Introduction to Aromatherapy pt 1

Introduction to Aromatherapy ~

What are essential oils ?

~ Essential oils are volatile aromatic compounds produced by plants to protect them selves , give them their distinctive scents and aid in pollination.

~ When inhaled , these aromatic compounds can play an important role in boosting the body's natural healing functions.

How essential oils are produced :

~ Essential oils are produced by extracting volatile aromatic essences from flowers , leaves , grasses , fruits , roots and trees.

~ Some require more plant matter than others for small amount of oil , which is why essential oil prices may vary.

There are several methods to extract oils :

~ Steam distillation ; The most common method of extraction, steam distillation draws out essential oils by boiling the plant matter in a sealed pot. The steam , which is a combination of essential oil and hydrosol , rises and flows through a tube into a condenser , where it cools. The essential oils floating on top of the hydrosol are skimmed and bottled.

~ Cold pressed ; The cheapest and easiest method of extraction , cold pressing is used only on citrus fruit rinds. The peels are ground or chopped and pressed or punctured to extract their water and essential oils which separate. The essential oils are then skimmed off the surface. Proceed with caution ; Due to their chemical make up , many citrus essential oils that are cold pressed instead of steam distilled can cause reactions like rashes or burns on the skin when exposed to sunlight which is known as photosensitization.

~ Absolutes and CO2 extracts ; Solvent extraction is used when plant matter is too fragile to withstand distillation. Because it uses less of the plant , solvent extraction is used to create the more affordable essential oils of delicate flowers such as Jasmine and Rose.

What is Aromatherapy ?

Many people assume aromatherapy is just for perfumes or massages , but those are only small pieces of its healing magic. Aromatherapy involves using essential oils to promote mental health and physical well being. Its believed to work by stimulating smell receptors in the nose, which then sends signals through the nervous system to the limbic system , the part of the brain that controls emotions.

There are three ways essentials oils can enter your body when used for aromatherapy , they are :

~ Topical ; Applying essential oils to the skin is a popular method. Topical application is commonly used to heal cuts , scrapes , burns , eczema , acne and more. It can be used as a chest rub to soothe cough and congestion , a massage oil for muscle pains and a soothing salve to relieve menstrual cramps as well as skin conditions and acute muscle issues. Topical application generally is the slowest way to get essential oils into your bloodstream , depending on skin thickness and to what extent they are diluted with a carrier oil to prevent side effects.

~ Oral ; Some essential oils , including cinnamon , clove bud , peppermint , sandalwood and eucalyptus , are considered safe for oral use (please be incredibly careful with this and speak to a professional first) . This method can be effective for digestive issues , sleep problems and urinary tract infections , but only when prescribed by a qualified medical professional who is clinically certified in aromatherapy.

~ Inhalation ; As the fastest way to get essential oils to your brain or lungs , inhalation is one of the most effective and popular aromatherapy methods. Its most commonly used for respiratory tract infection , allergies , headaches , asthma , illness prevention , depression , fatigue , nausea , insomnia , nicotine withdrawal , ADHD and PTSD.

Olfaction forms your sense of smell , which is one of the most primal senses in the human brain. What we experience as a smell happens when neuron in the nose detect molecules released by substances around us. Those molecules stimulate receptors in the neurons , which sends a message to the brain and identify the smell .

An herbal infused oil is a carrier oil directly infused with plant matter that usually carries only a light , almost negligible fragrance. Essential oils , on the other hand are highly concentrated aromatic essences distilled or cold pressed into a volatile oil that easily evaporates , while herbal infused oils require only a small amount of the plant , essential oils require an exponentially larger quantity of plant material to create a small amount of oil.

Oil Quality :

It should be noted that while many essential oils are safe when used as directed , they are not regulated by the FDA. When trying to find the right brand for you , here are a few key questions to ask about essential oil companies and their products ~

~ what does the label say ? ; A quality essential oil label should contain its common name , Latin name (if its a single oil) and ingredients. There should only be a single essential oils or a blend of essential oils listed. It also should say whether its a pure oil or diluted with a carrier oil and include directions for use and safety information. Avoid purchasing oils from companies that do not properly label their essential oils , they could be cut with cheaper chemicals , diluted with a carrier oil , or contain a different plant species altogether.

~ How are their essential oils packaged ? ; Essential oils are corrosive to most types of plastic and begin to change the moment their bottle is opened. Oxygen , sunlight and heat can decrease their life and also effectiveness. The best quality essential oils will come packaged in amber or blue glass bottles.

~ Do they sell essential oils of endangered plant species ? ; You should research where the essential oil originates , whether its endangered plant species and if the supplier is trying to sell you an inferior or substituted product.

~ Do they promote unsafe use ? ; Many American essential oil companies promote unsafe practices through their distributors , online education sites and blogs as well as on their product labels. Keep in mind too that Raindrop techniques , Aromatouch and similar techniques that apply undiluted oils directly to skin are prohibited by the alliance of international aromatherapists. Avoid purchasing essential oils from companies that promote these unsafe practices.

