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HERBS - OVERVIEW (Essential Oils)
The essential oil extracted from herbs
contains the basic aromatic and healing principles of the
plant, and has a similar use to the herb itself as used in
Herbalism. It is a more concentrated, liquid and storable
form of the plant. This makes it possible to keep the essential
extract of a herb available on your shelf, in or out of season.
The liquid form also makes it possible to use the essence
easily in mixtures, and adding to vegetable oil bases.
AROMATHERAPY (Essential Oils)
The aromas and spirituous essence of flowers
and herbs become available for use in Aromatherapy. The distilled
essence is actually the liquefied and stored aroma, or spirituous
vapour of the plant. Essential oils have a direct influence
on the mind and emotions through the sense of smell. Gently
inhaled aromas also enter the bloodstream through the lungs,
and can influence the whole being in this manner. Essential
oils applied to the skin also enter the bloodstream, but for
this purpose are almost always diluted in a carrier/ vegetable
oil base. Aromatherapy dilution's are usually in the 1-2%
or up to 5% range. Essential oils are a concentrated and powerful
form of the herb, so always exercise caution.
AROMAS and PERFUMES (Essential Oils)
Some single essences can be used as a scent
or perfumery material in their own right e.g. Sandalwood,
Frankincense, Ylang Ylang, Lavender, Patchouli. These are
single note perfumes and while being unsophisticated can be
very effective where the essence is compatible with the personal
skin chemistry. Caution using neat oils!
BLENDS (Essential Oils)
Principles for blending perfumes can apply
to aromatherapy blends. As in herbalism, one or two main herbal
essences can be chosen, with others added to assist or enhance.
Practice is required to get the balance right. Use smaller
amounts of powerful essences, balanced with softer and more
pleasant ones. A final aroma that you like will work better
for you.
Carefully chosen essential oil blends are
the basis of conventional perfumery. Essences are selected
according to their "notes"; like in music it's a matter of
getting a melody, rather than a one-note song. The top notes
are the light floral essences, the middle notes are the herbs
and spices, the base notes are the woods and resins and more
earthy essences. Base notes are also called fixatives and
will help to bind and make the blend more long lasting (in
perfumery, musks are used for this purpose). Use only top
notes, and the mix will be light and "float off" more easily.
HEALING MASSAGE OILS (Essential
Oils)
Essential oils can be blended into a carrier/
vegetable oil base to make a healing, or therapeutic massage
oil. In aromatherapy the emphasis is on essences that work
on the mind, body and emotions. Relaxing or stimulating massage
works through the sense of smell and also gentle absorption
into the skin. This type of massage/ body oil can also be
cosmetic and skin toning.
The traditional liniment style of massage
oil can be a more penetrating, stronger, stimulating sports/
rubdown type oil for more penetration into muscular structures.
These typically use oils such as Camphor, Rosemary, Tea tree,
Wintergreen, Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Pine etc.
A massage oil applied to large areas of
the body will need to be more dilute, as the area of absorption
of the active essence is greater. A light massage oil will
be no more than 5% essence in the carrier oil. This means
1 part in 20 (e.g. 5 ml into 100 ml) of carrier oil, or as
a handy rule of thumb, 3 drops of essence to 1 teaspoon of
carrier oil. Experiment with small quantities first.
A stronger dilution could be used where
the area massaged is much smaller, say up to 10% essence in
carrier oil, or 6 drops of essence to 1 teaspoon base. This
is more useful for the liniment type oil. Always exercise
caution using strong essential oils.
COMPRESS (Essential Oils)
As an alternative to carrier oil based
massage oils and vigorous rubbing actions, try an essential
oil compress over the affected part, where the essential oil
is diluted with water for extra safety. This is a variation
on the traditional herbal poultices, where mashed herbs were
wrapped in cloth and applied to the skin. Don't underestimate
the power of the essences to penetrate into the body below
the compress and affect the bloodstream and body parts.
Add a few drops of essence to a bowl of
warm water, dip in a cloth, soak then wring out excess water,
apply over body part. A warm towel or wheat pack can be place
on top for extra penetrating warmth. Cold compresses can also
be used.
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PERSONAL SCENT - OVERVIEW (Aromatic
Essences)
Aromatic essences are perfume concentrates
and can be used in the smallest amounts to scent the body.
Try a drop or two on pulse points. Allow
a few moments for the essence to breathe on the skin. Fragrant
essential oils and related perfumery materials are the basis
of all perfumes.
Because of the strong raw nature of many
essential oils they work better when blended to achieve a
balance of aroma with pleasantness or fragrance enhanced.
Unlike conventional perfumes and colognes they are not diluted
with alcohol and water. With an aromatic essential oil blend,
or essence, you have the basic fragrance in the most concentrated
from.
Without alcohol or water added, the essence
can be added to vegetable and carrier oils to make a massage
or body oil. Alcohol, water and vegetable oils don't mix.
FRAGRANT BODY & MASSAGE OILS (Aromatic
Essences)
A massage or body oil is simply a carrier
oil base to which has been added a small amount of essence.
The oil base provides lubrication, promotes smoothness and
reduces friction during the massage. The small amount of essence
is the active ingredient which provides the aroma or fragrance.
The essence is not greasy or lubricating by itself, and in
any case would be much too strong for spreading on the body
full strength. Add aromatic essence to any vegetable oil or
other softening or lubricating lotion or base to make a fragrant
massage oil. (See Premium Carrier Oil)
Try about 5% Essence or less which is one part in 20, or 3
drops of Essence to one teaspoon of oil base. "Baby Oil"
is available as a base, but cold pressed vegetable oils are
more natural and provide nutrition to the skin.
BATH ESSENCES & OILS (Aromatic
Essences)
Add a drop or two of aromatic essence to
bath water during the final running of hot water. Soak, relax
and a light fragrance will remain on the skin. Or if you prefer,
take a body oil which is 5% essence in carrier oil and add
about 1/2 teaspoon to the bath. This will be lightly fragrant,
but more "oily" and conditioning to the skin. A
body oil could be used after a shower for smother skin and
light fragrance.
AROMATHERAPY (Aromatic Essences)
If it smells good and you like it, if it
helps you relax or feel inspired, it's therapeutic.
POTPOURRI (Aromatic Essences)
Refresh dried flower & potpourri mixes
with a few drops of aromatic essence. Traditional potpourri
is made with fixative powders such as orris root or sandal.
If possible separate the powder out and rub the fresh aromatic
essence into the powder and then remix.
SCENT JARS (Aromatic Essences)
Use some essence in pottery scent jars to
scent rooms, drawers or cars. These do not need candles. The
essence slowly soaks through the pottery and is released into
the air. Scent jars work better in small spaces or near some
warmth, which helps to release the aroma. Cars are ideal as
they are usually warm inside. Or simply put Essence on wood,
clay or cotton wool, using a saucer to protect surfaces.
INCENSE & JOSS STICKS (Aromatic
Essences)
Make your own fragrant incense by dabbing
a few drops of aromatic essence onto a blank or unscented
stick. If you can't find blank sticks try using the kind you
can buy in just about any Chinese grocery. Most of these sticks
are fairly neutral, just faintly sweet.
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