Welcome to the repeat of the 2018 series about essential oils and aromatherapy and I hope those new to the blog will enjoy.
Twenty-two years ago I ran a health food shop and diet advisory centre here in Ireland and we sold essential oils for aromatherapy. I thought that I should learn more about it and took a course on the subject. I am looking forward to sharing this relaxing therapy with you.
What is Aromatherapy – More details in last week’s post
Aromatherapy uses essential oils which have been extracted from specific sweet smelling plants for therapeutic massage. They are blended with specialised carrier oils to ensure that they are used in a diluted form and are easily absorbed by the skin. The oils can also be used to add these therapeutic aromas to our environment as well with the use of burners.
This week I am going to look at some of the most common essential oils, where they originate, what part of the plant they are extracted from, their scent, how to use, the mood they will enhance and some safety issues with its use. I will feature half the more common oils this week and the other half next time.
What are essential oils extracted from.
Depending on the plant or fruit the essential oil will be extracted from peel, petals, leaves, buds, twigs, underground roots, wood, bark or resin. Sometimes the whole plant will be used. The most common way to extract the essential oil is by steam distillation, where the plant material is put into a vat and then has steam forced through it. The heat and pressure releast tiny droplets of essential oil which rise, with the steam through a spiral tube. The steam cools and turns to liquid.
What is meant by the term ‘Note’ in essential oil therapy.
I am sure that you have used perfume or after shave and wondered why some tend to linger longer than others. This will be partly down to your skin type as some types will absorb certain perfumes or aftershaves and the scent remains or it disappears very quickly.
Apart from your skin type of oily to dry… there are certain properties within an essential oil which will determine the rate at which they evaporate. For example a top or high note which is a property of citrus based essential oils, means that it is light and will evaporate very quickly within a couple of hours.
An essential oil that is classified as a middle note will last a few hours longer, between three to five. For example Lavender and Rosemary. And those oils with a base note such as sandalwood and Patchouli will last a great deal longer sometimes for days.
Some of the oils listed I will feature in more depth including their therapeutic benefits later in the series. There are many more that a qualified aromatherapist may suggest to you and I do advise before using any that you consult an expert. This is particularly important if you are pregnant or nursing, although except for some specific oils that could cause contractions before full-term (Clary Sage), most are considered safe, especially if very diluted.
Bergamot citrus fruit originates from Italy and a yellow to green colour depending on ripeness and uses the rind.
Image wikipedia.
- Scent: citrus
- Usage: Massage, bath, inhaled
- Note: Middle
- Mood: Uplifting
- Safety: avoid sunlight.
Black Pepper made from peppercorns from India, Malaysia and china.
- Scent: peppery
- Usage: massage, inhaled
- Note: Middle
- Mood: Stimulating
- Safety 24hour test on skin – avoid in pregnancy.
Camomile made from the flowers from UK, France and Egypt. There are two types Roman and German and they have different therapeutic benefits.
- Scent: Herbaceus, light, fruit
- Usage: Skin Care, Massage, Compresses, Tea.
- Note: Middle
- Mood: Consoling
- Safety: Usually none needed.
Cedarwood from Algeria and Morocco is extracted from the wood.
- Scent: Woody
- Usage: Inhalation, Bath, Skin Care, Massage
- Note: Base
- Mood: Balancing
- Safety: Avoid in Pregnancy
Clary Sage from France and Russia uses the whole plant.
- Scent: Herbaceous, earthy
- Usage: Inhalation, Bath, Skin Care, Massage.
- Note: Middle
- Mood: Calming
- Safety: Avoid with alcohol and in pregnancy (may result in early contractions, but is used for this purpose at time of delivery)
Cypress comes from Morocco, Spain and France and uses the leaves, needles, twigs and cones from the tree.
- Scent: Fresh and Green
- Usage: Inhalation, Bath, Skin Care, Massage.
- Note: Middle
- Mood: Refreshing
- Safety: Usually None.
Eucalyptus from Australia comes from the leaves and the twigs.
- Scent: Camphor
- Usage: Inhalation, Massage, Baths
- Note: Top
- Mood: Refreshing
- Safety: Avoid in Pregnancy and with any form of homeopathy.
Fennel from Egypt, France and Hungary is made from the seeds.
- Scent: Aniseed
- Usage: Inhalation, Bath, Skin Care, Massage.
- Note: Middle/Top
- Mood: Clearing
- Safety: Avoid in Pregnancy
Frankincense from Somalia and Oman is extracted from the resin.
- Scent: Incense, warm
- Usage: Inhalation, Bath, Skin Care, Massage
- Note: Middle, Base
- Mood: Calming
- Safety: None indicated.
Geranium from Egypt, Madagascar, China is made from the whole plant.
- Scent: Floral
- Usage: Skin Care, Massage, Baths
- Note: Middle
- Mood: Harmonising
- Safety: None Indicated.
Ginger from India, China and the West Indies is made from the root.
- Scent: Spicy
- Usage: Massage, Compresses
- Note: Middle
- Mood: Stimulating
- Safety: 24hour test on sensitive skin.
Grapefruit from Israel, Brazil and the USA and uses the rind.
- Scent: Citrus
- Usage: Skin care, Massage, Baths
- Note: Top
- Mood: Uplifting
- Safety: Avoid exposure to sunlight.
Jasmine from Egypt, India and France and uses the flowers.
- Scent: Floral
- Usage: Inhalation, Massage, Baths
- Note: Middle
- Mood: Reassuring
- Safety: 24hour test on sensitive skin.
