Using Essential Oils
CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR ESSENTIAL OILS
Please note the following prior to the use of any essential oils:
Allergies: We recommend that people with allergies should test a tiny amount of oil on a small area on the inside of their arm before using the oil.
Epilepsy and High Blood Pressure: It is recommended that certain oils should be avoided by those suffering from epilepsy of high blood pressure. Please read contraindications carefully and consult your physician if in doubt.
Pregnancy: There are a number of essential oils which are contraindicated during pregnancy, although the list will change with each book or website used. We do not advise using essential oils during pregnancy as people may react differently and we do not have access to individual’s case histories. Having said that, it is known that there are many essentials oils that are useful during pregnancy and labor. Therefore we advise our customers to read information available in books and on the internet and to make informed choices about the products you use.
USING ESSENTIAL OILS
Essential oils are the highly concentrated active ingredients of plants. They should always be diluted in a base before use and should not be taken internally without professional recommendation.
Baths: Add 5 – 10 drops of essential oil(s) to a warm run bath. If skin is sensitive, blend the essential oil in a teaspoon of carrier oil first. Close the door so the vapors don’t escape. Soak for at least 10 minutes relaxing and breathing deeply. For added moisturizing dilute the oils in 10ml of carrier before adding to the bath.
Massage: add 5 – 6 drops of essential oil per 10ml of carrier oil. Mix thoroughly and apply liberally to the skin.
Inhalations: Add 4 - 5 drops of essential oil to a bowl of steaming water. Place a towel over your head, close your eyes and lean over the bowl. Inhale the vapor for a few minutes.
Burners and Diffusers: Fill the bowl of the burner/vaporizer with water and then add 3 – 6 drops of essential oil. The oil will evaporate as the water heats up. Do not let the bowl dry out.
Compress: Recommended when the area is too painful to massage. Dip a towel or cloth in 4-5 drops of essential oil and 200ml hot or hold water and wring out. Cover the affected area with this compress. Then place a plastic wrap over this and a towel or blanket on top. Leave the compress on for 2-4 hours.
INGESTING ESSENTIAL OILS
SOiL advocates the responsible use of essential oils. We grow and source the finest quality essential oils from around the world to supply you with pure, potent plant extracts for aromatic and therapeutic applications. Essential oils are many times stronger than the plants they are derived from and are far more concentrated than the herbal tincture extracted from the same plant.
Accordingly, we recommend that you avoid oral use/ingesting pure essential oils without seeking professional advice beforehand. The issue is not the quality of the essential oils you take orally – there is no such thing as a ‘therapeutic grade’ of essential oil nor is one brand of essential oils safe to ingest over another brand. The issue is safety and even though essential oils are 100% natural, plant-derived extracts, they are botanical medicines which have the potential to cause harmful side effects when taken orally. Essential oils should only be prescribed for oral use in a clinical setting, by a suitably qualified practitioner. The practitioner will consider your medical history, current medications and ascertain whether there are contraindications before they consider prescribing essential oils for oral ingestion.
According to the International Aromatherapy and Aromatic Medicine Association (IAAMA), a qualified practitioner for the purposes of promoting the use of therapeutic doses of essential oils for internal ingestion is; ‘a practicing Aromatherapist with an Advanced Diploma in Aromatic Medicine or medical qualification and holds an insurance policy which specifically covers the internal ingestion and internal application of essential oils”
There are many methods of obtaining the aromatic and therapeutic benefits of essential oils, namely; inhalation, massage, skincare preparations, bath and compress. If you require individual advice on oral use/ingestion or in relation to a specific medical condition, we recommend you consult a qualified practitioner, as described above.
*Reference: International Aromatherapy and Aromatic Medicine Association (IAAMA) Code of Practice (IAAMA Code of Practice)
SOiL OILS DO NOT CONTAIN PALM OIL
SOiL products do not use any Palm oil or palm oil derived products.
DILUTING ESSENTIAL OIL IN A CARRIER OIL
As mentioned above, these potent plant extracts have the potential to cause allergic reactions and sensitization (Meaning the oil may no longer work for you).
Another important reason for diluting essential oils is evaporation on skin. Essential oils are prone to evaporation, and therefore undiluted they will lose efficacy as more oil will evaporate before absorption into the skin. It is therefore more effective to use a carrier oil as this will allow absorption time for the essential oils. (Information taken from Robert Tisserand – Safety of Essential Oils.)
