Your Essential Oil Gift Giving Guide
I wanted to take some time to talk about some gift giving etiquette when it comes to essential oils. I know these are popular gifting items, or popular to diffuse amongst company as well during gatherings. It might be fun to try your hand at some DIYs to pass around at the next family get together. But there are few things to remember when it comes to gifting things that contain essential oils, and when diffusing them around other people.
Does someone have an allergy or distaste towards a scent? When gifting, and especially when diffusing, it’s important to be aware of any allergies or aversions to scents. If your great Aunt doesn’t like Clove then don’t diffuse it, doesn’t matter how christmasy you want the house to feel. If someone is sensitive to certain oils, has a history of allergies or has had previous reactions than please be aware of that. Ask, it never hurts to ask because it’s better to be sure. Especially when making something. A quick “what are some favorite scents?” and “does anyone have any allergies I should be aware of?” can go a long way and help to avoid gift giving family disasters. On top of that, don’t over do it with drops in the diffuser and always be polite about diffusing around company. Ask everyone if it is alright and stop diffusing if someone gets tired of it or has a reaction.
Is the oil your using safe for the intended person? Are you diffusing kid safe oils with children around? Is there a baby that maybe you should just not diffuse around at all? Did you make a blend with an anticoagulant oil for grandma but she is on blood thinners? Disasters like these are all too avoidable by knowing which oils have contradictions, which ones are kid safe, baby safe, pregnancy/breastfeeding safe etc.
Did you properly formulate a product you are giving? If you made a water based product did you use an emulsifier? (Check out this emulsifier that I love and its all natural!) If you made a bath balm or bath salts did you add the oils to a carrier first and then mix it with everything else? Did you use oils that are safe for what you made, like not using phototoxic essential oils in a skin based product without first adding a warning to not use with UV rays. It is super important to ensure that products are made properly; to avoid spoilage and to make sure the person who will be using the product stays safe. Always assume when gifting aromatherapy products that the person doesn’t know about them and include some basic instructions on use and storage.
Is there any medical concerns you need to know about? It’s honestly best to avoid oils altogether that have any contradictions or otherwise. I am certainly not suggesting you pester friends and family about medical history, but do be aware that some oils have contradictions and shouldn’t be used with certain people. Avoid oils that have medical contradictions, aren’t kid safe and aren’t pregnancy/breastfeeding safe. It’s best to stick with mild oils that won’t cause issues.
Is the dilution appropriate? Be aware of who is using the oil and make the blend accordingly. 1-3% For normal healthy adults with no issues, .5% for pregnancy and breastfeeding, .5-1% for ages 2+ and .5-1% for anyone 65+ remember that less is always more when it comes to essential oils, and a lower dilution is better and just as effective if you aren’t sure.
Universal oils that are low risk
I am also going to include in this post a handy list of some great essential oils that have low risk and can be great for pretty much anyone. These might be some great options for gift giving and DIYs, as they pose little risk and don’t come with contractions. This list will be essential oils that are safe for kids 2+, Pregnancy/Breastfeeding and anyone on medications. This takes away the awkwardness of asking and ensuring that we are still being safe when gifting things. I did not take into account pets, do not use oils on pets, do not diffuse around pets.
Basil (linalool) Ocimum basilcim Topical Max 3.3%
Atlas Cedarwood Cedrus atlantica
Texas Cedarwood Juniperus ashei, Juniperus mexicana
Virginian Cedarwood Juniperus virginian
Roman Chamomile Anthemis nobilis, Chamaemelum nobile
Copiaba Copaifera langsdorfii, Copaifera officinalis
Cypress Cupresses sempervirens
Elemi Canarim luzonicum, Canarium vulgare
Peppermint Eucalyptus Eucalyptus dives
Siberian Fir Needle Abies sibirica
Frankincense Boswellia carterii (Boswellia sacra) Boswellia frereana (Boswellia hildebrant ii) Boswellia serrata (Boswellia glara, Boswellia thurifera, Chloroxylon dupada)
Ginger Zingiber officinale
Grapefruit Citrus paradisi 4% Topical Max, phototoxic essential oil do not exceed max
Helichrysum Helichrysum italicm, Helichrysum angustofolium, Helichrysum stoechas
Juniper Berry Juniperus communis
Bulgarian Lavender Lavandula angustifiolia, Lavandula officinalis, Lavandula vera
French Lavender Lavandula angustifolia, Lavandula officinalis, Lavandula vera
Spike Lavender Lavandula latifolia, Lavandula spica
Lemon Citrus limon 2% Topical Max, phototoxic essential oil do not exceed max
Mandarin Citrus reticulata, Citrus nobilis
Sweet Marjoram Origanum marjorana, Marjorana hortensis, Organum dubium
Neroli Citrus x aurantium
Sweet orange Citrus sinensis, Citrus aurantium
Black Pepper Piper nigrum
Rosewood Aniba rosaeodora, Aniba amazonica, Aniba parviflora
East African Sandalwood Osyris lanceolata
East Indian Sandalwood Santalum album 2% Topical Max
Spearmint Mentha spicata, Mentha cardiaca, Mentha crispa, Mentha viridis 1.7% Topical Max
Black Spruce Picea Mariana, Picea nigra
Tangerine Citrus reticulata, Citrus nobilis, Citrus tangerine
Tea Tree Melaleuca alternifolia, Melaleuca linariifolia var. alternifolia 15% Topical Max
Vetiver Veriveria zizanoides, Andropogon muricatus zizanoides, Chyrsopogon zizanoides, Phalaris zizanoides
For safety sake I did not include oils with topical max dilutions under 1%, so some phototoxic essential oils still made the list. They are fine as long as you respect topical maxes and area are to not apply to skin and expose to UV rays within 12 hours of application. These would make great diffuser blends, but maybe avoid anything that goes on the skin with phototoxic oils. I also didn’t list a topical max for some oils as they did not have one but always dilute before applying to skin.
Essential oils and aromatherapy products can make great gifts, but just know what you are giving and how to do so safely. We don’t want any reactions or contradictions. There are many wonderful oils that we can utilize that hold little to no risks whatsoever and universally easy to gift and use around other people. Just remember to be respectful about diffusing around family, and be sure of the gifts that you are planning on giving them. And maybe consider picking up some gifts from a small business that specializes in aromatherapy products to ensure that safe to be gifting. But as long as you stick to basic aromatherapy ettiequte gift giving is a total breeze.
