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Essential Oil Safety 

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  • Essential Oils are concentrated chemical substances; know and do not exceed the recommended dosages or uses.

  • Essential oils should not be taken internally without the recommendation of a qualified Aromatologist or a Medical Herbalist.

  • If you are suffering from any serious condition, consult your GP or a Medical Herbalist before beginning use of Essential Oils.

  • Below is a list of contraindications- that is, conditions which prohibit the use of certain Essential Oils.

Contraindications

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  • Pregnant Women should avoid using some Essential Oils. Those to avoid have emmenagogue (assists or induces menstruation) and hormone- stimulating actions. They include Cinnamon Leaf, Citronella, Clary Sage, Eucalyptus, Fennel Seed, Galbanum, Jasmine, Juniper, Myrrh, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage & White Camphor.    

  • Epilepsy: It is said that Essential Oils which are high in 'ketones' can induce epilepsy, though sufferers have unique symptoms and tendencies. 

  • Relaxing Essential Oils have been shown, in tests, to reduce the frequency of attacks. We therefore, recommend that sufferers avoid the more stimulating oils including Fennel Seed, Peppermint, Rosemary, Galbanum, Sage & White Camphor.

  • Sensitive Skin and Allergies: Essential Oils can cause irritation to sensitive skin. If you tend to be sensitive, avoid the more sensitising oils (note the individual contraindications of any Oil you are considering using) and consider using the patch test method (see below) before beginning any treatment.

  • Patch Test for Sensitive Skin: a useful technique, especially for the sensitive. Try out your blend on a small patch of skin, perhaps your outer arm. Wait for 24 hours. Discontinue use if any irritation occurs.

  • Babies: We suggest up to 1 drop of chamomile, lavender or mandarin. Pure almond or infused calendula oil, gently rubbed in to the affected area, sorts out many skin problems.

  • Children: Up to age 5 we recommend up to 1/4 of the adult dose. Up to age 12 we recommend up to 1/2 of the adult dose.

  • The Elderly, Weak and Infirm: up to half the normal recommended adult dose.

  • High blood pressure: some Essential Oils are hypertensive (they raise the blood pressure) and should be avoided by those suffering high blood pressure. Oils to avoid include Fennel, Peppermint, Rosemary & Sage.

What are Essential Oils?  

They are pure substances extracted from the flowers, leaves, bark etc, of plants and trees by various methods including distillation and expression.
Composed from the vital essence of the plant, they are complex, volatile, liquid, natural chemical substances, defying true scientific explanation.
Their long and, in many cases ancient, history of use as therapeutic substances can leave us in no doubt however, as to their healing powers.
Since the beginnings of history, Essential Oils have been used in massage, hair and body care, perfumed preventatives, embalming, rejuvenation, hospital, temple, hovel, battlefield and palace.

How do Essential Oils help us?

Essential Oils begin to aid us therapeutically as soon as their scent is detected.
The messages of the scented molecules pass along our afferent nerves to the cerebral cortex of our brain. Efferent nerve signals are then passed to effector cells in glands, muscles etc, ascociated with the particular oils being used and begin to soothe us accordingly.
Essential oils also have a marked effect on many conditions when applied to the body and used in a variety of other ways.

Essential Oils

What are Essential Oils?  

They are pure substances extracted from the flowers, leaves, bark etc, of plants and trees by various methods including distillation and expression.
Composed from the vital essence of the plant, they are complex, volatile, liquid, natural chemical substances, defying true scientific explanation.
Their long and, in many cases ancient, history of use as therapeutic substances can leave us in no doubt however, as to their healing powers.
Since the beginnings of history, Essential Oils have been used in massage, hair and body care, perfumed preventatives, embalming, rejuvenation, hospital, temple, hovel, battlefield and palace.

How do Essential Oils help us?

