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Information about Essential Oils Please click here for a list of Essential Oils and their properties
PURE ESSENTIAL OILS - WHAT ARE THEY ?
Pure essential oils are aromatic essences, the natural extracts from plants, seeds, flowers, leaves, bark, roots, herbs and fruits. Each contain many natural chemicals which have effects on all the systems of the body.
ARE THEY A NEW THERAPY ?
Not at all !! They have been in use for thousands of years, referred to in literature from China dating back to 4000BC. Both the Old and New Testaments, have references to essential oils, Frankincense and Myrrh were given to Jesus as gifts from the Wise Men and the oils with which Mary anointed the feet of Jesus The Ancient Egyptians also used them in perfumes, beauty treatments and medicine and to preserve the bodies of the dead kings, (mummies). Today, essential oils are used in the majority of products which are in general use, perfumes, soaps, cosmetics, toiletries, cleaning materials, medical products, flavourings for food, alcoholic and soft drinks,
ARE THEY EXPENSIVE ?
The price of essential oils is dependent upon the type of plant and ease of extraction of the oil, also the availability of the raw material, if there is a shortage, the price will rise. Essential oils are extracted by various methods. Oils which require a lot of the raw material to produce a small amount of essential oil will be expensive, ie. Rose, Melissa, Jasmine. Conversely, oils which are easily obtained will be relatively cheap, eg. Orange, Grapefuit, Lemon.
HOW DO I KNOW THAT THE ESSENTIAL OILS I BUY ARE OF GOOD QUALITY ?
Check first that these are Pure Essential Oils, in dark brown or dark blue bottles. They are often confused by people who think that fragrance oils, in clear glass bottles are the same as Pure Essential Oils. The label should state clearly 'Pure Essential Oil of ….' - followed by a Latin name giving the nomenclature of the oil. All oils should carry a safety warning on the bottle and give precautions on use
I HAVE SEEN OILS FOR SALE IN A SHOP AND THEY WERE ALL THE SAME PRICE. CAN THIS BE RIGHT ?
There is no way that essential oils should ever be all the same price. Occasionally, a few from a range of 20-30 oils may have the same price, but that is all. The alarm bells should be ringing and it could be worth asking the Manager of the shop if a mistake has been made. If this is not the case, contact your Local Trading Standards/Consumer Protection Office of the local Council, giving the name and address of the company involved and ths shop where you saw these oils.
HOW DO ESSENTIAL OILS WORK ?
Essential oils are absorbed by the body through inhalation and vapourisation, through the skin by massage, bathing and compresses. Essential oils work on the physical, emotional and psychic levels of the body.
Each oil has its own particular properties and can be used for a variety of conditions. Combinations of oils can obtain a more beneficial effect than if used individually. They can be relaxing, stimulating, warming, cooling, uplifting, toning, balancing. Some oils can have a two-fold effect, eg. Bergamot is a relaxing, calming oil, whilst at the same time uplifting the spirit and helping depression.
HOW ARE THEY USED ?
Essential oils are very concentrated and should always be used with caution. Very few essential oils are used neat on the skin, normally Lavender and Tea Tree are the only ones which would be used, BUT anyone with particularly sensitive skin is advised to consult a trained Aromatherapist. They should always be diluted in a carrier oil, cream, lotion or water.
You can experiment by making up your own blends of creams and lotions, especially facial creams, most commercial ones contain essential oils, but also chemical preservatives, which you are paying dearly for and do not need, as the commercial products will need to have a shelf life of approximately 12 months.
Base creams, lotions, shampoo and bath oils are also available from Scottish Aroma Crafts.
NB. WHEN USING ESSENTIAL OILS ON CHILDREN USE ONLY 1 DROP IN 10ml OF CARRIER OIL, AND 1 DROP IN THE BATH.
MASSAGE - for each 5ml of carrier oil, add 2 drops of essential oil
BATH - add 4-6 drops to a warm bath, AFTER the correct temperature has been reached. Do not add to running water or the oil will evaporate. Relax for 15-20 minutes.
STEAM INHALATION - add 4 drops to a bowl of VERY HOT water, place towel over head and inhale the vapours for up to 5 minutes. ***THIS SHOULD NOT BE DONE BY THOSE WITH ASTHMA
DRY INHALATION - add 1 or 2 drops to a tissue and inhale at intervals, or place tissue in air vent of the car and oil will be evaporated throughout the car. Useful as an air freshener
BURNER/VAPOURISATION - add around 5 drops to the water in a burner lamp, or add 5 drops to a small bowls of water and place on a radiator.
Unique, hand made pottery burners are on sale on the site, do take a look to see something different.
An electric version of the traditional type candle burner is available, called an AROMASTONE. It is a glazed ceramic dish and has a very low wattage, about 7 Watts and the oil is placed onto the 'stone' and is heated and vapourises into the air. Very safe for use with children and the elderly, as there is no fear of burning and it can be left on for a long period without overheating.
