Introduction to the Healing Power of Aromatherapy

WHAT IS AROMATHERAPY ?
 Aromatherapy uses pure essential oils
to balance the body’s equilibrium and
to improve mental and physical health.
 Aromatherapy involves more than
fragrance. Plant essential oils have
therapeutic powers in addition to
beneficial fragrance, and all are
antiseptic in different degrees.

 The natural healing art of aromatherapy
is an excellent way to promote
optimum health and vitality.
 Aromatherapy can reduce stress,
improve sleep and give you more
energy. It can improve your
complexion, treat an annoying skin itch
and eliminate a stomachache.

 Aromatherapy is a healing
therapy that utilises the
properties and aromas of
essential plant oils.
 Perhaps the best thing about
aromatherapy is that it is so easy
and pleasurable to engage in.

Definition of “Aromatherapy”
 “Aromatherapy conveys the concept of
healing with aromatic substances.” -
Robert Tisserand
 “Aromatherapy is a caring, hands-on
therapy which seeks to induce relaxation,
to increase energy, to reduce the effects
of stress and to restore lost balance to
mind, body and soul.” - Robert Tisserand

 “Aromatherapy can be defined as the
controlled use of essential oils to maintain
and promote physical, psychological, and
spiritual wellbeing.” Gabriel Mojay
 “Aromatherapy is … the skilled and
controlled use of essential oils for physical
and emotional health and well being.” -
Valerie Cooksley

 “Aromatherapy” is derived from two
words. Aroma - meaning fragrance or
smell and Therapy - meaning treatment.
 “Aromatherapy” can be defined as the
art and science of utilizing naturally
extracted aromatic essences from plants
to balance, harmonize and promote the
health of body, mind and spirit.

HISTORY OF AROMATHERAPY
 Aromatherapy was used by the most
ancient civilizations and is reputed to be at
least 6000 years old. It is widely thought
that Aromatherapy began in Egypt.
 The Egyptians used a method known as
infusion to extract the oils from aromatic
plants and incense was probably one of the
earliest ways of using aromatics.

 Frankincense was burned at sun rise as an
offering to the sun god, Ra and myrrh
was offered to the moon.
 The Egyptians were experts at
embalming using aromatics to help
preserve flesh.
 The Egyptians used to be massaged with
fragrant oils after bathing .

 The Greeks continued the use of aromatic
oils and used them medicinally and
cosmetically.
 A Greek physician, Pedacius Dioscorides,
wrote a book about herbal medicine and
for at least 1,200 years as the Western
world's standard medical reference. Many
of the remedies he mentions are still in use
today in Aromatherapy.

 The Romans took much of their
medical knowledge from the Greeks
and went on to use and improve the
ability of aromatics with Rome
becoming the bathing capital of the
world.
 After bathing they would be oiled and
massaged.

 The Romans started to import new
aromatic products from East India
and Arabia through the opening up
of trade routes.
 During the crusades the knowledge
of aromatic oils and perfumes
spread to the Far East and Arabia.

 It was a physician called Avicenna who
lived from A.D 980 to A.D. 1037 that is
understood to have first used the process
known as distillation to distil essence of
rose, although it probably took many years
to perfect the process.
 The Arabs also discovered how to distil
alcohol around the same time making it
possible to produce perfumes without a
heavy oily base.

 There is a strong possibility that the
ancient Chinese civilizations were
using some form of aromatics at the
same time as the Egyptians.
 Shen Nung's Herbal book is the oldest
surviving medical book in China which
is dated about 2700 B.C. and contains
information on over 300 plants.

 The Chinese used aromatic herbs and
burned aromatic woods and incense to
show respect to God.
 Traditional Indian medicine known as
ayurveda has been practiced for more
than 3,000 years and it incorporates
aromatic massage as one of its main
aspects.

 The North American Indians also
used aromatic oils and produced their
own herbal remedies.
 It wasn't until the 19th century that
scientists in Europe and Great Britain
began researching the effects of
essential oils on bacteria in humans.

Origin of the word “Aromatherapie”
 The term “aromatherapie” was coined by a
French chemist called Rene Maurice
Gattefosse in 1928.
 Gattefosse whose family owned a perfumery
business, while working in the laboratory one
day burned his hand badly. He plunged the
injured hand into a container of lavender
essential oil and was amazed at how quickly
the burn healed without blistering.

 And this event set Gattefosse on a
lifetime study of the therapeutic
properties of plant oils. He utilized the
word to imply the therapeutic use of
aromatic substances.
 A French medical doctor, Jean Valnet,
discovered Gattefosse's research and
began experimenting with essential oils
during the World War II.

 Around the same time, Marguerite
Maury, a French biochemist developed a
unique method of diluting and applying
these oils to the skin with massage - the
treatment which we know today as
Aromatherapy.

What are Essential Oils ?
 Essential oils occur widely in the plant
kingdom and are sometimes referred to as
the plants’ ‘life force’ or ‘essence’ or ‘soul’.
 They are minute drops of liquid occurring in
glands, glandular hairs, sacs or veins of
different plant parts: flowers, leaves, seeds,
bark (twigs) and wood (stem), resin (gum),
roots, berries or fruit peel of the plant.

 Essential oils give each plant its very specific
or unique scent or fragrance. (E.g. as you
smell the beautiful fragrance of a rose, you
are actually experiencing the joy of essential
oils as they are released into the atmosphere)
 Essential oils droplets are a mixture of
complex, organic compounds. When
extracted, they are highly concentrated and
highly fragrant.

 Essential oils are volatile, which means that
they turn quickly from a liquid into a gas at
room temperature or higher.
 They are also non-oily, despite their name. A
good test of the purity of these aromatic
substances is that they do not leave a greasy
mark on a piece of paper. However, there are
a few exceptions to this rule, such as myrrh
and patchouli.

 Essential oils are soluble in oils, fats and
pure alcohol, but they are partially or non-
soluble in water.
 Essential oils are also flammable!!
(Experiment: Squeeze a lemon or orange
rind into a candle flame to see tiny
fireworks!)
 They can be damaged by light, heat, air and
moisture. Therefore, we must know how to
take good care of our precious essential oils.

 Essential oils are usually very liquid and
do not feel greasy at all.
 Essential oils can only be produced by
nature. Therefore, they are natural.

Where Essential Oils are found?
 Flowers  chamomile, lavender, neroli,
rose
 Leaves  eucalyptus, peppermint
 Wood  cedarwood, rosewood,
sandalwood
 Fruits  bergamot, grapefruit, lemon,
orange
 Berries  black pepper, juniper

 Twigs  petitgrain
 Roots  angelica, ginger, vetiver
 Seeds  angelica, cardamon, carrot,
nutmeg
 Gum  myrrh
 Whole plant  basil, citronella,
lemongrass

 It is interesting to note that
different oil can sometimes be
extracted from different parts of a
particular plant:
 Angelica – seed oil and root oil
 Cinnamon – leaf oil and bark oil

 Clove – leaf oil and bud oil
 Orange tree:
blossom  neroli;
fruit  orange;
leaves and twigs  petitgrain

Habitat
 Over 30 families of plants, with
some 90 species, represent the
main oil-producing group.
 The majority of spices (allspice,
cardamon, clove, nutmeg, ginger,
etc.) originate in tropical
countries.

