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Essential Oils
History of Essential Oils
Essential Oils are the highly concentrated essences of aromatic plants. Pure Essential Oils have many notable healing properties unlike synthetic oils that have little or non-existent properties. Aromatherapy is the art of using these oils to promote healing of the body and the mind.
The use of Essential oils dates back to ancient Egypt where they used a method of infusion to extract oils from aromatic plants. Egyptians used these extracts for medicinal, cosmetic and embalming purposes. Closely followed by ancient Chinese, Essential Oils were used for religious ceremonies, massage and acupressure. Greeks learned from the Egyptians and took it one step further discovering fragrance from flowers also had a stimulating effect. Greeks used olive oil to absorb the aroma from flowers and herbs. Their uses were mainly for medical and cosmetic purposes. Romans were also well known for their scented baths that were followed by massage.
In Massage essential oil has a great all-over balancing effect not only on the mind and body but also has great benefits that extend to the skin. Essential Oils help to create balance between oily and dry skin, keeping the skin supple while clearing congested skin and emotions. Most Essential oils help to relieve feelings of stress, anxiety, and balance the hormone system.
Various Ways to Use Essential Oils
Burners and Vaporizers
In vapor therapy rose geranium oil can be used to help relieve stress, mild depression, PMS, anxiety and tension, menopausal problems and for general re-energising.
Blended in Massage Oil or Bath
Rose geranium oil can be used in blended massage oil, or diluted in a bath to assist with PMS, depression, stress, anxiety and tension, fluid retention, edema, eczema, shingles, cellulite, bruises, ringworm, hemorrhoids and menstrual irregularities.
Cream or lotion
As a constituent in a blended cream or lotion, rose geranium essential oil can be used for clearing sluggish and oily skin, as well as wound, burn and ulcer healing as well as treating eczema, repelling insects, shingles, cellulite, ringworm, bruises and engorgement of the breasts.
Shampoo
Rose geranium oil can also be diluted in shampoo to help with head lice.
Common Essential Oils
Basil, Lemon, Bergamot, Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Black Pepper, Marjoram, Cajeput, Melissa-Lemonbalm, Chamomile, Myrrh, Citronella, Neroli, Cedarwood, Orange, Clary, Sage, Patchouli, Clove, Peppermint, Cypress, Petit Grain, Eucalyptus, Pine, Fennel, Rose, Frankincense, Rosemary, Geranium, Sandalwood, Ginger, Tea Tree, Grapefruit, Thyme, Hyssop, Vetiver, Jasmine, Ylang Ylang, Juniper, Lavender
How Essential Oils Work
Essential oils have an instant impact on our sense of smell so when essential oils are inhaled, olfactory receptor cells are stimulated and the impulse is transmitted to the emotional centre of the brain, or "limbic system". The limbic system is connected to areas of the brain linked to memory, breathing, and blood circulation, as well as the endocrine glands which regulate hormone levels in the body. The properties of the oil, the fragrance and its effects, determine stimulation of these systems.
If used for massage, essential oils are not only inhaled, but absorbed through the skin as well. They penetrate the tissues and find their way into the bloodstream where they are transported to the organs and systems of the body. Essential oils have different rates of absorption, generally between 20 minutes to 2 hours, so it is best not to bathe or shower straight after a massage to ensure maximum benefits. As a general rule pure essential oils should be diluted with a carrier before being applied to the skin.
Carrier Oils
- Almond Oil
- Apricot Kernel Oil
- Avocado Oil
- Grapeseed Oil
- Hazelnut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Peach Kernel Oil
- Soya Oil
- Sunflower Oil
- Wheatgerm Oil
Essential oils are often described by their "note". The three categories of classification are top note, middle note and base note, and these terms relate to the rate at which they evaporate - or how long the fragrance will last.
The strongest scented oil with the most stimulating and uplifting effects are that of the Top Note, lasting for approximately 3 - 24 hours. See examples of Essential oils below.
