How To Use Essential Oils

A Brief History of Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy has a very long history, as early as 3000BC the ancient Egyptians used ointments to beautify their skin, hair and nails. The tomb of Tutankhamen built in 1350BC was found to contain jars of scented oils.

The use of aromatic medicines and cosmetics were prevalent in Greece, with the Greek physician Hippocrates writing about several aromatic herbs such as Thyme, Coriander and Aniseed.

The Romans were more lavish with their use of aromatics, using them to scent their baths, massage their bodies and scent their hair.

The history of aromatics in India is equally ancient with exotic oils of Jasmine, Rose and Sandalwood being recorded in early Ayurvedic writings.

In Europe aromatic herbs were used widely during the Great Plague of the Middle Ages.

In 1928 the first book of aromatherapy was written by the French chemist Rene Maurice Gattefosse who worked with essential oils. Marguerite Maury, an Austrian biochemist, pioneered using essential oils in massage. She made a thorough study of the ways aromatics work both physically and emotionally.

What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the ancient art of healing using essential oils. Essential oils have powerful healing properties and there are a great many conditions that can be treated by these most natural of plant medicines.

In aromatherapy treatments the essential oils are applied externally. Essential oils offer a gentle and sensitive alternative to synthetic drugs and medications. The most important property of essential oils is the balancing effect it has on the body; they also have a wide range of therapeutic properties.

What are Essential Oils?

Essential Oils occur in all the parts of plants: the leaves, flowers, fruits, twigs, bark, wood, roots and resins.

There are many aromatic plants, but only some are used for the extraction of essential oils.

The plants come from all over the world and most are collected and distilled in their country of origin.

Essential oils are highly volatile and odorous, and therefore evaporate very quickly when exposed to air. They have a consistency more like water than oil and are not greasy. Most essential oils are clear to pale yellow but a few are coloured, such as Chamomile (blue) Patchouli (amber) Mandarin (golden).

What are Base Oils?

Base oils have good skin penetration, leaving the skin nourished and feeling soft and supple. It is important that only pure, cold pressed oils are used.

There are a variety of base oils, below are some of the most popular.
Almond Oil: Extracted from the kernel it contains vitamin D and is one of the most popular oils and least expensive used in massage.
Avocado Oil; Extracted from the flesh of the fruit, it is rich in vitamins A and D, excellent for dehydrated skin and has a good absorption rate.
Grapeseed Oil: Extracted from the grape pips, this oil has a light texture and is very popular for massage.
Jojoba Oil: (pronounced ho-ho-ba) Extracted from the bean, it is rich in vitamin E and is a unique liquid wax used as an oil. It is fine penetrating, stable and long-lasting. Jojoba has a very close chemical composition to our skins own sebum (natural oils) It is excellent as a facial moisturiser and beneficial for spotty and acne conditions. Jojoba is an emollient for helping with eczema and psoriasis.
Peach Kernel: Extracted from the kernel, it contains essential fatty acids and vitamins A and E. It is excellent for the face, encouraging suppleness and elasticity.
Wheatgerm Oil: Extracted from the grain, it has a rich texture and is high in vitamin E, it can help reduce scar tissue and stretch marks. It is not suitable for massage due to its thick texture and strong wheat odour.

How is Essential Oil Extracted?

There are several methods of extracting pure essential oils. Three of the most important methods are steam distillation, expression and solvent extraction.

Steam Distillation: This method involves placing the plant material inside a distillation vat and passing steam under pressure from beneath the vessel. The heat from the steam causes the walls of the cells of the leaves, twigs, berries or other parts of the plant in which the essential oil is stored to break down and release the essential oil as a vapour.

The essential oil vapour together with the steam is passed through cooling tanks which condenses the vapour so that it can be collected. The essential oil usually floats on the water and is separated out. Some of the fragrance of the oil is left in the distilled water and can be used as floral water sometimes called hydrolate.

Expression: This form of extraction applies to only the citrus oils. The peel of all citrus fruits is full of oil glands containing globules of essential oils. The peel is separated from the pulp, this peel is then squeezed by simple pressure to press out the essential oil. Some juice will be extracted from the pith together with the oil, the solution is left to stand so that the oil and juice separate; the oil is then collected.

Solvent Extraction: The final products of solvent extraction are call absolutes, concretes or resinoids. This method is mainly used for some of the world’s finest and exotic flowers. The flower petals are placed in a sealed container, liquid solvent is allowed to flow over the flowers and completely cover them. The solvent will slowly dissolve the essential oils from the petals. This solution is collected and the solvent is then distilled off and returned to be re- used.

On separation, a semi solid aromatic material called a concrete is left. The concrete contains some of the natural waxes and other non-aromatic materials, the concrete is shaken with alcohol; when the alcohol is distilled off, a coloured liquid is left, and this is called an absolute. Resinoids are similar to concretes but are extracted from the resins that exude from trees rather than flowers.

