People who aren’t used to using essential oils may wonder what to do with them. They can’t be applied directly to the body, because they’re so concentrated.
These aromatics are many times more potent than the original plant, from which they were derived. Did you know that one drop of peppermint oil has the medicinal compounds of about 50 to 70 cups of peppermint tea?
Putting Essential Oils on Your Feet
(This post contains affiliate links, and if you purchase anything I receive a commission, at no extra cost to you.)
I’ve heard other estimates that put this concentration lower, at about 15 to 40 cups. But the point I’m trying to make is that natural aromatics, such as peppermint essential oil, are very strong.
Essential oil must be used judiciously. Some independent distributors recommend taking oils internally, especially when fighting a serious condition. But this is something I’d ever recommend unless someone was working with a well-trained aromatherapist. Since most beginners are not, when I’m writing an article, I simply tell people not to put these oils in their mouths.
Actually, there’s usually no need to do that anyway. Massage is a great way reap the health benefits of these aromatic extracts. Your skin is your largest organ, and plant-based oils have a very small molecular structure. So they’re readily absorbed.
However, essential oils should always be mixed with a carrier oil. This is a neutral oil that “carries” the potent compounds found in essential oils into your bloodstream.
Why Do You Put Essential Oils on Your Feet?
The bottoms of your feet have a rich blood supply. Although essential oils massaged anywhere on the outside of your body will wind up on the inside, many aromatherapy experts believe the undersides of your feet are especially good portals. Also, the soles of the feet have relatively thick skin. So it’s a good choice for people with sensitive skin.
The practice of applying oils to the bottom of your feet is gaining in popularity. It’s often combined with foot reflexology. The theory is that essential oils stimulate parts of your feet that are connected to your vital organs.
Some people argue that putting essential oils on your feet is not a good way to get them into your system. But these folks seem to be in the minority.
Why Is It Good to Put Essential Oils On Your Feet?
Many people like to rub essential oils on their feet when they’re fighting a cold or the flu. During the fall and winter, I often use a germ fighting essential oil blend in hopes of warding off whatever is going around.
It’s believed this part of your body can offer the infection-fighting agents found in aromatics rapid transit into your cells. (Medical research is beginning to show that essential oils effectively kill germs in the lab.) Many people like to apply oils to their feet before they go to bed. I’ve found that rubbing diluted oils on the inside of my wrists seems to work well.
Essential Oil Application On Your Feet
Fabulous Frannie, one of the companies where I’ve purchased oils, has published a page on the benefits of rubbing diluted fennel oil on your feet.
Two years ago, when the flu was going around, I rubbed a diluted blend now known as “Protect” on my inner wrists. (But the soles of the feet are probably better for people with really sensitive skin. Germ-fighting essential oil blends tend to be strong.) I reapplied this blend periodically and whenever I felt a cold coming on. I didn’t get sick once last year. (However, I realize I can’t prove it was because of my essential oils.)
This particular recipe of five oils – lemon, eucalyptus, rosemary, clove and cinnamon – is said to come from Medieval thieves who managed to stay well, while robbing the sick during the Black Plague. These men may have used herbs or a similar recipe. But all of the modern germ-fighting blends seem to be modeled after them.
Germ Fighting Aromatherapy Recipe
One of the first companies that seems to have come out with a modern thieves-type formula is an MLM company, named Young Living. They call their product “Thieves.” For this reason, I can’t use this proprietary name when referring to any other brand of germ-fighting essential oil.
One of the companies I’ve purchased my germ-fighting oil from is Fabulous Frannie. I was really happy with the first bottle I bought. Once I smelled it and began using it, I decided to get more. Another really good option is Germ Fighter Synergy Blend by Plant Therapy, a company I buy a lot of my own oils from. You can see these two non-MLM alternatives below.
Plant Therapy Germ Fighter
Fabulous Frannie Protect Formula
&
Where to Buy Carrier Oil
Because essential oils are so strong, a carrier oil is needed before applying them directly to your skin. The dilution recommended by most aromatherapists is 2 or 3 drops of essential oil to a teaspoon of carrier oil, such as olive, grapeseed, jojoba, sweet almond or fractionated coconut oil. Use less aromatic with children under 10. Don’t use essential oils at all on children under 2, simply because of their strength.
