Essential oils are most often used two ways: breathed in from the air, or diluted in a carrier oil and applied to the skin. This guide covers the methods the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute describe, the safety limits they give, and what the evidence does not show.
We sell an assorted essential oil collection, so read this with that in mind. Where our own listing says more than the sources do, this page says so. For specific uses, see our guides to using a diffuser, carrier oils and essential oils for sleep.
The NIH says essential oils are most often inhaled or applied in diluted form to the skin. The National Cancer Institute adds massage in a carrier oil, bath salts and lotions.
The National Cancer Institute says swallowing large amounts of essential oils is not recommended, and long skin contact can cause allergic reactions, irritation, or sun sensitivity with citrus oils.
Evidence for benefits is mixed. In a 313-person trial, lavender, bergamot and cedarwood inhalation showed no difference in anxiety or depression between the groups, and the NIH says sleep benefits are unknown.
Start with one oil, keep it away from the face of infants and small children, and ask a health care provider first if you take sedatives or are pregnant.
What Are the Main Ways to Use Essential Oils?
The two main ways are inhaling them and applying them diluted to the skin. The NIH’s aromatherapy page says essential oils are most often used by inhaling them or by applying a diluted form to the skin.
The National Cancer Institute lists the methods in more detail:
- Indirect inhalation: Breathing in the oil from a room diffuser, or from drops placed on a tissue or piece of cotton nearby.
- Direct inhalation: Breathing in from an individual inhaler, made by floating drops of oil on top of hot water.
- Massage: One or more oils diluted into a carrier oil and massaged into the skin.
- Other mixes: Oils may also be mixed with bath salts and lotions, or applied to bandages.
How Do You Use Essential Oils in a Diffuser?
You add a few drops to the diffuser and let it spread the oil through the room air. The National Cancer Institute calls this indirect inhalation, and it names tissue or cotton as a simpler alternative.
- What our listing says: Our product page directs 3 to 5 drops per 100 ml of water in an ultrasonic diffuser, run for 30 to 60 minutes. We found no source that sets drop counts or run times, so treat these as the listing’s directions.
- Single oil first: The listing suggests trying one scent before blending. That is practical advice, not a finding.
- More detail: Our diffuser guide walks through what the research shows.
How Do You Use Essential Oils on Your Skin Safely?
Dilute them in a carrier oil first. The NIH describes applying a diluted form to the skin, and the National Cancer Institute describes massage with oils diluted into a carrier oil.
- Choose one oil. A single oil makes it clear what caused any reaction.
- Dilute it in a carrier oil. Our carrier oil guide covers which oils to use and how much.
- Test a small area first. Our listing advises patch testing diluted oil. The NCI notes allergic reactions and skin irritation can occur with long contact, so stop if skin reacts.
- Keep citrus off skin before sun. The NCI says sun sensitivity may occur when citrus or other oils are applied to the skin before going out in the sun.
Can You Swallow Essential Oils?
Not as a general practice. The National Cancer Institute says swallowing large amounts of essential oils is not recommended.
- Tea tree oil: The NIH says tea tree oil should not be swallowed, and that doing so can cause confusion, unsteadiness, inability to walk and coma.
- Our listing: The product page says the oils are for aromatherapy use and not to be ingested.
Do Essential Oils Actually Work?
The evidence is mixed, so no single answer fits every use. The National Cancer Institute says aromatherapy studies have shown mixed results, with some reports of improved mood, anxiety, sleep, nausea and pain, and others showing no change.
- A large trial with no difference: In a trial of 313 patients having radiation therapy, inhaled lavender, bergamot or cedarwood showed no difference in depression or anxiety between the groups.
- Sleep: The NIH says aromatherapy is sometimes used for insomnia, but we do not know whether it helps because little rigorous research has been done.
- Mood: In one study of lemon and lavender, lemon had a positive effect on mood, but neither scent affected stress indicators, immune markers or pain control.
- Specific uses: We cover the trials in our guides to sleep, anxiety and headache.
Featured in this guide
Assorted Essential Oil Collection
10 ml single-botanical essential oils in 19 scents. Full details are on the product page.
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Infants and small children, anyone on sedative medicines, and people who are pregnant or breastfeeding should check with a health care provider first. The NIH pages give these specifics:
- Infants and small children: The NIH says the menthol in peppermint oil should not be inhaled by or applied to the face of an infant or small child, because it may negatively affect breathing.
- Lavender and tea tree on skin: The NCI says both showed hormone-like effects, and that long skin use of the two oils was linked in one study to breast growth in boys who had not reached puberty.
- Sedative medicines: The NIH says there are theoretical reasons lavender might interact with some sedative drugs or herbs, which matters before surgery.
- Pregnancy: The NIH says little is known about whether lavender is safe in pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
What Is in Our Assorted Essential Oil Collection?
The Assorted Essential Oil Collection is a set of 10 ml single-botanical oils, with 19 scents listed. The listing says each bottle holds one plant’s oil with no carrier or fillers.
- What it is for: Diffusing, and skin use only after dilution, according to the product page.
- What we cannot say: That any oil improves sleep, mood or stress. The sources above do not support those claims for a specific product.
- Storage: The listing says to keep bottles sealed in a cool, dark place away from heat. We found no source for the storage times it gives.
When Should You Talk to a Health Care Provider First?
Talk to one before use if you take medicines, are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or plan to use oils around a baby. The NIH says to discuss decisions about treatment or care with your provider.
Essential oils are not a substitute for medical care. This guide is information, not medical advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the safest way to use essential oils?
The NIH and the NCI describe inhaling them or applying them diluted to the skin. Start with one oil, dilute it in a carrier oil for skin use, and stop if skin reacts.
Can you put essential oils directly on your skin?
The NIH describes applying a diluted form. The NCI says allergic reactions and irritation can occur with long skin contact, so use a carrier oil and test a small area first.
Can you drink essential oils?
The NCI says swallowing large amounts is not recommended, and the NIH says tea tree oil should not be swallowed at all. Our oils are listed for aromatherapy use, not ingestion.
Do essential oils help you sleep?
The NIH says aromatherapy is sometimes used for insomnia but we do not know if it helps, because little rigorous research exists. See our sleep guide for the trials.
Are essential oils safe for babies and children?
Be cautious. The NIH says the menthol in peppermint oil should not be inhaled by or applied to the face of an infant or small child. Ask a health care provider first.
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