Habitat
 Conversely, the majority of herbs grow in
temperate climates (bay, cumin, dill,
marjoram, fennel, lavender, rosemary,
thyme, etc.).
 The same plant grown in a different
region and under different conditions can
produce essential oils of widely diverse
characteristics, which are known as
‘chemotypes’.

Habitat
 Therefore, it is important not only to
know the botanical name of the plant
from which an oil has been produced, but
also its place of origin and main
constituents.

Main constituents of essential oils
 In general, essential oils consist of chemical
compounds which have hydrogen, carbon and
oxygen as their building blocks. These can be
subdivided into two groups:
 Hydrocarbons – made up almost exclusively
of terpenes.
 Oxygenated compounds – mainly alcohols,
aldehydes, esters, ketones, oxides and
phenols.

 Acids, lactones, sulphur and nitrogen
compounds are sometimes also present.
 True essential oils may only be
obtained by the methods of distillation
or expression that preserve the life-
giving vital essence of the plant.

 Please refer to Table 1 for
Chemical Groups
Aromatic Chemical Groups,
and their Uses

How are Essential Oils produced?
 Essential oils that have been extracted
via the process of distillation or
expression are the highest grade and
purest and are most commonly used for
the purposes of aromatherapy.
 Oils obtained by solvent extraction are
primarily used by the perfume, herbal
medicine, skincare and food industries.

 Some plant materials, especially
flowers, are subject to deterioration and
so they should be processed as soon as
possible after harvesting.
 Others including seeds and roots are
either stored or transported for
extraction, often to Europe or America.

 The method of extraction which is
employed depends on the quality of
the material which is being used, and
the type of aromatic product that is
required.
 Steam distillation is by far the most
widely used and most economical
method.

Steam distillation process
 The plant is heated by water or steam
in a still which causes the cell structure
to rupture and frees the essential oil.
 The steam carrying the aromatic
molecules is cooled to produce a
mixture of oil and water.
 The essential oil is then separated and
bottled.

Expression process
 This method of extraction is employed
for obtaining oil from citrus fruits such
as bergamot, grapefruit, lemon, lime,
orange, mandarin and tangerine, as their
oil is present in the rind of the fruit.
 The expression process was originally
carried out by hand, but now mechanical
presses are employed.

Other processes
 Other processes do not yield true essential
oils:
 Solvent (alcohol, benzene, hexane)
extraction which produces absolutes,
concretes and resinoids.
 Enfleurage (infusion with fat) which
produces pomades and then enfleurage
absolutes. This process is virtually obsolete
today.

Other processes
 Maceration with alcohol which
produces tinctures.
 Carbon dioxide extraction which
employs carbon dioxide under
extremely high pressure to extract
essential oils.

Other processes (latest)
 Percolation (hydrodiffusion) whereby
steam at atmospheric pressure disperses
throughout the plant material from the
top of the plant chamber.
 Turbodistillation extraction whereby the
plants are soak in water, and steam
circulates through this plant-and-water
mixture.

Production Of Essential Oils
 Plants contain from 0.01 to 10% essential oil
content. The average amount found in most
aromatic plants is about 1 to 2%.
 A 1% yield indicates that 100 kilos of plant
material are required to produce 1 liter of
essential oil.
 It is interesting to note that the amount nature
has provided in its original plant form strongly
correlates to the amounts used in aromatherapy
applications!

 An oil such as the highly expensive rose
oil yields just 0.01% essential oil. No
wonder it is so costly!
 Rose oil Bulgarian takes approximately
4,000 pounds of hand-picked flower
petals to make 1 pound of oil, making it
one of the most expensive oils that can be
purchased!

 60,000 rose blooms are required to
produce 1 ounce of rose oil.
 220 pounds of Lavender plant to produce
7 pounds of oil.
 400 kg of Thyme would produce 1kg of
essential oil.
 6,000 kg of Orange blossoms to produce
1kg of Neroli.

 Jasmine flowers must be picked by hand
before the sun becomes hot on the very first
day they open. It takes eight million hand-
picked jasmine blossoms to produce 2.2
pounds of oil! That is why, it is also one of
the most expensive oils on the market.
 Sandalwood tree must be thirty years old
and thirty feet high before it is cut down for
distillation.

How do Essential Oils work?
 Essential oils enter the body by two main
routes – the nose and the skin.
 They enter and leave the body efficiently,
leaving no toxins behind.
 Essential oils are taken directly into the blood
stream; they have a positive effect on blood
circulation, helping to bring oxygen and
nutrients to the tissues whilst assisting in the
disposal of carbon dioxide and other waste
materials .

Nose-brain connection
 The olfactory system, the nose-brain
association, is the most direct
connection we have with the
environment or nature.
 We smell with every breath we take,
constantly monitoring the world around
us, although we are not always
conscious that we are doing so.

 Our sense of smell is – approximately
10,000 times more sensitive than any
other sensory organ we possess.
 Our nose-brain connection is very
powerful. When we inhale an essential
oil it affects the limbic part of our brain
which is where our emotions and mood
functions are seated.

 Aromas and memories are very
strongly linked.
 Perhaps the smell of lavender will
remind you of your favourite
grandmother (or the grandmother
you were not particularly fond of !)

 Whenever a smell, such as freshly
baked bread, freshly ground coffee
or a perfume that your mother
wore, may evokes a memory.
 All the above happenings are
because of the nose-brain
connection.

Absorption through the skin
 Our skin (our largest organ) is designed to let
some substances in and to keep others out.
Essential oils, unlike many other substances,
are able to penetrate through the skin (via
pores and hair follicles) because of their small
molecules.
 Essential oils are absorbed into the
bloodstream from where they may be
transported to any organs or structures where
they are needed.

 Poor circulation, thick toughened skin,
or excessive cellulite or fat may slow
down the rate of absorption.
 Whereas heat (e.g. sauna or massage),
water (e.g. aromatic bath), aerobic
exercise, and broken or damaged skin
will cause increased absorption.

 Also, the carrier oil used may affect
the absorption rate, since some
vegetable oils are heavier than
others.
 It takes anywhere from 15 minutes
to 12 hours for essential oils to be
fully absorbed.

 It takes about 3 to 6 hours to expel or
metabolize them in a normal healthy
body, and up to 12 to 14 hours for an
unhealthy, obese body.
 One factor that will make this time
interval variable is the condition of
the skin.

Method of excretions
 Unlike synthetic chemicals or drugs,
essential oils do not accumulate in the
body.
 Essential oils are then excreted in the
urine, faeces or via our perspiration or
our breath.
 If you find this difficult to believe, then
do this experiment:

 EXPERIMENT
 Rub a freshly cut clove of garlic on the
sole of your foot. After about 15 to 30
minutes, you (or your partner) will
detect the smell of garlic on your
breath!
 The method of excretion differs among
oils.

 Juniper and Sandalwood are excreted
through the urine, as their aroma can be
detected there.
 Geranium, which assists in increasing
circulatory functions, is detected in the
perspiration.
 Garlic, if you eat a lot of Italian food, will
exit the body through our breath.

 Essential oils basically have a low
potential to be physically habit-forming
because they are eliminated extremely
quickly through the skin and organs.
 Hence, there is no residual or
accumulative effect to withdraw from
or become ‘addicted’ to.

Modes of action
 It is important to recognize that
essential oils have three distinct modes
of action with regard to how they inter-
relate with the human body:
Pharmacological
Physiological
Psychological

Modes of action
 The pharmacological effect is concerned
with the chemical changes which take
place when an essential oil enters the
bloodstream and reacts with the hormones
and enzymes, etc.
 The physiological mode is concerned with
the way in which an essential oil affects
the systems of the body, whether they are
sedated or stimulated, etc.

