When purchasing essential oils, it’s not uncommon to find huge pricing differences between companies.
One of the reasons why some essential oils are expensive than others is due to the cost and complicated production processes. For instance, Rose Bulgaria creates the best rose oil globally yet for one ounce of rose oil, rose petals of about 600 pounds have to be collected, not forgetting that the flowers must be delicately hand-picked, cultivated and carefully pruned. Also, just to produce a single ounce of the finest jasmine, one experienced picker must labor for over 20 days.
The rarity of the plant, the region where the source is grown or the difficult conditions of growing a certain plant makes that essential oil very expensive than another.
For comparison, the retail price for Young Living’s 5 ml Hawaiian sandalwood essential oil is $124.67 and 15 ml lavender essential oils is $30.92 (equivalent to $10.31 for 5 ml). The reason Sandalwood essential oils is expensive because the source is becoming more scare due to high demand and tree maturity to get high quality oils. Commercially, Australian Sandalwood tree is harvested at minimum age of 15 years.
For the individual who is new to shopping for essential oils, the cost difference between essential oil suppliers can be intimidating. In many cases, the new essential oil user may simply shop by picking a company they find who is cheapest. Beware, the cheapest oils do not always offer the same therapeutic value as those purchased from sellers that invest more care and cost into the distillation, storage and shipment of their oils.
Essential oils are aromatic substances present in the specialized cells or glands of certain plants used by them to protect themselves from predators and pests, but also to attract polinators. In other words, essential oils are part of the immune system of the plant.
It has been shown that the saps and resins produced by some trees deter wood boring beetles. When eaten, other plant species are nauseating and toxic to mammals due to the chemical compounds found within.
In some environments plants are exposed to harsh climatic conditions, it is thought the essential oils which collect on the leaves of some plants protect against water loss.
The antimicrobial use of essential oils has been well documented when studied by man. Plants that produce these essential oils are better equipped to protect themselves against funguses and other microbes.
Even if the plant is situated in a near perfect environment not subjected to any of these trials, it may have to compete with other plants. Most essential oils contain compounds that are toxic to other plants by inhibiting respiration and photosynthesis – these are thought to be used to prevent other plants germinating in close proximity.
With many essential oils, we extract these and use them for the same or similar applications they were initially used for by the plant from which they came. In recent years the numbers of studies using essential oils for therapeutic benefits has increased.
There are a variety of methods employed in extracting essential oils from aromatic plants, however, the process of distillation is the main method for extracting the aromatic parts of plants.
Steam Distillation The plant material (called the ‘charge’) is placed in a still and then hot steam is passed through it. The heat breaks open the essential oil storage chambers within the charge, releasing the oil into the steam (remember, essential oils are volatile). The steam/oil rise to the top of the still where they enter a condenser – basically, a long spiral pipe surrounded by cold water – which condenses the steam back into its water form. At the end of the condenser, the water and essential oil are collected in a receiver, usually called a ‘Florentine flask’. This specially designed container has two outflows in view of the fact that oil and water don’t mix, i.e. the solution separates into essential oil and hydrolat. Essential oils are usually lighter than water and so will float above it.
Once collected, the lower outflow in the Florentine flask, allows the hydrolat to be drawn off, and since more of this is produced than oil, the process needs to be carried out during distillation to prevent the flask from overflowing.
Expression This method was used to extract essences from the citrus family. The rinds of the fruit were literally squeezed by hand until the oil glands burst releasing the oil which was then collected in a sponge. Once saturated, the sponge would be squeezed out into a container.
Nowadays, this method of extraction is carried out using machinery, rather than by hand.
Enfleurage Another historical method used for extracting essential oil from flowers is the process of ‘enfleurage’.
Aromatic flower heads are placed on sheets of glass called ‘chassis’ which have been covered with purified fat. The fat absorbs the essential oils from the flowers and, once exhausted, the flowers are removed and replaced with fresh. This process is repeated many times until the fat is saturated with essential oil. The resultant compound is called a ‘pomade’. The pomade is then dissolved in alcohol. Fat is insoluble in alcohol but essential oil readily dissolves into it. The resultant liquid is then carefully heated and as the alcohol evaporates first, the pure essential oil is left behind.
Maceration This process is similar to enfleurage and is a method by which one can still make essential oil at home in a ready diluted state.
The flowers or leaves are crushed to rupture some of the oil glands or cells and then put into a vegetable oil which is kept warm. The vegetable oil absorbs the essential oil and the plant material is strained off. Fresh plant material is then added to the re-warmed carrier and this process is repeated until the fat or vegetable oil is concentrated enough.
Solvent Extraction This is one of the most modern methods of extraction and is mainly used for costly and delicate flower oils, such as jasmine, rose and tuberose, etc. Technically, products of solvent extraction are not essential oils, but are more accurately referred to as ‘absolutes’.
Unfortunately though, solvent extraction does involve the use of harsh chemicals, residues of which will inevitably remain within the aromatic absolute, resulting in potential skin irritation. As such, absolutes are not considered to be suitable for use in massage.
