A 1995 study by T. Loftsson and colleagues in "Pharmazie" found that cod-liver oil contains mostly unsaturated fatty acids that work to easily permeate the skin. This property makes cod-liver oil an effective choice as a carrier oil for essential oils. Carrier oils are used as a base to dilute essential oils, which are highly concentrated essences of plants. When diluted, you can apply essential oils to the skin. With the right knowledge, you will have no trouble diluting your essential oils of choice in cod liver oil.
Step 1
Pour 3.5 oz. or 100 mL of cod liver oil into a dark-colored glass bottle.
Step 2
Choose one or more essential oil(s) to mix with the cod liver oil.
Step 3
Drop 40 to 60 drops of essential oils into the bottle of cod liver oil, Nerys Purchon notes in her book, "The Essential Natural Health Bible." If you want to make an amount different from 3.5 oz., use six to nine drops of essential oil per tbsp. of cod liver oil.
Step 4
Put a lid on the bottle to keep the air out.
Step 5
Turn the bottle upside down a few times to mix the carrier oil with the essential oils.
Step 6
Wait about four days for the oils to be fully blended with each other.
Tips and Warnings
- Sealed dark glass bottles keep essential oils in the best condition, as light and air can ruin the oils. Store the oil in a dark, dry place. To start, try using one essential oil at a time instead of mixing them, until you learn more about the oils. Consider lavender to calm you or peppermint to stimulate you.
- Many essential oils have side effects. Each type of oil mixes well with some oils and not with others, and each oil has properties to help specific ailments. Essential oils can also cause skin irritations and allergic reactions, so it is important to do a spot test before applying them to a large area of skin. To learn the proper and safe methods of using essential oils, consult a certified aromatherapist.
Things You'll Need
- Dark glass bottle and lid
References
- PubMed: Fatty Acids From Cod-Liver Oil as Skin Penetration Enhancers
- "The Essential Natural Health Bible"; Nerys Purchon; 2006
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