Storing Essential oils

Essential oils are delicate substances and are affected by strong light, heat, air and moisture. For protection they are best kept in a cool, dry and dark place. Avoid storing near heat, ideally, in a box, in a cupboard.

Do not transfer your essential oils to plastic bottles, as the plastic will interact with the chemical makeup of the essential oils and the oils will cause the plastic to deteriorate.

An essential oil stored in the correct conditions should last for years, citrus oils have a slightly shorter life.

Base oils should be used within in 12-18 months once opened. Always wipe the lip and neck of the bottle clean before sealing the lid; this will help stop any excess oil going rancid.

Handling Essential Oils

Use a bottle with an inserted dropper or use a pipette, this will help dispense an accurate amount of essential oil. Always be careful to replace the right pipette or lid on to the correct bottle, otherwise you will contaminate your oils with different odours.

Essential oils have different viscosities (thickness) some like Peppermint or Rosemary are very light while others like Patchouli and Myrrh are thick like syrup. Be careful with the lighter oils as they will pour out the droppers quickly while some of the heavier oils will take longer to come out.

General rules for mixing your essential oils.

A 10ml bottle of essential oil will give you approx. 200 drops, when blending essential oils the dilution should be 2%.

For example:

10ml Base Oil
50ml Base Oil

=

5 drops of essential oil
25 drops of essential oil

This applies whether you are using one or a combination of essential oils.

Soothing elixirs and lozenges made with certified UMF Mānuka Honey by New Zealand’s leading brand of Mānuka honey products. All of our natural elixirs, lozenges and candies are made with genuine Mānuka Honey which is renowned the world over for its beneficial properties.

Ingredients:

Sugar, Corn sugar, UMF10+ Manuka Honey (4.7%), Water, Propolis solids (0.5%), Lemon flavouring, Menthol, Peppermint Oil.

MĀNUKA HONEY

Comvita UMF Mānuka Honey is one of nature’s special gifts. Sourced from some of New Zealand’s most pure and remote locations, it is renowned for its unique flavour. Mānuka Honey is recognised worldwide for its unique properties not found in ordinary honey. All Comvita Mānuka Honey is traceable to its source – from the hive to shelf. We work closely with our bees and beekeepers to produce UMF Mānuka Honey of the highest quality. From New Zealand’s rugged central North Island volcanic plateau, to the bush clad hills of Northland, there are many factors that can affect the quality of Mānuka Honey. In early summer, the bees forage in the delicate Mānuka (Leptosperum scoparium) flowers.  Comvita Mānuka Honey has the following properties:

• UMF certified guarantee
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• Highest quality & authenticity certifications

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Manuka honey MGO vs UMFᵀᴹ

No one knows manuka honey like Comvita. We’ve been perfecting MANUKA HONEY since 1974, and we’re the only manuka brand to offer a Triple Test Guarantee.

As a member of UMFHA (the Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association), we comply with the UMF standard to ensure the authenticity, quality and purity of our manuka honey.

To learn more about how MGO & UMFᵀᴹ COMPARE

Warming Cinnamon and Honey Latte

Our honey comes from hives placed among manuka fields throughout the most remote corners of New Zealand.

Our Oreganol P73 Vegan Friendly Oil is in an easy-to-take dropper bottle. It is ideal for those who take the oil internally and is also available in 8ml oil, 30ml oil, 60 soft gel caps, and 120 soft gel caps.

Always free from:  gelatin, glycerin, and silicon dioxide

• Heavy duty immune support
• Only daily use oregano available
• Always wild and mountain grown
• First and original company to pioneer premium oregano internal use

Directions:

Take two drops daily. Aroma and taste may vary. Keep away from genitals, eyes, and out of the reach of children.

Maitake has been shown to have beneficial effects on the immune system, and potent antiviral action.

Blood Sugar Balance

Small clinical studies note a reduction in blood sugar levels.

PCOS

Studies suggest that maitake extract alone may induce ovulation in PCOS patients and may be useful as an adjunct therapy for patients who failed first-line clomiphene citrate (CC) treatment.

Active Ingredients:

Organic maitake (Grifola frondosa) fruiting body extract powder*, vegetable cellulose capsule (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose)
*Certified organic ingredients

2 Capsules provide
Organic Maitake (Grifola frondosa) 800mg
Fruiting body hot-water extract (Beta-glucans min. 240mg)

Suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets

Beta-glucans

The principal active compounds in maitake mushroom are its polysaccharide components like beta-glucans which support the immune system.

MD-Fraction and D-Fraction

Have been shown to stimulate the immune system and activate immune cells.

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