Modes of action
 The psychological effect takes place when
an essence is inhaled, and an individual
responds to its odor.
 With relation to the first two points,
Aromatherapy has a great deal in common
with the tradition of medical herbalism or
phytotherapy. In fact, these two forms of
therapy are not synonymous, but
complementary.

What is not Aromatherapy?
 The practice of using essences that did
not originate from an aromatic plant that
was once alive is not Aromatherapy.
 95% of the products sold as
aromatherapy are counterfeits – pseudo-
aromatherapy. Their aromas derive
from synthetic scents, and they offer no
therapeutic value whatsoever.

What is not Aromatherapy?
 True Aromatherapy never uses
synthetic aromatic substances.
 Pseudo-aromatherapy relies on
synthetic petrochemicals that merely
smell but have no healing qualities.
Simply having an aroma doesn’t
make something Aromatherapy.

Pseudo-aromatherapy
 Everyday, thousands of consumers
unknowingly purchase pseudo-
aromatherapy products as mass marketers
strive to gain a greater market share of
the Aromatherapy ‘trend’.
 Mass marketers have corrupted the
category and robbed the word
‘Aromatherapy’ of its original meaning
and its authenticity.

Pseudo-aromatherapy
 In their confusion, and through misplaced
trust, millions of people mistakenly
purchase ‘Aromatherapy’ products they
believe will improve their health and well-
being.
 These petrochemical impostors possess the
potential to seriously harm the health of
the people who seek healing from them.

Natural versus ‘Nature Identical’
 Many perfumes or oils, once
obtained from flowers like Carnation,
Gardenia and Lilac, are nowadays
produced almost entirely
synthetically.
 These chemically constructed
products are called ‘nature identical’.

 However, the so-called ‘nature
identical’ products and the naturally
occurring substances are of an
entirely different character, which is
reflected in their relative costs
 The synthetic types are much cheaper
to produce than the genuine ones.

 Most ‘nature identical’ oils are
said to be only about 96% pure or
accurate.
 Yet it is the remaining 4%, the
trace elements (found in natural
aromatic oils) that often really
define a particular fragrance or
odor.

 It is also the specific combination of
constituents in a real essential oil,
including the trace elements, which
give it value therapeutically.
 For e.g., Rose has over 300 different
constituents, some of which have not
yet been identified. Which is why
synthetic Rose oil is unconvincing.

 ‘Nature identical’ oils cannot be used
therapeutically as substitutes for the
naturally occurring aromatic
materials.
 It is because the subtle balance of
constituents is lost and they lack the
vital ‘life force’ of oils of natural
origin.

 Many, if not all, Aromatherapists
believe the ‘whole’ or entire
essential oil in its natural form
should be used to insure its greatest
therapeutic value.
 Otherwise, one increases the risk of
toxicity!

Pure or Adulterated?
 The terms ‘pure’ or ‘natural’ when
applied to an oil refer to its authenticity.
They promise that the product is both
unadulterated and derived from the actual
botanical species for which it is named.
 Oils are adulterated for many reasons,
including world demand, availability and
cost.

 Rare and expensive oils are the most
likely candidates for adulteration.
 "Quality" refers to the degree of
excellence or the grade of an oil.
 Quality can be affected by the methods
under which the plant source was
grown and picked, and its oils were
extracted and processed.

 Genuine and authentic essential oils
are the most therapeutic and will have
a fuller, sweeter, and milder character.
Therefore, very little is needed,
justifying the higher cost.
 When using a cheaper, perhaps
adulterated oil, you naturally increase
your risks considerably!

 It is possible to assess the purity of
individual essences using high-tech
methods such as Gas-Liquid
Chromatography (GLC).
 With GLC analysis, there is a good
chance that any adulteration of the oil can
be discovered. Because each essential oil
has it’s own unique ‘fingerprint’.

Adulterated Oils
 Fractionated / Rectified / Redistilled
Oils: Some oils are double/triple distilled
to remove "undesirable" constituents.
 Though this may be useful in some
situations (terpeneless citrus oils keep
longer; redistilled eucalyptus or
peppermint smells more pleasant), but
many consumers want, and need, whole
oils for therapeutic purposes.

Adulterated Oils
 Extended Oils: Often, less-expensive
oils or synthetic ‘filler’ are added to
expensive ones.
 Rose oil is often extended with the
natural compound geraniol, found in the
Geranium (or other plants), which has a
distinctive rose-like scent.
 Sometimes essential oils are diluted with
a vegetable oil (e.g. jojoba) or alcohol.

Adulterated Oils
 Reconstructed Oils: Sometimes individual
constituents (may be fractions of other
essential oils) are combined to match the
major constituents found in essential oils.
 Example is a reconstructed Thyme, which
might consist of carvacrol, thymol and
linalol - all components found naturally in
Thyme, but derived from other natural, or
perhaps synthetic, sources.

Adulterated Oils
 Reconstituted Oils: There are also oils that
have had natural or synthetic chemical
components added to them after distillation.
 Co-distilled Oils: 1) Putting two different
plants or plant parts in the still and steaming
them together to produce one oil; 2) Adding
an essential oil to plant material and
distilling them together, again producing
one oil.

Follow your Nose
 If all these adulterations can be
overwhelmingly confusing, it's comforting
to know that your own Nose can be your
best resource.
 Preference in odor is a personal thing, but
people can train their noses to detect the
differences between real and synthetic oils
and, to some extent, variations of quality.

Follow your Nose
 Please check in the CD for
Assesing Essential Oils At
Home
An article from AGORA
(Aromatherapy Global
Online Research Archives)

Guidelines When Using Essential Oils
 Essential oils are highly concentrated plant
constituents possessing potent medicinal and
cosmetic qualities. The best way to use them is
in diluted form.
 There are some that are skin irritants,
phototoxic or abortive. Therefore, use with
care.
 When a very high quality essential oil is used,
less of it is needed to obtain the desired effect.

 More is not better. On the contrary, it can
produce the opposite effect. For example,
Lavender oil can cause restlessness,
agitation, and insomnia if too much is
used rather than relaxation.
 The difference in the effect between one
drop and two drops can be substantial. It
is important to follow the dosages
recommended.

 There are several essential oils that are
skin ‘friendly’ like Lavender and Tea
Tree. These two oils can be used
‘straight’ or ‘neat,’ which means you can
put these directly on your skin without
diluting them.
 However, they are an exception, not the
rule. Most essential oils you must dilute
to use.

General Cautions
 Keep out reach of children.
 Avoid using essential oils near eyes
and other sensitive areas.
 Always read the precautions on the
bottle before using.
 Use only 100% pure essential oils.

General Cautions
 Do not take internally. Use essential
oils only externally, unless under
expert guidance.
 If one suffers from any skin or any
other allergies, use oils carefully.
 Be aware of contra-indications &
precautions.

General Cautions
 Always test oils on a skin patch first,
especially if you have sensitive skin or
allergies.
 Skin that had any photo toxic essential
oils applied to, should not be exposed to
UV rays for at least 4 hours.
 Less is plenty. When in doubt, use less,
not more.

General Cautions
 Essential oils are flammable, but will
not self-combust. Keep oils away from
any naked flame.
 Never use an essential oil about which
you can find little or no information.
 Do not use essential oils on newborn
babies.

