Essential Oils: Essential Oils (The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Uncovering the Healing Benefits of Aromatherapy) (3 page)

The above oils in combination with some more essential oils such as Bay laurel, Cinnamon, Benzoin, Allspice, Parsley, Clove, Fennel, Oregano, Fir Needle, Spruce, Sage and Thyme can lead to severe skin irritation.

The above mentioned harmful essential oils used in combination with Cinnamon, Benzoin, Cassia, Catnip, Anise, Bay laurel, Citronella, Fennel, Clove, Litsea Cubeba, Lemongrass, Peru balsam, Oakmoss, Star Anise, Melissa and Tagetes can cause severe sensitization in your skin.

So, what is the solution?

The solution lies in dilution of your oils.

You must dilute your oils prior to use.

Quality and quantity both have a role to play when it comes to using essential oils. The simple approach that must be deployed while using essential oils is the ‘
less is more’
approach.

Never try and use more than the recommended quantity. It may cause more harm than good.

Remember to perform the patch test on the inside of your elbow before working with a new essential oil.

Understanding the process of dilution

If you want to utilize an essential oil for adult topical application, a two percent dilution of an essential oil is the safest bet. This can be further diluted and a one percent solution made for topical application in the elderly as well as the children.

Since the market is full of highly fragrant and scented synthetic products such as shampoos, oils, perfumes, deodorants, toners, face washes, body lotions etc., a two percent dilution may sound really weak in the beginning.

However, over time, you will get habituated to the new natural science of scent and start relishing the shades of your diluted oils.

An easiest method used for creating your two percent dilution is to use twelve drops of essential oil and thirty ml. of any cold pressed carrier oil such as sweet almond oil, pomegranate seed oil, peanut oil, jojoba oil and hazelnut oil.

The dropper method, although easy and popular, is not the most accurate method, primarily because of the difference in the size of drops of various essential oils. This difference in size may result from the difference in the size of the dropper, the viscosity of the oil or the temperature of the oil. However, it is considered the most acceptable methods while working with small quantities of oil.

Here are some guidelines that you can use to dilute your oils:

• One percent solution
  : This is best used in case of children below the age of six, elderly adults and pregnant women. A compromised immune system, a health issue or a massage therapy involving a larger skin area may also call for one percent dilution.
  
• Two percent dilution
  : This is useful for general skin care and every-day use. This is the recommended dilution percentage for most adults.
  
• Three to ten percent dilution
  : This is the recommended dilution guideline for short term use in case of health issues that are temporary in nature such as congestion in the respiratory tract or certain muscle injuries.
  
• Twenty five percent dilution
  : This is the recommended dilution guideline for bad bruises, muscle cramps or extreme pain.
  

WHERE SHOULD YOU APPLY ESSENTIAL OILS?

You have read earlier that oils absorb through the skin, into your bloodstream. This also implies that they possess the capability to reach the spot that requires them the most.

Therapeutically, it makes sense to apply these oils closer to the site of pain. Two other areas where application of essential oils is recommended are:

The blue veins on your wrist (these are visible when you turn the palm of your hand up). This is an excellent blood supply area and works extremely well for speedy administration of oils.

In case of an infection such as cough or cold, rub the essential oil over your neck, just below your collar bone. You will be pleasantly surprised at the quick relief you can achieve this way.

There are several ways in which essential oils can be administered in the human body. Some of these are given below:

Lotions and creams
: This is one of the best ways to administer essential oils. It necessarily implies that you can administer little and often. This is however a little expensive way too!

Massage oils
: Essential oils are diluted in carrier oils and can be easily transported inside the skin.

As bath oils
: I promise you nothing can come closer to the relaxation that an aromatherapy bath offers. A few drops of an essential oil poured straight in your bath water can work extremely well. You can also make your own bath oils by diluting a few essential oils in a carrier oil. This way you will be able to achieve the benefits of a number of oils at once.

Diffusers
: A little candle under a warm bowl of water or an electric diffuser can do the trick. It can soothe, uplift and sometimes even seduce. On a physical level, it can cure nausea, headaches, stress related aches and pains and insomnia.

Candles
: Uplifting oils can be used in candles to help recover from illness or change the mood of the room.

Room sprays
: You can add essential oils into an atomizer filled with vodka and use it to spray inside the room. Essential oils and water do not mix – this is the reason why we fill the atomizer with vodka and not water.

