Acupuncturists
How Essential Oils Benefit Your Practice
Acupuncturists report that using essential oils in their practice greatly increases patient satisfaction.
The benefits of essential oils include:
- Enhancing acupuncture’s holistic treatment of the mind, body, and spirit
- Reducing stress or anxiety for clients allowing them to be more relaxed and benefit more fully from the treatment
- Calming and soothing irritated skin from needle sensitivity or cupping
- Bringing your client’s energy back up at the end of your session
- Boosting the client’s immune system and your own
- Applying to acupuncture points for point stimulation
- Freshening and purifying the air and creating a relaxing environment for you and your clients
- Improving overall client satisfaction by offering patients natural products they can use as a follow-up to their care, while providing your practice with another revenue stream
We asked the acupuncturists we work with to identify their favorite essential oils and/or blends they use in their practice. See their recommendations below. This list is meant as a starting point, as there are many more essential oils and blends available to you and your choices will be dependent on the focus of your practice.
RECOMMENDED SINGLE ESSENTIAL OILS
BERGAMOT or BERGAMOT FCF Citrus bergamia
An uplifting aroma that most people find agreeable. It also provides immune support during the cold and flu season.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
To create a pleasant, calm aroma you simply add to a diffuser (follow diffuser manufacturer instructions) or mix with water and use as a spritzer (shake bottle and mist the air).
BLACK SPRUCE Picea mariana
Known to provide a strengthening effect on the respiratory system, immune system, adrenal support and help to reduce fatigue.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Mix essential oil with carrier oil and apply to the acupuncture point in need. (Use Black Spruce in a 1-5% dilution. May be sensitizing. Avoid during pregnancy and nursing.)
LAVENDER, FRENCH or E. EUROPE Lavandula angustifolia
If a patient is feeling particularly anxious lavender oil works wonders to help calm and ease emotional discomfort. It also is beneficial to treat skin irritation or sensitivity.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
To calm skin from needle sensitivity, add to lotion or carrier oil and apply to the area in need. To freshen linens mix with water and use in a spritzer to lightly mist fresh linens before your client arrives.
LEMONGRASS Cymbopogon flexuosus
Helps address muscle fatigue, stiff joints, poor circulation, indigestion, lymphatic support, and immune support. It is also used to clear energy blocks and address mental fatigue and mild depression.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Mix essential oil with carrier oil and apply to acupuncture point in need. (Use Lemongrass in a 1-5% dilution. Avoid during pregnancy and nursing.)
ROSEMARY ct. CINEOLE Rosmarinus officinalis
Addresses respiratory congestion, poor circulation, stiff muscles and joints, and immune support. It is also used to clear the mind and strengthen willpower.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Mix essential oil with carrier oil and apply to the acupuncture point in need. (Use Rosemary, ct. cineole in a 1-5% dilution. Avoid during pregnancy and nursing. Avoid with high blood pressure.)
RECOMMENDED SYNERGY BLENDS
BREATHE EASY
Designed to support comfortable, relaxed breathing.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
If you have a client with congestion, you can mix with water and use a spritzer or add a drop to a tissue and place it near their head.
Blends for emotional balance include:
CONCENTRATE
Concentrate is a good choice to close the session so the patient can be more focused for the day ahead.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Add to a diffuser or spritzer.
COURAGEOUS
Calming (but not sedating) designed relax, and settle the mind and body, while promoting mental clarity and fortitude.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Simply add to a diffuser (follow diffuser manufacturer instructions) or mix with water and use as a spritzer (shake bottle and mist the air).
JOINT RELIEF
Designed to warm, soothe, promote comfort and mobility.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Dilute with lotion for regional application or dilute with a carrier oil to apply to acupuncture point.
MOOD RESCUE
Designed to gently uplift, balance, and refresh the emotions, while promoting a sense of wellbeing.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Simply add to a diffuser (follow diffuser manufacturer instructions) or mix with water and use as a spritzer (shake bottle and mist the air).
MUSCLE SOOTHE
Designed to soothe overworked muscles due to physical activities such as sports, gardening, or exercising.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Dilute with lotion for regional application or dilute with a carrier oil to apply to acupuncture point.
Article
Essential oils in Chinese Medicine
Peter Holmes, LAc, MH, Acupuncture Today
Incorporating Aromatherapy into Your Practice
East Lewis Haradin, L.Ac. Pacific Colege of Oriental Medicine
Please Note: We’re happy to give you recommendations on how to effectively display, market and sell essential oils products. If you have a question regarding a particular essential oil or blend, please contact us for more information.