General Cautions
 Never use neat on the skin, unless
under special circumstances. Dilute oils
as recommended.
 Always consult with your healthcare
professional before starting any
therapies with essential oils.
 Cap essential oil bottles tightly.
Essential oils evaporate rapidly.

General Cautions
 Use glass bottles for undiluted
essential oils.
 Discontinue using any oil that causes
irritation, sensitivity, or an
unpleasant reaction.
 Wash your hands after using essential
oils, especially before you eat.

Special Cautions
 Avoid the following essential oils during
pregnancy: Basil, Cedarwood, Clary Sage,
Clove Bud, Cypress, Fennel, Jasmine,
Juniper, Lemongrass, Marjoram, Peppermint,
Rosemary, Sage, Thyme. For other oils, use
only in half the usual stated amount.
 If prone to epilepsy, do not use Fennel,
Hyssop, Rosemary or Sage as there is a
remote chance that these essences may
trigger an attack.

Special Cautions
 The following oils should not be used
on sensitive skins: Basil, Fennel,
Lemongrass, Lemon, Lemon Verbena,
Melissa, Orange, Peppermint, Thyme.
 If having to drive a long distance after
a massage, do not use Clary Sage,
Marjoram or Ylang Ylang – they can
cause drowsiness.

Special Cautions
 Some oils can cause photo-sensitization of
the skin, increasing the risk of sunburn.
These include Angelica (root), Bergamot,
Bitter Orange, Cumin, Ginger, Lemon,
Lemon Verbena, Lime, Mandarin, Orange
and Tangerine. They can cause unsightly
pigmentation.
 Clary Sage should not be used while
drinking alcohol.

Special Cautions
 Never mix essential oils with water.
Essential oils are not water soluble. If they
burn a little or you get them in your eyes
by accident, always dilute with any pure
vegetable oil. Do not add water as water
drives the oils in deeper, creating more
skin irritation.
 Hops should not be used by anyone
suffering from depression.

Special Cautions
 Avoid Cypress, Hyssop, Rosemary, Sage
(all types) and Thyme oil if there is any
possibility of high blood pressure or
kidney disease.
 Homeopathic treatment is not compatible
with the following oils: Black Pepper,
Camphor, Eucalyptus and the ‘mint’ oils
as they may weaken or cancel out the
effects of homeopathic remedies.

Mixing and using safely
 Always wash your hands before and after
using essential oils.
 Make sure you are in a well ventilated area.
 Mix away from other people who is
around.
 Lavender and Tea tree are the only oils that
can be applied directly on to the skin
undiluted. Always skin test first.

 Use small quantities for babies, small
children and the elderly.
 Handle oils carefully to prevent contact
with skin and cross-contamination.
 Keep out of contact with the eyes.
 Avoid prolonged or excessive
exposure.

 Take frequent breaks.
 If prescribing oils for another person's
home use, ensure that they understand
the instructions for use.
 Keep accurate records of treatment
and blends.
 Use recommended dilution at all
times.

How to use Essential Oils?
 Aromatherapy can also be applied safely by
massaging blended essential oils to the whole
body.
 Carefully chosen and blended essential oils,
used with massage and skilful relaxation
techniques, are a major part of an
Aromatherapy treatment and can produce a
range of benefits.
 Other methods of application include
ointments, creams, lotions and compresses, etc.

How to use Essential Oils ?
 Since essential oils are highly concentrated
fluid substances, they are rarely used in an
undiluted form. Before application, oils are
first blended with a carrier oil (any pure, cold
pressed plant oil).
 This blending dilutes the essential oils so that
they are safe, and also helps to slow down the
rate of evaporation, to spread them evenly,
and to increase their absorption into the skin.

Methods of application
 Baths:
 Aromatic bath (Your Personal Spa)
 Epsom salts bath
 Foot and Hand bath
 Jacuzzi
 Sauna
 Shower (Aromatic)
 Sitz bath (Alternate hot and cold)

 Aromatic ointment
 Cleaning
 Creams / Lotions / Gels
 Compresses
 Facial steam
 First aid
 Gargles and Mouthwashes

 Inhalation / Diffusion / Environmental
fragrancing / Vaporization
 Candle
 Car Aromatherapy diffuser
 Ceramic / Clay / Glass / Metal
Vaporizer or Burner
 Electric pottery diffuser

 Handkerchief
 Humidifier
 Lamp / Light-bulb ring
 Nebulizer (electronic glass diffuser)
 Room spray / Mist spray / Atomizer
 Tissue paper

 Ultrasonic Aromatherapy diffuser
 Water bowl
 Massage
 Natural perfumes
 Neat application
 Powders (rice or corn flour - for foot
and body)

Ultrasonic Aromatherapy Diffuser

Using Diffuser during Meditation

 Please refer to:
 Table 3 for Methods of
Applications
 Table 4 for Using Essential Oils

Which oil to use?
 Which Oil To Use?

How can you benefit from essential oils?
 Each essential oil has unique properties
which can be used to relieve stress,
stimulate body processes such as
elimination or circulation, ease painful
muscular tensions and generally give the
recipient a heightened feeling of well-
being.
 People have described having calming,
cheering, soothing or uplifting experiences.

 Emotion based benefits
 Anxiety
 Depression
 Fear
 Frustration
 Grief
 Hopelessness
 Hysteria
 Insomnia

 Emotion based benefits
 Irritability
 Lack of Concentration
 Moodiness
 Nervous Tension
 Panic Attacks
 Poor Memory
 Sadness
 Worry

 Medicinal benefits
 Bruises / Sprains / Strains
 Burns (including sunburn)
 Digestive disorders such as Constipation
 Enhance wound healing
 Fatigue
 Fungal infections such as athletes foot and
nail fungus

 Medicinal benefits
 Motion Sickness
 Muscular aches and pains
 Nervousness / Tension / Stress
 Purifying the Air
 Reduce skin inflammation
 Respiratory Conditions including colds, flu,
sore throat, asthma and bronchitis
 Wounds and Scars

 Skincare benefits
 Acne
 Antifungal activity
 Antibacterial activity
 Cellulite
 Dermatitis
 Dry Skin

 Skincare benefits
 Eczema
 Enhanced wound healing
 Mature Skin
 Psoriasis
 Stretch Marks
 Varicose Veins
 Wrinkles

Actions of essential oils
 Adrenal stimulants – for stress-
related exhaustion Analgesic.
 Antibiotics and bactericidals –
for fighting bacterial infection.
 Antiseptic – almost all are
antiseptic.

 Anti-depressants – for uplifting the
spirits.
 Anti-diabetics or Hypoglycaemics – for
helping to balance blood-sugar levels.
 Anti-inflammatory – helpful for skin
rashes and wounds; as well as helping
to reduce pain and inflammation in
arthritic joints.

 Anti-fungal – for combating fungal
infections.
 Anti-Galactogogues – for reducing
mother’s milk flow.
 Anti-rheumatics- preventing and
relieving rheumatic problems.
 Aperitifs – stimulate the appetite.

 Anti-virals – for protecting against and
helping to reduce serious complications
of viral infections such as colds, coughs
and flu.
 Anti-spasmodics – relax spasms in the
bronchial tubes; and for spasm and pain.
 Balance thyroid secretion – for balancing
excessive secretions of thyroxine.

 Carminatives and stomachics – for
flatulence and nausea.
 Cicatrisant - stimulates the growth of
healthy skin cells.
 Cholagogues – for stimulating the
gall-bladder, and thus the flow of
bile.