Carrier oils are very important. It’s easy to underestimate these soothing oils, which contain their own healing compounds, and work in synergy with aromatic oils.
Lavender Essential Oil for Foot Massage
One of my very favorite oils out of all the ones in my collection is lavender essential oil. This would make a great foot massage, especially at night. Lavender is believed to contain compounds that work as natural tranquilizers. There’s even some scientific research to support this long-standing belief, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
On its website, the UMMC notes that “lavender produces slight calming, soothing, and sedative effects when its scent is inhaled.” So if you have trouble sleeping, lavender is a great essential oil to consider.
This is why many people, myself included, like to sprinkle a few drops of lavender essential oil on our pillowcases. (Or, you can place a few drops on a tissue and put it by your head.) I often use lavender oil at night, because it seems to help me sleep. For years, I suffered from insomnia. You can also mix some lavender essential oil in a carrier oil and apply it to your feet. This is another way of allowing the soothing compounds in lavender to travel to your bloodstream.
What Essential Oils Are Good for Your Feet?
Essential oils have been a huge blessing. Nowadays, rarely do I have a night where I can’t get enough sleep. Lavender is one of the oils I use to help me unwind and relax. One brand of lavender essential oil I highly recommend is sold by Plant Therapy.
This is an Idaho-based company that wants to make essential oils easily available to all. This is not an MLM company. Plant Therapy has some of the highest-quality control standards in the industry. It’s oils are tested twice, once by an independent laboratory.
Real Lavender Essential Oil
Also, with lavender oil, it’s important to know the source. There are reports of a related botanical, known as lavendin, being used instead. Lavendin has its own medicinal properties. But it doesn’t smell like real lavender essential oil.
This has led to concerns that lavendin has the potential for being doctored with chemicals, to make it smell like its cousin. With Plant Therapy, I know I’m getting the real thing. The bottle you see here is true lavender. Plant Therapy also sells lavendin. But it’s clearly labeled, so there’s no confusion.
Plant Therapy Lavender Essential Oil
Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. People with health concerns should discuss them with a doctor. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils, unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional.
I’m not a healthcare professional, so all of the above statements are my personal opinion, and are not intended as medical advice.
For Additional Reading
Lavender Essential Oil for Feet
Essential Oil Uses Precautions
Research on Essential Oils and Infections
Great post.
Thanks so much for reading.
really great article and refreshing to hear someone else say oils shouldn’t go internally at every whim. Thanks for the info!
Hi Jena, thank you for the kind words and thank you so much for reading.
I am using Thieves oil on the bottom of my feet as we speak. Having great results! Not using a carries oil and it works great. My husband gave me the virus that has been going around and I am recouping a lot faster. He will not us the oil. He says it smells to strong. Oh well, move for me ~.~
Hi Donna, thanks so much for reading. Everyone’s skin is different and everyone reacts to these oils differently. Repeating the advice of most aromatherapists, I tell people to use a carrier oil because it can help prevent the occasional problem of becoming sensitized to an oil and never being able to use it again. Some of the oils in the thieves-type blends are very strong, especially the clove and cinnamon. Also, a carrier oil (as its name suggests) carries the aromatic compounds into your body, so it more than makes up for having a big dilution. But I can imagine that the thieves is helping you get well.
Thank you for writing about the subject of safety with essential oils. I have been trying to educate friends for years about how dangerous it is to use undiluted oils, but due to the MLMs’ brainwashing tactics people don’t typically listen. I appreciate that there are others out there who are also trying to educate people about this!
Hi Valerie,
Thanks so much for reading. It’s so important to help people understand how to properly use these wonderful healing remedies. I also get tired of hearing MLM sales reps telling people to ingest them, and coming up with new, and potentially dangerous ways of using these oils.
You mean you can’t ingest Oregano, Orange, Lemon, Rosemary, Thyme, Basil? But it is ok for people to ingest Tylenol, Aspirin, Nyquil? So a person shouldn’t brush their teeth with baking soda and Lemon essential oil to whiten them but its ok to use a toothpaste with grit that will ruin your enamel and contains thymol? Really?