Juniper Berry from Europe and the Himalayas uses the berries.
- Scent: Woody, Peppery
- Usage: Inhalation, Massage, Baths
- Note: Middle
- Mood: Cleansing
- Safety: Avoid in pregnancy and if you suffer from Kidney problems
Lavender from Tasmania, England and France uses the flowers.
- Scent: Floral
- Usage: Inhalation, Bath, Skincare, Massage
- Note: Middle
- Mood: Soothing
- Safety: None indicated.
Next week more about carrier oils that dilute the esential oils for their various uses. Also the other half of the more common essential oils that you are likely to find on the shelves.
©Sally Cronin – Just Food for Health – 1998 – 2020
I am a qualified nutritional therapist with twenty-two years experience working with clients in Ireland and the UK as well as being a health consultant on radio in Spain. Although I write a lot of fiction, I actually wrote my first two books on health, the first one, Size Matters, a weight loss programme 20 years ago, based on my own weight loss of 154lbs. My first clinic was in Ireland, the Cronin Diet Advisory Centre and my second book, Just Food for Health was written as my client’s workbook. Since then I have written a men’s health manual, and anti-aging programme, articles for magazines and posts here on Smorgasbord.
If you would like to browse my health books and fiction you can find them here: My books and reviews 2020
This is a big topic right now, Sally. I realize it is a repost, yet still relevant. I have many friends encouraging me to attend Aromatherapy oil parties. Thank you for explaining the word “note.” I am a fan of Bergamot and Lavendar. I will bookmark this post. Great photos and information written in simple, concise terms. Perfect for me. 🙂 I look forward to learning more next week.
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Fabulous Erica thank you. Lavender, tea tree and frankincense are probably my most used but I have bergamot in my oil box that comes out when I need a lift…xx
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Like Erika, I found it was interesting to read about “note”… and the many different oils…Shared Hugs xxx
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Thanks very much Carol.. I use far more these days than ever and love experimenting especially with facial creams that are so ridiculously expensive… xx
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That’s a great idea and yes they are xx
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Neat to have the details in bullet points like this. I love lavender. I planted a hedge of it last year and the aroma when I brush past it is heavenly. I have essential oil of lavender by the bed and use it if I’m having difficulty getting to sleep sometimes.
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Thanks Alex and I keep lavender to hand on my desk for when I am reading the headlines… a quick sniff or two and all is right with the world lol…when I tell people I have bottles secreted around the house they get entirely the wrong impression of me…xx
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Brilliant idea to have some by your desk to deal with the headlines. I’ve some on my desk, too, but didn’t think of this most excellent use for it…xx
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Lol…I don’t know why I bother reading them.. self inflicted…xxx
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Hi Sally, It’s fascinating to learn about these well-known oils from a real expert. An incredible series. Toni x
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Thank you Toni…glad you are enjoying…hugs ♥
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Such detail here along with the flower, herb and uses. Others mentioned “notes,” and I too latched on to that particular description: high, medium, and low note, which are sometimes used to describe wine.
I know I can trust info that comes from a writer who is also a nutritionist. Thank you, Sally! 🙂
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Delighted you enjoyed Marian essential oils have been a part of my health and life for many years now and looking forward to sharing my favourites…xx
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This information about the notes is new to me, Sally. I am not one for perfume [although I have a lot as Terence’s mom likes it so he buys me the gifts she like [smile]] but I did know some last and some don’t. If I do wear, it will be a citrus one.
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Glad you found interesting Robbie and with your fair skin you would want to wear something light and fresh… and diluted rather than neat. xxx
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Thank you, Sally.
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Thank you, Sally. I love essential oils for their healing qualities and their aroma. I use them every day. ☺
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Fantastic Gwen…lovely to hear..hugsx
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Sounds again very interesting! Thank you Sally! Here with us in the past, most people used herbs extracted in alcohol. A healing tincture called “Melissengeist” (with a nun pictured on the pack) was also used to disguise alcoholism. Michael
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I can believe it Michael..there were some interesting ingredients of cough medicine back in Victorian times including cocaine…as well as in coca cola…xx
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Yesterday somehow – i think it was on Christy’s (whenwomeninspire.com) blog, i had read something about Poly*** a drug within mushrooms. This one should not harm, but i am sceptic about.
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I like to try things for myself before I comment Michael… there is a great deal out there, some of it is tried and tested..xx
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I had read this,Sally!Thats great!
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Great post, Sally. I was remembering the scents as I read. I like to use these in many form, but I’m careful what I use in the air with the cats.
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Thanks Denise.. yes not always good for pets… I used Tea Tree sometimes externall for Sam in diluted form for cuts on paws etc but with their sense of smell can be uncomfortable..x
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Thanks for the mini course on the oils Sal. And I loved learning about the extraction of the oil process. I love wearing them instead of perfumes sometimes, and some – like patchouli, will stay on my pajamas til the next day. ❤ xx
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Thanks Debby… I can’t remember when I last used perfume…even Youth Dew…but a dab of jasmine goes a long way…♥♥
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My favorite perfume scents have jasmine and/or iris. ❤
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I might have guessed …♥
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Really??????????????? I’m impressed ❤
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lol ♥
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Reblogged this on Judith Barrow.
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Thanks for sharing Judith very kind..hugsx
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I can attest to the efficacy of oils. Does wonders for keeping my kids healthy.
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Thanks for adding your thoughts.. I agree and whilst sometimes medication is necessary, for minor conditions and prevention oils are great…
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