DO'S AND DON'TS OF BLENDING
Wash hands before and after blending essential oils. Always remember that essential oils are concentrated, and are not intended to be used neat on the skin, so wash off any spills.

Replace the caps on the bottles as soon as you have counted out the drops. This will ensure that: (a) the caps of different bottles do not get mixed up and (b) that the essential oils do not evaporate into the atmosphere.

Count the drops as they are added to the bottle, keeping a record on a piece of paper. It is easy to lose concentration maybe the phone will ring ? and you may not remember whether or not you have added such and such an oil.

Add the jojoba and nut/seed oil to the essential oil blend.

Remember that essential oil blends are badly affected by heat, light, oxygen, and moisture. So keep them in dark bottles, well stoppered, and out of direct sunlight.

The massage oil base may be made from any nut or seed oil, such as safflower; sunflower; sweet almond; peach kernel; grape seed oil. Olive oil may be used, but I find that the aroma is overpowering to the essential oils.

AROMATIC WATER

An essence in water can be used for the following:

*Facial cleanser/toner
*Compress ? tummy ache; foot compress to reduce fever, face compress (after a facial massage).
*Freshener during hot weather; hand wash (keep in the car for emergencies, such as spilt petrol on the hands; mopping up after a sick child; etc).

Face cleanser/compress: 1? 3 drops of essential oil in I 00ml water (preferably bottled).

Freshener/hand wash: 5?6 drops of essential oil in 100ml water.

Add the drops of essential oil to a bottle of water, and