PURE ESSENTIAL OILS
How to use Pure Essential Oils
BASE OILS – AKA Carrier Oils
Base oils are used to carry the essential oil deep into the skin since essential oils are too strong to be applied directly to the skin. Furthermore, essential oils would also dissipate into the atmosphere before any therapeutic gains were made. NOTE: a combination of a base & essential oil added to your skin is absorbed into your skin creating a protective skin conditioning barrier on the surface of the skin. The herbal benefits of the essential oils are delivered to the tissues below.
Base oils can also be infused with plants – leaves, stems, flowers and roots to produce a high quality, plant fatty oil. I personally infuse Calendula, Chamomile, & Comfrey dried flowers and parts to produce a high potent base oil. I use this base oil in the preparation of salves, creams and balms. I avoid lanolin, lard, cod liver oil or mineral oil since plant oils are biocompatible with most skin types and trigger few skin sensitivities. Some common reasons for essential oil sensitivities are caused by applying an essential oil undiluted onto the skin repeatedly and/ or using an essential oil made with ingredients like lanolin/ mineral oils.
An ideal base oil is organically grown, naturally extracted and minimally processed. Look for labels that list organic, cold pressed, expeller pressed or unrefined. We want to avoid those extracted using petroleum derived solvents such as hexane or high heat, bleaching or deodorizing methods. Those processes alter an oil’s natural molecular state resulting in the flavour, aromas, colours and antioxidant properties to be altered. Unrefined organic oils often appear darker in colour, have deep aromas and contain higher quantities of essential fatty acids. Some common & popular base oils include jojoba, rose hip seed, hemp, apricot kernel, avocado, coconut, extra-virgin olive, sweet almond, castor, and sunflower oil. Each oil has unique characteristics – texture, weight, how well it is absorbed into the skin, its fragrance or lack of and shelf life.
In summary, always dilute your essential oils with a carrier base oil. Experimenting with oils will appeal to your inner Chemist. Create a note book, log your experiments, thoughts and enjoy the process.
Are you interested in attending a workshop to create some therapeutic oils to take home? I offer local and virtual Therapeutic Oil Workshops.
