Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of plant-derived, aromatic essential oils to promote physical and psychological wellbeing.
Essential oils are extracted from the flower, fruit, leaf, seed, bark or root of a plant or tree and just one drop can have powerful health benefits. Essential oils are usually created through the process of distillation, which separates the oil and water based compounds of a plant by steaming.
How to safely add essential oils into your everyday products
Fragranced consumer products such as personal care products, air fresheners, and home cleaning supplies emit air pollutants that affect indoor air quality as well as personal health and wellbeing. Studies have proven that fragranced products have been associated with a number of health effects including asthma attacks, migraine headaches, neurological problems, and contact dermatitis. This is because the term “fragrance” listed on a product ingredient list can hide a complex mixture of chemicals that brands do not have to disclose.
If you’re an essential oil lover, then you know that there are tons of different terms used to describe the quality of oils. What you might not know, is that some of these regularly used terms don’t actually carry any significance. A lot of essential oil brands use these terms regularly in an effort to make their oils seem better or higher in quality, but the truth is these terms don’t mean anything at all.
Let’s dig deeper into two of these terms that we see misused and misrepresented on a regular basis: “Therapeutic grade” and “Food grade.”
Products that claim to be organic but do not carry an official seal may not meet USDA organic standards. If organic is important to you, don’t rely on the claims—always look for a USDA Organic seal.
WHAT DOES CERTIFIED ORGANIC MEAN?
It indicates that our essential oils have been produced through approved practices that promote ecological balance, conserve biodiversity, and contain no synthetic fertilizers, harmful pesticides or genetically modified organisms.
Essential oils do not expire. They do not grow mold. They also do not grow mildew or even yeast. But that does not mean they will last forever. Why not? Oxidation—a chemical reaction where electrons are lost that can change the constituents of the oil. Oxygen, heat and light all contribute to oxidation.
Pre-diluted Application
GENERAL APPLICATION The skin is generally thinner around the pulse points, which allows for easier absorption – temples, wrists, ankles, side of the neck, inner elbow.
PROBLEM SPOTS Pain, inflammation and skin issues, apply directly to the area of concern.
Mixing essential oils is part art and part science. The chemistry of the oil is important; this determines its volatility, viscosity and its properties.
