Essential Oils: Essential Oils (The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Uncovering the Healing Benefits of Aromatherapy) (4 page)
Authors: Abigail Cruise
Here are a few useful essential oils that you can start to build your essential oil collection with. They are also extremely helpful when it comes to blending oils and healing the physical body.
Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)
: This is the most anti-inflammatory out of all the available essential oils. It is great to use in case of allergies, redness, diarrhea, indigestion, gastritis, flatulence, restless legs, edema, spasms and cramps. It has a tonic impact on the liver and is extremely calming for children.
It is generally regarded as a safe oil to use.
Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea):
This essential oil makes you drowsy, sometimes initiating a state of euphoria. It is a great muscle relaxant and helps with cramps, tension headaches, migraines, menstrual cramps, scanty menstruation and asthma. It is a mild aphrodisiac too!
This oil must be avoided in pregnancy as it may initiate contractions. If using in pregnancy, use only when labor has set in.
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)
: This is one of the most important essential oils to have in your cabinet. It is a decongestant, anti-viral and an anti-bacterial. It tones the liver and acts as a great mouth wash to get rid of oral bacteria.
This oil is generally regarded as safe. However, it must not be used in children since it can lead to breathing difficulties and depression of the CNS.
Frankincense (Boswelia carterii)
: This oil is a skin preservative, also used for extremely dry, rough and chapped skin. It can help in healing tendonitis and respiratory complaints. It slows down the breathing process and is extremely calming.
It is regarded as safe, however oxidizes at a fast pace. It must therefore not be used if it is really old.
Helichrysum (Helichrysum angustifolium)
: This oil helps in building resilience and stamina and is hence referred to as ‘everlasting.’ It is also tonic and can fortify any blend. It is a powerful anti-spasmodic and therefore helps in menstrual cramps. It also aids in sluggish digestion and circulation.
It is generally considered as safe, though there is a little risk of irritation.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
: This is one of the most important essential oils in your cabinet and helps in cleansing wounds or burns. It is a great burn remedy and is often used to treat influenza, colds, coughs, muscle cramps, headache, arthritis, menstrual pain, insomnia, acne and depression.
It is a very safe oil to use.
Lemon (Citrus limonum):
This oil boosts the creation of white blood cells and therefore enhances immunity. It helps in infections, wounds, asthma, bronchitis, insect and snake bites, arthritis, rheumatism, varicose veins, blood circulation. It is cooling, refreshing and tones the liver. It reduces body temperature too.
Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)
: This oil is an incredible skin healer, which is also used as a muscle relaxant, uterine supplement, and decongestant. It is deeply relaxing too.
Since it leads to uterine contractions, this oil should not be used in pregnancy.
Neroli (Citrus aurantium)
: This absolute is used as a sedative, antidepressant, anti-spasmodic and aphrodisiac. It is also helpful in skin care and cures anxiety. It can relieve a cardiac spasm or chronic diarrhea.
It is extremely safe for general use.
Petitgrain (Citrus aurantium amara)
: The uses of this essential oil are similar to Neroli as they belong to the same family. It is a great deodorant and a powerful sedative, which is regarded as safe for general use.
Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis)
: This oil is great for memory and concentration and is extremely helpful in all kinds of nerve pain such as sciatica, neuralgia, migraine, headache etc. It is also useful in relieving indigestion, bloating and constipation. It stimulates appetite, elevates circulation and lowers cholesterol. It is considered great for hair and scalp too.
This oil is not recommended in pregnancy.
Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata)
: This oil slows down the heartbeat and helps in relieving palpitations and tachycardia. It is extremely relaxing and calming and therefore helps in hypertension, anxiety and fright. It is an aphrodisiac too.
This oil bears moderate risk of skin sensitization.
It is extremely important to dilute your essential oils in a ‘carrier’ prior to use. The manner in which you choose carrier oils can make a profound impact on the therapeutic properties, aroma, shelf life and color of the final product.
Most carrier oils possess a faintly sweet and nutty aroma. An extremely strong aroma implies that the carrier oil has gone rancid.
HOW TO SHOP FOR CARRIER OILS?
You must never use the vegetable oils that you buy from your grocer’s as carrier oils since they have been processed using very high heat. Always aim to buy carrier oils that are cold pressed/natural, not a blend of two or more oils as well as fairly fresh. Look for the dust sitting on the bottle of your carrier oil and also review the date of manufacture. Do make sure that the carrier oil that you are purchasing is free from any additives. Here are some points to consider while shopping for carrier oils:
- The processing methodology
: The processing method deployed in the extraction of carrier oils that you choose to buy should be cold-pressing. The bottle should mention ‘cold expeller processed’ or ‘cold pressed’. Do not purchase the bottle if it mentions ‘expeller pressed’ as the high temperature and the duration of processing the oil can cause a significant damage to the nutrients in the oil. - Refined or unrefined
: Some oils such as Coconut oil, Wheat germ oil or the Avocado oil are available in both refined and unrefined forms. Always try and buy the unrefined variety. - Nutrients
: Carrier oils possess important fat soluble minerals, vitamins and other nutrients. Oils naturally containing anti-oxidants such as tocopherol last longer and demonstrate amazing benefits to the skin. A carrier oil containing essential fatty acids can offer a host of health advantages. However, the only disadvantage is that fatty acids may lead the oil to go rancid. - Price
: Price is dependent on a number of factors such as the method of processing, how the plant was cultivated, if the carrier oil is organic, the quantity that you want to purchase and the source that you are purchasing from. Organic oils are more expensive than their conventional counterparts. - Aroma
: Most carrier oils have a nutty aroma. It must be mentioned that the aroma of any carrier oil can either conflict with or complete the aroma of an essential oil. - Quantity
: Carrier oils may go rancid overtime. So, it is extremely important to have a fair idea of the amount of oil that you would be requiring. This would enable you to make a wise choice. - Do not buy mineral oils or petroleum jelly as your base oil
: This is extremely important as both mineral oil and petroleum jelly can clog pores, therefore, making your skin incapable of breathing properly. This may result in inability of your skin to release toxins and even prevent proper absorption of vitamins. - Storage
: Carrier oils should be stored in dark glass bottles and placed at a cool and dark place. A number of carrier oils are safe to be stored in your refrigerator. However, oils such as Avocado and Borage seed oil are fragile and should not be refrigerated. Carrier oils stored in the refrigerator may develop a cloudy or thick consistency and should be brought to room temperature before use. - Vegetable butters
: These can be used in aromatherapy; however, the method of extraction becomes extremely important. If you do want to use vegetable butters, ensure that they are cold pressed during the process of manufacture.
