What is the ratio of essential oil to base oil for massage?

• A. Five drops per tablespoon
• B. One drop per tablespoon
• C. Ten drops per tablespoon
• D. Twenty drops per tablespoon

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is how to dilute essential oil in a base oil for massage to be safe and effective. For massage, a gentle-to-moderate dilution is typical, so the skin isn’t irritated while still delivering therapeutic and aromatic benefits. Five drops of essential oil per tablespoon of base oil gives a practical, safe concentration—roughly around 1.5% to 2% depending on the exact size of a drop. This level is strong enough to feel and benefit from the oil without being overpowering or irritating for most adults.

Using only one drop per tablespoon would be quite weak and may not be noticeable, while ten or twenty drops per tablespoon would be much more concentrated and increase the risk of skin sensitivity or irritation, especially on larger areas of the body. Always consider the individual’s skin sensitivity, do a patch test, and adjust the ratio for pregnancy, young children, or sensitive individuals.