Archive for May, 2011

Therapeutic Grade Pure Essential Oils

Thursday, May 12th, 2011

Essential oils have been used for over a hundred of years for curing several ailments and disorders through aromatherapy. These essential oils are extracted from roots, seeds, flowers, and stems of various plants that are known for their medicinal values. The extraction of essential oils is usually done by the steam distillation process. The yields of essential oils are of the order of 1% to 3%, depending upon the plants, and this makes them a very expensive commodity. Extraction of pure therapeutic essential oils is done by the carbon dioxide process, which makes them even more expensive.

A therapeutic grade essential oil is in its purest form and contains all the therapeutic properties of the plant from which it is derived. In simple words, you can say that the therapeutic essential oils are the essence of the plants from which those have been obtained. Therapeutic essential oils are the primary tools of the aroma therapists around the world. They have the firm belief that the therapeutic essential oils can cure any common or chronic ailment from its roots.

Getting the optimum benefits of the therapeutic properties of an essential oil depends on the method of use. Some therapeutic essential oils give best results through massage or bath, whereas some others need to be used through vapor therapy. In vapor therapy, you are required to inhale the vapors of the essential oil. For example, if you are suffering from cold and chest congestion, you will be advised to inhale the vapors of eucalyptus essential oil or menthol oil by adding a few drops of these oils in boiling water. For massage, essential oils are first diluted with a carrier oil such as olive oil or jojoba oil. This is because pure essential oils are very strong in nature and can cause skin irritation if applied directly.
The applications of various therapeutic essential oils commonly used for the treatment of various diseases and disorders are mentioned below:

  • For the treatment of disorders like depression, anxiety, and mental stress, the essential oils of lavender, clary sage, lemongrass and sandalwood are commonly used.
  • For hypertension and cardiac diseases, hyssop essential oil, cinnamon oil, thyme and nutmeg essential oils are used for giving massages.
  • For detoxification of the body, essential oils of lemon, grapefruit, cedar wood and rosemary are widely used.

These are only few examples of the uses of therapeutic essential oils. You may consult your aroma therapist for your specific needs.

Aromatherapy Essential Oil Burners | Aromatherapy Products

Thursday, May 12th, 2011

Aromatherapy, one of the most popular alternative therapies today, makes use of a number of essential oils. Essentially, these essential oils are the essence of the plants from which they are derived and possess all the medicinal properties of those plants. Earlier, aromatherapy was limited to massages and vapor therapy only. In modern aromatherapy, several different techniques are used, and a number of aromatherapy products are available in the stores such as aromatherapy sprays, aromatherapy vaporizers, and aromatherapy oil burners, among many other such products. Aromatherapy oil burners are one of the most popularly used aromatherapy products as these are very easy to use and cost effective as well.

Aromatherapy oil burners are also referred to as essential oil burners. An aromatherapy burner is meant to diffuse the essential oil in the environment of your rooms. For this, the essential oil to be used is slowly burnt, which results in the spreading of the aroma of the oil in the room. The vapors spread in the atmosphere are inhaled by you while breathing, and you, thus, naturally get the advantages of the essential oil being used. There are a number of models of aromatherapy oil burners available in the market, and these come in various shapes and sizes. Some of the most popular types are mentioned hereunder:

  • Terracotta earthen lamps: As the name suggests, these are made of terracotta in which a cotton wick is kept dipped in the oil and the outer end is lighted. In the lamp oil, a few drops of the essential oil which you need to use at a particular instance are added.
  • Ceramic oil burners: These are also similar to terracotta lamps but are made of ceramic.

The essential oil or a blend of certain essential oils to be used depends on your specific requirements. Some of the most common uses are mentioned below:

  • If you are mentally stressed and tired, add a few drops of sandalwood oil or lavender essential oil in the oil burner and relax. Within a few minutes, you will feel refreshed and relaxed.
  • If you are under the influence of common cold and any other respiratory disorder such as chest congestion, burn a few drops of eucalyptus oil with the lamp oil. This will give you considerable relief from the ailment.
  • For driving away insects, add five to six drops of lemon grass essential oil in the burner.

The disadvantage of aromatherapy oil burners, as compared to other aromatherapy products, is that some of the medicinal properties of the essential oils are lost due to burning. You should always consult your aroma therapist before using any essential oil.