Top note oils are:
• Basil
• Bergamot
• Clary sage
• Coriander
• Eucalyptus
• Lemongrass
• Neroli
• Peppermint
• Sage
• Thyme
A less potent perfume than that of top note oils, Middle Notes last approximately 2 - 3 days, and affect the metabolic and body functions.
Middle note oils are:
• Chamomile
• Fennel
• Geranium
• Hyssop
• Juniper
• Lavender
• Rosemary
Base Notes are the slowest oils to evaporate, have a sweet and soothing scent lasting up to a week and having a relaxing, comforting effect on the body.
Base note oils are:
• Cedarwood
• Clove
• Frankincense
• Ginger
• Jasmine
• Rose
• Sandalwood
General Guidelines
- Read and follow all label cautions and warnings
- Keep out of reach of children and pets.
- Do not use on babies, children or pets.
- Keep away from flame, heat and ignition sources (essential oils are flammable).
- Do not apply undiluted (neat) essential oils directly onto skin; dilute with a carrier oil first.
- Always conduct a patch test of diluted essential oil on the inner arm before using; do not use if redness or irritation occurs.
- Do not ingest essential oils.
- Keep essential oils out of eyes, ears, nose, mouth and any body opening.
- Never assume an essential oil possesses the same properties as its plant.
- If you have sensitive skin, epilepsy, heart or kidney problems, or any serious medical condition, do not use essential oils unless advised by a physician or medical professional that it is safe.
Specific Precautions
- Do not use at all, unless under the supervision of a qualified expert: (These are the most hazardous of essential oils, possessing very high oral and dermal toxicity): Bitter Almond, buchu, camphor, sassafras, calamus, horseradish, mugwort, mustard, pennyroyal, rue, savin, savory, southernwood, tansy, thuja, wintergreen, wormseed and wormwood.
- Do not use during pregnancy: aniseed, balsam peru, Bay (laurel), basil, benzoin, bergamot, bitter almond, basil, birch, cajeput, camphor, cedarwood, celery seed, chamomile (blue), cinnamon (bark and leaf), cistus, clary-sage, clove, cornmint, cypress, dill seed, douglas fir, eucalyptus, eucalyptus lemon, fennel, grapefruit, hyssop, jasmine, juniper, lavender (spike), lemon, lemongrass, lemon myrtle, lemon verbena, lime, lovage, marjoram, myrrh, myrtle, nutmeg, oakmoss, oregano, parsley seed, pennyroyal, peppermint, pine (scotch), rose, rosemary, sage, savory, spikenard, st. johns wort, sweet marjoram, tangerine, thuja, thyme, valerian, wintergreen, and yarrow
- Do not use on skin (ever): Ajowan, cinnamon bark, cassia, clove leaf-stem-bud, costus, elecampane, bitter fennel, oregano and pine
- Do not use if you have high blood pressure: Hyssop, rosemary, sage or thyme
- Do not use if you have epilepsy: Sweet fennel, hyssop, sage, rosemary and wormwood
- Skin irritants: Angelica root, bergamot mint, birch, bitter almond, cinnamon leaf, cinnamon bark, clove bud, costus, grapefruit, hyssop, lavender (spike), lemon, lemon verbena, lime, marjoram, orange peppermint, oregano, parsley seed, peppermint, pimento berry, pine, savory, spearmint, tagetes, tangerine, red and wile thyme and wintergreen
- Will make skin more sensitive to sunlight: most concentrated citrus oils, angelica, bergamot, and lemon verbena.
- Not to be exposed by mucous membranes or ingested: all absolutes, allspice, ajowan, amyris, benzoin, calendula, cinnamon (bark and leaf), Douglas Fir, Jasmine, Lemon Myrtle, manuka, myrrh, oregano, parsley seed, pennyroyal, pine (scotch), savory, st. johns wort, tarragon, tea tree, thuja, and thyme.
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