 Contain oestrogen-like substances – to help
menopausal symptoms.
 Contain Phyto-Steroids – substances that
are said to resemble the male and female
sex hormones are found in frankincense and
myrrh.
 Cytophylactics – for increasing the activity
of white blood cells which help in our
defense against infection.

 Depuratives – for helping to combat
impurities in the blood and organs.
 Detoxifying agents - help to detoxify the
system of metabolic wastes.
 Deodorant – helpful for excessive
perspiration.
 Diaphoretics or Febrifuges - induce
sweating, and thus reduce fever.

 Emmenagogues – for inducing menstruation
and or normalizing menstrual flow.
 Expectorants - promote the removal of
mucus.
 Galactogogues – for stimulating the flow of
mother’s milk.
 Hepatics – for strengthening, toning and
stimulating the secretive functions of the
liver.

 Hormone influencing – for a broad
spectrum of problems associated with
the female reproductive system.
 Hypertensives – stimulate the
circulation.
 Hypotensives – lower high blood
pressure.

 Hypnotics – specifics for inducing sleep.
 Insect repellent – to repel insects.
 Nervines – strengthen and tone the
nervous system.
 ‘Normalizing’ – for stimulating or
relaxing, depending on the state of the
individual.

 Parasiticides – prevents and destroys
parasites.
 Rubefacients – by stimulating the
periphery circulation, the blood supply
will be increased to the affected areas,
which in turn relieves congestion and
inflammation.
 Sedatives – for calming a jangled nervous
system.

 Stimulants – to help restore energy
levels depleted through illness or
nervous fatigue.
 Tonics and Astringents – strengthen
and tone the whole system.
 Uterine tonics – for toning and
regulating the female reproductive
system, and for excessive menstruation.

 Vermifuges – for expelling intestinal
worms.
 Vulneraries – for helping to heal
wounds.
 Please refer to Appendix 1 for
 Glossary of Medical Terms.

Detoxification problems
 Many people have reported that when
applying too many different oils or too
much of one oil, the body any be subjected
to a cleansing response which can cause
headaches, rashes, nausea, burning,
diarrhea, etc.
 Should this occur, simply reduce the
amount of oil used and the number of times
applied and drink plenty of purified water.

 If you have used liberal amounts, of
cosmetics, shampoos, perms, hair coloring,
hair sprays, deodorants; or products
containing chemicals, petrochemicals and
many synthetic ingredients, you may have
an unpleasant cleansing experience.
 When using pure essential oils, some people
experience the release of stored toxins
through the skin, especially on the face and
neck area.

 You may even want to consider an internal
cleansing program before continuing to use
the oils.
 For this reason, you should always start with
1-2 drops of oil diluted with 1/2 tsp. of carrier
oil.
 Rarely is there a problem, but it is best to be
cautious until you see how your body
responds.

Pregnancy
 What a beautiful time for a woman to indulge!
This is an important time for mother and baby
to be as healthy as possible.
 After the first four months of the pregnancy,
essential oils can be used to enhance the
feeling of wellbeing.
 During pregnancy, the body changes are so
rapid that after the first four months, the
benefits of Aromatherapy Massage are
enormous, both physically and emotionally.

Pregnancy
 During pregnancy, there are some essential
oils definitely not to be used. Because some
essential oils can relax muscles, stimulate
contractions, or possibly get to the baby. (See
Table 6 & 7)
 A few essential oils are considered
abortifacients, meaning they have the potential
to cause abortion. (See Table 8)
 Be sure to avoid all essential oils that may be
unsafe during this time.

Pregnancy
 It is recommended that a 1% dilution (of the
safe oils), instead of the typical 2% dilution be
used for body oils and lotions for expectant
mothers. (See Table 9)
 Essential oils are best avoided in the first
trimester of pregnancy, especially if history of
miscarriages is present.
 Morning Sickness and Fainting – Add 2 drops
of Lavender to a tissue and inhale deeply.
Repeat till you feel better.

Baby and Child care
 Aromatherapy is invaluable when caring
for young children.
 Careful use of pure, natural essential oils
provides a natural alternative to chemical
drugs.
 Essential oils can be used for everyday
common ailments and as a complementary
treatment for general wellbeing.

Baby and Child care
 Essential oils are not intended to replace the
health care practitioner, however, and for
serious or ongoing condition a professional
should be consulted.
 Children from as young as 48 hours old can
be gently massaged daily using lavender
and chamomile oils. This will help bond
mother and baby and ensure security and
stability. Apricot kernel or jojoba carrier oil
is very nourishing for young skin.

Baby and Child care
 Use with care, in accordance with age:
 Babies (0-12 months) – use 1 drop of
Lavender, Rose, Chamomile or Mandarin
diluted in 1 – 2 tsp base oil for massage
or bathing.
 Infants (1-5 years) – use 2-3 drops of
‘safe’ essential oils (non-toxic and non-
irritant to the skin), diluted in 1tsp base
oil for massage or bathing.

Baby and Child care
 Children (6-12 years) – use as for adults, but in
half the stated amount.
 Teenagers (over 12 years) – use as directed for
adults.
 For the bath, use 1 drop of Lavender oil in 1
teaspoon of carrier oil.
 For massage, blend 1 drop of Lavender or
Chamomile oil to 10 ml of carrier oil. These
two oils calm the nervous system.

Beauty and Skin care
 A healthy, glowing skin is the basis for
looking and feeling great.
 Using natural products with essential oils,
which have nourishing and healing properties
that penetrate the skin, you are on the way to
healthier younger-looking skin.

 Table 10 for Essential Oils for Complexion
Types
 Table 11 for Skin Care Charts

 Skin-Care Properties of Essential Oils:
 Penetrate to the dermal layer of skin
where new cells are developing;
 Stimulate and regenerate; produce healthy
skin cells quickly following sun damage,
burns, wrinkles or healing of wounds;
 Reduce bacterial and fungal infections,
acne and other related skin problems;

 Soothe delicate, sensitive, inflamed skin;
 Regulate sebaceous secretions,
balancing over-or underactive skin;
 Promote the release and removal of
metabolic waste products;
 Contain plant ‘hormones’ that help
balance and alleviate hormonally related
skin problems;

 Skin-Care Properties of Essential Oils (cont.):
 Affect the mental and emotional state
positively, thus alleviating stress-related
skin problems.
 Please see:
 Table 12 for Essential Oils For Facial
Treatments.
 Table 13 for Essential Oils for Skin
Problems.

Treating Common Ailments
 Essential Oils assist the body to heal itself by
lowering stress levels, relaxing and toning the
muscles, stimulating the immune system, the
organs and the glands in the body to fight
bacteria, fungi and viruses.
 These oils can be used to relieve symptoms
and help the natural healing of common,
everyday ailments.
 Please see Table 14 for Essential Oils for
Treating Common Ailments.

Aromatherapy Care
 Table 15 for Essential Oils For Body
Treatments
 Table 16 for Essential Oils for Physical
Problems
 Table 17 for Fragrances for Emotions
 Table 18 for Essential Oils for Hair
Care

Aromatherapy Massage
 The purpose of aromatherapy massage is
to aid the penetration of essential oils into
the body and to treat problem areas.
 Massage can be stimulating or relaxing
depending on the oils used and the
technique applied.
 It is an effective way to relieve stress,
anxiety and tension.