Peach Essential Oil | Prunus Persica

Thursday, May 5th, 2011

Peach oil is extracted from the kernels of the peach plant, botanically referred to as prunus persica, by the process of cold pressing. Peach essential oil is a light oil, which easily penetrates deep into the skin. It is usually colorless when fresh, and turns golden with the passage of time. It has a sweet and pleasant aroma. Some of the uses of peach essential oil are listed as follows:

  • One of the peach oil benefits is its ability to moisturize and rejuvenate your skin. This can be attributed to its rich vitamin E content, which helps make your skin smooth and supple.
  • Peach essential oil also negates the adverse effects of aging and makes your skin look younger. This is due to its regenerative and restructuring properties. Peach essential oil removes visible signs of aging like wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots.
  • Also, peach essential oil is used to cure various skin conditions including eczema and psoriasis.
  • Peach oil has been known for its pleasant aroma, and as such, it is extensively used in perfumery to make scents.
  • Peach essential oil may also be used as a lip balm; it is non-greasy and helps nourish the lips.
  • Peach oil candles may be used to enhance the ambience of the surroundings. They help elevate the mood and induce a feeling of well-being and elation.
  • Peach oil fragrance also serves to stimulate the central nervous system, thereby maintaining the functionality of brain. It is also believed to enhance memory and concentration.
  • Peach oil, on account of its ability to penetrate into the skin, is used as a massage oil.
  • Peach essential oil is good to be used on all skin types as it non-toxic, non-sensitizing and non-irritant. As such, it is ideal to be used to enhance the texture of the skin.

In order to use peach essential oil for topical application, you are advised to consult an aromatherapy specialist to understand the preparations of the essential oil for best results. Despite the fact that peach essential oil does not cause skin irritation and suits all skin types, you must not use it in concentrated form. You must dilute peach oil with carrier oils like coconut or olive oil for the desired effect. Also, peach oil is meant for external use only. It must be kept away from the reach of children, and its usage in pregnancy and lactation phases must be avoided.

Lemon Eucalyptus Oil | Eucalyptus Citriodora

Thursday, May 5th, 2011

Lemon eucalyptus oil is extracted by the process of steam distillation from the leaves and twigs of the eucalyptus plant, which is scientifically referred to as eucalyptus citriodora. Lemon eucalyptus is known as a potent insect-repellant, which can be attributed to its citronella-like odor. It is colorless oil that turns yellow with passage of time; the oil is also highly viscous. Some of the uses of lemon eucalyptus oil are listed as under.

  • Lemon eucalyptus oil is effective against colds and the influenza virus, and it may be used in pharmaceutical preparations for such conditions.
  • Lemon eucalyptus oil is also a potent anti-bacterial agent and combats pathogenic bacterial in the lungs. Also, the essential oil can be used to relieve phlegm in the respiratory tract, making it a good decongestant.
  • Lemon eucalyptus oil is also effective in the treatment of bronchitis.
  • As lemon eucalyptus oil is a potent anti-microbial agent, it prevents strain on the immune system, thereby boosting your immunity and protecting you against a variety of diseases.
  • Lemon eucalyptus oil is analgesic in action and helps relieve body pain.
  • Lemon eucalyptus oil is also a powerful antiseptic agent. It can be applied on wounds for faster healing and prevention of septic infections.
  • As lemon eucalyptus oil is anti-bacterial in action, it is used as an ingredient of toiletries like soaps and hand washes.
  • Also, lemon eucalyptus oil is an anti-inflammatory agent, and as such, it may be used to relieve fever and other inflammatory diseases.
  • Lemon eucalyptus oil is also used as a flavoring agent in various confectionery preparations and meat. It is also used to prevent spoilage of foods in canned or tinned foods. However, in foods, it is used in low concentration to the extent of .0002%.
  • Lemon eucalyptus oil has a refreshing aroma, and as such, it is used in perfumery to make scents.
  • Lemon eucalyptus candles may be used to stimulate the ambience of the surroundings for its pleasant and fresh aroma. This would help elevate mood and induce a sense of well-being.

You must always dilute the essential oil with carrier oils like coconut or olive oil, as it may cause adverse effects like skin irritation and rashes, if used without dilution. Also, pregnant women and lactating mothers should avoid using lemon eucalyptus oil. It is advisable to consult an aromatherapy specialist before using lemon eucalyptus oil for topical application. It is not meant for internal use. Also, lemon eucalyptus oil must be kept away for reach of children.