Essential oil is the “gold in liquid" from the earth

 

“The way to health was through aromatic baths and massages by using essential oils.”
–– 'Father of Western Medicine' Hippocrates


In this world, if there is something that can be said to have the beauty of body, mind, and spirit, essential oil will be well deserved. Whether you are feeling exhausted because of the long-term boredom and dull work environment, or feeling anxious and scared about the uncertainty in future, or unable to regain your confidence in the past for various reasons, essential oils can help you.

The use of ESSENTIAL OILS can be traced back to ancient Egypt. Essential oils as an aromatic substance, has been popularly used for centuries. Although essential oils appear in the simplest way, but they play an extraordinary role. These aromatic molecules extracted from plants are an important piece of perfumes, cosmetics, seasonings and other products. Essential oils are found in all parts of plants, including roots, trunks, bark, stems, leaves and flowers. But in fact, it is not just oil, but an organic compound produced by photosynthesis, which is an aromatic substance that comes from complex composition of plant.

Other than Lavender (1), German Chamomile (2), Tea Tree (3) can be directly used in small amounts on the skin, most of the essential oils need to be diluted before use.

Essential oil is nature's support system for humans, it can prevent and eliminate diseases. Bringing essential oils to our life can provide a guarantee for our families and homes. Currently, there are more than 300 kinds of essential oils often used by the professionals, while normal family only needs more than 10 kinds to meet their daily needs.

Aromatherapy

It refers to a natural remedy that uses natural plant extracts as a medium, to relieve mental stress and improve physical health through body massage, bathing or inhalation.

Modern research has verified the extraordinary efficacy of essential oils for centuries. In 1920, French chemist René Maurice Gattefossé pioneered the scientific research on the medical properties of essential oils. Gattefossé mainly studied cosmetics. One day, when he was making perfume in the laboratory, his arm was severely burned. Then he dipped his hands in a cold liquid containing lavender essential oil. He was surprised that the pain was reduced a lot. Moreover, normally burns caused redness, hot, inflamed and blistering reactions, but due to the cold liquid containing lavender essential oil, it heals quickly without leaving any scars. From then on, he began to study the magical effects of essential oils. The term "aromatherapy" was coined by him.

Currently, aromatherapy is widely used. Some colleges around the world regard aromatherapy as a formal subject. Many private clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, etc. are also using this holistic therapy to help people restore health.

The Use of Essential oil in 4 fields:

Essential oil has a wide range of uses, whether as a doctor's medicine bag, spices in food, or as a massage agent in the hands of an aromatherapist, you can glimpse the beauty of essential oils everywhere.

Today, about 300 kinds of essential oils together form a highly effective medical system, and many western medicines contain active ingredients of essential oils. Besides, the manufacturers of cosmetics appreciate the effectiveness of essential oils in promoting cell regeneration and beauty, while the perfumers use their pleasant atmosphere and ability to enhance their mood of user to the extreme. For aromatherapists, the essential oils are the source of their magic power. Through massage, diffuse and other methods, aromatherapists are committed to regenerating the patients' mind and body to achieve a full range of physical and mental balance.


Extraction of Essential oil


  • Steam Distillation Method

The distillation method has the simplest operation and lower cost. Currently, 95% of essential oils on the market are extracted by distillation.

The method is put those fresh or dried aromatic plant materials (woods, flowers, leaves, etc.) into the distiller, and heat the steam from below to evaporate the essential oil of the plant. The water vapor containing essential oil is then collected and cooled by a pipe, and cooled to become 2 types of liquids. The 2 liquid types will be separated naturally due to the difference in gravity and density of water and essential oil.



Other extraction methods include Cold-Press Extraction, Enfleurage, Solvent Extraction and CO2 Extraction.


Essential Oil Yields

No matter which method you choose, it takes a lot of plants to extract a small amount of essential oils, which is why essential oils are so expensive.

For Example:


Way to Store Essential oil

Pure essential oils are afraid of light and high temperature, as these makes pure essential oil oxidize easily, so they must be stored in dark bottles and placed in a dark place with a consistent temperature of about 30°C. Because the temperature difference, the essential oil in the refrigerator will become a little turbid, so it is best not to put the essential oil in the refrigerator.

Once the essential oil is opened and exposed to the air, it will begin to oxidize and slowly deteriorate. It is recommended to use it within 18 months after opened, so that its efficacy will not be wasted.

If it hasn't been opened, pure essential oils can be stored for at least 5 years. Except for citrus essential oils, which are more intolerant, the shelf life is about 3 years. After opening citrus essential oils, it is advised to use them within 9 months. On the contrary, special essential oils like Sandalwood and Frankincense are like alcohol, the longer the time pass, the more mellow indefinitely. The quality of these special essential oils can also withstand about 5 years after opening the bottle.


