Essential Oils
When we walk through a Rose garden or rub a sprig of Lavender between our fingers we all become aware that plant’s specific scent.
That specific scent is due to the Essential oils that gives the spices, herbs, flowers & fruits their aroma, taste & perfume.
Aromatic oils are found in various parts of a plant or flower, like the seeds, bark, roots, leaves, flowers, wood, balsam & resin.
Two Methods to extract Essential oils are:
Expression: e.g. Citrus fruit compressed to harvest the oils.
Steam distillation: e.g. Lavender & Sandalwood.
Reason why Essential oils vary in price?
Due to the large amount of plant material needed to extract the oils.
(1 ton of Rose petals to produce 300g of Rose oil)
Essential oils have many therapeutic properties
Anti – septic, anti – bacterial, anti – fungal, ant – inflammatory & analgesic.
Essential oils can be used simply & effectively at home & at the office in a variety of ways:
How to use Essential oils:
Lavender & Tee Tree Essential Oils are the only oils that can be applied neat to the skin;
All other Essentials need to be mixed with a carrier oil or carrier cream (Not AQUEOUS Cream)
Always beware of the Contra – indications to using Essential oils
Essential oil to Avoid during pregnancy
Basil, Sage, Rosemary, Clary Sage, Marjoram, Rose, Juniper, Myrrh, Peppermint, Fennel, Geranium, Lavender, Black Pepper, Chamomile, Jasmine, Melissa, Palmarosa, Tagetes, Thyme
Essential oils to Avoid with High Blood Pressure
Sage, Rosemary, Thyme, Peppermint
Essential oils to Avoid with Epilepsy
Camphor, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Rosemary, Tagetes
Essential Oils for daily use
Inhalation
Add 1 drop of Essential oil to a tissue or handkerchief and inhale when required
Massage
Add 20 – 25 drops of Essential oils to 50ml of carrier oil e.g. Almond, grape-seed or Sesame seed oil.
Bath
Fill the bath and add 6-12 drops of Essential oil and mix well.
Jacuzzi
Add 3 drops of Essential oils per person
Sauna
Add 2 drops of Essential oil per 600ml of water.
Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Pine and Peppermint are good oils to use.
Mix in water & sprinkle on heat source.
Sitz Bath
Add 2-3 drops of Essential oil
Foot Bath
Add 2-6 drops of Essential oils to a bowl of warm water and soak feet for 20 minutes.
Remember to consultant a qualified aroma therapist for specific treatments & applications
For more information on Essential Oils
The Health Shack
Tel: 021 553 4543 / 082 341 6361
Email: Helen
That specific scent is due to the Essential oils that gives the spices, herbs, flowers & fruits their aroma, taste & perfume.
Aromatic oils are found in various parts of a plant or flower, like the seeds, bark, roots, leaves, flowers, wood, balsam & resin.
Two Methods to extract Essential oils are:
Expression: e.g. Citrus fruit compressed to harvest the oils.
Steam distillation: e.g. Lavender & Sandalwood.
Reason why Essential oils vary in price?
Due to the large amount of plant material needed to extract the oils.
(1 ton of Rose petals to produce 300g of Rose oil)
Essential oils have many therapeutic properties
Anti – septic, anti – bacterial, anti – fungal, ant – inflammatory & analgesic.
Essential oils can be used simply & effectively at home & at the office in a variety of ways:
- Used as perfumes
- to revive potpourris
- added to the bath
- to make individual beauty preparations.
- To treat minor first aid cases
- to help prevent & relieve many common complaints such as headaches, colds, period pains & aching muscles.
How to use Essential oils:
Lavender & Tee Tree Essential Oils are the only oils that can be applied neat to the skin;
All other Essentials need to be mixed with a carrier oil or carrier cream (Not AQUEOUS Cream)
Always beware of the Contra – indications to using Essential oils
Essential oil to Avoid during pregnancy
Basil, Sage, Rosemary, Clary Sage, Marjoram, Rose, Juniper, Myrrh, Peppermint, Fennel, Geranium, Lavender, Black Pepper, Chamomile, Jasmine, Melissa, Palmarosa, Tagetes, Thyme
Essential oils to Avoid with High Blood Pressure
Sage, Rosemary, Thyme, Peppermint
Essential oils to Avoid with Epilepsy
Camphor, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Rosemary, Tagetes
Essential Oils for daily use
Inhalation
Add 1 drop of Essential oil to a tissue or handkerchief and inhale when required
Massage
Add 20 – 25 drops of Essential oils to 50ml of carrier oil e.g. Almond, grape-seed or Sesame seed oil.
Bath
Fill the bath and add 6-12 drops of Essential oil and mix well.
Jacuzzi
Add 3 drops of Essential oils per person
Sauna
Add 2 drops of Essential oil per 600ml of water.
Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Pine and Peppermint are good oils to use.
Mix in water & sprinkle on heat source.
Sitz Bath
Add 2-3 drops of Essential oil
Foot Bath
Add 2-6 drops of Essential oils to a bowl of warm water and soak feet for 20 minutes.
Remember to consultant a qualified aroma therapist for specific treatments & applications
For more information on Essential Oils
The Health Shack
Tel: 021 553 4543 / 082 341 6361
Email: Helen
