ESSENTIAL OILS

WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL OILS?

Extracted from herbs, trees and flowers, Essential Oils are believed to be the “life force” which plants use for their own antibiotic or immune stimulants.  They are pure, natural, and extremely concentrated substances.  Having the highest vibrational frequency of any substance known to man, they are used therapeutically because their molecular structure is similiar to the molecular structures found in the human body.  Containing both ozone and negative ions, disease cannot survive in the presence of these substances.  They are antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal and are powerful stimulants in cellular processes.  They have been used to increase white blood cell counts, blood oxygen and resistance to disease.  They are believed to have a positive effect on digestion, memory, energy, emotions and the body’s ability to assimilate nutrients.  The list goes on!  

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ESSENTIAL OIL AND SYNTHETIC COPIES?

Other than smell, the similarity ends there.  Essential Oils are “alive” and their structure is very complex.  They are composed of hundreds of chemical components, many in trace amounts.  As the essence of a plant, they function as part of its immune system.  Synthetic compounds, on the other hand, have lost healing properties.  Also, they may act as irritants to the skin, the nervous system and other parts of the body.  Chemically sensitive people can easily tell the difference.

WHERE DO I BEGIN?
Essential Oil usage is becoming increasingly popular.  Still, due to extreme potency and complexity of application, we encourage education and caution so that products are not misused.  There are many excellent books and seminars available on how to use Essential Oils.  Our information on this page is only meant to be an introduction,  not all-inclusive.  Please consult these and/or your health care practitioner to ensure safe usage.

WHAT ARE THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS?

As a general warning:  DO NOT TAKE OILS INTERNALLY unless under the care of a Health Care Professional.  Liver damage may occur.  Always use Essential Oils sparingly.  Do not use undiluted on the skin except for Lavender or Tea Tree (Melaleuca).  Even with these, always do a small patch test on skin first to check for sensitivies.  Apply a small amount and wait 1 hour.  If irritation occurs, apply a pure carrier oil and wash off with soap and water.  Always use a diluted amount (half or more) with children.  Keep product bottles away from small children. When applying topically, keep oils away from the eyes.

The following oils may be irritating to the skin.  Always dilute and use with caution:  Anise Seed, Sweet Basil, Black Pepper, Cajeput, Virginian Cedarwood, Cinnamon Leaf & Bark, West Indian Bay, White Camphor, Clove Bud, Coriander, Eucalyptus Blue Gum, Ginger, Juniper, Lemon, Lemongrass, Hyssop, Nutmeg, Sweet Fennel, Parsley Seed, Spanish Sage, Peppermint, Pine Needle, Bergamot, Verbena, and Thyme. 

Pregnant women should avoid: Basil, Virginian Cedarwood, Celery Seed, Clary Sage, Clove, Cinnamon Leaf, Citronella, Hyssop, Juniper, Marjoram, Myrrh, Nutmeg, Spanish Sage, and Thyme.  During the first four months avoid:  Angelica Root, Atlas Cedarwood, Sweet Fennel, Rose and Rosemary.

WAYS TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS

CARRIER OILS

Used to dilute Essential Oils for massage or bath, the following oils may be used with good results:  Almond, Avocado, Apricot kernel, Grapeseed, Jojoba, Wheat Germ, Sesame Seed and Olive oil.  Cold-pressed and unrefined oils have the most desirable results. 

INHALATION
This is the quickest and most common way to access the brain.  Smell essential oils from a cotton ball or directly from the bottle. Pin or tape the cotton ball onto clothing for longer exposure.  Put a few drops onto palms, rub and then cup hands over the nose while inhaling. Or add a few drops to a bowl of hot water or into a steam humidifier.  Cover the head with a towel, and with eyes closed, inhale deeply.   This is a good treatment for coughs and colds.  In a sauna, add 2-5 drops to 1-2 cups water and  pour over heated stones.

DIFFUSION 
Air diffusers which use room temperature air are the best, as they use no heat and do not alter the chemical make-up of the oils or decrease their therapeutic value.

TOPICAL
Apply a drop or two to reflex points on the body, bottoms of feet, or directly on areas of pain. To obtain a 1-3% dilution for massage, use 5 drops Essential Oil for every 10 ml carrier oil.  Or 3 drops per 1 tsp. (For the face, dilute 2 drops to 10 ml.) For a body lotion, add 10-20 drops to an unscented lotion.  Creams penetrate quickly and do not stain clothing as undiluted oils might.  For compresses, mix 2-5 drops with warm water.  Soak cloth and apply to affected area of body for 5 minutes.  Resoak then reapply.  Use in cold water for headache, fever, bruises, swelling, insect bites or inflammation.  Alternating hot and cold may speed healing for pulled or sprained ligaments and muscles. 

