How to categorize essential oils.

If you are new to aromatherapy and essential oils this article will give you knowledge and information.
Aromatherapy and essential oils can be a great source in helping with many ailments or conditions.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. 
   AROMA

   Aromatherapy if used properly, can and will be beneficial to all that uses it.
   Knowing how to identify and categorize essential oils is the first step in correct use of aromatherapy.
   Not everything that has a pleasant or appealing scent is always healthy or beneficial.
   Recognizing the real McCoy is to your advantage.
   
   Essential oils are extracted from plants, but not all plants have the true oil because they are extracted using a chemical solvent. This results in the product called an absolute with contains other plant ingredients so it is not consider a true essential oil. Absolutes are commonly used for fragrance cosmetics like perfume.

2. Essential oils do not hold true to the name. Although they are named "essential oils" they are not oils.
   They are not slippery to the touch by themselves. When using them remember "a little goes a long way."
   There has been some misrepresentation of aromatherapy along the way, but most will agree that with the use of the essential oils is where the therapeutic role is played. Having a good base knowledge of the oils and usage will only allow for safe application. There are many aromatherapist who are trained and certainly know their business. As laymen and if interested in using aromatherapy it is wise to know the safe use of the essential oils.

3. 

   ABORBSTION OF ESSENTIAL OILS TO THE BODY
   
   Remember that are body is one big cell constantly making new cells. Our skin is what does most of the work for us. It keeps us warm or cool, protects all our organs, and warns us of any invasion whether it may be good or bad. Important factor, our skin is water proof, without that asset we could literally drown in the shower or standing in the rain. Even though we have this protection our skin allows for small molecular structures access. Essential oils having that small structure are allowed penetration through our skin and carried off through with the aid of blood circulation. Once in the blood they are routed to the lymphatic system and are then broken down it is then that the body uses the therapeutic aspect of the oil. It will take anywhere from 20 minutes to 7 hours for the skin to absorb the oils depending on the amount of body fat.

4. 

   CATEGORIZING ESSENTIAL OILS
   
   Essential oils are categorized by their "Notes" meaning scent characteristics.
   There are 3 categories: TOP NOTES, MIDDLE NOTES, BASE NOTES.
   There are more than 150 different essential oils used in aromatherapy.
   Some oils fall into all three, others two but every single oil will always fit into atleast one note level.
   The classification of these three note levels can be very subjective. However, it is based on how long the scent actually lasts. There is a simple test you can do to find out about the strenght:
   Place a few drops of any essential oil on a clean unscented cotton ball, place it in a closed room that is at room temperature and leave it for 24 hours. Check it about every 6 hours or so for the intensity of the aroma. This may be a little impractical for all to do, but give a shot and see what you smell.
   
   What are TOP NOTES?
   Essential oils in this categorie are all deep penetrating,sharp smelling, stimulating,uplifitiing, ad volatile in nature.
   Top notes can last up to 24 hours. The impact is really in the first moment of contact.
   This is the strongest group of essential oils. When these are placed on the skin you will eilther feel a hot or cold sensation. These oils seem to be the less expensive of all. Top notes are also known to have anti-viral properties. It is wise to use less of the top notes when blending oils together. I will tell you how to blend oils later on.
   
   What are Middle Notes?
   
   The name says it all. These are the oils that make up the bulk of the blend. The take the edge off the sharpness of the top notes. Giving balance to the blend.
   These aromas can last up to 3 days. The aroma may take a few moments to be effective or to establish their scent.
   These middle notes scents are like by most people, and because of that reason it is why they make up 50% of the blend.
   
   What are BASE NOTES?
   Base notes make the most lasting impression, they are very heavy and have a definite scent. They can last as long as a week. In a blend of oils, base notes will add depth and intensity which gives the blend a very enriched scent. Base notes have the ability to penetrate the skin more thouroughly which gives them the lasting power. Aroma in not noticable apon contact. Left on the skin for a while the scent is very strong. They acutually slow down the evaporation of the other oils.
   If you have ever used musk perfume you know that it takes a while for the scent and body chemistry to interac

5. 

   WHAT ARE CARRIER OILS?
   
   It is not advisable to ever use essential oils by themselves on your skin. Reason being is that they are concentrate, very strong and need assistance for penetrating the skin. This is why it is important to use a carrier.
   A carrier oil is a substance used to "carry" the essential oil into the skin. Carrier oils not only lessen the potentency of the essential oils but allows for a slippery application. When massage the essential oil into the skin the carrier gives more lubrication which lessons the friction applied to the skin.
   The carrier oil should be light and non-sticky. Carrier oils donot evaporate, they are also know as base oils or vegetable oils. Carrier oils contain minerals, vitamins and fatty acids which aid in softening the skin as well as improving the skins condition. When choosing your carrier oil make sure it is 100% pure. When making a blend it is best that you make what you need to use for one application. The vegetable base oils keep well on their own but once added to the essential oils the blend will become rancid.
   However you can add wheatgerm oil to your blend to make up 5% of the blend.
   Here are 17 different carrier oils:
   1. ALMOND OIL
   2. APRICOT KERNEL OIL
   3. AVOCADO OIL
   4. BORAGE SEED OIL 10. JOJOBA OIL 16. SUNFLOWER OIL
   5. HAZELNUT OIL 11. OLIVE OIL 17. WHEATGERM OIL
   6. CARROT OIL 12. PEANUT OIL
   7. CORN OIL 13. SAFLOWER OIL
   8. EVENING PRIMROSE OIL 14. SESAME OIL
   9. GRAPESEED OIL 15. SOYA BEAN OIL
   Most vegetable oil sold in the grocery store are not made by what is cold press. They are made with heat. Most carrier oils can be purchased in most retailers or supppliers that specialize in aromatherapy. Never use any oils that are a blend of two or more oils or have any addatives.

Tips & Warnings

• Always read labels and intructions before using any product.
• Use drops of oils not ounces. A little goes a long way.
• Keep oils in a dark cool place.
• Make sure all caps are on tight, so that they will not loose potency.
• Never use essential oils undiluted.
• Always skin test essential oils before applying to skin. Apply a small amount to the inside of the arm near elbow. If redness appears do not continue use.
• Beware of allergic reactions.
• Do not use essential oils near the eyes.
• Some essential oils may cause sensitivity to the sun.

[sunshine11219]

on 10/25/2008 great article