Susan, Most aromatherapists do not advise ingesting essential oils. I would never give blanket advice to my readers to take oils internally. If they were to consult with a professional aromatherapist, or a naturopathic doctor experienced with oils, that’s one thing. Some people are extremely sensitive to oils. For the record, I don’t think people should necessarily be ingesting acetaminophen or ibuprofen either, when such safer pain killing options exist.
I have plantar fasciitis, any oils that would help that?
Hi Shae, thanks so much for reading. I’m not a healthcare professional, so I can’t give medical advice. But I can tell you that essential oils are known to have natural anti-inflammatory compounds. There are various aromatherapy pain formulas available, sold commercially.
Hi Shae,
Oregano oil works great with warts but is considered a “hot” oil so can burn more sensitive skin tissue. I use a carrier oil of coconut or grapeseed oil around the wart then drop the oil undiluted onto the wart itself. It doesn’t bother me but I’ve used this on my son and he said it burns for a minute then it’s fine (other than the smell).
Plantar Fasciitis is not a wart.
The plantar fascia is the flat band of tissue (ligament) that connects your heel bone to your toes. It supports the arch of your foot. If you strain your plantar fascia, it gets weak, swollen, and irritated (inflamed). Then your heel or the bottom of your foot hurts when you stand or walk. It is very painful. What oil or oils would work this.
Lavender EO is has great anti-inflammatory benefits and it also helps relieve pain. As a certified reflexologist this is my “go to” oil for any inflammation. I usually use just a drop in a thicker massage cream and gently rub it into the arch of the foot where it feels ‘tight and crunchy’. It is very tender as well and I usually start on the outer area of pain and gently work my way into the center of the knot. This is rather like untangling a skein of yarn after the kittens have made a knotted mess if it. Find the outside and work towards the center. I use long, gentle strokes and occasionally small circular strokes. By the time ai am finished I can usually “knuckle massage” the full length of the arch. Let the Lavender EO work its magic while you work out the knots.
Hi Carol, thanks so much for reading and for your feedback. I am going to take your suggestion and add some information on lavender oil. It’s funny you should mention it. Yesterday, apparently, I was stung by an insect on my middle toe. Right now, I’m using lavender oil to reduce the redness and swelling. It won’t be long now until it’s gone.
Peppermint oil helped my plantar fasciitis
Hi Susan, lavender seems to be one of the few oils that you can maybe use safely undiluted. But for the sake of ultimate safety, I tell my readers to dilute their oils. There is always the potential for sensitivity, and I’d never want anyone to experience that. Peppermint oil diluted in olive oil also works well on headaches. Even though I might be able to get away with applying straight peppermint (this is what I did before I realized it’s not a good idea) someone else may not. Most professional aromatherapists would agree. Why not suggest the safest approach possible? With essential oils, oftentimes less is more.
From my understanding, Lavender can be used OCCASIONALLY undiluted. Lavender is a sensitizing oil, and many people (aromatherapists, massage therapists, etc. have become sensitized from repeated undiluted exposure. In a pinch, or emergency, such as with a scrape or a bite it should be ok to use a drop or two. However, in the case of a burn, if the skin is broken, you shouldn’t put an essential oil (diluted or not) on the burn.
Hi Britnee, I do understand that in such cases it might be okay to use lavender undiluted only occasionally. But I like to tell people not to do that because everyone is different. When I’m writing I need to take into account the extreme end of sensitivity. Some people are highly sensitive. I heard of one woman who reacted to a very small amount of oil in her bath water. Essential oils are very safe when used properly. I didn’t want to make a blanket statement about one small, occasional exception.
I have not tried putting essential oils in my feet unless I am massaging my feet. I love aromatheraphy and it always helped me with fighting against colds and not getting into sleep. Thanks for the information you shared. I share this to my G+.
Thelma, thank you so much for reading and for sharing.
I should keep some essential oils handy. We were told we can apply Vicks on the feet to get better relief from a cold.. The sole of our feet is a true avenue to heal the body.
I will say that I used essential lemon oil in my bath water. About 3 drops. Let me say that it literally burnt my skin. I will never use lemon essential oil again. Not even with a carrier oil. Took me about 3 days to get it to stop burning and go away and only with the help of a cream my sister made and some lavender oil.
