Aroma-Blast.co.uk

Aromatherapy

Safety

Essential oil safety

There is no doubt that essential oils are very powerful compounds, and some safety measures must be kept in mind when having them around the house.

Following the guidelines below will help keep the use of essential oils safe for you and those around you.

 Never take essential oils internally unless so advised by your medical practitioner.

 Keep essential oils out of the reach of children.

 Always dilute essential oils with a suitable carrier oil before applying it to the skin.

 If you are pregnant, lactating or suffer from epilepsy, hypertension (high blood pressure), have cancer or liver damage, or any other medical condition, only use essential oils under guidance of a qualified aroma practitioner/aroma therapist.

 Use essential oils with great care on children.

 If you are using a new un-tried essential oil, first do a skin patch test before using extensively.

 If irritation occurs with a specific oil or formula, discontinue the use of such oil or formula.

 Take care not to get any essential oils into your eyes or on to any mucus membranes.

 A wise practice is to always wash your hands after handling pure undiluted essential oils.

 Some oils are not indicated for use while you are pregnant, due to the stimulating effect it has on the urinary system and uterus. Using such oils during the early months of pregnancy can cause contractions and premature delivery.

 When nursing babies care must be taken with your selection of essential oils to prevent skin transference to the baby.

 When using essential oils is would be better to abstain from using alcohol, or if inevitable, a small glass of white wine at mealtime can be consumed.

 Check for any interaction between medication and essential oils, since some essential oils can interfere with certain prescription medication.

 When using essential oils that cause sun sensitivity people should take care to avoid expose to the sun.

 People with a sensitive skin should always perform a skin patch test before using untried essential oils.

 Certain oils have been banned for use in aromatherapy, and although it may be used in other applications, it may not be used in aromatherapy massage etc.

 

Treatment of ailments and problems with essential oils

Please take note, that all information is for information purposes only, and should not be used to treat or diagnose any illness or health condition.

Any health condition should be referred to your licensed medical practitioner, and no statements regarding the products or health conditions have been verified by any health authority.

The treatments listed below relies on alternative healing with essential oils, and please note that no clinical trials or results are available and rests heavily on anecdotal proof.

ABCESS - Lavender, Tea Tree, Sandalwood

ACNE -Lavender, Tea Tree, Frankincense

ARTHRITIS -Black Pepper, Juniper, Chamomile

ASTHMA - Geranium, frankincense, cypress

BALDNESS - West Indian Bay, Rosemary

BITES - Lavender

BLISTERS - Benzoin, Lavender

BLOOD PRESSURE - Hyssop

CATARRH- Eucalyptus, pine needle

CELLULITIS -  Cypress, Fennel

CONSTIPATION - Rosemary

DANDRUFF - Rosemary

ECZEMA - Lavender, Geranium, Chamomile

EXHAUSTION - Lavender, Geranium

HAEMORRHOIDS - Geranium, Cypress

HAY FEVER - Juniper, Rose

HEADACHE - Lavender, Peppermint

INDIGESTION - Fennel, Peppermint

INSECT REPELLENT - Citronella, Lemongrass

INSOMNIA - Lavender

MIGRAINE - Juniper, Rose, Lavender

NAUSEA - Lavender, Peppermint, Spearmint

PMT - Bergamot, Clary Sage, Lavender

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS - Chamomile, Ginger, Juniper

SUNBURN - Lavender

THROAT - Lavender, Sandalwood

THRUSH - Tea Tree

VARICOSE VEINS - Cypress, Geranium

VERUCCAS - Tea Tree

WARTS - Lemon

SKIN - Chapped - Benzoin

             Cracked - Benzoin, Patchouli

             Oily - Cedarwood

             Itchy - Lavender, Peppermint

             Sensitive - Chamomile, Rose

             Mature - Juniper, Rose

             Dry - Geranium

THESE REMEDIES ARE FOR GUIDANCE ONLY & SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN AS

MEDICAL CLAIMS

PLEASE CONSULT YOUR GP

 

Extraction of essential oils

Various extraction methods are used in the manufacturing of essential oils, and the method used is normally dependant on what type of botanical material is being used.

It is the type of plant material that determines which method will be used to obtain the essential oil. But there are exceptions - for instance - CO2 is a great way to extract most oils, but the cost involved in following this method, would place it out of the financial reach of most people.

Although the extraction of essential oils may sound only to be of technical interest, it is one of the key points which determines the quality of the oil that is used, since a wrong, or wrongly executed extraction, can damage the oil, and alter the chemical signature of the essential oil.

