Essential Oil Mini Guide
(Compiled by Sarah Judith Cole)
Being very complex, essential oils are often called
the “Life Force” of the plant.
Essential Oils are stored in special cells, ducts, or
glandular hairs that are distributed among the roots, leaves, bark, stems, and
flowers of the plant.
Uplifting, Protective, calming, and regenerating
essential oils are unique gift from the plant world.
A single oil may contain hundreds of constituents
that are molecularly aligned in exactly the right manner to trigger a number of
responses in the human body. Very
concentrated and very powerful, a drop or two of distilled therapeutic grade
essential oil produces quick and significant results.
Essential oils protect the plant from insects and
other herbivores, from bacteria, molds, fungi, and other microorganisms, and
also help to heal inflicted wounds. These
unique characteristics make essential oils highly beneficial to humankind.
A
Summary of the Benefits of Therapeutic-Grade Essential Oils
1.Essential oils are small enough in molecular size
that they can quickly penetrate the tissues of the skin.
2. Essential oils are lipid-soluble and are capable
of penetrating cell membranes, even if the membranes have hardened because of an
oxygen deficiency. According to Jean Valnet, MD, essential oils can affect every
cell of the body within 20 minutes and are then metabolized like other
nutrients.
3. Essential oils, according to researchers at the
University of Vienna, stimulate blood flow, which increases oxygen and nutrient
delivery.
4. Essential oils are some of the most powerful known
antioxidants as determined by the ORAC test developed at Tufts University.
5. Essential oils are antibacterial, antifungal, anti-infectious, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, antiviral, and antiseptic. Some essential oils have been shown to destroy all tested bacteria and viruses.
6. Essential oils may detoxify the cells and blood in
the body.
7. Essential oils containing sesquiterpenes have the
ability to pass the blood-brain barrier.
8. Essential oils are aromatic, and when diffused,
may provide air purification by:
Increasing
ozone and negative ions in the area.
Eliminating
odors from cooking, bacteria, mold, animals, and other
Filling
the air with a fresh, aromatic scent.
9. Essential oils promote emotional, physical, and
spiritual well-being.
1. Always keep a bottle of a pure vegetable oil handy when using essential oils. Vegetable oils dilute essential oils if they cause discomfort or skin irritation.
2. Keep bottles of essential oils tightly closed and store them in a cool location away from light. If stored properly, essential oils will maintain their potency for many years.
3. Keep essential oils out of reach of children. Treat them as you would any product for therapeutic use.
4. Essential oils rich in menthol (such as peppermint) should not be used on the throat or neck area of children under 30 months of age.
5. Angelica, bergamot, grapefruit, lemon, orange, tangerine, and other citrus oils are photosensitive and may cause a rash or dark pigmentation on skin exposed to direct sunlight or UV rays within 3-4 days after application.
6. Keep essential oils well away from the eye area and never put them directly into ears. Do not handle contact lenses or rub eyes with essential oils on your fingers. Even in minute amounts, oils with high phenol content, such as oregano, cinnamon, thyme, clove, lemongrass, and bergamot, may damage contacts and will irritate eyes.
7. Pregnant women should always consult a health care professional when starting any type of health program.
8. Epileptics and those with high blood pressure should consult their health care professional before using essential oils. Use caution with hyssop, fennel, basil, wintergreen/birch, nutmeg, rosemary, peppermint, sage, tarragon, and tansy oils.
9. People with high blood pressure should avoid using sage and rosemary.
10. People with allergies should test a small amount of oil on an area of sensitive skin, such as the inside of the upper arm, for 30 minutes, before applying the oil on other areas.
The bottom of the feet is one of the safest, most effective places to use essential oils.
11. Before taking GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe), essential oils internally, test your reactions by diluting one drop of essential oil in one teaspoon of an oil-soluble liquid like agave, olive oil, or rice milk. Never consume more than a few drops of diluted essential oil per day without the advice of a physician.
12. Do not add undiluted essential oils directly to bath water. Using Epsom salts or a bath gel base for all oils applied to your bath is an excellent way to disperse the oils into the bath water. When essential oils are put directly into bath water without a dispersing agent, they can cause serious discomfort on sensitive skin because the essential oils float, undiluted, on top of the water.
