Aromatherapy carriers for essential oils,

Guide to aromatherapy carrier oils

Carrier oils also referred to as base oils or vegetable oils are used to dilute essential oils, CO2s and absolutes before applying to the skin. They "carry" the essential oil onto the skin. Different carrier oils offer different properties and the choice of carrier oil can depend on the therapeutic benefit being sought. Carrier oils are generally cold-pressed vegetable oils derived from the fatty portions of the plant. Unlike essential oils that evaporate and have a concentrated aroma, carrier oils do not evaporate or impart their aroma as strongly as essential oils.

Examples of carrier oils are sweet almond, apricot kernel, grapeseed, avocado, peanut, olive, pecan, macadamia nut, sesame, evening primrose, walnut and wheat germ. Most oils bought in the grocery store are not cold-pressed. Instead, the oils are heated and therefore have less therapeutic benefit. Mineral oil is not used in aromatherapy because mineral oil is not a natural product. It is also said that mineral oil can prevent essential oil absorption into the skin. Essential oils do not go rancid. Carrier oils, however, can go rancid. Carrier oils that you purchase should be natural and unadulterated. Exceptions include buying carrier oils that have natural vitamin E added. Vitamin E acts as a natural preservative. Below is a list of many of the commonly used carrier oils.

Almond, Sweet
Botanical Name: Prunus amygdalus var. dulcus
Aroma: Light, slightly sweet and nutty
Texture: Slightly oily, leaves a slight oily feeling on the skin.
Color: Mostly clear with a tinge of yellow
Is moderately priced and is considered to be a good all-purpose carrier oil to keep on hand.
Apricot Kernel
Botanical Name: Prunus armeniaca
Aroma: Faint
Texture: Slightly oily, absorbs semi-quickly
Color: Mostly clear with a tinge of yellow
Helpful for use in massage blends
Avocado
Botanical Name: Persea americana
Aroma: Medium. Somewhat sweet, fatty and nutty
Texture: Thick, leaves a fatty, almost waxy feel to the skin
Color: Dark olive green.
If not carefully used or used in a small dilution with another carrier, it may overpower a blend.
Borage
Botanical Name: Borago officinalis
Aroma: Light and sweet.
Texture: Thin to medium, leaves a somewhat oily feel to the skin.
Color: Light yellow.
Is said to be excellent in treating many skin conditions but oil is expensive. It's usually blended in a small (often 10%) dilution with other carrier oils. It goes rancid rather quickly.
Cocoa Butter
Botanical Name: Theobroma cacao
Aroma: Is rich and very sweet . It has a chocolaty, "cocoa" aroma
Texture: Solid and hard to work with at room temperate. Breaks into pieces. Color: Yellowish tan.
Cocoa butter needs to be blended with other materials/oils to be workable. Suitable for use in lotions and creams.
Evening Primrose
Botanical Name: Oenothera biennis
Aroma: Light and sweet
Texture: Thin, leaves only a trace of oiliness on the skin. Color: Medium yellow.
Evening Primrose is also said to be excellent in treating many skin conditions. It is expensive and is usually blended in a small (often 10%) dilution with other carrier oils. It goes rancid quickly.
Grapeseed
Botanical Name: Vitus vinifera
Aroma: Light, slightly sweet with a hint of a nutty aroma.
Texture: Thin but leaves a glossy film on the skin.
Color: Mostly clear
Grapeseed oil is solvent extracted and may have trace amounts of chemical solvent remaining. It goes rancid quickly, keep in cool dark area.
Hazelnut
Botanical Name: Corylus avellana
Aroma: Light, nutty, somewhat sweet. Texture: Thin and only leaves a slightly oily film on the skin.
Color: Light yellow.
Good choice for those with oilier skin.
Jojoba
Botanical Name: Simmondsia chinensis
Aroma: Light to medium in aroma, not as sweet as the nut oils. The aroma is distinct but pleasant.
Texture: Light and silky. Absorbs well.
Color: Yellow.
Jojoba "oil" is actually a wax. It is a somewhat pricier oil and is frequently blended in a small dilution (10%) with other oils. It has a very long shelf-life.
Kukui
Botanical Name: Aleurites moluccana
Aroma: Light, sweet, pleasant, nutty.
Texture: Thin. Absorbs well, leaving only a trace oily feeling on the skin. Color: Clear with a hint of yellow.
It is said to be excellent in treating many skin conditions. It is a somewhat more pricier oil. It goes rancid rather quickly.
Macadamia Nut
Botanical Name: Macadamia integrifolia
Aroma: More fragrant than sweet almond and some of the other nut oils, it is very sweet, fatty and nutty in aroma.
Texture: Thick and leaves an oily film on the skin.
Color: Clear with a tinge of yellow.
If not carefully used or used in a small dilution with another carrier, it may overpower a blend.
Olive
Botanical Name: Olea europaea
Aroma: Typical aroma of olive oil used in cooking (smells somewhat like olives). Texture: Heavy and rather oily.
Color: Light to medium green.
If not carefully used or used in a small dilution with another carrier, it may overpower a blend.
Peanut
Botanical Name: Arachis hypogeae
Aroma: Like Pecan, it is extremely light in aroma with a slight fatty, nutty quality.
Texture: Thick and leaves a very oily film on the skin.
Color: Virtually clear.
Peanut oil should not be used by anyone that has an allergy to peanuts. Because of it's oiliness, it is said to be a good choice for inclusion in massage blends.
Pecan
Botanical Name: Carya pecan
Aroma: Extremely light with a hint of a fatty, nutty aroma.
Texture: Medium thickness, leaves a slight oily film on the skin.
Color: Virtually clear.
Goes rancid somewhat quickly. Store in a cool dark area.
Rose Hip
Botanical Name: Rosa mosqueta
Aroma: Mild and perhaps earthy aroma. Texture: Light and leaves only a hint of oil on the skin.
Color: Virtually clear.
It is said to be excellent in treating many skin conditions. It is expensive and is usually blended in a small (often 10%) dilution with other carrier oils. It goes rancid rather quickly.
Sesame
Botanical Name: Sesamum indicum
Aroma: Medium with a distinctive sweet, nutty sesame scent. May overpower a blend if not diluted with another carrier oil.
Texture: Mildly thick, leaves an oily film on the skin. Color: Light yellow.
Sesame oil may overpower a blend if not diluted with another carrier oil.
Shea Butter
Botanical Name: Butyrospermun parkii
Aroma: Nutty, fatty.
Texture: Solid but permeable at room temperature. Leaves an oily/waxy feeling on the skin.
Color: Off-white/cream.
Suitable for use in lotions and creams.