 Aromatherapy massage combines the
balancing properties of the essential oils
with the relaxing benefits of touch.
 As the oils are absorbed into the skin and
the muscles relax, the therapeutic benefits
manifest.
 Psychologically, massage promotes a
wonderful feeling of lightness and
wellbeing.

 Massage not only soothes the mind and
body, but it has numerous other benefits.
 A good aromatherapy massage will:
 Increase metabolism.
 Speed up the healing process.
 Enhance the removal of toxins.
 Increase muscle and joint mobility.

 Aid relaxation by calming the nervous
system.
 Relieve mental and physical tiredness.
 Reduce aches, pains, spasms and
stiffness.
 Improve digestion.
 Improve skin tone.
 Improve circulation of blood and lymph.

Massage dosage guide
 Massage oil: A 2.5% dilution is recommended
for adults & 1% for children under 12.
 To determine this dilution in drops, figure out
how many ml (or cc) are in the bottle you are
using, then divide that number by 2.
 Example: You have a 30 ml bottle of carrier oil
that you are going to use for your blend.
30/2 = 15
Therefore, a 2.5% blend for a 30 ml bottle is 15
drops of essential oil. You can add 15 drops to 30
ml of whatever carrier oil you are using.

Popular Aromatherapy Oils
 Basil Bergamot
 Cedarwood Chamomile
 Clary sage Eucalyptus
 Geranium Ginger
 Grapefruit Jasmine
 Lavender Lemon
 Lemongrass Lime
 Mandarin Marjoram

Popular Aromatherapy Oils
 Melissa Neroli
 Orange Patchouli
 Peppermint Petitgrain
 Pine Rose
 Rosemary Rosewood (Bois de Rose)
 Sandalwood Tea tree
 Vetiver Ylang ylang

Basil
 Ocimum basilicum
 The aphrodisiac oil.
 Used for nervous insomnia, anxiety and
tiredness.
 Helpful for insect bites, headaches,
muscular aches and pains.
 Avoid during pregnancy.
 Use with caution on sensitive skin, as it
can be an irritant.

Bergamot
 Citrus aurantium
 The uplifting oil.
 Good for relaxing tight, aching
muscles.
 For massage, it is extremely versatile
and can lift any blend.
 Do not use when going in the sun.
Because it is phototoxic!

Cedarwood (Atlas)
 Cedrus atlantica
 A refreshing oil for men.
 It has a stimulating, refreshing and tonic effect
on the body.
 It is good for dandruff, eczema, greasy skin
and acne.
 It is an effective insect repellent.
 Should be avoided by breast-feeding mothers
and by children.

Chamomile
 Chamaemelum nobile
 The soothing oil.
 Is a natural anti-inflammatory with great
healing properties as well as relaxing sedative
benefits.
 Is an expensive oil and you can substitute
some drops with Lavender when using to
ease pain.
 Safe for use on babies, children and pets.

Clary Sage
 Salvia sclarea
 The anti-depressant oil.
 Calming, promotes a peaceful state of
mind and restful sleep.
 Improves mental clarity and alertness, and
reduces stress and tension.
 Is well known for its euphoric action.
 Not to be used during pregnancy.

Eucalyptus
 Eucalyptus globulus
 The perfect insect repellent.
 Because it prevents bacterial growth and
inhibits the growth of viruses, it is used to
treat burns, blisters, cuts, herpes, wounds and
sores.
 It can soothe the pain of sore muscles,
arthritis and rheumatism.
 Do not use whilst on homeopathic remedies.

Geranium
 Pelargonium graveolens
 The women’s oil.
 It has a regulatory action on the hormones
secreted by the adrenal cortex. Ideal for
PMT and menopause.
 It reduces stress and tension.
 Is calming and uplifting, speeds body
healing, and eases depression
 And is helpful in managing asthma.

Ginger
 Zingiber officinale
 The warming oil.
 A warming oil that relaxes tight muscles,
relieve aches and pains, making it a natural
choice to threat arthritis.
 Useful in the treatment of cold and coughs.
 Also improves digestion as it stimulates
the gastric juices.

Grapefruit
 Citrus paradisi
 The cellulite oil.
 It has an uplifting and reviving effect, making
it useful in treating stress, depression and
nervous exhaustion.
 Is a lymphatic stimulant, so it is helpful in the
treatment of water retention as well as having
fat-dissolving properties.
 A very safe oil to use. It is non-toxic, non-
irritant and is non-phototoxic!

Jasmine
 Jasminum grandiflorum
 The romantic oil.
 Uplifting, relaxing and an excellent brain
stimulant.
 It is good for dry sensitive skins and to treat
muscular aches and menstrual cramps.
 Always use this oil to lighten the emotional
load.
 Not to be used during pregnancy.

Lavender
 Lavandula angustifolia
 Essential oil for the first aid kit.
 Generally regarded as the most versatile
essence therapeutically.
 Is well known for its sedative properties and is
useful in treating depression, migraine,
insomnia and nervous tension as well as
dealing with stress.
 Can be used neat on burns and even sunburn.

Lemon
 Citrus limon
 The cleansing oil.
 Is stimulating, invigorating, astringent,
deodorizing and antiseptic.
 Very helpful in treating mental exhaustion.
Also for energizing an aching body.
 Used in treatment of cellulite
 Is phototoxic!

Lemongrass
 Cymbopogon flexuosus
 The regenerative oil.
 A good tonic for the skin, especially useful for
athlete’s foot.
 It kills bacteria and fungal infections.
 It cools and reduces fever in the body and helps
ease aching muscles.
 It calms the nervous system relieving
depression, stress and nervous exhaustion.
 Use with care on sensitive skins – it can cause
irritation due to high citrus content!

Lime
 Citrus aurantifolia
 The uplifting oil.
 Is antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic.
 A great stimulant and tonic.
 Very useful for treating colds and flu,
cellulite, poor circulation, greasy skin,
arthritis and varicose veins.
 Is phototoxic!

Mandarin
 Citrus reticulata
 The children’s oil.
 Having great digestive properties, it relieves
cramps, spasms and stimulates bile production.
 It also aids digestion, constipation and
hiccoughs.
 A great oil to be used for stretch marks, scars
and aging skin. Use this oil during pregnancy to
help reduce stretch marks.
 Is phototoxic!

Marjoram
 Origanum majorana
 The calming oil.
 It relieves tight muscles, aches and pains.
 Reduces inflammation, improves digestion
and helps relieve congestion.
 Avoid if you suffer from low blood
pressure.

Melissa
 Melissa officinalis
 The heart oil.
 Also known as Balm, Lemon.
 It calms and soothes the skin as well as
soothing the mind by calming the nervous
system.
 Respiratory-related allergies respond well to
it.
 It offers relief for problems of the digestive
or circulatory system.

Neroli
 Citrus aurantium
 The mind, body and soul oil.
 It helps prevent wrinkles, stretch marks and
thread veins.
 It has a deep tranquilizing effect and is used for
treating anxiety, depression, palpitations and
nervous disorders.
 It can relieve diarrhoea, indigestion, cramps and
spasms and help expel gas from the intestines.
 Safe and ideal to use during pregnancy.

Orange
 Citrus sinensis
 A calming and relaxing oil.
 It has a refreshing and stimulating effect on
the body whilst leaving you relaxed. It
rejuvenates skin.
 Excellent oil for calming children as well as
for reducing colds and flu.
 Is phototoxic!
 Do not use when pregnant.

