Essential oils are used in cosmetic, perfume and holistic personal care and hygiene products. Essential oils are derived from quality plant parts that is extracted and used as medicinal oil or as an aromatherapy oil or fragrance. The quality of every essential oil lies in the hand of the farmer or machine that cultivate it, the climate condition and extraction method. Pure organic Essential oil plants should be grown without pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and other agricultural chemicals because essential oil containing any one of the above could pose possible harm to the health of the user.
The aromatic component and properties found in essential plant must be handled with care because these oils are fragile meaning they can be destroyed by pressure or temperature that is extreme or if they come in contact with the wrong kind of metal. Essential oils are distilled in stainless steel at a low temperature and low pressure.“Hmmm did anyone raise an eyebrow with “stainless steel” ? - I find that organic herbal therapeutic oils are best.
How can you tell which essential oils are best
First, the grade type says a lot about the kind of essential oil it is.
Grade A is a therapeutic grade essential oil. It is 100% pure from raw organic essential plant part. It does not contain anything else but pure essential oil extracts. It is not exposed to direct heat, it extracted by steam distillation at correct temperature and pressure.
Grade B is food grade essential oils; these oils go rancid within 6months. This type of oils or essential oil can be toxic because of most of it is not grown organic so it may contain other ingredient like blended oil, color or scent topper, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, cultivation chemicals, synthetic extenders, chemical extenders, and carrier oil.
Grade C is a perfume grade type of essential oil, here again this can be harmful-toxic to the body because the essential plant used is grown using pesticides, herbicides, fungicides. These essential oils are made with preservative chemicals, synthetic extenders, carrier oils, chemical solvents like paraben, alcohol and other known harmful ingredients. It only needs 5% essential oil to be labeled pure so you can see how a dangerous deception is played against the benefits of what a true essential oil should contain. What am about to say is heartbreaking if you are a health conscious person “these grade B and C essential oils are considered food grade, they are harmful adulterated oils.
Sometimes these essential oils are altered by adding synthetic chemicals or other similar smelling, essential oils and sometimes they are diluted with vegetable oil.
When purchasing essential oils, look for language indicating purity on the label. It is not necessarily bad if the label indicates, for example, that the bottle contains 20% essential oil and 80% vegetable oil. This is sometimes done so that popular but expensive oils like rose, Aphrodite neroli that can cost over $100 per teaspoon when pure to be made more affordable.
Essential oil safety Tips:
Sometimes depending on the kind of oil it is, when using essential oils like tea tree oil you may need to dilute it to be safe especially if you will be using it on a child or on a delicate part of the body.
When purchasing essential oils, look for language indicating purity on the label. It is not necessarily bad if the label indicates, for example, that the bottle contains 20% essential oil and 80% vegetable oil. This is sometimes done so that popular but expensive oils like rose, Aphrodite neroli that can cost over $100 per teaspoon when pure to be made more affordable.
Essential oil safety Tips:
Sometimes depending on the kind of oil it is, when using essential oils like tea tree oil you may need to dilute it to be safe especially if you will be using it on a child or on a delicate part of the body.
An essential oil that is safe when applied in one way may not be safe when used in another way. Some oils are considered safe if inhaled, and yet may be irritating if applied to the skin in concentrations as low as 3-5%. Thyme, oregano, clove, and cinnamon bark essential oils are examples of this. Several of the citrus oils, such as bergamot, lemon, lime, orange, and angelica, can cause phototoxicity severe burns if there is exposure to natural sunlight or sun-bed radiation following skin applications, whereas this would not result from inhalation.
"Adulterated and mislabeled essential oils” present dangers for consumers. One woman who had heard of the ability of lavender oil to heal burns used "lavender oil" purchased from a local health food store when she spilled boiling water on her arm. But the pain intensified and the burn worsened, so she later complained that lavender oil was worthless for healing burns. When her "lavender" oil was analyzed, it was found to be lavandin, the hybrid lavender that is chemically different from pure lavender (Lavandula augustifolia). The Lavandin she used contains high levels of camphor (12-18 percent) and can itself burn the skin. In contrast, true lavender contains virtually no camphor and has burn-healing compounds not found in lavandin."