A simplified version of the solvent extraction process is as follows:
Firstly, the flowers are covered with a chemical solvent, which absorbs the essential oil. The mixture of solvent and essential oil is referred to as an ‘extract’. The next stage involves the removal of the solvent and this is achieved by distilling the extract at a low pressure, thereby reducing the boiling point of the solvent, so that only gentle heat is required to remove it, leaving behind the aromatic molecules. The concentrated extract is then cooled causing it to solidify to a waxy consistency – at this point it is referred to as a ‘concrete’. In order to remove the unwanted wax, the concrete is ‘washed’ and warmed in alcohol which causes the oils to dissolve into it. The alcohol mixture is then chilled to separate out any remaining waxes, filtered and the alcohol removed by vacuum distillation at the lowest possible temperature. This final product is then referred to as an ‘absolute’.
Aromatherapy appears to be safe if you use the oils in the right way. But it’s important to handle essential oils carefully and always dilute them according to the instructions on the bottle or leaflet. Keep them out of the reach of children and pets because they can be toxic if you swallow them.
In general, you can’t use any neat essential oil on your skin, although most people can safely use lavender and tea tree oil – ask your aromatherapist which ones you can use. It’s also important not to swallow oils or put them inside your body, such as in your eye, or inside your nostril or ear.
Some essential oils can have side-effects. These are the unwanted but mostly temporary effects that you may get after having aromatherapy (feeling sick, headache).
When oils are applied to the skin, side effects may include allergic reactions, skin irritation and sun sensitivity. In addition, further research is needed to determine how essential oils might affect children and how the oils might affect women who are pregnant or breast-feeding, as well as how the oils might interact with medications and other treatments.
Some essential oils may either reduce or enhance the effects of certain conventional medicines. For example, they can affect antibiotics, antihistamines and sedatives. If you’re taking any medicine, let your aromatherapist know. You might also wish to talk to your pharmacist. Remember that aromatherapy is a complementary therapy, so don’t use it instead of any medical treatment you might need.
Essential oils offer a wide variety of benefits for every day body care, home care and more. But it can be difficult to determine where to start.
These must-have essential oils for beginners are in the cabinets of every EO guru you’ll ever meet. And you may find that they carry these oils around with them wherever they go.
• Lavender Essential Oil – the floral scent makes it one of the best smelling essential oils that is beloved by many. Although this oil is known for being mild and calming, a few people are allergic so it’s important to take care.
• Peppermint Essential Oil – offers a myriad of health benefits as well as a boost of energy. Its minty scent is reminiscent of candy canes and fresh summer days.
• Lemon Essential Oil – fresh and fruity, lemon essential oil is often used for home cleaning and air freshening, but can also be used for many body care products.
• Eucalyptus Essential Oil – is distilled from the leaves of the tree and is great for body care products like salves and rubs.
• Frankincense Essential Oil – used extensively in incense and fine perfumes for thousands of years, frankincense essential oil is characterized by a resinous aroma and can bring a calming benefit to body care, diffusion and air freshening as well as grounding practices like meditation or yoga.
• Tea Tree Essential Oil – well known for its cleansing and purifying benefits, tea tree essential oil is great for a variety of body and home care products.
• Chamomile Essential Oil – This oil has a sweet, flowery scent that some people compare to apple blossoms. Can help bring a sense of calm. Roman Chamomile is also a suggested oil for use during times of anger or irritability.
• Rosemary Essential Oil – has a strongly herbal scent that has a mellow undertone reminiscent of camphor. Can bring uplifting, energizing and purifying benefits to your airspace and body care.
• Patchouli Essential Oil – lends a floral, earthy aroma and grounding benefit to body care products, diffusion blends and more.
• Sweet Orange Essential Oil – the citrusy aroma of sweet orange essential oils bring uplifting, balancing and freshening benefits to a variety of body and home care products.
• Grapefruit Essential Oil – another oil from the popular citrus family, Grapefruit has an attractive scent that is energizing and affordably priced. Blend with spicy oils such as cinnamon for a balanced, warming atmosphere.
• Bergamot Essential Oil – especially great for homemade deodorants, but also other kinds of body and home care. Be sure to use bergaptene-free bergamot for skin care applications.
You start you aromatherapy session by having a discussion on your medical history and any personal issues that may be affecting you. It is highly important that you are thorough and specific in disclosing the medical history, which includes illnesses, injuries, and allergies. Remember that aromatherapists cannot make a medical diagnosis because they aren’t trained to do so. But they can give you advice on a course of aromatherapy treatment.
Your aromatherapist will usually select and blend different essential oils, dilute them in a carrier oil, then massage them into your skin. A carrier oil is usually an oil extracted from nuts and seeds. They may also prepare products for you to use at home, such as oils to put in a diffuser or a cream.
An aromatherapy session should last for around an hour to an hour and a half. You might find that one session is enough or you may want to continue with regular treatments. Сoming away from an aromatherapy session, you can expect to feel more relaxed than you were before the session. The essential oils used in the session do have the “magical” ability to soothe weary muscles, minds and spirits. Aromatherapy is a gentle, non-invasive form of holistic therapy you will most likely thoroughly enjoy.