~ Are they overpriced or priced to market ? ; Price can be another factor to consider when purchasing essential oils. It is expensive to extract essential oils through steam distillation from certain delicate flowers such as Rose , Jasmine , Chamomile and Helichrysum. Other more common essential oils like lavender are often sold for at least twice the price of their actual market value.

Storage :

Essential oils have antibacterial and antifungal properties that prevent mold or mildew growth , but they do have a shelf life. Exposure to oxygen , light and heat can decrease the life of your essential oils . When essential oils are exposed to any of these three things over time , their chemistry changes , and they are considered oxidized or expired. Proper storage is the key to protecting your essential oils and maximizing their shelf life. With proper handling and storage , essential oils can last from two to five years , depending on the oil. Keep your essential oils sealed , to avoid oxidation , always make sure that the lids on your essential oil bottles are sealed properly when not in use.

Do not store essential oil bottles with glass dropper lids because they do not fully seal , and the essential oil will eventually erode the rubber top. Keep your essential oils away from light , essential oils should be stored in dark amber or blue coloured glass bottles to protect them from uv rays. Keep your essential oils cool , store your essential oils in a cool , dark location to preserve them from the harmful effects of heat. The cooler the better. While most people store their oils in a cabinet they can also be stored in the fridge.

Practicing safety ~

Many people assume that because essential oils are natural , they do not carry risk or side effects , injuries or adverse reactions. When used incorrectly , essential oils can cause skin rashes and burns , mouth and throat lesions , stomach ulcers and even liver damage. These can easily be avoided by following oil safety guide lines.

Dilution ~

Everything in essential oil safety comes down to dilution. Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts that do not dissolve in water and should not be used directly on the skin. Its important to dilute with a carrier oil before applying.

Internal ingestion ~

Theres a place for ingestion in aromatherapy but the average user should never try it at home. Just like any powerful synthetic pharmaceuticals , essential oils should be ingested only under the supervision of a certified aromatherapist and / or a medical practitioner. Ingesting multiple drops of an essential oil on a daily basis can damage the liver , kidneys , stomach , and intestines and can lead to organ failure.

Phototoxicity ~

Some essential oils should not be used before you go out in the sun , sunbathe or use tanning beds. Doing so can cause a phototoxic reaction , which occurs when certain chemical elements in the oils bind to DNA in the skin and react with UV light , killing the cells and damaging tissue. In other words , if you use certain cold pressed citrus essential oils on your skin , you may get a red rash or burn from sun exposure around the application area. It does not take a large amount of these essential oils to cause a reaction when used topically , while others can be used in small quantities without issues.

Phototoxic oils ;

~ Bergamot

~ Clementine

~ Lemon (cold pressed)

~ Bitter orange (cold pressed)

~ Grapefruit

~ Lime (cold pressed)

~ Mandarin leaf

Pregnancy ~

Essential oils have been used for years by midwives , doulas , nurses and mothers to be with research showing no harm to mother and baby. Aromatherapists agree that most essential oils should be avoided during the first trimester of pregnancy following these guidelines ;

~ Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil before use. You should not exceed a 1 percent dilution or 9 drops of essential oil per ounce (2 tbs) of carrier oil. this dilution can vary depending on the specific essential oil , so be sure to check the maximum recommended dilution for each oil to avoid irritation.

~Limit diffusion. The diffuser should run for only 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Pregnant women are more susceptible to essential oil overexposure and prolonged diffuser use can result in headaches , nausea and dizziness.

~minimize daily use as much as possible. Its best to use essential oils only when you need them.

Babies and small children ~

AS in pregnancy , great care should be taken when using essential oils on and around babies and children. Essential oils should never be used on infants three months or younger because their skin is more sensitive and less able to handle adverse reactions than children and adults. More caution should be taken with premature babies , avoiding all essential oils until they are at least 3 months past their due date.

Many , but not all essential oils are safe to use around children ages three months or older when following these guidelines ;

~ Slowly introduce on essential oil at a time to watch for any adverse reactions.

~ Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil before topical application , for babies between the ages of 3 months and 6 months , do not exceed a 0.1 percent dilution or 1 drop of essential oil per 1 ounce (2 tbs) of carrier oil .

~ For babies between the ages of 6 months to 24 months ( 2 years ) , do not exceed a 0.5 percent dilution or 4 to 5 drops of essential oils to 1 ounce (2 tbs) carrier oil.

~For children between the ages of 2 years and 6 years , do not exceed a 1 percent dilution or 9 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil.

~For children 6 years and older , do not exceed a 2 percent dilution or 18 drops of essential oil per 1 ouncer of carrier oil.

Essential oils should never be internally ingested by children under 12 years of age. Essential oils should never be used anywhere on a child's face , the vapors from the oils are to o strong for babies and young children.

thanks for reading part one of my guide to aromatherapy in the next part we will cover what you'll need to get started , methods of application , blending oils and more ! remember to always consult a professional before medicating yourself or others. stay safe and stay happy !

Sophie Carpenter.