Aromatherapy: What is it? And how to use it

What is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of aromatic substances. Aromatherapy stimulates your sense of smell, your moods, and behavior, physical and mental well-being.
Aromatherapy is the use of oils called essential oils that have been distilled from herbs, fruits, petals, bark, rind, sap, flowers, roots, seeds, leaves, grasses.

Carrier Oils
Carrier oils are vegetable oils used to dilute the concentrated essential oils, they help to slow down the evaporation of the essential oils and help absorb them into the skin. The carrier oils should be “Extra virgin or cold pressed vegetable oils” for maximum benefit. Some good carrier oils include mineral oil, grapeseed, canola, safflower, sunflower, sesame, wheat germ, olive and peanut oil.

Storing the essential oils
Store essential oils in brown or dark blue coloured glass bottles with a close fitting plastic screw cap. Do not store in plastic containers, they could become contaminated. Keep them in a dark, cool place to prolong the shelf life. Always store out of reach of children.

Safety in Aromatherapy
Pregnant women and children under the age of two should not be treated with Aromatherapy.
Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts so keep away from the eyes. If oil comes in contact with the eyes, rinse it out with a few drops of pure Sweet Almond Oil, not water and seek medical attention. Never take them internally. They should not be applied directly to the skin but mixed with a carrier oil such as mineral oil to dilute them, as the oils are in concentrated form. Never increase the dose of essential oil. Some oils are toxic in large amounts.

Sweet Almond Oil:
Sweet almond oil penetrates quickly into the skin. It is known to be especially helpful for eczema, and itchy, dry inflamed skin. Contains glucosides, vitamins and minerals.

Apricot Kernel Oil:
Apricot kernel oil is a light but rich oil that is good for sensitive, inflamed or dry and mature skin. It is rich in essential fatty acids and has a high content of vitamin A.

Avocado Oil:
Avocado oil is renown for its ability to penetrate the skin more deeply than other oils and is good for use in products for those with sensitive and dry skin. It is rich in Vitamins A, B1, B2, D and E and with properties such as emoliency, penetration, stability, skin softening and moisturizing it allows for its use as a base in the production of soap, skin care, hair products, and baby products, as well as aiding skin problems such as eczema and Psoriasis.

Jojoba Oil:
Jojoba oil is a liquid wax that is a natural mimic of the oil secreted by human skin so it may be used to protect and lubricate skin and hair. Its title of “wrinkle fighter” makes it an excellent selection when choosing oils for facial and body moisturizers massage oils and dry skin treatments.

Macadamia Nut Oil:
Macadamia nut oil is one of few plants oils that contains high amounts of palmitoleic acid, which is also normally found in the sebum of man, and so is beneficial to the skin. It is very emollient which makes it great for dry and ageing skin.

Palm Oil:
Palm oil is an excellent oil to sue as a component for soap manufacture as it creates a hard bar of soap with good conditioning qualities while maintaining a mildness to the finished product.

Castor Oil:
Castor oil is a wonderful oil to select for your soaping recipe as it enables that soap to lather beautifully.

Fractionated Coconut Oil:
“Fractionated" simply means this oil has been distilled and refined so the solids are removed allowing it to remain clear. The oil stays in its liquid form even in very cool weather and keeping conditions. The very nature of this oil enables it to have a very long shelf life. This wonderful oil is fantastic for massage products as it sinks readily into the skin without leaving any greasy residue and washes easily out of linen and towelling.
The lightness of FCO allows the creation of wonderful creams and lotions (and extends their shelf life due to the difficulty this product has in becoming rancid), as well as perfume products that may be created in a liquid state, or added to a solid for a cream type product.

Meadowfoam Seed Oil:
Meadowfoam seed oil has a luxurious feel, which enhances creams and lotions with its excellent properties. It is an excellent emolient in lip products. It has the ability to add shine and richness to hair products.

Meadowfoam is naturally high in vitamin E, reducing oxidation possibilities and so can increase the shelf life of made products.