Aromatherapy Blends with Sunflower Oil is the final article in a trilogy of articles about sunflowers. Written by Sharon Falsetto.

In the final article of the sunflower trilogy, we are looking at some easy aromatic blends to create with sunflower oil. As sunflower oil is a light oil, it can be generally used on its own, in bath and beauty products, or as a base to create other types of oils. Here are a couple of aromatic blends to get you started in the use of sunflower oil!

Sunflower Massage Oil for Tummy Upsets for Baby

I believe that sunflower (Helanthius annuus) oil should be a basic carrier oil for everyone to have around for baby! It is light and easy to apply, and not too “greasy.” It is also good for moisturizing and softening baby’s skin. However, I would recommend using it on babies six months and older, or until you are confident with using oils, because any type of oil causes the skin to become slippery, and you need to make sure that you have baby in a secure and safe place before applying it.

You will need:

• 1 oz sunflower (Helanthius annuus) oil

• 1 drop mandarin (Citrus reticulata) essential oil

Instructions for Use:

• Combine the sunflower oil and mandarin essential oil together in a 1 oz PET bottle with a flip cap. Apply a small amount to the palm of your hand and massage into baby’s tummy in a clockwise direction. The addition of mandarin essential oil helps to calm children with digestive issues.

Cautions:

• Possibly phototoxic. Do not apply prior to going out into sunlight or before exposure to any other form of ultraviolet light.

Sunflower Body Oil

Sunflower oil can be used as a body oil to soften and moisturize the skin after bathing. Add a combination of your favorite essential oils at a 2% dilution rate (for a normal, healthy adult). The following blend is an example but you can switch out the essential oils to those of your choosing:

• 4 oz sunflower (Helanthius annuus) oil

• 15 drops palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii) essential oil

• 9 drops geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) essential oil

• 12 drops amyris (Amyris balsamifera) essential oil

Directions for Use:

• Combine the sunflower oil and the essential oils together in a 4 oz PET bottle with a flip cap. Avoid using a glass bottle if you intend to store in the bathroom. Apply a small amount to the palm of your hand and massage over the body after bathing.

Sunflower Oil Infusion Blends

Sunflower oil is often used as a “base” oil for infused oils such as St John’s wort (Hypericum perfortum), calendula (Calendula officinalis), carrot (Daucus carota), lime blossom (Tilia cordata), and practically any type of plant that you wish to infuse from the aromatic garden! The reason that sunflower oil is such a good base for infused oils is because it is light, unobtrusive (and often overlooked as a carrier oil for this reason), and it has no aroma. It readily absorbs the infused plant material added to it.

Once you have successfully created your infused oil, you can add appropriate essential oils to it (or combine with other carrier oils) for specific conditions.

Learn More About Using Carrier Oils with Sedona Aromatics

If you would like to learn how to use carrier oils further, consider the Sedona Aromatics Certificate in Holistic Aromatherapy course.

References:

• The recommendations expressed in this article are based on the author’s 24 year history in the health care and aromatherapy industry, as a UK-certified aromatherapist, as a published author in aromatherapy, as an approved education provider for the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA), as an aromatherapy business owner, as a consultant, and as Chief Editor for the NAHA Aromatherapy Journal.