essential oil
noun
noun: essential oil; plural noun: essential oils
- a natural oil typically obtained by distillation and having the characteristic odour of the plant or other source from which it is extracted. As taken from Web Dictionary
Ever wondered what scents are used to create perfumery? Look no further peeps; it may even be growing in your backyard - legal plants of course :-P Any of you have a lemon, orange or grapefruit tree? What about Jasmine, Rose or Rosemary? Yes to some of these??? Well those plants are responsible for creating Essential Oils.
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Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils through various mediums. These include; mixed in a carrier oil and used to massage; rubbing Lavender on the kids' temples; diffusing the oils in either a steamer or oil burner; a few drops into the bath; added to a base cream to make scented and therapeutic creams for use as a hand cream, insect repellent, face cream or moisturising cream.
So how does it work? Take a deep breath. Probably outside would be a good idea or in the kitchen if you are cooking. When outside I smell freshly cut grass. This takes me back to my childhood when each Saturday my Dad would mow the lawns - especially throughout the warmer months, and I would do cartwheets on the freshly mowed lawn. A sprinkler always followed. I may or may not have run through it a thousand times, even when I was told not too. Rebel in the making. Lol.
Or what about that favourite perfume of yours. When I smell someone wearing Tresor that walks past me - it takes me back to my late teens and early 20's when I used to wear it. It also reminds me of my Wedding day as I got each of my bridesmaids to wear it.
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When my husband and I put out first home (13 years ago) on the market, I made sure I had fresh flowers (Iris) and Cinnamon Oil in my Oil Burner. I knew what the atmosphere created was going to do. The real estate agent said it reminded him of visiting his grandmother when she would be baking apple pies. Needless to say, our house sold in the first few days of being on the market - coincidence?
Do you see the pattern? How powerful a scent can be to jog our memory to our past - hopefully all good memories. Essential Oils can remind us of past events; people we know and perhaps our youth.
For all you scientific persons out there; essential oils are inhaled and processed through our Olfactory System which sends messages to our brain that triggers that memory box. When essential oils are massaged onto the skin (our largest body system), it enters our blood stream to promote health and well being. In Australia, it is not TGA approved to take essential oils orally. So you can see that our senses play a big part of the benefits associated with Essential Oils.
5 Oils to use in everyday living.
1. Lavender
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I call this oil the mother oil. Why? Cause when a lavender plant is planted in a garden, it protects the other surrounding plants. You either love or hate the smell of Lavender. To be honest, I hated it years ago. But when I began my studies at Nature Care College; and discovered the chemical composition of the oil, as well as the benefits it has associated to it - I fell in love. Its the 'nurture' oil of all oils. Lavender can pretty much be smelled always in my home. (ooooops sorry hubby - 'our home').
Some benefits of Lavender Oil - calming, peaceful, great for winding down, great to pop one drop onto your pillow before bedtime (don't exceed 1 to 2 drops or it can have the opposite effect). Great for insect bites, burns, dry skin.
I also love the fact that Lavender is one of the few oils you can apply neat onto your skin without having to dilute it first into a carrier oil. (I will discuss Carrier Oils further down). Great for treating anxiety and fear.
2. Eucalyptus
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You wouldn't be a true Australian (G'day mate) if you didn't know what eucalyptus smelled like. This smell reminds me of the koala bear. They munch on eucalyptus leaves. It also reminds of the tv show 'Skippy', when Sonny would blow onto the leaf and whistle. (I bet you have the theme song of Skippy playing in your head - but only if you were born prior to 1985). See how powerful it is to jog memory.
Some benefits of Eucalyptus Oil - anti-bacterial so great for colds and flu (blend with a carrier oil and massage onto chest or pop a couple of drops into a tissue and inhale to clear up your blocked nose); great to put 3 drops into your wash cycle to kill of any bacteria or fungal infections. Put up to 6 drops into your mop bucket instead of using harsh chemicals - especially if you have children with allergies or eczema - go chemical free for health purposes as well as for the environment.
3. Orange
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Citrus oils are my all time favourite. So refreshing and reminds me of my netball days (shout out to my peeps from primary school - Kylie, Simone, Melissa, Diana, Michelle B) when we would have orange smiley faces during the breaks. They were awesome memories.
Some benefits of Orange Oil - like all citrus oils, it is uplifting, anti-bacterial which means great to use a natural alternative when cleaning - removing sticky residue on items. It is also great in the oil burner/diffuser to promote relaxation and sense of well being.
4. Peppermint
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Think after dinner mints. Do you know why they are served at restaurants after your meal? Peppermint is great for digestion therefore keeping your tummy from being sore. Peppermint also reminds me of a candy shop and buying those red and white candy sticks. Yummmmmm.