As compresses
: Hot and cold compresses can be used to bring about a positive change in your body and mind.  A hot compress releases tissues and a cold one tightens them.

It is important to note that although essential oils have an amazing therapeutic value and can bring about a number of positive chemical and physical changes, they are not safe for certain individuals. The reason for this is that they are capable of bringing about hormonal changes in the system that can have a damaging impact in certain people. The main people who should be careful with essential oils are diabetics, pregnant women, epilepsy patients and breast feeding women.

MASSAGE AND AROMATHERAPY

There are different kinds of massages. Typically, an aroma therapeutic massage is offered in beauty salon. Long sweeping strokes are used to massage your body with an essential oil that is diluted in a carrier oil. 

Physical Benefits of massage therapy

The skin is the largest organ in your body. It is covered in tiny pores that open up during a massage session and allow those amazing essential oils penetrate through your body. The chemical components in these essential oils penetrate through the tiny capillaries under the skin layer and flush around the blood stream, relaxing each and every muscle in your body. A great massage elevates your blood circulation as well as facilitates the lymphatic drainage in your body. This relaxes you, eliminates the waste from your body and elevates your immunity.

Although massage offers a range of benefits, it is
contraindicated
in certain situations. You must not massage:

• Over the abdomen during the first three days of your menstrual cycle
  
• Over the abdomen if you are pregnant
  
• Over any contagious infection or wound
  
• Over any varicose veins
  
• Over lumps or bumps
  
• Over an inflamed area
  
• Over the spine
  

There are five kinds of strokes used in massage therapy:                            

Effleurage
: These are the long, relaxed and smoothing strokes that may go deep into the muscle or superficially slide through the surface of the skin. They are performed in the direction of the heart and encourage lymph flow along with elevating the blood circulation.

Petrissage
: This kind of massage kneads or rolls the muscles. This stimulates the circulation of blood in the area that is massaged.

Friction
: This type of massage uses slow circular hand movements that have a deeply penetrating action and breaks down deep knots.

Vibration
: This is a rapid movement of forearm, hands and fingers used to exert pressure on a limb. It stimulates the nervous system.

Tapotment
: This technique uses aggressive movements, very similar to a sports massage. Depending on how long it is performed, it may invigorate or sedate your tissues.

Essential oils are generally blended together to experience certain therapeutic benefits or simply for the purpose of pure delight that the fragrance of a blend offers.

Whatever reason you may choose to blend your oils, it is a cumulative impact of your creativity and knowledge about the science of aromatherapy.

BLENDING FOR PURE DELIGHTFUL AROMA

Blending for the purpose of pure delightful aroma can sometimes lead to therapeutic benefits as well. The focus of this kind of blending is on the final aroma only, so the therapeutic benefits are an icing on the cake.

While blending essential oils, all safety precautions listed in the book must be followed. Harmful and phototoxic essential oils should be avoided. You must also not use the essential oils contraindicated for certain particular health conditions that you may have.

Aroma therapeutic blending is all about blending natural essential oils, absolutes, CO2s, carrier oils, water and herbs. You must remember that the commercially available oils are mostly created from synthetic chemicals and could hence be extremely strong smelling. It may not be possible for you to replicate the same aroma through your delicate aromatic blends. However, over time, you will be able to acclimatize yourself to the natural aroma that you have achieved through your creativity.

Essential oils may be classified into the below mentioned broad groups:

• Citrus essential oils
  : Examples include Lemon, Lime and Orange
  
• Oriental essential oils:
  Examples include Patchouli and Ginger
  
• Spicy essential oils
  : Examples include Cinnamon, Clove and Nutmeg
  
• Medicinal essential oils
  : Examples include Tea tree, Cajuput and Eucalyptus
  
• Minty essential oils
  : Examples include Spearmint and Peppermint
  
• Herbaceous essential oils
  : Examples include Rosemary, Marjoram and Basil
  
• Earthy essential oils
  : Examples include Vetiver, Oakmoss and Patchouli
  
• Woodsy essential oils
  : Examples include Cedar and Pine
  
• Floral essential oils
  : Examples include Neroli, Lavender and Jasmine
  

Oils of the same category can blend very well with each other. Here are a few more tips:

• Woodsy essential oils generally blend well with oils of all other groups
  
• The essential oils in floral categories generally blend well with the oils in spicy, woodsy and citrusy oils
  
• Oriental and spicy oils generally blend well with oriental, citrus and floral oils
  
• The essential oils in the minty category generally blend well with woodsy, herbaceous, earthy and citrus oils
  
• Do not limit your creativity to the above blends only. Feel free to try various other creative options.
  

