Pro Tips For Essential oils DIY
The first thing to understand is that essential oils are is basically liquid chemical components, many of which have been studied by scientists to learn what their actions were in the laboratories in vitro, in mice, and some with people. They are most often a product derived from a process called steam distillation. This is where water is used with heat to create steam inside a distiller to separate the essential oils from the water. The remaining water is called a hydrosol and is a very gentle and wholesome byproduct that can be used safely by many people. Hydrosols can be used in a variety of lovely products like a skin toner or simply used alone out of a spray bottle. You can patch test it on inner your wrist to see how you personally tolerate the different hydrosols.
Now back to essential oils. I would like to give you an idea of how concentrated essential oils are, so you have a way to think about their potency when you are using them at home. From the latest information that I have, it takes between 15 to 20 pounds of lavender flowers and twigs to produce 5 ml of essential oils. (show the bottle) To produce 1 drop of Rose Essential oil it takes 10,000 rose petals - which is why this one in particular is soooo expensive. I hope this helps you to realize and to think about how concentrated essential oils actually are. It’s important to have a few books on hand that you can read about how to use them, how much to use, and when and where to use the oils. They are truly beautiful, and I am very passionate about them, but they do need to be used thoughtfully and judiciously. For instance, I personally would not apply them like a lotion all over my body straight out of the essential oil bottle. I would not feel well, and I know why I wouldn’t depending on the oil I hypothetically used. That’s what I went to Aromatherapy School to learn – how to use them safely and wisely- and to make beautiful skincare and aromatherapy that I and my customers love to use. With essential oils there is such a thing as too much of a good thing when deciding how much to use of them. When choosing to use them on the skin, they should be thoughtfully considered and researched for the safest amount, if any, to use in skincare products of any kind. Let me give you an example, so that you are aware why I am so particular about how they are used. There are some citrus essential oils like grapefruit that should be avoided in making skincare. This is to prevent anyone from getting a pretty bad sunburn from what is called a phototoxic reaction that can caused by this oil. Another important thing to know is how much essential oil to use on different parts of the body depending on a person’s age and health status. Babies and pregnant or nursing moms for instance, should avoid using any essential oils. They are simply too potent for infants at any stage of their growth. So, I’d advise you to make sure that you invest in a really good Essential Oils textbook and to do some research before you create a product for someone to use on their skin including, btw, for yourself.
Another way I have seen essential oils being used that I want to draw awareness to is that some people are consuming them. This is a dicey prospect for several reasons and not safe to do unless you were recommended to do this by a Certified Clinical Aromatherapist. There are existing contraindications between essential oils and prescribed medications that they are trained to know and avoid using when the formulate for their private clients. There are essential oils that simply put, should not be ingested. Not everything that comes from plants is safe to be eaten as any good Herbalist will tell you as well. Another way to think about the idea of ingesting an essential oil – would you choose to eat a pound or two of lavender plants in one sitting? Or a pound of basil? How do you think you would feel after you did? This is just a little food for thought for you to consider…. before you start ingesting gel capsules filled with them or using your homemade suppositories…
With all of this in mind, essential oils are absolutely beautiful plant products and when used thoughtfully, they are a healthy way to create your own self-care and household cleaning products. Thoughtfully blended DIY essential oils cleaning solutions and body care products are so much healthier and safer than what we can buy in a mass market grocery store. I make all of my own body care products including soaps, deodorants, salves for all sorts of issues, etc. I know how well they can work and how wholesome they are when they are formulated with a little thought and care. So please do have fun experimenting with your oils. Please take some time to read up on them online, in a textbook, or maybe take a look at some of those online classes like at Aromahead.com. That’s my alma mater and that’s exactly how I got started!!!
Have fun crafting your own essential oils products!
Namaste,
Jean 🌱