Essential Oils begin to aid us therapeutically as soon as their scent is detected.
The messages of the scented molecules pass along our afferent nerves to the cerebral cortex of our brain. Efferent nerve signals are then passed to effector cells in glands, muscles etc, ascociated with the particular oils being used and begin to soothe us accordingly.
Essential oils also have a marked effect on many conditions when applied to the body and used in a variety of other ways.

Essential Oils

How to Use Essential Oils at Home.

Diluting Essential Oils: Most Essential Oils must be diluted before being placed on the skin.
 

  • Normal Adult Dosages: For large areas, such as the back or hips, use a maximum dilution of one drop of Essential Oil to one ml Carrier Oil/ Other Ingredient. For instance, if you are making up a Massage Blend of 50mls, add up to 50 drops of Essential Oil. The same dilutions are used for Ointments, Moisturisers etc. For instance, when making a Moisturiser, add up to 1 ml Essential Oil for every 1ml of other Water or Oil based Ingredients which you add.

  • For small areas such as face, knees and hands: The amount of Essential Oils may be doubled i.e. you can use up to 2 drops of Essential Oil per 1ml of other ingredients.

  • Senior Citizens, Infirm People and Children: Special consideration must be shown to senior citizens, children, the weak and infirm, use up to half the normal adult dose stated above.

  • Babies have sensitive skin and constitutions and Essential Oils should only be used in very small doses. For Babies up to six months old, we recommend the use of Lavender, Geranium, Rosalina, Chamomile or Mandarin Essential Oils as well as Base Oils of Almond, Johoba, Hazelnut, Starflower or Calendula. e.g. for skin conditions, add 1-2 drops of any of the Essential Oils to 50mls pure Base Oil (or use a combination of any of the Base Oils). A teaspoon of this blend could also be added to the bath.

  • At about six months, Grapefruit, Manuka, Palmarosa & Tea Tree may be added to the Oils used.

  • For Children aged 1-5 we recommend up to ¼üof the adult dose. Avoid the sensitising and stimulating Oils.

  • For those aged 5-12 years, use up to ½ýthe adult dose.

  • At the onset of puberty, we recommend up to 2/3 of the adult dose rising to the normal adult dose at age 16.

Blending the oils: Oils can be used singly or in a blend/ synergy; when two or more oils are mixed together forming a combined oil of greater therapeutic power. Blending oils together in a harmonious synergy is largely an intuitive act, though there is plenty of literature on the market to support study. When you make a blend choose oils that you are drawn to and which you feel together, cover your symptoms needs. Request our 'Concise Guide to Essential Oils' for individual characteristics of our oils.

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Massage: Massage is generally beneficial for all our bodies' systems; it improves the circulation and lymph (waste removal) function. Massage also slows the heart rate, reduces stress and stimulates our body to release endorphins. When massage is combined with the use of Aromatherapy, the therapeutic benefits are increased. For a full body massage: add up to 8 drops of Essential Oil to 20~40mls Base Oil. Facial massage 1~5 drops to 5~10mls carrier. Baths: Bathing with Essential Oils is beneficial for many conditions as the Oil is inhaled & also absorbed, generally, throughout the skin. We do not recommend adding neat Essential Oils to Your Bath as the floating, undiluted Oils are likely to cause irritation.

 

Moisturising Baths: 
Recipe 1:
Essential Oil up to 8 drops Base Oil 5~10mls Blend and add to Bath.
Recipe 2:
Essential Oils up to 8 drops Base Oil 5mls Pure Shampoo/ Bath Emulsifier or Similar5-10mls Blend and add to Bath.
Pure Essential Oil Bath- No Base Oil:
Recipe 1: Essential Oils up to 8 drops Pure Shampoo/ Emulsifier or Similar 5-10mls. Blend and add to Bath.
Try adding the oils to a Bath Bomb mix- see our leaflet 'Making Bath Bombs at Home'

 

Diffusion: The most familiar form of diffusing Essential Oils is the use of an Oil Burner. You may also like to try using a radiator diffuser, which takes advantage of the heat already being produced, or try one of the many useful electric diffusers available. Diffusion can be effective, especially for respiratory and emotional conditions. It is also a boon for group situations, where it can be used as a perfumed preventative and mood enhancer. For an average sized room, place 2~10 drops in an Oil Burner/ Hot Bowl of Water. For larger rooms, we recommend that you increase the number of Oil Burners, spacing throughout the room.