Sweet almond oil
: This is a great oil to add to blends that feel too thin. It is luxurious, thick, and robust and smoothens and plumps the skin too. This makes it great for use in face masks.
Apricot Kernel oil
: This is a great choice to heal any kind of inflammation. It is extremely soothing and possesses a medium consistency with a pale peachy hue.
Borage oil
: This is a thin and colorless oil that is used in eczema treatment. The gamma linolenic acid in the oil makes it great for skin allergies and inflammations.
Coconut oil
: This one is antifungal, antibacterial great for the skin and hair and also very helpful in sports therapy.
Evening Primrose oil
: This heals the skin and is great for gynaecological issues too.
Peach Kernel oil
: This is a perfect match with Neroli essential oil, especially if you are treating mature skin. It has a high concentration of vitamin A and E.
St. John’s Wort
: This oil is extremely useful in aches, pains, arthritis, rheumatism and stress incontinence. It is great for massage purposes.
Blending your own essential oil is a science and an art. You have already understood some of the important tips to blending. You are also aware of the classification of essential oils.
Non-metallic utensils or glass utensils are the best for blending. You should not blend in plastic containers.
Alright – what if you go wrong
?
There is no need to worry at all. No one is going to get hurt. Unless of course you commit gross errors such as blending an essential oil with peanut oil in cases of peanut allergies! Just focus on your healing goals and begin the process of blending. Allow yourself to explore and experience the science of scent!
Let us look at some amazing recipes that you can create:
RECIPE ONE TO TREAT ACNE
:
- Coconut carrier oil: 1 ounce
- Lavender essential oil: 6 drops
- Geranium essential oil: 1 drop
- Tea tree essential oil: 5 drops
Mix the above mentioned oils together in a dark colored glass bottle. Apply a small quantity to face, back and neck, avoiding your eyes. Store for future use.
RECIPE TWO TO TREAT STRETCH MARKS
:
- Cocoa butter: 3 ounces
- Avocado oil: 1 ounce
- Neroli essential oil: 4 drops
Melt the cocoa butter using the double boiler method and gently stir in the avocado oil. Let the mixture cool down for five minute and add the essential oil. Pour in a four ounce jar and use as frequently as you desire.
RECIPE THREE TO CALM YOUR BODY AND MIND
:
- Sweet almond carrier oil: 1 ounce
- Roman Chamomile essential oil: 7 drops
- Lavender essential oil: 5 drops
Mix well in a dark colored glass bottle. Massage on the soles of your feet in order to experience an increased calm.
RECIPE FOUR TO CURE DEPRESSION
:
- Sweet almond carrier oil: 1 ounce
- Frankincense essential oil: 4 drops
- Neroli essential oil: 4 drops
- Lemon essential oil: 2 drop
Mix these oils in a dark colored glass bottle and use for massage once every three days or as frequently as desired.
RECIPE FIVE FOR HAYFEVER
:
- German Chamomile essential oil: 4 drops
- Lavender essential oil: 2 drops
- Eucalyptus essential oil: 4 drops
- Thyme essential oil: 2 drops
Mix the above mentioned oils and pour a few drops in a diffuser or inhale via steam. Alternatively, you can mix these in one ounce of coconut oil and use as a massage oil.
RECIPE SIX FOR ALLERGIES
:
- Rosemary essential oil: 4 drops
- Cypress essential oil: 2 drops
- Pine essential oil: 2 drops
- Thyme essential oil: 1 drop
- Jojoba carrier oil: 1 ounce
Mix together the above ingredients and use as a massage.
RECIPE SEVEN FOR STUBBORN CELLULITE
:
- Jojoba carrier oil: 1 ounce
- Neroli essential oil: 4 drops
- Lemon essential oil: 4 drops
- Grapefruit essential oil: 2 drops
Mix the above ingredients together and store in air tight dark colored glass bottles. Massage over impacted area once every day.
RECIPE EIGHT FOR MEMORY AND CONCENTRATION
:
- Rosemary essential oil: 12 drops
- Lemon essential oil: 4 drops
Add into your diffuser and use as per manufacturer’s instructions.