carrier.

3.      For specific injury of muscle, tendon, bone: 

3–10% depending on the individual, age, situation, and oils being used.

3% dilution = 15–18 total drops of essential oil in 30 ml carrier.

4.      For local issues such as chest congestion: 

3–10% depending on the individual, age, situation, and oils being used.

(If 1% dilution is 5–6 drops, then a 10% dilution is 50–60 drops).

5.      If the problem is acute and severe, you can go up to 25% dilution for short-term use, but I rarely find the need to use this much oil. (These problems include severe muscle cramps, intense spasms in the moment, significant bruising, or pain.)

6.      “Neat” (this means undiluted essential oil and no carrier oil) oils can be used for the following: Small areas, local use, acute situations, short-term use. These must be the highest quality, non-oxidized oils (acute situations include issues like headaches, superficial cuts, bee stings, bug bites, and burns.)

  10ml 30ml 60ml  

1%   2 - 3   5 - 6  10 - 12 Children, Elderly, Pregnant woman, chronically ill, face

2%   3 - 4   10 - 12  20 - 24 Healthy Adults, long term use

3%   5 - 6   15 - 18   30 - 36 Specific Illness or Injury, short term use (3 - 4 week)

5%   8 - 10 25 - 30 50 - 60 Acute Illness or Injury, short term use (1 - 2 weeks)

10%   17 - 20   50 - 60  100 - 120 Acute or severe illness, very short term use (1 -2 days)