 

Inhalation: Very soothing for acute respiratory problems and emotional stress. Use a commercial Inhaler, 'Facial Sauna' or, the traditional, Large Bowl of Hot Water and a Towel Method. Add up to 5 drops of Essential Oil. Breathe slowly for up to 15 minutes.

 

Hot & cold compress: Especially helpful for swelling, pain and to treat injuries which prohibit massage. A hot compress is used for backache, toothache, earache, rheumatism, arthritis, abscesses etc. A cold compress is used for sprains, strains, headache, bites, hot and swollen conditions etc.
To make a Hot Compress:
1. Fill a Bowl with Hand Hot Water 2. Add your Essential Oils up to 5 drops 3. Lay a Cotton Flannel over the surface of the Water and squeeze out 4. Apply this to the affected area and repeat the process as soon as the cloth has cooled to body temperature.
To make a cold compress:
1. Fill a Bowl with cold water & ice.
2. Repeating the rest of the process 2-4 as for hot compress.

 

Ointments/ Balms: Beneficial for a wide range of skin conditions.
Pre warm Your jars. Using the Bain Marie Method, warm your choice of Base Oils until melted with 5~20% beeswax.(Soft Ointment 5%~ Lip Balm 20%) Mix in Essential Oils 1~2dps (To be used on small areas: up to 2 drop per ml. To be used on large areas: up to 1 drop per 1ml)
Jar and allow to cool.

 

Moisturisers/ Creams/ Lotions: Making your own Moisturiser gives you a unique opportunity to make a Skin Treatment which is perfect for your skin and temperament. Request our leaflet 'Making Natural Moisturisers, Creams & Lotions at Home'

 

Using neat on the skin: Essential Oils should not generally be used neat on the skin as they are concentrated substances. Irritation can result. However, there are a few oils which you may use a few drops of neat on the skin including:-
Lavender: headaches, burns, haemorrhoids etc.
Myrrh: gum disease, festering wounds Tea tree: acne, cold sores etc.
Manuka: abcesses, bacterial & fungal conditions.

 

Douche/ Enema/ Sitz bath: All these methods are effective for Genitourinary Infections, as well as conditions such as such as Haemorrhoids and Irritable Bowl Syndrome.
For Cystitis: Sandalwood, Juniper, Chamomile.
For Candida and Thrush: Tea Tree, Geranium, Myrrh.
Personal Itching: Lavender, Tea Tree, Bergamot.
For Haemorrhoids: Myrrh, Lavender, Cypress.
Mix 5~10 drops Essential Oil with 5mls Pure Shampoo.Add to the Water. Submerge affected area.

 

Haircare: Try adding a few drops of your favoured Essential Oils to the final rinse or a Pure Shampoo.

 

For a moisturising Hair Treatment :
Essential Oils up to 8 drops
Base of Olive or Almond Oils mixed with a little of a rich oil such as Johoba or Coconut.
Mix well.
Soak Hair and Scalp in the resulting Blend and work in. Cover with a towel or cling film for 1 hour. Shampoo twice.

 

Daily hair treatment: This recipe is inspired by Indian Hair Care recipes. Renowned as having the 'most beautiful hair in the world', most Indian people use oils as part of their hair care routine. Make up a bottle of Oil mixing 1 drop of your choice of Essential Oils to each 1ml of Coconut Oil. Each day, place a few drops into a bowl of hot water, disperse, dip comb in and work through the hair.

 

Spray diffuser: A useful addition to help combat lingering odours, and to improve the atmosphere. Using a plant mister or similar, mix 100ml water with up to 50 drops of your choice of oils. Spray Your Home, Car etc; avoiding polished & delicate surfaces.

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