FACIAL & BATH

Add 4-8 drops of oil to clay, moisturizer, gel or facial scrub.  Warm baths are beneficial because the skin becomes very permeable to the oils.  An emulsifier (such as sea salt, Epsom salt, baking soda or dead sea salt) is needed before adding to bath water since the oils are not water soluble.  Add 5-10 drops per ounce of bath salts.  Add 2 oz. of this mix to bath water.  Oils can also be mixed with a liquid soap first and then dispersed into the water.  Stir the water well.  The benefit of warm foot baths may also be increased through the addition of a few drops of aromatic oil such as Peppermint or Cypress.

INTERNAL
For sore throat, cankers, candida, bad breath, etc., a gargle or mouthwash can be made by adding a few drops of essential oil to 1 cup warm water.  For douching or enemas, add 1-2 drops of recommended oil to warm water. 

AIR SPRAY & CLEANSER

Add 10-20 drops of oil into 4 oz. water in a spray bottle.  If a stronger mix is used, be aware that the oils can melt the plastic parts of a spray top!  Shake well before use and keep away from the eyes.  This may be used as an air freshener or as a natural alternative to chemical antibacterial sprays.  As an antiseptic cleanser, place a few drops of an oil such as Lemon, Oregano, Lavender or Thyme on a wet cloth or sponge, dip in warm water and wipe all surfaces.  Use Lavender or Tea Tree in mop water to sanitize floors.

 INSECT REPELLENT       
Spray recommended oil (such as Peppermint, Citronella, Lavender or Lemongrass) with a spray pump or vaporizer into air of room to be protected.  Place a few drops on a damp cloth and wipe around the windows. Or, to apply directly to skin, use a carrier oil and massage the essential oil onto the skin.  Lavender and Thyme may also be used as a spray (6-8 drops per gallon of water) on garden plants.

       CONDITION                 RECOMMENDED OILS             METHOD
Acne. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      Tea Tree, Peppermint, Orange     Facial Mist (water base)

Arthritis . . . . . . . . . . . . .       Chamomile, Juniper, Marjoram    Topical / Massage

                                                                                      Bath / Compress

Asthma . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      Chamomile, Frankincense,          Diffusion / Inhalation

                                               Lavender, Bergamot                    Vaporizer / Massage

Bronchitis . . . . . . . . . . . .      Peppermint, Eucalyptus,              Diffusion / Inhalation

                                               Frankincense, Lavender               Chest Massage / Bath

Bruises . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     Marjoram, Chamomile,                  Topical / Compress /

                                              Lavender                                          Gentle Massage

Bad Breath  . . . . . . . . . .      Peppermint, Lemon                       Mouthwash / Gargle

Blisters. . . . . . . . . . . . . .      Lavender, Eucalyptus                Topical (a drop or two)

Candida . . . . . . . . . . . . .       Eucalyptus, Bergamot,                 Massage / Sitz Bath

                                               Tea Tree, Rosemary,

                                               Lavender, Lemon

Cold Sores . . . . . . . . . . .       Tea Tree, Eucalyptus,                    Topical / Massage

                                               Bergamot, Geranium,

                                               Lemon

Coughs . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       Marjoram, Frankincense,            Diffusion / Inhalation

                                               Frankincense, Lavender           Chest Massage / Bath

                                               Eucalyptus, Sandalwood

Diaper Rash . . . . . . . . . .       Chamomile                        Add a drop to zinc ointment

Digestion. . . . . . . . . . . . .       Geranium, Rosemary                  Massage Abdomen

Dandruff . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Ylang Ylang, Rosemary,           Shampoo / Scalp Massage

                                                Lavender, Tea Tree,

                                                Eucalyptus

Diarrhea . . . . . . . . . . . . .       Chamomile, Marjoram,       Massage Abdomen / Bath

                                                Peppermint, Clove, Geranium            Hot Compress

Fatigue . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       Orange, Peppermint,                   Diffusion / Inhalation

                                                Grapefruit, Rosemary                     Massage / Bath

Flu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        Eucalyptus, Tea Tree,            Steam Inhalation / Bath

                                                 Lemon                                          Diffusion / Massage

Hay Fever . . . . . . . . . . .         Chamomile, Marjoram,               Diffusion / Inhalation           