Essential oils Safety Instructions

The concentration of essential oils is high, so most of them must be diluted before use. Mild essential oils such as Lavender, Tea tree, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Roman chamomile, Cedarwood atlas, Frankincense, Helichrysum, Niaouli, Clary sage, etc. can be used directly without dilution in small dosage. If need to use in large dosage, be sure to dilute with carrier oil before use.


The concentration of essential oils is extremely high, so avoid to touch the eyes when apply essential oil. If it is needed to use around the eyes area, the dosage should also be adjusted to about 10 ml of base oil with 1 drop of essential oil, and avoid apply too close to the eyes.


Essential oils should be avoided to apply on wounds, so do not apply essential oils directly when there is a wound on the skin, but if it is a small knife wound or a small wound, by applying essential oils to the small wound, it will heal the skin quickly.


Avoid Sunlight after Using Some Essential oils

Some essential oils contain ingredients that can cause photosensitivity. If you expose to the sun after use, your skin will become darken. Such essential oils like Lemon, Orange, Bergamot, Grapefruit, Lime, Mandarin, and Angelica root are all photosensitive, avoid sun exposure after use, preferably to apply at night.

 

User groups that required special attention:


Pregnant woman: During pregnancy, they must avoid the use of essential oils with the function of menstrual flow and estrogen adjustment, such as Rose geranium, Cypress, Myrrh, Clary sage, Jasmine, Lemongrass, Basil, Cinnamon, Clove, Rosemary, Fennel and etc. Essential oil that is more suitable for use during pregnancy are such as Frankincense, Orange, Grapefruit, Lemon, Neroli, Tea tree, Myrtle and Ginger.

Hypertension patients: Avoid using Hyssop, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, etc.

Low blood pressure patients are not suitable to use Ylang Ylang essential oil.

Patients with epilepsy: Avoid using Hyssop, Rosemary, Sweet Fennel, and all Sage family essential oils.

G6PD Deficiency (Favism): Avoid using essential oils that containing menthol and camphor properties, such as Camphor, Mint, Cinnamon, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Sage, Lavandin, and Blue Tansy, Wintergreen.


Safety Instructions to apply Essential oil on Children

  • 0～6 months old infant

Types of essential oil that babies can use at this stage is limited.
Suggestion: Add 1 drop of Lavender / Roman Chamomile / Frankincense / Mandarin essential oil to 10 ml of Sweet Almond oil to massage the baby's belly; or use as indoor diffuser.

  • 6～12 months old toddle

Suggestion: Types of essential oil that toddles can use at this stage are Chamomile, Lavender, Niaouli, Mandarin, Neroli, Rose, Tea tree, Sweet Orange.

  • 1～6 years old child

Suggestion: Types of essential oil that children can use at this stage are Ginger, Sandalwood, Ylang-ylang, Myrtle, Cedarwood, Lemon, Thyme, etc.

  • 7～12 years old child

Suggestion: Almost all essential oils can be use on the children at this stage except for Wintergreen and Birch, and the dosage should be adjusted to 1/2 of adults.

  • 12 years old and above

Suggestion: All essential oils can be used at the same dosage as adults.


Essential Oil Dilution Ratio Chart



Infants 0-6 months: It is recommended to use Sweet Almond Oil + Roman Chamomile and Lavender essential oil, only 0.2-0.5% of essential oil dosage is required.

Essential oil dosage of infant under 12 months: 0.5%

Essential oil dosage of child between 1 to 6 years old: 1-2%

Essential oil dosage of child between 7 to 12 years old: 1-3%

Essential oil dosage of child over 12 years old and adults: Generally, 3-5%, if it is for pain relief or more serious symptoms, can use 10-25%. If there is a need to continuous use of high doses for more than 3 days, it is recommended to interval adjust the essential oil dosage according with own experience.

Essential oil dosage for facial care massage: Generally, recommend 1%, if the skin is not sensitive, can mixed up to 3%.

Essential oil dosage for special parts / private organs: 1-2%. It is only recommended to use essential oils that are gentle for skin, while those spices type essential oils which is spicy should be avoided.


As a conclusion: Pure essential oil is a very safe plant healing molecule, which has great benefits for people's mind, body and spirit. Take a little time to learn the essential oil knowledge and master the basic usage, it can bring yourself and your beloved family a better life and maintain a healthy body.


The above essential oil guidelines are formulate based on Amphora Aromatics pure essential oils. The purity and safety of other brands essential oils cannot be tested and monitored by us. If you misuse other miscellaneous brand essential oils according to the above guidelines, you will be fully bearing all the consequences caused by your actions.