Sunflower
Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus
Aroma: Faint and sweet.
Texture: Thin and does not leave an oily residue.
Color: Virtually clear with a tinge of yellow.
When choosing sunflower oil, strive to get unrefined oil.

Important Note: This data is not considered complete and is not guaranteed to be accurate.
General Safety Information: Do not take any oils internally without consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and give children only the gentlest oils at extremely low doses. It is safest to consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children. A skin patch test should be conducted prior to using oil that you've never used before. Instructions on conducting a skin patch test and more safety information can be found by visiting the Safety Information page.

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Secrets Of Aromatherapy Part I Physical Remedies

Title: Secrets Of Aromatherapy Part I - Physical Remedies

Author: Liz Santher

Article :
Aromatherapy can be used to relieve the discomfort of a
wide range of minor physical complaints including burns,
colds, flu, sinus problems, cold sores, eczema, headache,
indigestion, menopause, menstrual irregularities, muscle
aches, nausea and toothaches.

Diluted in healing carrier oil such as aloe vera,
essential oils can relieve the pain of minor burns. Just
add a few drops of chamomile, geranium, lavender, neroli or
peppermint oil to eight ounces of aloe vera to make your
own healing salve. Of course if you are suffering from a
serious third degree burn that exposes blisters, pus or red
and raw bleeding skin you should immediately take yourself
to a hospital!

Aromatherapy can also be used to ease the discomfort of
suffering from colds and flus. Oils such as peppermint,
eucalyptus, ginger, clove, juniper and rosemary can help
relieve congestion. Warming oils such as clove,
frankincense and pine can help relieve aches and pains.
Diffusing lavender or eucalyptus through the air can help
purify the sick room of any viruses as well as soothe sore
sinuses.

Mixing a few drops of geranium, lavender or tea tree oil
in healing carrier oil such as jojoba or aloe vera can also
help remoisturize dry cracked lips and heal annoying cold
sores. Applied to the face the same oils can help clear up
acne and blackheads.

If eczema is a problem then gently applying a couple of
drops each of any combination of chamomile, geranium,
lavender, neroli, patchouli or tea tree oil can help soothe
the pain as well as reduce the angry red appearance of the
skin.

Aromatherapy has proved to be so effective at relieving
headaches that there are now many commercial aromatherapy
preparations on the market concocted especially for this
purpose. Applying oils such as basil, eucalyptus, lavender,
linden blossom or peppermint (in a commercial cream based
mixture or prepared yourself in eight ounces of a carrier
oil) is thought to be as effective as aspirin and anti-
inflammatories at relieving a headache.

If nausea or indigestion is a problem you can try rubbing
a blend of orange, ginger or peppermint oils (in a carrier
oil) with a circular motion onto your stomach or you can
put a few drops on your pulse points or a hanky and inhale
whenever your tummy feels cranky.

If irregular periods or cramps are a problem the
inhalation or application of the following oils may provide
you with some relief: chamomile, clary sage, jasmine,
lavender, neroli, rose, sandalwood, tangerine, ylang ylang
and peppermint. Geranium is thought to be particularly
soothing for women going through menopause as it can
relieve hot flashes.

If you need an oil to relieve the discomfort of muscle
aches and pains try rubbing a lotion made of arnica oil,
almond oil or jojoba oil and a few drops of any of the
following essential oils: balsam fir, clove, ginger,
chamomile, peppermint or rosemary.

One of the best kept secrets of aromatherapy is using a
dab of clove oil to relieve a toothache. Apply the oil
directly to the affected tooth and it will be numbed and
disinfected until you have time to book that all-important
appointment to the dentist!

About the Author

*******
(c) 2005 Liz Santher - All Rights Reserved

Liz Santher is a aromatherapy enthusiast and freelance
author.

http://www.AromaTherapySecret.com
*******

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