subject: Purcahse Essential Oils [print this page] Many people are purchasing essential oils for their own use. You can use essential oils a variety of ways. Essential oils are often used in conjunction with massage when mixed with botanical lotion or carrier oil such as almond oil or grape seed oil. Many use them in the bath through bath salts. Some use the inhalation or diffusion method. Clinical research has shown that many essential oils possess health benefits that affect our mind as well as our body. Clinical research also shows that essential oils possess the ability to influence healing activities throughout the body. Essential oils are absorbed quickly through the skin and the nose bypassing our digestive system. Since essential oils avoid the digestive process they have the ability to interact with our cells almost instantly making them extremely effective in influencing our body and our mood. That is why it is important to purchase essential oils that are of high quality and free from harsh chemicals.
Some of you may already know this, but for those who don't, essential oils are the "liquid" form of herbal plants and are 50-100 times more potent than an actual herb. Pure essential oils also carry their own fingerprint and possess numerous therapeutic properties such as analgesic, antifungal, restorative, nervine, antispasmodic, calmative, antibacterial, antiviral, and antiseptic to name a few. Therapeutic grade essential oils can actually be traced back to a particular field, year and distiller. When you purchase essential oils, look for "therapeutic grade" or "aromatherapy grade" on the label. Some labels will even specify 100% pure essential oil. Oils that state "fragrance" or "nature identical oils" are synthetic and have no therapeutic properties and may smell nice but are never used in aromatherapy.
There are also some safety precautions you should be aware of. Essential oils should be kept away from children and pets. Do not use an essential oil from a plant that you are allergic to. Essential oils should not get in or near your eyes and should not be taken internally. Essential oils should not be applied directly on the skin without being diluted in a carrier oil or botanical lotion. The usual dilution rate of 1% is 5 drops per ounce. If you accidentally get essential oils on your skin or in your eyes flush immediately with milk or cream, remember, fats will dissolve and remove essential oils. Essential oils do not mix with water. You should also store your essential oils in a dark cool place avoiding direct sunlight and heat. It is also good practice to make sure once you have used your oil, you put the lid back on and securely tighten it to maximize freshness. Most essential oils have a shelf life of 12 to 18 months with the exception of citrus oils; they have a shelf life of approximately 6 months. Also many citrus oils are photosensitive so if you are adding essential oils to a botanical lotion, please keep this in mind.
Steam distillation is the most common way to product essential oils. Many manufacturers use gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to make sure the oils is 100% pure and that the oil contains the proper components to achieve its therapeutic properties. I hope this helps you the next time you use your essential oils or you purchase essential oils.
