The mysterious world of essential oils has much to offer the health enthusiast and if you know little or nothing about essential oils, you have come to the right place, as we put together some background information about these amazing naturally found products that are concentrated.
How are essential oils made?
Essential oils are made by boiling the roots, leaves, flowers, bark or stems of herbs, using steam or water and these essential oils are inhaled, ingested or applied to the skin. Take Neroli essential oil as a classic example; this oil is made from orange blossom leaves and fruit, while the fragrant oil is believed to have a calming and relaxing effect on the user. It takes a whopping 900 lbs of orange leaves to make a single pound of essential oil and orange leaves are too delicate to put through a steaming process, which means the raw material must be treated with a solvent extraction process to acquire the oil in pure form.
Using a carrier oil
Most essential oils are far too concentrated to apply on the skin directly, rather they need to be diluted with what is called a ‘carrier oil’. Common carrier oils include the following;
- Coconut oil
- Jojoba oil
- Almond oil
When correctly mixed with a carrier oil, essential oils can be applied directly onto the skin, which many people prefer, plus your essential oil lasts that much longer when diluted with a suitable carrier oil.
Note: It is important to try out a tiny test first; pick a small patch on your arm and dab a little of the oil (with the mixed carrier) to see if you are allergic to the substance.
Play it safe
Just because essential oils are organic and 100% natural, that doesn’t mean they are completely safe to use and even though essential oils are not governed by the FDA, it is possible that a person can be allergic to the substance and suffer skin irritation. If you are using a carrier oil, test a small patch of skin before liberal application, just to be on the safe side. Here are a few tips to start a fitness program.
Online Solutions
If you would like to sample essential oils, you are advised to approach a reputable online supplier and order a mixed selection, which you can try and find a few that are to your liking. Here are just some of the essential oils that people are using:
- Aloe Vera
- Avocado
- Basil
- Bergamot
- Blue Lotus
- Cedarwood
- Sandalwood
- Jasmine
If you would like a diverse sample of natural essential oils, search online for a leading Australian supplier of essential oils and order a mixed selection and remember to read the do’s and don’ts before using the product.
There is a lot of good information from the federal government regarding natural healing which is now becoming very popular, as people tend to move away from drug-based medicine.