13. Keep essential oils away from open flames,
sparks, or electricity. Some essential oils, including orange, fir, pine, and
peppermint are potentially flammable
children
without dilution. However, you must
be sure what you are using is not lavandin labeled as lavender or
genetically-altered lavender. When
applying most other essential oils on children, dilute the oils with carrier
oil.
Carrier
oils, such as a vegetable mixing oil, extend essential oils and provide more
efficient use. When massaging, the
vegetable oil helps lubricate the skin. Some
excellent carrier oils include cold-pressed grape seed, olive, wheat germ, and
sweet almond oils, or a blend of any of these.
When
starting an essential oil application, always apply the oil first to the bottom
of the feet. This allows the body
to become acclimated to the oil, minimizing the chance of a reaction.
Vita Flex foot charts can help to identify areas for best application.
Start by applying 3-6 drops of a single or blended oil, spreading it over
the bottom of each foot.
When
applying essential oils to yourself, use 1-2 drops of oil on 2-3 locations twice
a day. Increase to four times a day
if needed. Apply the oil and allow
it to absorb for 2-3 minutes before applying another oil or getting dressed
As a general
rule, when applying oils to yourself or another person for the first time, do
not apply more than two single oils or blends at one time.
When mixing
essential oils blends or diluting essential oils in a carrier oil,
it is best
to use containers made of glass or earthenware, rather than
plastic. Plastic particles
can leach into the oil and then into the skin once it is applied.
Before
applying oils, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Start by applying 2 drops of a
single oil or blend on the skin and massaging it
Keep in mind
that many massage oils such as olive, almond, or wheat germ oil
Licensed
acupuncturists can dramatically increase the effectiveness of
When
performing acupressure treatment, apply 1-3 drops of essential oil to the
acupressure point with a finger. Using
an auricular probe with a slender point to dispense oil can enhance the
application. Start by pressing
firmly and then releasing. Avoid
applying pressure to any particular pressure point too long.
You may continue along the acupressure points and meridians or use the
For Deeper penetration of an
essential oil, use warm packs after applying oils.
Apply
essential oils on the location, followed by cold water or ice packs when
This
technique consists of applying multiple oils one at a time. For example, place
Marjoram over a sore muscle,
massage it into the tissue gently until the area is dry, and then apply a second
oil, such as peppermint, until the oil is absorbed and the skin is dry.
The layer on the third oil, such as basil and continue massaging.
Rub 1-3 drops
on the location, diluted or neat,
Cover
the location with a hot, damp towel
Cover
the moist towel with a dry towel for 1-30 minutes, depending on individual need.
As
the oil penetrates the skin, you may experience a warming or even a burning
sensation, especially in areas where the greatest benefit occur.
Place
5-15 drops of essential oil into a basin filled with warm water.
Water
temperature should be approximately 100°F (38°C), unless the patient
Vigorously
agitate the water and let it stand for 1 minute
Place
a dry face cloth on top of the water to soak up oils that have floated to
the
surface.
Wring
out the water and apply the cloth on the location.
To seal in the warmth,
cover the location with a
thick towel for 15-30 minutes.
Adding
Essential oils to bath water is challenging because oil does not mix with water.
For even dispersion, mix 5-10 drops of essential oil in 1/4 cup of Epsom
salts or bath gel base and then add this mixture under a running faucet.
This method will help the oils disperse evenly and prevent stronger oils
from stinging sensitive areas.
You can also
use premixed bath gels and shampoos containing essential oils
Essential
oils can be added to Epsom salts and used in the shower.
There are special shower heads containing an attached receptacle that is
filled with the essential oil/salts mixture.
This allows essential oils to not only make contact with the skin, but
also diffuses the fragrance of the oils into the air.
The showerhead receptacle can hold ¼
to ½ cup of bath
salts.
The longer
essential oils stay in contact with the skin, the more likely they are
101
Uses Essential 7 kit Olfactory System
Looking for a Webhost
Yesterdays Wisdom
reference charts
Essential Oils and the Chakras
EssentialOilsMiniGuide
What Oils Do I Use
Therapeutic Grade Oils
How to Order Business Opportunity
Discover the Difference in
NingXia Red
After starting the search, when the page reloads, scroll to the bottom to see the results