All You Wanted to Know And More
Need assistance? Before picking up the phone, check out our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions below. If you can’t find the answer to your question, contact us.
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are aromatic compounds found in many plants. In chemistry jargon, they're considered "volatile organic compounds." In this case, volatility means they readily convert from a liquid to a vapour form at room temperature. In other words, we're smelling tiny molecules of vaporized oil lighter than air, allowing them to drift into our noses and lodge in our olfactory receptors. It's been found that the smell of different essential oils can alter brain chemistry in ways that impact our emotional and mental state, hence their therapeutic potential. Essential oils are readily absorbed into the bloodstream through the skin or stomach, creating a physiological effect with potential medical applications.
What is the purpose of essential oil in nature?
Plants produce essential oils for various reasons: to attract pollinators, make themselves unpalatable to insects and animals, ward off disease, or even make the soil around them toxic to other plants with which they compete for sunlight, moisture and nutrients. Depending on their biological purpose, essential oils may be concentrated in flowers, leaves, roots or bark.
How are essential oils extracted from plants?
There are several methods. Steam distillation is one of the oldest and still the most common. In this method, hot steam is forced through the plant material and then collected in a condensation device that causes the vapour to return to a liquid. In ancient times, enfleurage was also used, particularly for delicate floral oils like a rose: the petals were covered in animal fat, which absorbed the essential oil; alcohol was then used as a solvent to extract the essential oils from the fat. In modern times, essential oils are often extracted in a high-pressure system using liquid carbon dioxide or chemical solvents like hexane and acetone.
Essential oils cannot be obtained from just a handful of plants. You would need an incredible amount of plants before extracting a sizeable amount of essential oil. For instance, over 150 pounds of lavender flowers are needed to produce just one pound of oil.
Where are they produced?
The world's top five essential oil producers are the U.S., India, China, France and Brazil. However, some individual oils are typically produced in only a handful of countries, depending on where the species grows best and other factors, such as local labour costs. For example, frankincense and myrrh oil, which both come from the bark of desert trees, are produced in Middle Eastern and North African countries where the trees grow wild. Ylang-ylang comes from the flowers of a tropical tree found in the islands of the South Pacific. Southern France traditionally produced much of the world's rose oil. Still, the high cost of land and labour in this region has shifted the majority of rose oil production to Turkey and Bulgaria. Essential oils produced on a commercial scale in the U.S. include peppermint (Pacific Northwest), cedar (Texas) and various citrus oils (Florida)
Organic Essential Oils Are Generally Expensive. Is It Good to Use Regular Essential Oils?
The general purpose of using essential oils is to go chemical-free. However, if you aren’t ready to shell out the amount to buy an organic product right now, you need not worry. Regular essential oils can also serve the purpose. Our reputable traditional essential oil manufacturers ensure that the topmost quality is maintained.
Do Essential Oils Expire?
Another of the most common concerns regarding essential oils is whether they expire or not. Well, the answer is yes. Even if an essential oil has no synthetic chemicals, it is still composed of natural chemical compounds (like everything else in the universe). And so, after a point, it can expire. However, the expiry span depends on quality. Pure and qualified essential oils can comfortably last for up to three years. Essential oils can have a shelf life of anywhere between 2-15 years. In and of themselves, they don’t deteriorate. However, once you start using them and exposing them to sunlight, oxygen, and temperature changes, their chemistry will react to these elements and become a “different oil” than when you first started using it. Being aware of this and cautious not to over-expose your essential oils to these factors, you can guarantee the most longevity of your precious essential oils.
What’s the Difference Between Essential Oils and Fragrance Oils?
If this question arises in your mind, too, essential oils come from plants, flowers, bark, roots, leaves, etc. On the other hand, fragrance oils are synthesized in laboratories. Essential oils perform various functions, ranging from curing allergies to helping hair growth. Fragrance oils are not much different from scents. Their primary purpose is to smell good.
Can Essential Oils Smell Bad?
The word “bad” is subjective and can mean different things to different individuals. So, if you think that your essential oil is smelling bad, don’t worry. It doesn’t particularly mean that it has expired. Maybe you don’t like the smell. Also, the scent (whether good or bad) has nothing to do with the quality and performance of the oil.