Some benefits of Peppermint Oil - great for digestion, headaches (can be rubbed onto the temples when mixed with a carrier oil), fabulous to sprinkle drops around the kitchen floor corners to keep Stuart Little (mice) at a distance. It is also calming and great to inhale when drops are placed onto a tissue.
5. Geranium
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I call this plant oil the 'WOMEN'S OIL' - think pretty pink flowers, think PMS - yep that's correct - great for when you turn into a BIATCH (cough cough - Adriana; my eldest daughter who is an absolute *$%^# just before her period). This oil also reminds me of our garden when I was little (gees I had a great childhood). It has a rose-like smell. It is also used in many perfumes, for eg. Giorgio Beverly Hills, Gio by Giorgio Armani.
Some benefits of Geranium Oil - great to blend in a base cream and massage into abdomen when experiencing menstrual cramping. Calming when used in a diffuser/oil burner. When blended in a carrier oil, it's lovely to use as a body perfume. Even placing 1 drop onto your clothing (this can apply with all oils - you will not stain your clothing because the oil does evaporate - its a natural substance). Remember - LESS IS MORE. Too much oil can overstimulate the senses and that would defeat the purpose.
So there you have 5 oils. I could have about so many more but introducing 5 for today is plenty for you to go and begin your journey with Essential Oils if you haven't already. Whilst at Nature Care College, I studied 30 Essential Oils to use in everyday living.
You can also blend your essential oils so that they work synergistically (work together to create further positive outcomes). For example, you can mix using the ratio 10 drops essential oil to 20ml carrier oil.
4 drops Lavender
4 drops Peppermint
2 drops Orange
These total 10 drops essential oil.
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You should also note that not everyone is going to like the same oils as you. Everyone has their own scents that they enjoy.
Finally, here are some basic rules when using essential oils.
1. If you have a medical condition - high blood pressure, cardiovascular issues, epilepsy, pregnancy, breastfeeding - always read the label to check if you can use that particular oil. They are all different so don't assume its all oils you should avoid. These particular oils can contraindicate medication you are on.
2. Note - Only purchase pure grade 100% Essential Oils for therapeutic value. Check out the Young Living - Australia website - I'm a distributor for this amazing company. Look for dark bottles - brown or blue - have the Name of the oil as well as the proper plant name; says that it is 100% pure oil, has a TGA number as well as an Aust L or Aust R number; if a blend that it tells you what oils are used and in what carrier oil.
3. DO NOT USE ESSENTIAL OILS NEAT ONTO THE SKIN - unless it is Lavender. All other oils should be diluted into a carrier oil - eg Sweet Almond, Jojoba, Wheatgerm, Grapseed. Use the ratio 1:2 - 1 drop of oil to every 2ml of carrier oil. So for example - 10 drops of essential oil to 20 mls of carrier oil.
4. Be cautious when using on babies and small children below the age of 12. The ratio should be 1:4 - 1 drop of oil to every 4ml of carrier oil. Again, less is best.
5. DO NOT GO INTO DIRECT SUNLIGHT when you have had the oils massaged into your skin. You could run the risk of burning the skin and leaving a dark pigmentation-like mark on the skin. This generally applies to citrus oils as they are photo-sensitive.
6. When using essential oils in an oil burner or diffuser - make sure they haven't been blended with a carrier oil. Only pure 100% essential oil to benefit the therapeutic value.
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CARRIER OILS
These oils act as a base for the essential oil. The essential oils themselves are quite potent and although they are a natural plant matter - they can also harm you hence why you should always read the label when using them if you are on medication or have a serious illness. By adding them to the carrier oil, you are diluting them to make them safe to use onto the skin. Remember, our skin absorbs heaps.
Some oils include;
SWEET ALMOND - great for skin care and for use on small children. Great for those with skin allergies or to even put into the bath.
JOJOBA - nourishing for the skin.
WHEATGERM - great to use as a preservative when making an oil blend (with 1 to 3 oils). It is also a great natural form of Vitamin E.
GRAPESEED - you will find this oil in your supermarket - in the cooking oils section. Its cheap and great for use in massage as it has great slip.
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So there you have a brief run down of Essential Oils and their uses. I love aromatherapy (the use of essential oils) and have always been passionate about it. I could write all day on all the different oils and their wonderful uses. So for those of you who want to know more - google 'Aromatherapy' or head on over to your local bookshop and check out the various literature in the health and beauty section.
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Get sniffing peeps.
SK x
Disclaimer - Always read the label of the essential oil to check for contraindications. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is probably best not to use the oils if you are not familiar with them. Check with your health professional if you are unsure about medications and illnesses.
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