**SEE ONLINE SHOP FOR PRICES**
COMPRESSES - use COLD for sprains and headaches
HOT for relief of menstrual pain, earache or for drawing of splinters and boils.
CAUTION :
Pure essential oils are highly concentrated and must be used with great caution.
Use only 1 drop in 10ml carrier oil on children and 1 drop in the bath.
Do not use undiluted on skin
Do not take internally
Do not exceed recommended number of drops.
Keep out of reach of children and pets.
Keep away from eyes.
If pregnant or epileptic, consult your GP
Do not use in conjunction with some homeopathic remedies.
Keep cap tightly closed
Store in a cool dark place
SAFETY NOTES ON THE OILS ARE AS FOLLOWS :
*B - Not to be used by those with High Blood Pressure
*E - Not to be used by those with Epilepsy
*H - Do not use if taking Homeopathic remedies
*K - Not to be used by those with kidney disease
*P - Do not use if pregnant
*EP - Do not use during early pregnancy
*PS - Increases skin sensitivity to sunlight
*S - Use carefully, can cause irritation to sensitive skin
WHAT IS A CARRIER OIL ?
The normal method of use for essential oils is in a carrier oil. Sweet Almond or Grapeseed are the most popular ones.
All carrier oils contain Vitamins, some also contain Lecithin, a vital antioxidant and fatty acids,
Many carrier oils are obtained by a Cold Pressed process of extraction, but NOT ALL of them. Only about 40% are actually cold pressed.
DO NOT BE TEMPTED TO USE BABY OIL, AS THIS IS A PETROLEUM BY- PRODUCT AND SHOULD NOT BE USED ON THE SKIN. IT IS A BARRIER AND WILL PREVENT ANY OF THE ESSENTIAL OILS FROM REACHING THE SKIN. USING BABY OIL FOR MASSAGE IS A WASTE OF ESSENTIAL OIL, MONEY AND YOUR PRECIOUS TIME.
The following list gives a very brief outline of the most popular carrier oils and their methods of extraction
CP - cold pressed, Fr - Fractionated, HE - Hot Extraction, I - Infusion, M - Maceration, R - Refined,
Almond (CP)- softening, nourishing. Good general massage oil, use as sole carrier.
Apricot (CP) - nourishing and moisturising. Good for dry & mature skin, Use as sole carrier.
Avocado (CP) - very rich and moisturising. Use only about 10% in any blend
Calendula (M) - very rich, healing oil, Use as sole carrier .
Carrot (M) - bright orange colour, always dilute before use. Good for mature skin.
Coconut (Fr) -very light, softening oil, for dry skin & hair.
Evening Primrose (I) - contains high amounts of GLA (Gamma Linoleic Acid) useful for balancing hormones in menopause. Add to carrier oil about 10%
Grapeseed (HE) - popular carrier oil, should never be sold as Cold Pressed. Should be a pale green colour. Beware of any dark green and strong smelling Grapeseed. Use as sole carrier.
Jojoba Oil (CP) - a beautiful silky oil, the nearest oil to the sebum of the skin. Jojoba is a balancing oil, it moisturises dry skin and helps to dry oily skin. Excellent for dry scalps. Use as sole carrier or additive.
Safflower (R) - light, easily absorbed oil, does not belong to Safflower family, high in anti-oxidant properties. Use as sole carrier.
St. John's Wort - Hypericum (M), healing oil. Use 10% in carrier oil.
Sunflower - (R) contains 50-70% Linoleic acid. Use up to 100% carrier.
Vitamin E - (Fr) from Wheatgerm, no Gluten content. For dry and mature skin. Add 10% to carrier oil.
Wheatgerm - (CP) dark orange, strong smelling, beware of pale imitations. Full of proteins, minerals and vitamins. Healing for broken skin, also mature skin. Add 10% to carrier oil.
RECOMMENDED READING
THE FOLLOWING BOOKS PROVIDE HELP AND INFORMATION FOR BEGINNERS AND ALSO THE MORE EXPERIENCED USERS OF ESSENTIAL OILS. All will be available at any good local bookstore:
AROMATHERAPY A GUIDE FOR HOME USE C. WESTWOOD
AROMATHERAPY STRESS MANAGEMENT C. WESTWOOD
AROMATHERAPY FOR HEALTHY LEGS AND FEET C. WESTWOOD
AROMATHERAPY SIMPLY FOR YOU M. Del GAUDIO MAK
AROMATHERAPY AN A-Z PATRICIA DAVIS
AROMATHERAPY FOR COMMON AILMENTS SHIRLEY PRICE
PRACTICAL AROMATHERAPY SHIRLEY PRICE
THE ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF ESSENTIAL OILS JULIA LAWLESS
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