How to store essential oils for long-lasting?
Exposure to direct sunlight changes the chemical composition of essential oils – keep out of direct sunlight. Exposure to oxygen results in oxidation of the essential oil, which also changes its chemical composition and benefits – hold bottle caps tightly when not in use. Essential oils last most extended while remaining true to form when stored at constant temperatures, preferably room temperature – avoid high temperatures for extended periods.
Can Essential oils treat serious illnesses?
They can be used to treat various illnesses, conditions and complaints. Some oils balance the body, such as frankincense; some help the user relax, such as lavender; others, like rosemary and ylang-ylang, have an uplifting and stimulating effect.
Some anecdotal evidence suggests that essential oils can help serious illnesses. What is there to lose if you have a serious illness and have tried conventional treatments with no success? However, ALWAYS seek medical advice from a doctor first. Aromatherapy is no substitute for modern medicine, no matter how much you would like to believe in the healing powers of flowers and plants. In the past, aromatherapy was used because the scientific understanding and vast array of artificial drugs were not available. The treatments proved moderately effective in treating everyday ailments and infections. Use aromatherapy but understand its limitations.
What evidence is there that Aromatherapy does any good at all?
As most doctors would say, essential oil is circumstantial, anecdotal, and historical but not scientific. Research has been done into the effectiveness of some essential oils - especially the popular ones such as lavender, tea tree and peppermint. The anti-bacterial properties, and to some extent anti-viral properties, of these oils are now well regarded. Have you noticed how essential oils find their way into a wide range of cosmetic and cleaning products? How often have you seen 'lemon' or 'pine' new cleaners? Or tea tree shower gel and shampoo? Or rosemary bath oil? Is this just cashing in on a trendy phenomenon (no doubt), or is there some real scientific evidence behind it? Even if you dismiss aromatherapy out of hand, have some respect for times when essential oils brought healing, freshness and luxury to a squalid world. We all appreciate gold, but remember it was on an equal with frankincense and myrrh! Buy a bottle of each and find out why this could be.
Why do aromatherapy essential oils always have such long, complicated names?
All essential oils will be labelled with common and Latin names. So, for example, tea tree oil is also known as Melaleuca alternifolia. The Latin name comprises the plant’s family or genus – in this case, Melaleuca – and its species (alternifolia). Remember that not all plants within the same family will yield the same results. Lavender, for instance, can have very different results depending on whether true or sweet lavender is used.
Are aromatherapy with essential oils safe to use?
The oils are extremely concentrated, so they should be diluted before they are applied to the skin. If the oil will be used for a massage, use a good carrier oil such as jojoba or almond. You should be looking for just two or three per cent of essential oils. Aromatic oils should never be ingested or come into contact with the eyes. If this occurs, blot the eyes with olive oil and rinse well with water. No one should use certain oils unless a qualified aroma therapist specifically advises them. Many oils should be used with care, especially where babies, children and pregnant women are concerned.
What are the different ways to use aromatherapy essential oils?
The different ways to use essential oils are:
-
In an oil burner/candle burner / electric vapouriser - either a few drops on a ceramic dish or in a bit of water
-
On a ceramic electric light bulb ring
-
A few drops on a tissue near where you sleep. Avoid the pillow, as it may end up in your eyes.
-
In a massage oil - there's nothing quite like a relaxing back massage
-
In the bath
-
In a foot bath
-
In cosmetic and cleaning products
-
In candle wax
-
In a compress
-
Steam inhalation - when you have a bad head cold
-
Mouth gargles/washes
-
Neat on the skin
Can I make shampoo, conditioners, shower gels, body lotions etc., with my essential oils?
The best idea is to buy a neutral, odourless base cream/gel/lotion and add a few drops of essential oil. The most popular cleanser oils are rosemary, juniper, tea tree, lime, grapefruit, lemongrass, orange, cinnamon, peppermint and ylang-ylang.
Didn't find the right answer? Get in touch with us:
Ready for Heavenly Pure Oils?
