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ESSENTIAL OILS
There are a few points to remember about Essential Oils, their
use and storage.
What are Essential Oils?
• Essential Oils are aromatic, volatile substances extracted
from a single botanical source by distillation, expression,
or solvent extraction.
• Essential Oils can be found in leaves, flowers, bark,
roots, rhizomes, fruit pulp, and peel. It is the life force,
defence, and 1st aid of the plant.
• ALL essential oils are highly volatile and will evaporate
when exposed to the air. Heat will also affect the oil hence,
it is important to store all essential oils in air tight glass
bottles away from heat and light.
• Essential oils are flammable.
• Essential oils come in a variety of colours from dark
blue, orange, yellow, and clear. This colour will be affected
by the quality of the plant materials that were used to create
the oil, as well as the type of processing, e.g. German Chamomile
will be a deep blue, and the colour is affected by the amount
of azulene present in the oil.
• Essential oils by nature are fat soluble. They will
therefore blend well in vegetable and mineral oils, animal fats
and alcohol. They are less soluble in water, forming a suspension
only.
When purchasing an Essential Oil for use on
the face and body:
• The label should have both the common and latin name
of the botanical source, i.e. Lavender; Lavender angustifolia,
Roman Chamomile; Anthemis nobilis etc.
• If the Essential Oil is cheap, it’s possibly;
synthetic, low grade and not good quality, adulterated by cheaper
oil, substitute oil labelled as another. Do not buy; leave well
alone because skin reactions and sensitisation are more likely
with the cheap oils. QUALITY COUNTS.
• Room fragrance oils are NOT Essential Oils and therefore
should not be used on the face or body.
• All ways purchase Essential Oils from a reputable company
or dealer. To find a reputable supplier go to the Aromatherapy
Trade Council www.a-t-c.org.uk under “Members” for
a list of registered suppliers. (I buy my oils from Alan Howell
@ www.shechnia.co.uk – his oils are constantly of superior
grade.)
Using Essential Oils Safely.
• DO NOT take Essential Oils orally.
• DO NOT use Essential Oils undiluted on the skin.
• Some oils (primarily Citrus) can cause Phototoxicity
- sensitivity to UV rays - sunlight and sunbeds. Do not use
12hours before exposure to UV rays.
• Skin sensitivity and even allergic reactions are possible
with ALL Essential Oils.
• Essential Oils should be stored in dark coloured, airtight
GLASS bottles and kept out of reach of children.
• Essential oils are EXTREMELY concentrated plant extracts
and are therefore potentially very harmful if swallowed; keep
out of reach of children.
• Do not use Essential Oils on babies, children, during
pregnancy or breast feeding, unless prescribed by a qualified
Aromatherapist.
• Do not use Essential Oils on mucus membranes as they
will burn.
• Keep Essential Oils out of reach of children.
• One final rule - If in doubt – leave it out!!
Essential oils should not be used at home to
treat serious medical or psychological conditions. Consult your
Doctor.
Allergic or sensitive reactions are possible
with ALL essential oils; therefore, care should be taken at
all times.
