Quick poll about dilution of oils

[Jake Snake]

Hello again!

Ok, so I'm getting ready to start practicing soon, and am looking for good pre-blended massage oils with which to carry out Holistic Massage.

I've been checking with each supplier I have found what the dilution of their blends is, as someone on a previous thread mentioned that they can be quite strong. I am finding a variety, from 1.5% - 5%, but most it would seem are 4 or 5%, which seems pretty high to me.

I have checked with the FHT, who have said they don't have an official opinion really about the strength of the blend, but that as I am not an aromatherapist, I would only be covered by insurance if I used a pre-made blend - I am not allowed to further dilute a blend I have purchased.

So - Aromatherapists - what do you think?
Is there a dilution rate you think I should not go above?
Could I be doing more harm than good if I use a really strong blend, like 5%?

(obviously I will be reading up on the essential oils in each blend so that I know of any contra-indications which may not have been picked up by the manufacturer.)

 

[rickrudge]

Hi Thell,

I studied at The Tisserand Institute back in 1997 and for body massage I use 2.5% in a base oil of Sunflower. I've been using this dilution ever since and found that it's suitable for everyone (so far) with the exception of pregnancy which should be 1-1.5% post 3rd trimester.

I blend my own therefore I have full control over exactly which essential oil and @ which ratio I blend them.

I have used 5% for more specialised work e.g. sports injuries in local areas only then go back to 2.5% for the rest of the body. I also use Tiger Balm for localised areas like the neck.

Hope this helps.

Cheers, Sue

 

[FreddeMM]

I was ITEC trained in 2009 and we were taught a 2% blend for most people but a 1% blend for pregnancy, children, the elderly and the face, as these require less strong dilutuions.
2% would be 8 drops essential oil in a 20ml base oil ie 2 drops per 5mls
1% would be 4 drops in 20 mls ie 1 drop per 5mls. You can always add more base oil if you need to cover a large area, but never more essential oils, we were taught to never use more than 3 essential oils in a blend.

If you are going to use a pre blended oil then look at a good quality brand that has been round a while and is experienced. Eve Taylor are brilliant, but others on here will reccommend others I am sure. You will need to have several blends, one to relax, one for sore muscles, one to energize etc etc.

If you do buy pre blended oils and are working for yourself ask if you can have trade prices. It may take a day or two to sort but can save you a lot of money as oils are so very expensive. Do not buy big sizes as they go off too and you may not like the blend, try at trade fairs if you can before you buy. Happy shopping!

 

[Newell]

In my original training (VTCT) I was taught 2% but I have since done some postgraduate training and was taught that 4% was fine for all over body massage, 2% for pregnant women after 3rd trimester, and that up to 15% was fine for localised areas. The lady who taught the latter percentages was a clinical aromatherapist and lecturerd on a university clinical aromatherapy course and IFPA course.

 

[apeman605]

Gosh Lavandula, that's really interesting. So maybe I shouldn't worry too much about using up to 4% then, depending on the blend itself and how strong it seems.

Cola, I was beginning to think along the same lines,...

I've so far bought some blends from Quinessence (1.5%), Baldwin's (a small health shop in South London, but they are a long established herbalist's), and Tui waxes. The Baldwin's ones are 5%, but some are just delicious. I suppose it will be ok to be led by my clients with those.

I think I'll try Base Formula next, but not until I've used up some of these as I don't want loads of lovely oil getting old and spoiling.

 

[shari_louise84]

Hi Totally Jane,

I too use a 2% solution for general body massage. But I was trained with City & Guilds in 2009, and was told 2% was 10 drops essential oil in 20ml base oil. I realise this is not a particularly accurate method - mixing measurements (drops and ml) is not accurate, and how much is in a drop anyway? But it is interesting to note that different amounts are being taught by different organisations.