Pure essential oils are extremely concentrated, and some are too strong to be used directly on the body. It is recommended that you dilute your oils with a natural medium or carrier. Carrier oils or base oils are the perfect solution, with the exception of Grapeseed oil. These oils are obtained by cold pressing the vegetables, nuts or seeds from a variety of plants. Carrier oils will provide better coverage and absorption of the essential oils over a larger area of your body. Carrier Oils also have many nourishing properties and can be very beneficial for use with skin care or for massage.
Some of the more common base oils used for aromatherapy are Jojoba, Sweet Almond, Grapeseed, Sesame, Hazelnut and Evening Primrose. Each oil has its own set of therapeutic properties; most are rich in minerals, vitamins and proteins. Carrier oils, and essential oils, may be blended to incorporate a varying range of therapeutic benefits.
I get some of my carrier oils from Wyndmere Aromatherapy and here is a description of their oils:
Evening Primrose: Seeds from the flower of this lovely plant produce an oil very high in GLA (gamma linoleic acid). This is a fatty acid which helps repair mature or damaged skin. It's one of the more expensive carrier oils so it is oftentimes used in combination with other base oils. A small amount can also be used instead of vitamin E to retard rancidity of other carrier oils.
Grapeseed: Produced from grape seeds by hot extraction, this oil is high in linoleic acids and has a small amount of vitamin E. It's a gentle emollient that is absorbed by the skin easily without feeling greasy which makes it desirable for massages.
Hazelnut: Cold pressed from the nut of the hazel tree, this oil is light and easily absorbed. It is rich in vitamins, minerals and protein and is good for all skin types. It's thought to have astringent properties so is believed to be particularly good for oily skin.
Jojoba: Obtained from the seeds of a desert shrub, this oil is actually a liquid wax. It's one of the more commonly used for dilution of essential oils since it does not go rancid. It is known as a balancing oil and therefore is good for all skin types.
Sesame: Seeds inside the pod of this ancient flowering herb give us this wonderful oil. It's prescribed often for daily massage in Ayurvedic medicine and is considered to have antioxidant properties.
Sweet Almond: This oil is obtained by cold pressing the kernels of the sweet almond. It's rich in vitamins A, B1, B2 and B6 as well as a small amount of vitamin E. It also contains mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids which make it useful for all skin types. It's a lighter weight oil that is often used in massage because of its lubricating qualities.
*SUGGESTIONS:
An unrefined natural carrier oil may become rancid or spoiled over time (except for Jojoba which is a wax) so it is best to store them away from heat and in a dark container. A good way to prolong the shelf life of a carrier oil is to add a small amount of vitamin E or wheat germ oil (no more than 2 %). Smelling the oil is perhaps the best indicator of freshness. If used in blending, it is advisable to keep the essential oil and the carrier oil separate until ready to use.
Never use a mineral oil such as any of the commercial baby oils or salves for aromatherapy purposes. They are synthetics made from petroleum sources and tend to clog the pores because of their larger molecular structure.
Hydrosols/Floral Waters:
Restore natural balance to your skin
True floral waters, also known as hydrosols, are natural products and not merely the addition of essential oils to water. They are the fragrant waters collected during the process of distilling essential oils. The release of the essential oils contained within the plant is facilitated by subjecting the plant materials to boiling water or steam. The vapors containing essential oils are separated as the steam cools in the condensing tank. The essential oils are then skimmed off leaving the water, now referred to as the hydrosol or floral water. Floral waters contain water soluble compounds not found in the essential oil as well as some residual oil.
They are soothing, moisturizing and anti-inflammatory.
They are soothing, moisturizing and anti-inflammatory.
Floral waters can be used as skin toners. They may be used full strength. Mist your face and body generously or add to masks and lotions. They can also be used in your bath or as inhalations. Because they are mild, floral waters are recommended for children, seniors or those with highly sensitive skin.
Lavender– balancing for all skin types
Neroli– for dry or sensitive skin types
Peppermint- Cooling, recommended for all skin types
Rose– mildly astringent, balancing for all skin types
Astringent:
You can also use an astringent product, I prefer Witch Hazel for my skin. I also like to add some Purification and Lemon oils to mine! It smells so clean and I love the way my skin feels.
Witch hazel is normally gentle on skin and also can also help moisturize your skin, so it's less likely to dry compared to other astringents.
Epsom Salt:
One of the easiest things to make is bath salts. Why? Because really, there are only two ingredients: Salt and Essential Oil. You can add things like dried herbs, other salts, or even a little bit of a carrier oil to make it moisturizing.
I mix everything together in a container and then it's ready to go! You can use between 1/4 cup to 1 cup of bath salts per bath but I tend to use about 1/2 cup.
*If you let the mixture sit for a couple of days, it may discolor because of the salt dissolving. Give it a stir to incorporate all the ingredients.
You can definitely make a big jar of this if you like, it will stay good for quite some time.
Here are a couple of my personal recipes: These are all large amounts made to last for a longer period of time. You can cut this down if you would like to try a smaller batch!
Detox Bath Soak:
4c. Epsom Salt
10 drops Lavender
10 drops Peace & Calming
10 drops Stress Away
1T. Coconut Oil
1T. Rosehip Oil
Post-Workout Muscle Soak:
6c. Epsom Salt
20 drops Frankincense
20 drops Pan Away
15 drops Peppermint
10 drops Vetiver
10 drops Stress Away
3T. Coconut Oil![]()
1T. Sweet Almond Oil![]()
Post- Workout Muscle Relief:
2c. Coconut Oil
¼ c. Hazelnut Oil
40 drops Pan Away
35 drops Valor
25 drops Stress Away
ORGANIC JOJOBA
This is an excellent moisturizer for all skin types. It combines with the sebum of your skin and gently unclogs the pores. It contains myristic acid which has anti-inflammatory properties, protein and a waxy substance that mimics collagen. Jojoba is actually a liquid wax which never goes rancid giving it an indefinite shelf life.
PARABEN-FREE
Chemical compounds known as parabens are commonly used as preservatives in the body care industry. Recently, however, these compounds have generated concern among consumers and manufacturers regarding the estrogen-like action parabens have on the body. An accumulation or toxicity of these chemicals could increase the potential for cancer.
ORGANIC VIRGIN COCONUT OIL
This unrefined organic oil retains all of its natural components that are beneficial to your skin. Coconut oil not only brings quick moisturizing relief to dry skin but also has long-lasting benefits. It provides protective antioxidants and helps remove dead cells on the skin surface, making the skin smoother and leaving it with a healthy glow and more youthful appearance. Creams using coconut oil may feel oily when applied but are quickly absorbed without leaving a layer of greasy film. Repeated use of coconut oil will gradually soften and improve the skin's ability to act as a protective barrier by restoring its pH balance. Coconut oil is considered very stable and has a long shelf life.
OIL PULLING
If you haven’t heard of this before, it definitely sounds strange. Basically, you swish a spoonful of coconut oil in your mouth for 10-20 minutes (or as long as you can stand it without gagging on the saliva and oil! ha!), similar to how you’d use mouthwash but without gargling (I also like to add a drop of essential oils for added benefit). Then you spit it into the trash and rinse your mouth with warm water. The belief is that the coconut oil pulls out toxins and bacteria from the mouth and the body. Many people swear by its effectiveness in promoting health and healing, for many various issues.
For more information or to Get Started, go HERE
No comments:
Post a Comment