Hi Christy, sorry to hear about your experience. Everyone is different, which is why I tell people to never put essential oils directly on their skin, unless they’re highly diluted in a carrier oil. Some people are more sensitive than others. My skin is not particularly sensitive to oils, so I probably don’t have to be as careful as someone who reacts like you do. This is why the bottoms of the feet, which have thick skin, are a good place to put essential oils. Lavender is a very soothing oil. It does sound like you should avoid lemon oil.
You never put eo’s directly in your bath because the oil floats on top of the water, then sticks to your skin. Always mix in Epsom salts, then put in water.
Carla, that’s a really good tip. I often make my own essential oil bath salts and foot soaks, and I use them for various cleaning projects as well. However, Christy’s case is a good example of extreme sensitivity, and why caution is called for with EO’s, even though they’re wonderful and useful for so many things. I’m quite sure I could soak in a tub with three drops of lemon oil added to the water, with no ill effects. But not everyone can do that. This is why I get upset when I hear blanket advice to take essential oils internally.
When using essential oils in the bath it is usually a good idea to dilute them in a carrier oil. Because “oil and water don’t mix” the oils don’t really dilute themselves in water. The carrier oils are nice moisturizers formyour skin anyway.
Hello….and thx for the educational info on the essential oils. Just bought lavender and peppermint to use for various things. I do use oil of oregano orally. Three drops on a spoon w juice up to three times a day when sick. But only once a day for regular body health. It is safe for the body in moderation but very potent in taste, tho. Can irritate the throat. It has definitlely healed me many times for sure.
Hi Christine, thanks so much for reading and for visiting.
Hi Christine, I always advise caution on oral ingestion and I tell people to work with a professional aromatherapist. It’s a strong oil. The only oregano oil I personally own came already diluted.
what is it diluted with
Hi Norma, thanks for asking. It needs to be diluted with a carrier oil, such as fractionated coconut oil, grapeseed oil, avocado oil or even olive oil if that’s what you have on hand. Only a little bit of essential oil is needed, like 3 drops to one teaspoon of carrier. Hope this helps.
Thank you for the information about the importance of using a carrier oil. I am in complete agreement with you. People often think that essential oils are not real medicine, which they most definitely are. The only time I use an oil straight up is when I burn myself in the kitchen. Lavender is amazing but I know what my skin reaction will be. I don’t think I would advise any one to do this without a tiny patch test. I am planning to follow you now. Thanks again.
Hi Lisa, thanks so much for your kind words. I totally agree that we have to be very careful when writing, and always err on the side of caution. Lavender oil is an amazing thing, and I know how I react. I just don’t know how others will react.
I would love to take an online class to learn about essential oil or even read a good book about essential oil and essential oil safety. Can you recommend anything?
Hi Kari, thanks so much for reading. Essential oils are wonderful. They’ve literally changed my life. If you’d like to learn more about them, a good place to start is The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy.
Thank you so much for this information. I have begun using essential oils for just about everything from cleaning to detoxing my body by putting them on the bottoms of my feet. I also use the oils for very serious chronic pain I live with & have really noticed a difference and I was a huge skeptic. Thank you again for your information. ?
Hi Dawn, I ignored essential oils for a long time, preferring to just use homeopathy. Now I love my oils. They’ve been live changing. Recently, I had shoulder pain. These oils helped me so much.
Hi , Thank You for all the great advise. I deal also with shoulder pain. Which oils do you recommend?
Hi Reese, thank you so much for reading. I can’t give medical advice, since I’m not a health professional. All I can do is share my personal experience of using essential oils for pain. Right now, I own a specific pain relief blend sold by Plant Therapy. I use this and I also rotate different oils. I’ve found my natural remedies work better if I rotate them. Sometimes I use frankincense oil mixed with copaiba oil for pain. It’s a matter of a little trial and erorr to see what works best for you. Many essential oils appear to contain natural analgesic compounds. I use them instead of OTC pain relievers.
What does MLM mean
Hi Ida, thanks for reading. It means multilevel marketing.
Love this! My wife always uses them on her Diffuser Necklace
That’s a great way to use essential oils. You just reminded me to put my diffuser on right now.
Thank you for the much useful information. I’m new to the whole essential oil world. But since I began, I’ve learned so many more uses.
That’s good. I like to tell people about safe use of essential oils. Thanks so much for reading.