Extraction methods

Underneath a list and short explanation of the different extraction methods used in the manufacture of essential oils as found on this website.

Distillation

Distillation converts the volatile liquid (the essential oils) into a vapor and then condenses the vapor back into a liquid - it is the most popular, and cost effective method in use today in producing essential oils.

Water distillation in the extraction of essential oils.

In the manufacture of essential oils using the method of water distillation, the botanic material is completely immersed in water and the still is brought to the boil. This method protects the oils so extracted to a certain degree since the surrounding water acts as a barrier to prevent it from overheating.

When the condensed material cools down, the water and essential oil is separated and the oil decanted to be used as essential oil.

The water that is so separated in this process is also used and is marketed as "floral waters" (also called hydrosol or sweet water) - such as rosewater, lavender water and orange water.

Water distillation can be done at reduced pressure (under vacuum) to reduce the temperature to less than 100 degrees, which is beneficial in protecting the botanical material, as well as the essential oils.

Neroli oil, which is sensitive to heat, can therefore be successfully extracted using this method.

If extended exposure to hot water is not indicated for a particular plant - such as Lavender, it is best to find an extraction method better suited. Any botanical material that contains high amounts of esters do not take well to this extraction method, since the extended exposure to hot water will start to break down the esters to the resultant alcohols and carboxylic acids.

Steam distillation of essential oil manufacture.

When steam distillation is used in the manufacture and extraction of essential oils, the botanical material is placed in a still and steam is forced over the material.

The hot steam helps to release the aromatic molecules from the plant material since the steam forces open the pockets in which the oils are kept in the plant material. The molecules of these volatile oils then escape from the plant material and evaporate into the steam.

The temperature of the steam needs to be carefully controlled - just enough to force the plant material to let go of the essential oil, yet not too hot as to burn the plant material or the essential oil.

The steam which then contains the essential oil, is passed through a cooling system to condense the steam, which forms a liquid from which the essential oil and water is then separated.

The steam is produced at greater pressure than the atmosphere and therefore boils at above 100 degrees Celsius which facilitates the removal of the essential oil from the plant material at a faster rate and in so doing prevents damage to the oil.

Some oils, like Lavender is heat sensitive (thermo labile) and with this extraction method, the oil is not damaged and ingredients like linalyl acetate will not decompose to linalool and acetic acid.

 

Hydro diffusion in essential oil manufacture

When essential oils are extracted using hydro diffusion it is a type of steam distillation, and only varies in the actual way in which the steam is introduced into the still. With hydro diffusion the steam is fed in from the top onto the botanical material instead of from the bottom as in normal steam distillation.

The condensation of the oil containing steam mixture occurs below the area in which the botanical material is held in place by a grill. The main advantage of this method is that less steam is used, shorter processing time and a higher oil yield.

Other specialized distillation

Cohobation
Rectification
Water and steam distillation
Fractional distillation

Expression

Expression is a cold pressed method of extraction, which is mostly used in the extraction of citrus essential oils.

Sponge expression
Écuelle à piquer
Machine abrasion

Solvent extraction

With solvent extraction, solvents are used to coax the essential oils out of the botanical material, and various ways are also employed.

Maceration
Enfleurage
Solvent
Hypercritical carbon dioxide CO 2

 

 

Diluting essential oils

Since essential oils are very concentrated and potent, they should never be applied in its pure undiluted form to the skin, but should be suitably diluted.

There are different dilution levels that should be used, depending on how they are being used.

Adding essential oils to your bath

Since essential oils can irritate the skin and mucus membranes, you can first dilute the essential oil in a suitable carrier oil (or a little bit of shampoo) before adding it to your bath.

Bathing with essential oils must be one of the most relaxing ways to attend to your ablutions, and adding soft candlelight to soothe your frayed nerves at the end of a busy day, is a great way to unwind.

You would normally add about 7 drops of essential oils to a bath, but as stated above, if you have a sensitive skin, or have not tried a particular oil, rather first mix the essential oil to a carrier oil or a small amount of shampoo and then add it to your bath.

If you have a sensitive skin, it might also be a good idea to first do a skin patch test to determine if you are allergic to the oil or not.

Should you prefer not to mix it with a carrier oil, you could mix it with a small amount of shampoo and then add the shampoo mixture to your bath.

