Choosing the Right Essential Oil for Your Needs: Guidance from the Aromatherapy Trade Council

Selecting the right essential oil can often feel overwhelming, given the vast options available. However, whether your therapeutic aim is psychological, such as stress management or fatigue; physiological, such as insomnia or aches and pains; mood enhancement; or general health and well-being, there are essential oils to meet your needs. This authoritative guide outlines a structured approach to help you make an informed decision and offers insights into sourcing your oils from reputable suppliers. 

Step 1: Define Your therapeutic Objective

Are you seeking a solution for specific health issues, such as everyday winter ailments or insomnia? Alternatively, is your objective well-being support, for instance, unwinding after a demanding day or enhancing your concentration and focus during a tiring schedule? Identifying your objective is crucial in guiding your selection. One unique benefit of essential oils, especially when blended, is that they provide an aromatherapy holistic treatment which can support the mind and body simultaneously. 

For winter ailments, eucalyptus has an affinity with the respiratory system and can be very effective. Tea tree and pine are also popular choices in aromatherapy. 

For insomnia, lavender is the oil that most aromatherapists recommend. Lavender is also effective for head tension along with peppermint. 

For stress relief, bergamot, geranium, palmarosa, frankincense, and cedarwood are amongst the oils that aromatherapists typically recommend to help.  

Step 2: Determine Your Preferred Application Method 

Your chosen method of application significantly impacts your experience. Diffusion is an excellent way to scent your environment and inhale the therapeutic benefits of oils. If topical application (which may include massage) is your preference, it is crucial to dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil (such as coconut or almond) for safety before applying. For immediate relief, inhaling directly from the bottle or placing a drop onto a tissue provides a quick and effective solution. Choose an application method that fits your lifestyle.  

The most common application methods are listed at the end of this article. 

Step 3: Prioritize Quality and Authenticity 

The quality of essential oils is paramount. Seek products labelled as “100% pure essential oil” or even better, those certified organic. Avoid oils containing synthetic fillers or “fragrance oils” that do not deliver the therapeutic benefits of pure essential oils. The best approach to sourcing high-quality oils is through reputable suppliers, particularly members of the Aromatherapy Trade Council (ATC). Our members adhere to rigorous quality standards, assuring you of the purity and efficacy of the products you purchase.  

Step 4: Observe Personal Reactions 

Individual responses to essential oils can vary widely. For instance, while most people find lavender to be an effective sedative, some find other oils such as chamomile or frankincense more suited to their needs. Start your journey with a smaller bottle to assess your response. If the oil enhances your mood and overall well-being, you’ve found a suitable match. If it doesn’t, feel free to explore alternatives. Your path to wellness through aromatherapy is uniquely yours, and it's essential to embrace what resonates with you. 

Step 5: Ensure Simplicity and Safety in Usage 

After selecting your essential oil, store it in its original dark glass bottle, away from direct sunlight and heat, to preserve its potency; high-quality oils can maintain their efficacy for extended periods when stored properly. Start with one or two oils—perhaps bergamot for relaxing evenings and lime for invigorating mornings—and gradually expand your collection as you discover what resonates with you. Always refer to the label for usage instructions, and if you have questions, don’t hesitate to consult the resources and customer support offered by ATC member companies. 

Common health and well-being issues and essential oils that may help.  

Tiredness – To boost energy choose citrus oils such as lemon, lime and grapefruit. Consider blending with some geranium or lemongrass for balance and to enhance the scent.  

Muscle tiredness - To revitalise choose eucalyptus, basil, rosemary or peppermint. Consider blending with some cedarwood for strength. 

Headaches- For relief of discomfort choose lavender and to clear the head choose peppermint (spearmint for a more gentle scent).  

Joint discomfort - to warm choose ginger, cinnamon, black pepper or clove and for relief choose lavender or chamomile. 

Insomnia - Lavender is the most popular treatment for insomnia but consider blending with some frankincense to calm the mind and a fraction of soft mandarin to enhance the scent. 

Increased sensitivity to pain or discomfort - Chamomile is effective for lowering the sensitivity threshold; however, it can be helpful to blend with a floral oil such as geranium or patchouli. 

Digestive problems - For an irritated digestive system bergamot may be helpful, also chamomile. For a sluggish bowel basil or fennel. Both blend extremely well with grapefruit. 

