Orysi - Aromatherapy & Body Care

What are Essential Oils?

The plant stores essential oil in tiny pockets in the leaf, bark, flower, fruit, entire aerial, resin or root depending on the plant. They are concentrated energy which the plant uses in times of crisis ie) drought, cold, or disease. When we extract essential oils, we are extracting a highly concentrated healing substance that is called an “oil”, but is not like a nut derived oil that leaves a stain.

What do you use Essential Oils with?

Essential oils are generally used either on their own, in a blend with a carrier oil or combination with other plant oils. Essential oils are never made from synthetic chemicals” Unless it totally derived from a plant, it is not an essential oil.

How do Essential Oils differ from Synthetic Olils

The difference between a synthetic oil and a natural one is that the pure essential oils already contain all necessary active ingredients and all necessary buffers, requiring no chemical additives to improve their effectiveness.

How concentrated are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are 75 to 100 times more concentrated than dried herbs and therefore should be used in small percentage ( 2 - 5%) in any massage oil.

What are the Physical Properties of Essential Oils

• Are highly fragrant, concentrated and potent substances.
• Non-oily in texture for they are not fat-based and being called “oils” is sometimes misleading. They have a lipid-soluble molecular structure which allows them to pass easily through the skin. They penetrate into the fat layers of skin quickly, which is why massage is such an effective treatment.
• Volatile as they evaporate into air easily.
• Oxidize easily, therefore caps should be tightly closed. A small amount of oil in a large bottle should be transferred to a small bottle so as to minimize oxygen exposure.
• Sensitive to heat and should be stored in a cool place.
• Sensitive to light and should be stored in dark bottles.
• Do not dissolve in water.
• Are not a stand product and will vary from batch to batch.
• Are cytophylatic (regenerate new cell) and enhance the function of our organs.
• Virtually all essential oils have bactericidal properties.

How do Essential Oils Vary in Quality?

Essential oils differ from year to year, many thing affect them and their composition: geographic location, soil, quality, climate, and the care and time taken to distill them properly. Through testing and experienced analysis, it is possible to determine their composition and purity; samples that show the oil to have been adulterated or to be of poor quality

Caution With Essential Oils

There are conditions which will have contraindications when using essential oils and cause the body to react in ways which may be harmful. Seek permission before using essential oils if there is history of illness or cancer in your family, if you are pregnant, diabetic, epileptic or having medical treatments. Although essential oils are valuable healing aids, they are much slower in healing than conventional cures – seek professional help in serious conditions. Aromatherapy is only a complementary therapy and must be treated as such.

How do you Store Essential Oils?

Essential oils are active plant material and therefore have a limited shelf life. Oils will remain effective for at least 12 months after purchase and can have a shelve life of up to seven years. Shelf life can be improved if the oil is stored in a cool dark place, out of direct sunlight. Citrus oils may be refridgerated – but not frozen for longer shelf life. The lid of the bottle should be replaced quickly and properly after use (to prevent oxidation by the air) Replacing a cap on the wrong bottle will spoil the contents of both bottles.

Factors Affecting Essential Oils

Essential oils are not a manufactured chemical or perfume. This means that every batch of oil can be slightly different, some factors which have strong influences on the quality of the oils are:

• Country of Origin — purchasing only the best essential oils from small specialist suppliers in “unusual” countries will often determine the premium price. Factors that can affect this quality of essential oils include soil type, climate, use of chemical (fertilizers), harvesting, genetics, chemotype, age of the plant and method of extraction.
• Market Forces — government legislation, civil wars; climatic disasters can all have a dramatic influence on the prices of oils.