What are essential oils and what do they do?
Essential Oils are complex chemical structures extracts from plants, bark & flowers at source. The oils have an impact on humans when inhaled, causing subtle emotional & sometimes physiological responses.
Essential oils, by definition, are 100% pure – extracted by a number of different means at the source. Once you start to learn about the properties of the various essential oils, you can start to create blends custom made for you.
ESSENTIAL OILS HAVE LOVELY SCENTS – MOST PEOPLE START JUST BY ENJOYING THE SMELL…
Essential Oils are highly concentrated natural oils – extracted from plants, flowers
Essential Oils are far stronger than dried flowers/plants and manifest medicinal qualities of the source plant.
ESSENTIAL OILS ENTER THE BODY THROUGH THE OLFACTORY SYSTEM (SMELL) AND IMPACT ON THE LIMBIC SECTION OF THE BRAIN (EMOTIONS & MEMORIES) & THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.
FOUR WAYS ESSENTIAL OILS ARE PRODUCED
STEAM DISTILLATION
COLD PRESSING
OIL EXTRACTION
DISTILLATION
TWO MOST COMMON WAYS OF USING ESSENTIAL OILS
INHALATION WITH ULTRASONIC DIFFUSER VAPOR
OR DIRECTLY FROM THE BOTTLE.
The impact of essential oil inhalation is in your system within 30 seconds and through your entire body within 30 minutes – significantly faster than most medications.
TOPICAL APPLICATION
Essential oils blended in a carrier oil and massaged into the skin, placed on pulse points or placed in a bath mixed in a heavy carrier oil.
Essential oil enters the body transdermally.
TAKE EXTRA SPECIAL CARE WITH THESE ESSENTIAL OILS
CITRUS OILS ARE PHOTO SENSITIVE (PHOTO TOXIC)
This means they can cause irritation when exposed to direct sunlight if applied directly to exposed skin
Citrus Oils: Bergamot, Sweet Orange, Mandarian, Lemon, Lime.
“HOT” OILS
Hot oils heat the skin on contact and can irritate. Hot oils should be avoided if you have animals in closed areas where essential oils are being diffused. Patch test before applying topically.
Hot Oils: Clove, Cinnamon, Cassia, Thyme, Black Pepper.
YOU’RE READY TO MEET SOME ESSENTIAL OILS!
1) FRENCH LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL
Calming, Healing, Repair
Lavender is the multi tasking essential oil with multiple super-powers. Healing, soothing, fortifying and calming. Lavender is safe to use topically and is used in a large number of blends from relaxing to anti anxiety and healing. Lavender is also used in skincare for cellular regeneration.
Place of Origin – France
Blends well with – almost everything! Lavender is included in relaxation blends, anxiety blends, sleep blends & focus blends. It is also often used in skincare for cellular repair.
2) BERGAMOT ESSENTIAL OIL
Spontaneity, Lightheartedness, Quells Anxiety & Nervousness.
Bergamot is one of the best choices when things get intense and stress levels start to increase. It enables a step back from the heat and a lessening of mild feelings of anxiety. When things are feeling a bit ‘stuck’ or a bit nervous about something, Bergamot is the essential oil to reach for – especially if you are feeling anxious or melancholy.
Promotes energy flow and a positive outlook, supports general well-being. Used in skincare to resolve inflammation. Is also highly antiseptic.
Blends well with Lavender in the case of anxiety or nervous energy.
3) SWEET MARJORAM ESSENTIAL OIL
Nurturing, Comforting, Warming, Calming
Marjoram is extremely comforting and enables deep rest and a balancing of perspective. Marjoram is used in times of grief as a stronger remedy for enabling the mind to slow down and rest and enabling us to be kind to ourselves.
As a massage medium, marjoram is one of the best oils to reduce stress buildup in the muscles – is has antispasmodic & mild analgesic effects effects.
Blends very well with Lavender in the case of promoting deep sleep, and with Ginger in the instance of coping with loss of for extreme cases of despondence. Blends extremely well with Peppermint to enable a calmness and optimal productivity in a busy working day – Marjoram keeps the mind and body relaxed, while Peppermint activates the brain. Sweet Orange is a great accompaniment for this duo in this instance as it promotes open minded, positive creative thinking – this is a fabulous blend for strategy creation.
4) FRANKINCENSE ESSENTIAL OIL
Promotes Tranquility, Dispells Negative Energy & Promotes a Peaceful State of Mind.
Frankincense has been used for centuries in meditation and religious festivals or events. Its scent is deeply restful and Frankincense has the unique property of amplifying the impact of the other oils it is blended with, but is equally effective when used alone. Frankincense is selected in the instance of reducing feelings of fear – it brings courage and strength to all occasions.
Used in skincare as a tonic for rejuvenating mature skin.
5) PEPPERMINT ESSENTIAL OIL
Aids Recovery, Enables Clear Thinking, Energising
Peppermint is the awakening oil – and can be used with a calming oil such as Frankincense or Marjoram to enable calm altertness and high productivity, with a memory stimulator such as Lime, or with another awakener if required, such as Rosemary.
For those days where you are 100% sluggish and just can’t get moving (but you have to), Lime, Peppermint and Rosemary is like rocket fuel. Don’t take it in the evening!