Please note the following prior to the use of any essential oils:
Allergies: We recommend that people with allergies should test a tiny amount of oil on a small area on the inside of their arm before using the oil.
Epilepsy and High Blood Pressure: It is recommended that certain oils should be avoided by those suffering from epilepsy of high blood pressure. Please read contraindications carefully and consult your physician if in doubt.
Pregnancy: There are a number of essential oils which are contraindicated during pregnancy, although the list will change with each book or website used. We do not advise using essential oils during pregnancy as people may react differently and we do not have access to individual’s case histories. Having said that, it is known that there are many essentials oils that are useful during pregnancy and labor. Therefore we advise our customers to read information available in books and on the internet and to make informed choices about the products you use.
USING ESSENTIAL OILS
Essential oils are the highly concentrated active ingredients of plants. They should always be diluted in a base before use and should not be taken internally without professional recommendation.
Baths: Add 5 – 10 drops of essential oil(s) to a warm run bath. If skin is sensitive, blend the essential oil in a teaspoon of carrier oil first. Close the door so the vapors don’t escape. Soak for at least 10 minutes relaxing and breathing deeply. For added moisturizing dilute the oils in 10ml of carrier before adding to the bath.
Massage: add 5 – 6 drops of essential oil per 10ml of carrier oil. Mix thoroughly and apply liberally to the skin.
Inhalations: Add 4 - 5 drops of essential oil to a bowl of steaming water. Place a towel over your head, close your eyes and lean over the bowl. Inhale the vapor for a few minutes.
Burners and Diffusers: Fill the bowl of the burner/vaporizer with water and then add 3 – 6 drops of essential oil. The oil will evaporate as the water heats up. Do not let the bowl dry out.
Compress: Recommended when the area is too painful to massage. Dip a towel or cloth in 4-5 drops of essential oil and 200ml hot or hold water and wring out. Cover the affected area with this compress. Then place a plastic wrap over this and a towel or blanket on top. Leave the compress on for 2-4 hours.
INGESTING ESSENTIAL OILS
SOiL advocates the responsible use of essential oils. We grow and source the finest quality essential oils from around the world to supply you with pure, potent plant extracts for aromatic and therapeutic applications. Essential oils are many times stronger than the plants they are derived from and are far more concentrated than the herbal tincture extracted from the same plant.
Accordingly, we recommend that you avoid oral use/ingesting pure essential oils without seeking professional advice beforehand. The issue is not the quality of the essential oils you take orally – there is no such thing as a ‘therapeutic grade’ of essential oil nor is one brand of essential oils safe to ingest over another brand. The issue is safety and even though essential oils are 100% natural, plant-derived extracts, they are botanical medicines which have the potential to cause harmful side effects when taken orally. Essential oils should only be prescribed for oral use in a clinical setting, by a suitably qualified practitioner. The practitioner will consider your medical history, current medications and ascertain whether there are contraindications before they consider prescribing essential oils for oral ingestion.
According to the International Aromatherapy and Aromatic Medicine Association (IAAMA), a qualified practitioner for the purposes of promoting the use of therapeutic doses of essential oils for internal ingestion is; ‘a practicing Aromatherapist with an Advanced Diploma in Aromatic Medicine or medical qualification and holds an insurance policy which specifically covers the internal ingestion and internal application of essential oils”
There are many methods of obtaining the aromatic and therapeutic benefits of essential oils, namely; inhalation, massage, skincare preparations, bath and compress. If you require individual advice on oral use/ingestion or in relation to a specific medical condition, we recommend you consult a qualified practitioner, as described above.
*Reference: International Aromatherapy and Aromatic Medicine Association (IAAMA) Code of Practice (IAAMA Code of Practice)
SOiL OILS DO NOT CONTAIN PALM OIL
SOiL products do not use any Palm oil or palm oil derived products.
DILUTING ESSENTIAL OIL IN A CARRIER OIL
As mentioned above, these potent plant extracts have the potential to cause allergic reactions and sensitization (Meaning the oil may no longer work for you).
Another important reason for diluting essential oils is evaporation on skin. Essential oils are prone to evaporation, and therefore undiluted they will lose efficacy as more oil will evaporate before absorption into the skin. It is therefore more effective to use a carrier oil as this will allow absorption time for the essential oils. (Information taken from Robert Tisserand – Safety of Essential Oils.)