Although it gives off a wonderful aroma to add the oils to a running bath, the oils would evaporate at a very high rate, and for this reason it is best to add the oils after you have run the bath, and then to mix in by hand.

For children between the ages of 4 and 12, as well as for elderly people, only add 4 drops of oil per bath.

For children between 1 and 4, as well as for pregnant women, add only 2 drops of oil per bath.

Essential oils in burners, light-bulb rings, vaporizers and diffusers

When you use essential oils in burners, it could be said that 6 drops per time is the general amount used, yet this figure would depend on a couple of factors.

The type of burner, vaporizer or diffuser used, size of room, age of the inhabitants of the room as well as the type of oil used will help determine the amount of essential oil to be used.

A whole range of pottery and electric burners are available but it should be kept in mind that the oil should be floated on water to prevent it from burning.

On porcelain light-bulb rings, you may not need to dilute the oil at all, but you might want to float it on water when using a metal light-bulb ring to prevent burning. In this case you will first add a small amount of water to the metal ring and then drop the oil on top of the water.

When using these porcelain or metal rings, you may also need to look at the strength of the globe on which you rest it, since a very strong light will be far warmer than a weaker one.

Should you be using these rings, ensure that the light-bulb is cool when placing the ring on it, and make sure never to drop any essential oil directly onto the light bulb.

If you are using a bowl of water on a heated surface, you would add approximately 6 drops of essential oil to the water - depending on the size of the room, as well as the type of oil used.

Diffusers using tea candles underneath are generally not too hot, and most of the time the oil is placed on crystals to help diffuse the fragrance, or can also have top sections that can hold water into which the oil is dropped.

Diffusers using candles must be used with due care to prevent fires - and remember - essential oils are volatile and flammable.

Most modern humidifiers have a place in which to pour some essential oils - but remember that it can not be added to the water in the reservoir of the humidifier, as it would stop the humidifier working, and can also create a hazard.

If you wish to use essential oils in a nebulizer please contact the manufacturer for the instructions, since some essential oils should not be used in these medical instruments.

Using oil in the rooms of elderly people or children, it might also be indicated to reduce the amount of oil in the burner / vaporizer / diffuser.

Essential oil dilution in creams and lotions

When you mix essential oils in a plain un-perfumed cream base, it adds all the therapeutic qualities to the cream as well as the fragrance - giving you a "non-oily" way of applying essential oils.

This is of particular benefit should you wish to apply essential oils to a person with a skin condition that might not take well to oily carrier oils.

Un-perfumed base creams, like aqueous cream and lotions, can be purchased from your local pharmacy / chemist.

The total percentage of essential oil to a cream or lotion should not exceed 2%. Also please ensure that you mix the oil well into the cream or lotion and that you are not allergic to the essential oil of your choice.

The mixed cream or lotion should be kept in a closed container, and in a cool area.

To prevent any unexpected allergic reactions, we do suggest that you perform a skin patch test to check for any allergic reactions.

Age Amount of base cream or lotion Amount of essential oil

65 years + 50 g 10 drops

12 - 65 50 g 20 drops

4 - 12 50 g 10 drops

1 - 4 50 g 4 drops

under 1 50 g 2 drop

Pregnant 50 g 4 drop

 

Dilution of essential oils for massage

When you use essential oils for a massage, you will need to dilute with a suitable carrier oil, since essential oils are too concentrated to use undiluted on the skin.

Age Amount of carrier oil Amount of essential oil

65 years + 20 ml 5 drops

12 - 65 20 ml 10 drops

6 - 12 20 ml 7 drops

4 - 6 20 ml 5 drops

1 - 4 20 ml 2 drop

under 1 20 ml 1 drop

Pregnant 20 ml 1 drop

 

Adding essential oil to shampoo

When you use essential oils in shampoos, you will need to dilute it to a suitable level as not to cause any irritation to the eyes.

Adding essential oils to your shampoo is an easy way to increase the effectiveness of your shampoo, but take care to select oils that are not irritants, or that you might be allergic to, since shampoos do have the habit of sometimes getting into your eyes.

A good addition for hair care is normally Rosemary Essential Oil.

Do not use a new essential oil in a shampoo that you haven't tested - rather first do a skin patch test to determine if you are allergic to the oil or not.

Age Amount of shampoo Amount of essential oil

65 years + 100 ml 10 drops

12 - 65 100 ml 20 drops

4 - 12 100 ml 10 drops

1 - 4 100 ml 2 drops

under 1 100 ml not recommended

Pregnant 100 ml 5 drops