Patchouli
 Pogostemon cablin
 The general tonic oil.
 Useful in treatment of eczema, acne, scalp
and fungal infection of the skin.
 For anxiety and depression, it helps keep
one in touch with reality whilst encouraging
spiritual wellbeing.
 Has a strong exotic perfume smell.
 Safe to use. Non-toxic.

Peppermint
 Mentha piperita
 The soothing digestion oil.
 The cooling and refreshing effect on the
body brings temporary relief from
headaches, mental fatigue, toothache,
sinusitis, travel sickness, sunburn, upset
stomachs and hangovers.
 Use with care on sensitive skins – it can be
an irritant due to high menthol content.

Petitgrain
 Citrus aurantium var.amara
 The nerve oil.
 It’s properties include being anti-
depressant, deodorizing and a sedative.
 Use in your diffuser and inhale to reduce
depression and to clear a confused mind.
 Non-toxic, non-irritant, non-sensitizing
and non-phototoxic.

Pine
 Pinus sylvestris
 The respiratory oil.
 One of the best oils to treat head lice, sores, cuts
and scabies.
 It has a great effect on the respiratory system
and helps to loosen and remove mucus.
 Useful in the treatment of bronchitis, coughs,
sore throats, colds, flu, asthma and for muscular
aches and pains, arthritis and rheumatism.
 Avoid in allergic conditions.

Rose
 Rosa damascena
 The beauty oil.
 It prevents and reduces scaring.
 It is a helpful oil for asthma and chronic
bronchitis.
 The beautiful fragrance helps bring balance
and harmony as well as stimulating and
elevating the mind.
 Non-toxic and safe to use.

Rosemary
 Rosmarinus officinalis
 The oil for protection.
 It is a powerful stimulant and has impressive
healing properties, strengthening the nervous
system, improving memory and restoring sense of
smell.
 It can ease the pain of arthritis, gout, rheumatism,
stiff and sore muscles. Also used with success in
treating asthma, colds, flu, bronchitis and coughs.
 Avoid during pregnancy and if suffering from
epilepsy.

Rosewood
 Aniba rosaeodora
 A gentle balancing oil.
 It is soothing, uplifting, refreshing
and balancing.
 It is calming and relaxing for the
emotions and gently sensual.
 Non-toxic and safe to use.

Tea Tree
 Melaleuca alternifolia
 First aid in a bottle.
 It has many outstanding properties. It can be
used to treat anything from blisters, boils,
burns, rashes, gingivitis, mouth ulcers, burns,
insect bites, nappy rash, ringworm to
athlete’s foot and thrush, infected wounds,
coldsores, corns and warts!
 Non-toxic and safe to use. Repeated neat
application might induce sensitization!

Vetiver
 Vetiveria zizanoides
 The oil of tranquility.
 One of the best oils to use to strengthen the
immune system. It is a deeply relaxing oil.
 It can be used to ease stress, lift depression,
calm the nerves and for insomnia.
 Its antiseptic properties heal acne, cuts and
infected wounds.
 Non-toxic, non-irritant. Safe to use.

Ylang Ylang
 Cananga odorata
 The sensual oil.
 The first distillate (about 40%) is called Ylang Ylang
Extra, which is the top grade. There are then three
further successive distillates, called Grades 1, 2 and 3.
 Deeply relaxing, de-stressing, soothes troubled mind
and spirit.
 Thought to be an aphrodisiac.
 Non-toxic, however, some people find the sweet
fragrance causes a headache or nausea.

Carrier Oils
 Carrier oils or vegetable oils are also known as
base oils.
 Base oils are vegetable, nut, or seed oils, many
of which themselves have therapeutic properties.
 Vegetable oils are obtained from the seeds of
plants that grow all over the world.
 There are several hundred different plants
known to have oil-bearing seeds, but only a few
are produced commercially.

Carrier Oils
 Vegetable oils are in the main produced for
food, and are a good source of nutrients and
energy.
 They enable the body to produce heat and are
a good source of protein, as well as providing
lubricants and cooking materials for industry
and home use.
 The vegetable oils used in aromatherapy
should be cold pressed, as the oils on your
supermarket shelves may have been
processed with a chemical agent.

Carrier Oils
 Essential oils in the pure state are too highly
concentrated to be used directly on the skin.
Therefore you need to dilute them in a base
oil, so that they can be massaged or rubbed
onto the skin in the correct dosage.
 One drop of an essential oil may be all you
need to use, which obviously will not go
very far. But when it is diluted in a base oil,
it will cover quite a much larger area.

Diluting Essential Oils
 Use the following measurements as a
guideline when diluting the essential oils in a
carrier base oil.
 0 - 1 drop into 1/5 teaspoon base oil
2 - 5 drops into 1 teaspoon base oil
4 - 10 drops into 2 teaspoons base oil
6 - 15 drops into 1 tablespoon base oil
12 - 30 drops into 2 tablespoons base oil

Popular Carrier Oils
 Almond oil (sweet)
 Apricot kernel oil
 Avocado oil
 Evening primrose oil
 Grapeseed oil
 Jojoba oil
 Rosehip seed oil
 Virgin coconut oil
 Wheatgerm oil

Almond Oil (Sweet)
 A fine, very pale yellow oil.
 Slow to become rancid.
 Rapidly absorbed; excellent for oily,
sensitive skins.
 Recommended for body massage even
in newborn babies.
 A useful source of Vitamin D.

Apricot Kernel Oil
 Pale yellow, rich in Vitamins E and
A.
 Easily absorbed by the skin,
nourishing and moisturizing.
 It is suitable for facial treatments.
 Especially suitable for sensitive and
inflamed dry skin.

Avocado Oil
 Rich, nourishing and compatible with the
skin’s own sebum.
 High in Vitamins A, C and E.
 It aids regeneration of scarred skin.
 Recommended for facial and body
treatments.
 Although thick, it leaves the skin feeling
smooth and silky.
 Useful in treating dry and mature skin as well
as nappy rash and eczema.

Evening Primrose Oil
 Excellent, pale-yellow carrier oil, rich in
fatty acids, particularly gamma linolenic
acid (GLA). This acid affects much
enzyme activity in the body.
 Effective in the treatment of eczema,
rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis,
premenstrual syndrome and weight
reduction when used as a massage oil.

Grapeseed Oil
 Very fine and clear, giving a satin-
smooth finish without a greasy touch.
 Most often used as a bath oil.
 When diluting essential oil in this
carrier oil, it needs to be dispersed
well throughout the water when used
in aromatic bath.

Jojoba Oil
 The most luxurious of all the carrier oils.
 It is in fact a wax pressed from the bean of
the plant.
 It does not go rancid.
 Light and rich in Vitamin E.
 Gives a satin-smooth finish and feel to the
skin.
 Useful in treating acne, eczema, psoriasis
and inflamed skin.

Rosehip Seed Oil
 Good oil for cosmetics and for tissue
regeneration.
 Also good for eczema, psoriasis, PMS and
menopause.
 May be combined with Calendula infused oil
to treat stretch marks, burns or scars.
 Contains: GLA, linolenic acids, oleic acid and
palmitic acid.
 Goes rancid rather quickly!

Virgin Coconut Oil
 It is one of the healthiest oils one can use on the
skin because of its antioxidant properties.
 Is nature’s richest source of medium chain fatty
acids and has antimicrobial properties.
 It will absorb easily, keep the skin soft, and yet
without feeling greasy.
 Unlike other oils, it can be used to soften rough,
dry skin.
 It has a mild delicate aroma of coconut milk and
is highly resistant to spoilage (long shelf-life).