                                                 Eucalyptus, Lavender,                    Chest Massage

                                                 Lemon, Wintergreen

Headache . . . . . . . . . . . .        Chamomile, Marjoram,              Diffusion  / Inhalation

                                                  Rosemary, Lemon                    Massage / Cold Compress

Immune Stimulant . . . . .         Lavender, Geranium                             Massage

Indigestion. . . . . . . . . . . .        Peppermint, Rosemary             Diffusion / Inhalation

                                                                                                      Massage / Hot Compress

Inflammation . . . . . . . . . .        Chamomile, Eucalyptus           Massage / Cold Compress

                                                   Lavender, Tea Tree

Insect Bites . . . . . . . . . . .         Chamomile, Bergamot             Topical / Massage 

Insomnia . . . . . . . . . . . . .         Chamomile, Lavender              Massage / Inhalation

Menopause . . . . . . . . . . .         Chamomile, Clary Sage,            Diffusion / Inhalation

                                                  Geranium, Rose                             Massage / Bath

Migraine . . . . . . . . . . . . .          Chamomile, Marjoram,            Diffusion / Inhalation

                                                    Peppermint, Lavender            Massage on temples

                                                                                                           Cold Compress

Muscle Pain . . . . . . . . . .          Chamomile, Marjoram, Massage / Bath / Compress

                                                   Eucalyptus, Wintergreen,

                                                   Lavender, Rosemary

PMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           Chamomile, Clary Sage,      Diffusion / Inhalation / Bath

                                                   Geranium, Lavender,

                                                    Rose, Ylang Ylang

Sore Throat . . . . . . . . . .           Lemon, Lavender,             Gargle / Throat Massage

                                                   Eucalyptus, Peppermint,

                                                   Geranium, Tea Tree,

                                                   Sandalwood

Teething . . . . . . . . . . . . .          Chamomile        Dilute 1 drop in 1/8 cup cold water,

                                                                                      Rub gently on gums w/cottonball

Varicose Veins . . . . . . . .          Juniper, Geranium                Massage / Cold Compress

                                                   Lemon

Warts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           Tea Tree, Lavender,            Topical (1 drop undiluted)

                                                   Lemon

Wounds . . . . . . . . . . . . .           Chamomile, Lemon,       Massage / Rinse (1 drop

                                                   Eucalyptus, Tea Tree,            diluted in water)

                                                   Lavender, Frankincense

EMOTIONAL THERAPEUTIC USES

EMOTIONAL CONDITION                        RECOMMENDED OILS

ANGER - Roman Chamomile, Frankincense, Ylang Ylang, Grapefruit, Geranium

ANXIETY - Marjoram, Juniper, Sandalwood, Clary Sage, Bergamot, Lavender, Rose

CHLAUSTROPHOBIA - Frankincense, Sandalwood, Clary Sage, Geranium, Bergamot

DEPRESSION - Roman Chamomile, Sweet Orange, Geranium, Bergamot, Rosemary

FATIGUE -  Peppermint, Rosemary

FEAR – Roman Chamomile, Frankincense

FRUSTRATION - Roman Chamomile, Frankincense, Ylang Ylang, Grapefruit, Bergamot,

Lavender

GRIEF - Marjoram, Clary Sage, Bergamot, Rose

HYSTERIA – Roman Chamomile, Marjoram, Frankincense, Clary Sage, Peppermint, Lavender

IMPATIENCE - Frankincense, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang, Peppermint, Bergamot, Lavender

INDECISION - Peppermint, Clary Sage, Rosemary, Grapefruit, Bergamot, Thyme

IRRITABILITY – Roman Chamomile, Orange, Ylang Ylang, Peppermint, Clary Sage, Geranium

MOOD SWINGS -  Peppermint, Clary Sage, Lavender, Bergamot, Geranium

MEMORY PROBLEMS - Peppermint, Grapefruit, Bergamot, Rosemary, Clove, Lemon

NEGATIVITY - Sweet Orange, Juniper, Clary sage, Bergamot

RESTLESSNESS - Marjoram, Frankincense, Clary Sage, Lavender

SHOCK - Roman Chamomile, Marjoram, Ylang Ylang, Peppermint, Frankincense,

Lavender

STRESS - Clary Sage, Marjoram, Juniper, Sandalwood, Geranium

TANTRUMS - Roman Chamomile, Bergamot, Lavender, Clary Sage, Rose

WORRY – Roman Chamomile, Marjoram

DISCLAIMER:  Function Claims are for the aid in ordering and information on this page is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.  The FDA has not evaluated these claims.