Aromatic oils have been a part of human history for more than 3,500 years BC and appear with regularity throughout all major civilisations down the ages, with uses ranging from religious ritual, food flavouring, medicines, perfumery and the masking of bad odours. It is impossible to date exactly when plants were first used medicinally, since such a development would have taken place over thousands of years.
Prior to modern-day scientific tests, the properties of different plants would have been discovered very much through trial and error, and by observing animals instinctive knowledge about which plants to eat when sick.
The Chinese may have been one of the first cultures to use aromatic plants for well-being. Their practices involved burning incense to help create harmony and balance.
Historians believe the Chinese ‘Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine’ was written around 2600 B.C.E.
This book contains information on the medical uses and properties of more than 300 different plants. This comes long before the Egyptian knowledge of plant-based medicines. This text is also the most complete ancient record we have of how our ancestors used aromatherapy in their lives.
China was also part of the herbs and spices trade. Frankincense and myrrh were the most sought-after plants of the time. Because of the high demand and the limited supply, they were as valuable as gems and precious metals.
Later, the Egyptians invented a rudimentary distillation machine that allowed for the crude extraction of cedarwood oil. The Egyptians loved to use simple fragrances in their daily lives and did so at every opportunity. After bathing, women would anoint their bodies with oil to protect them from the drying effects of the baking sun and to rejuvenate their skin. Cleopatra, it is said, used essential oils in her rooms and on her clothes to seduce Mark Anthony.
The earliest known Greek physician was Asclepius who practiced around 1200 BC combining the use of herbs and surgery with previously unrivalled skill.
In 1597 John Gerard published ‘ Herball, or General Historie of Plantes’ which is now considered a herbal classic. Gerards book proved highly influential, and the apothecaries which had previously only sold the medicines prescribed by doctors, began to to prepare and compound their own medicines too. New style apothecaries that dispensed medicines and attended to the patient began appearing throughout England.
In the 1920s Rene Maurice Gattefasse, a French chemist, burnt his arm while making fragrance and immediately plunged it into a jug of lavender oil. To his amazement the pain was less than expected and the blistering was greatly reduced. The healing process was faster and he was left with little scarring. He was so impressed that he devoted the rest of his life to researching the healing properties of essential oils and he christened it Aromatherapy.
Research on the effectiveness of aromatherapy — the therapeutic use of essential oils extracted from plants — is limited. However, some studies have shown that aromatherapy might have health benefits:
• manage pain • improve sleep quality • reduce stress, agitation, and anxiety • soothe sore joints • treat headaches and migraines • alleviate side effects of chemotherapy • ease discomforts of labor • fight bacteria, virus, or fungus • improve digestion • boost immunity
Essential oils have a very positive effect on blood circulation playing an important part in bringing nutrients and oxygen to the tissues and stimulating the lymphatic system to dispose of waste products.
Essential oils have a very powerful effect on the body and mind. It takes approximately four seconds for an essential oil to reach the brain through the sense of smell and four minutes to be absorbed into the blood stream through the skin. Essential oils have an affinity with the skin’s natural oils allowing this rapid absorption. They enter and leave the body very efficiently leaving no toxic residue behind. They are excreted through the normal bodily functions.
Aromatherapy is a holistic healing treatment that uses 100% pure and natural plant extracts containing no additives to promote health and well-being. Sometimes it’s called essential oil therapy. Essential oils are pure concentrated extracts distilled from plants, which contain pheromones, antibiotics and cell regeneration agents that energise, protect and nourish. They are revered both for their aroma and their therapeutic value, hence the word Aromatherapy. The use of only 100% pure and natural essential oils allows the medicinal qualities of the oil to have a natural effect on the emotions. The effect is experienced through the sense of smell which is linked to the deepest parts of the brain governed by your basic instincts, thoughts and emotions. On a physical level, essential oils help to ease muscular aches and pains, improve circulation, ease sinus congestion and act as a strong antioxidant.
Other than receiving aromatherapy treatments, you can use essential oils in any number of ways with products such as these:
diffusers
aromatic spritzers
inhalers
bathing salts
body oils, creams, or lotions for massage or topical application
facial steamers
hot and cold compresses
clay masks
Aromatherapy is thought of as both an art and a science. Recently, aromatherapy has gained more recognition in the fields of science and medicine.
Reiki is an effective, non invasive energy healing modality that enhances the body’s natural healing ability whilst energising and promoting overall wellness. Reiki works directly on restoring balance on all levels and works directly on the problem and condition instead of just masking or relieving symptoms.
When we chat about balance, we mean mental and emotional balance, left and right brain, masculine and feminine, labelling things as good or bad, positive or negative etc.
This distant Reiki session is intended to promote harmony and balance.
Take a comfortable position laying or sitting with your eyes closed. Open yourself up to receive the Reiki session by saying silently “I take this Reiki session from Iris here and now for my highest good”.
Play this healing session as often as you need, there are no boundaries to Reiki energy, it will work anytime, anywhere.
PLEASE NOTE:
Reiki healing does not take the place of conventional medicine. It does not replace the advice of a qualified medical practitioner. Always consult a GP for an acute or infectious condition, and problems of an urgent nature. Also continue with your prescribed medication.
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