Wheatgerm Oil
 Rich, nourishing, fine healing oil.
 Yellow-orange in colour.
 It contains proteins, minerals and
Vitamin E and is perfect for anti-
stretch-mark blends.
 Often recommended as addition to
other oils to increase stability and shelf
life.

Getting started
 This workshop is not intended to enable you to
treat the public professionally or to replace
your general practitioner (doctor).
 It is intended to give you the confidence to use
essential oils safely, have fun, treat your
friends and family and enjoy the wonderful
benefits of aromatherapy in the home or office.
 Treat simple everyday ailments, but if they
persist or become severe, then seek
professional help.

Measurements
 20 – 25 drops = 1 ml essential oil
 1 ml essential oil = 1 cc
 10 ml bottle contains 200 drops
 100 drops = 5 ml = 5 cc = 1 teaspoon
 300 - 312 drops = 15 ml = 1/2 ounce = 1
tablespoon
600 - 625 drops = 30 ml = 1 ounce = 2
tablespoon

Buying essential oils
 Do try to find an established and reliable
supplier.
 Do look out for a recommendation.
 Do find an aromatherapy specialist.
 Do compare the prices of the oils. There
should be a wide difference in prices.
Essential oil of jasmine or rose should be
far more expensive than lavender or lemon.

 Do ask if the oils are 100% pure.
 Do read labels carefully – check for words
such as ‘nature identical’ or ‘fragrance’
indicating impurity.
 Do trust your nose. The more you use the
essential oils, the more easily you will be
able to detect a ‘true’ essential oil.
 Do put a few drops on a piece of blotting
paper or fairly thick paper and allow it to dry.
If a mark is left behind, be suspicious.

 Do rub a drop of essential oil between your
thumb and forefinger. There should not be a
greasy feel. Then quickly wash your hand.
 Do buy a small selection of oils to begin
with. If you are happy with the quality, then
purchase more.
 Do not confuse essential oils with vegetable
oils, which are also sometimes called
"carrier" or "base" oils.

Storing and caring essential oils
 Oils should be stored in a cool (not cold)
place, where they are not exposed to sunlight.
UV rays affect the quality of the oils.
 Keep essential oils only in amber glass
bottles which can protect them from damage
by natural light.
 Refrigeration of essential oils is not
recommended since some can be spoiled by
this procedure.

 The shelf life of most essential oils is about 12
- 24 months, with proper handling. Some may
last as long as 5 years. (Citrus oils = 1 year)
 Once essential oils have been diluted in a blend
containing a vegetable oil, the shelf life is
reduced dramatically to between 3 and 6
months. Massage oils are always at their best
when freshly prepared – this is why it’s not a
good idea to buy them from a shop as you do
not know how long ago it was blended.

 Do not decant (or transfer) them into plastic
bottles, as they will buckle.
 Keep your oils at an even temperature. They
are adversely affected by very hot or very
cold conditions.
 Always store oils out of reach of young
children. Essential oils are extremely potent.
If they are swallowed, seek medical advice
immediately.

 Make sure that the bottles have flow
reduction inserts in them to allow you to
gauge the number of drops.
 You should not keep them in bottles with
rubber stoppers or bottles with pipettes as
the rubber parts will be destroyed by the
essential oils.
 Do not put them near a naked flame.
Remember they are flammable.

 Open bottles only for use and keep caps
securely closed, as exposure to air (oxygen)
speeds the deterioration of any botanical
product, including essential oils. And
because they are extremely volatile, they
will evaporate readily.
 Never put bottles onto a polished or plastic
surface, as accidental spills of essential oils
will damage such surfaces.

 Store essential oils away from
homeopathic medicines. Certain oils, such
as Eucalyptus,, Peppermint and Tea Tree
may affect homeopathic remedies.

Labeling
 Useful information on a label on
the bottle are:
 Essential oil name.
 Botanical name of the oil.
 Source of the oil.
 Percentage of dilution if any.
 Date of expiry or production.
 Quantity of oil (normally in ml).

Essential oils in your Starter Kit
 Eucalyptus oil
 Lavender oil
 Lemon oil
 Peppermint oil
 Tea Tree oil
 Ylang Ylang oil
 Carrier oils – Grapeseed, Jojoba, Rosehip Seed
and Virgin Coconut Oil.
 Aromatherapy starter kit may be ordered at
email: oridient@tm.net.my

RECIPES
 Please refer to following Recipes in
the CD:
Aromatherapy Basics
Aromatherapy Recipes
50 ways to use Essential Oils for
a cleaner, sweet-smelling life

Relaxation with Aromatherapy & Music

Warning
 Aromatherapy is not intended to replace
traditional medicine or traditional healthcare.
 It is simply an avenue for you to take more
responsibility for your own health and to allow
nature to do what it does best -- balance and
heal body, mind and spirit.
 You should always consult with your
healthcare professional before starting any
nutritional, herbal, homeopathic, or dietary
supplement program.

Warning
 OriDient Sdn Bhd does not warrant and shall
have no liability for information provided in
this workshop regarding recommendations for
any and all health issues.
 This information is provided only as a
guideline to be used when discussing a
program with your healthcare professional.
 We make no warranty, express or implied,
regarding any product or service sold,
including any warranty of merchantability or
fitness of a specific product.

Warning
 The way each person responds to a
particular product or treatment may be
significantly different from other people's
reactions to the same treatment.
 That is why it is crucial that you consult
with your health care professional before
starting any new treatment or supplement
regimen sold by OriDient Sdn Bhd or any
other company.

Internet Resources / Links
 Aromatherapy Global Online Research
Archives (AGORA) Index
http://users.erols.com/sisakson/pages/agoin
dex.htm
 Aromatherapy and Essential Oils
Information from AromaWeb
http://www.aromaweb.com/
 The National Association for Holistic
Aromatherapy (NAHA)
http://www.naha.org/

Internet Resources / Links
 Aromatherapy Internet Resources
http://www.holisticmed.com/www/aromat
herapy.html
 Atlantic Institute of Aromatherapy
http://atlanticinstitute.com/
 The International Aromatherapy Journal &
Website
http://www.aromatherapytoday.com/

References and Suggested Reading
 Aromatherapy an A-Z – Patricia Davis
 Aromatherapy – A Complete Guide to the
Healing Art – Kathi Keville & Mindy Green
 Aromatherapy – The Encyclopedia of Plants
and Oils and How they Help You – Daniele
Ryman
 Aromatherapy for the Beauty Therapist –
Valerie Ann Worwood.

 Aromatherapy Massage – Clare Maxwell-
Hudson
 Aromatherapy Massage – Margie Hare
 Sensual Aromatherapy (a lover’s guide to
using aromatic oils and essences) – Nitya
Lacroix
 Secrets of Aromatherapy – Jennie
Harding

 The Complete Book of Essential Oils
& Aromatherapy – Valerie Ann
Worwood
 The Encyclopedia of Aromatherapy –
Chrissie Wildwood
 The Encyclopaedia of Essential Oils
– Julia Lawless

Further Workshops
 Intermediate Aromatherapy Workshop
 Creative therapeutic blending
 Hydrosols / Floral Waters
 Perfume blending
 Advanced Aromatherapy Workshop
 Aromatherapeutics
 Massage techniques
 Sensual Aromatherapy

Introduction to the Healing Power of Aromatherapy

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