A few hours after it is sprayed in the room, a blend of essential oils smells different from its original smell. The reason for this is the difference in the rate of evaporation of the constituent oils. This method is also used to in the classification of oils:

• Top notes
  are the oils which can evaporate within two hours. Lemongrass, Lemon, Lime, Peppermint, Petitgrain, Orange, Basil, Grapefruit, Spearmint, Citronella, Anise, Tangerine and Bay laurel essential oils belong to this category.
  
• The middle notes
  are the ones that take four hours to evaporate. Rose, Rosemary, Tea tree, Juniper berry, Thyme, Nutmeg, Parsley, Clary Sage, Dill, Neroli, Tobacco, Jasmine and Chamomile essential oils belong to this category.
  
• The base notes
  typically take the longest time to evaporate. Examples of this category are Vanilla, Vetiver, Patchouli, Ginger, Frankincense, Peru Balsam, Beeswax, Sandalwood, Oakmoss, Myrrh, Benzoin, Angelica and Olibanum.
  

THERAPEUTIC BLENDING 

This kind of blending is focused on healing a particular mental or physical condition. Therefore, the primary focus is not on the aroma but on the healing benefits that the blend may offer.

You must be aware of the properties of all the oils that you are going to blend together and these should not have any contradictions that lead to health issues. An example here is the Rosemary essential oil which is used for dandruff and contraindicated in pregnancy. This implies that if you are pregnant and also have dandruff, you should avoid the use of Rosemary essential oil in the blend that you create. Another example could be the peanut carrier oil that is used to alleviate the symptoms of pain in an arthritis patient. This should, however, be avoided in people who suffer from peanut allergy.

You must create a blend that helps you meet your goals and not clash with them. This is common if you are suffering from two situations at the same time. Let us look at an example.

Imagine you are suffering from insomnia and menstrual cramps at the same time. The Peppermint essential oil used in a blend can help you with your cramps, but also energize you and therefore aggravate your insomnia.  You may want to alter the time of use for this blend or simply change the constituents in the blend.

SOME BLENDING TIPS

Here are a few helpful blending tips that can enable you to create powerful blends:

• If you are creating a new blend, always begin with a small amount of essential oil. Twenty five drops should be the maximum that you use. You don’t want to waste your essential oils in creating a blend that you don’t like, do you?
  
• During your experiments with blends, start by only blending your essential oils, CO2s and absolutes. In case you love what you have created, you can dilute it with any base oil or alcohol. And if you don’t like what you have created, you have saved your alcohol or base oil.
  
• Always remember to label your blends carefully and store them in dark colored glass bottles.
  
• You can get as creative as you want to but try and limit the quantity of oils that smell really strong as that may render the blend ineffective by providing an extremely strong aroma.
  
• Never ever fall in love or start hating your blend the moment you create it. Chances are that you may develop a liking for the blends that you hate after a few days when the constituents of the oil blend with each other and blend more effectively.
  
• Most essential oils are not too thick and can therefore blend easily. Some steam distilled oils such as Patchouli or Sandalwood are a little thicker in viscosity but still seem to be easy to work with. However, certain absolutes, CO2s and resins are nearly solid at room temperature. They are therefore, really hard to work with. You could deploy the water bath technique to work with such thick oils. All you need to do is place the small bottle containing this thick oil in a bowl of warm water. Let this bottle sit in the warm water bath for around fifteen minutes. Replace the water if it cools down. The temperature of the warm water depends on the viscosity of the essential oil you are working with. This is mostly a trial and error process. You can keep on replacing the water till your essential oil reaches a consistency that you can work with.
  

SUBSTITUTING AN ESSENTIAL OIL WHILE CREATING A PARTICULAR BLEND OR A RECIPE

You may be faced with the dilemma of substitution numerous times. This typically happens when you want to create an essential oil blend and do not have the exact recommendation available with you. In this scenario, you could carefully substitute the recommended oil with one of the essential oils that you own.

The only consideration is the therapeutic properties while substituting an oil for the purpose of therapeutic blending and the aroma while substituting an oil for the purpose of pure aroma.

In case you are substituting for pure aroma, consider deploying substitution with oils of the same family (earthy, citrus, spicy etc.). You should, however, incorporate the safety precautions listed for working with essential oils in all scenarios.