Mental exhaustion or burnout - Gentle citrus’s such as mandarin or bergamot are popular. Consider blending with cedarwood for courage and resilience and/or adding some calming lavender 

Lethargy - Any of the citrus oils can be effective, orange sweet is a popular choice because it is quite robust and always uplifting.  Consider adding some balancing lemongrass or palmarosa to enhance the effect and the scent.  

Irritability - Ylang Ylang is the oil of choice. To cut through the sweetness and enhance the efficacy consider adding grapefruit the perfect detox oil and  mind soothing frankincense 

Anxiety - Many oils are believed to be effective for anxiety. Consider bergamot, May Chang, Palma rosa, Patchouli, frankincense, cedarwood and myrrh.  

Emotional overload - Any of the balancing oils would be suitable. These include geranium, lemongrass, ylang ylang, bergamot, also the mind calming oils such as  frankincense, chamomile, lavender and benzoin.  

Concentration, memory, and decision-making problems - Any of the citrus oils such as lemon, lime and grapefruit would be helpful. Consider blending with cedarwood or frankincense to slow the mind and enhance focus. 

Feelings of detachment and isolation - Cedarwood is the perfect choice. Consider blending with orange sweet to lift the mood and geranium, ylang ylang, palmarosa or patchouli to enhance the scent. 

Compromised immune system - Tea tree is the recommendation because it has proven efficacy as a powerful anti-microbial. It is also antifungal. The scent can be perceived as too medicinal for some so blending with lemongrass or geranium is an effective way of enhancing the scent. 

Can’t switch off? - Frankincense is often recommended to help anxiety symptoms. Consider blending with relaxing geranium and gently uplifting mandarin. 

Period discomfort – Geranium can be helpful, and it blends well with soothing chamomile and warming benzoin. 

Why Choose ATC Member Companies? 

When investing in essential oils, assurance in quality and safety is essential. ATC member companies exemplify a commitment to these principles, providing you with a trusted seal of authenticity. By choosing products from these members, you are not merely purchasing oil; you are accessing the expertise and care of professionals dedicated to enhancing your wellbeing. Consult our member directory to embark on a reliable aromatherapy journey. 

In summary, whatever health outcome that you wish to achieve—relaxation, energy, or a wellness enhancement? Identify your goal, select the appropriate oil, procure it from a trusted ATC source, and enjoy the experience and the health and wellbeing benefits.  

How to use essential oils to enhance health and well-being 

There are many ways to incorporate the stimulating oils into everyday life (see later), but the following are the most common. Note the amount of essential oil recommended would normally be from one oil or the sum of up to three different oils.  

• Inhalation: Using an essential oil diffuser (either candle or electric) to disperse the oil into the air (Up to 1.5% i.e. 18 drops per 50ml of water) or placing a few drops on a tissue (up to 4 drops)  and inhaling the fragrance.  Clay or wood diffuser discs can also be used.
• Topical Application: Diluted in a carrier oil, lotion or cream and applying to the skin as a massage or a beauty treatment. (up to 1.5% concentration  i.e. up to 6 drops in a tablespoonful (15ml)
• Shower gel (Up to 1.5% i.e. up to 6 drops in a tablespoon of fragrance free gel or salt)
• Bath gel: This depends on the amount of water so approximately up to 10 drops ideally diluted in a tablespoonful of neutral bath oil, dairy or plant milk or vodka   
• Salt: Depending on the amount of water, up to 10 drops dispersed into a tablespoon of neutral bath gel or vodka and then mixed with a cup of sea, table  or Epsom salt.
• Roll-Ons:  Diluted essential oils applied to the pulse points from a roller bottle. 1% i.e. up to 6 drops in 25ml of carrier oil
• Room sprays: Essential oils dispersed into water (with a specialist dispersant or alcohol e.g. vodka) up to 2% i.e. 25 drops per 50ml
• Pillow sprays: Essential oils dispersed into water (with a specialist dispersant or alcohol e.g. vodka) up to 1.5% i.e. 17 drops in 50ml 

Important note: Some essential stimulating oils have a particularly strong aroma so the dilutions would be lower to avoid an overwhelming fragrance 

Safety note: If pregnant or affected by a medical condition then seek help from a health care provider before using essential oils.