One time I bought French lavender to use, for its lavender essence and calming properties. I used it on my kittens to help get rid of fleas and on myself guess what? this essential oil was cheaper, little did I know that what I bought is a classic version of synthetic “French lavender”. It burnt, it was the wrong type of French lavender (the perfume type and not the therapeutic kind) so I sort help because something went terribly wrong with the kittens; imagine if you do this to an infant when their nervous system is not well developed do you realize it could be fatal if you’re using adulterated essential oils, then imagine if you applied a lot on your baby before you realize it is the wrong kind of essential oil. Just because it is oil extracted from a plant or herb does not always mean it is in its purest & safest form – check the product ingredients/label/instruction before you use. Some essential oils should never be used on children 18 months and younger. And some shouldn't be used on children under 5 years.
Some essential oils, such as peppermint, should not be used with children younger than six years old. Menthol-one of the major chemicals in peppermint oil-has caused breathing to stop in young children, and has caused severe jaundice in babies with G6PD deficiency (a common genetic enzyme deficiency).
Some essential oils, such as peppermint, should not be used with children younger than six years old. Menthol-one of the major chemicals in peppermint oil-has caused breathing to stop in young children, and has caused severe jaundice in babies with G6PD deficiency (a common genetic enzyme deficiency).
If you are pregnant there are oils that you should avoid and some you should use with caution.
Avoid: Basil, Birch, Calamus, Hyssop, Idaho Tansy, Rosemary, Sage, Tarragon, Wintergreen, wormwood.
Use Angelica, Cassia, Celery Seed, Cinnamon Bark, Citronella, Clary Sage, Eucalyptus Dives, Fennel, Marjoram, Mugwort, Nutmeg, and Peppermint with caution.
You should also exercise caution with essential oils if you are pregnant, since essential oils can cross the placental barrier and there is little clinical research in this area. Apply similar cautions during pregnancy and early childhood when using essential oils with other substances. If you are in doubt, contact a knowledgeable holistic care provider.
Avoid: Basil, Birch, Calamus, Hyssop, Idaho Tansy, Rosemary, Sage, Tarragon, Wintergreen, wormwood.
Use Angelica, Cassia, Celery Seed, Cinnamon Bark, Citronella, Clary Sage, Eucalyptus Dives, Fennel, Marjoram, Mugwort, Nutmeg, and Peppermint with caution.
You should also exercise caution with essential oils if you are pregnant, since essential oils can cross the placental barrier and there is little clinical research in this area. Apply similar cautions during pregnancy and early childhood when using essential oils with other substances. If you are in doubt, contact a knowledgeable holistic care provider.
The adulteration and mislabeling of essential oils- Grade B and C oils tarnish the reputation of both aromatherapy and true therapeutic-grade essential oils because they cause harm to the user or aren’t doing what it is said to do therapeutically- so if you’re a conscious buyer- avoid adulterated essential oils- get the real thing- get therapeutic benefits. In the United States there is no federal agency responsible for certifying therapeutic-grade essential oils. The only way to know if an essential oil is therapeutic-grade is to find out if it meets the European AFNOR or USDA (organic) standards.
These standards recognize that the primary component of essential oil has to be present in specific percentages to be considered therapeutic.
I do not recommend grade B and C for therapeutic use because you want to avoid breathing any toxic ingredient as much as possible.
When using essential oil in bath water it’s best to mix it into your bath soap or bath salt, Do not add it directly to the water because oils float on water and you do not want essential oil to collect on top of your bath water because it may cause skin, ear and eye irritation, for your safety mix dilute it and use moderately- a few drops will do.
When using essential oil in bath water it’s best to mix it into your bath soap or bath salt, Do not add it directly to the water because oils float on water and you do not want essential oil to collect on top of your bath water because it may cause skin, ear and eye irritation, for your safety mix dilute it and use moderately- a few drops will do.
Some Concerns with using Essential oils:
PHOTO-SENSITIVITY: Some essential oils are photosensitive, which means sensitive to sunlight. When these oils are applied to the skin they can cause a rash or burn when exposed to sunlight. It is recommended that you simply stay out of the sun (or UV rays) for a few days. If you apply these oils to your feet or somewhere under clothing, you will be fine. Be extra safe - If you have very fair skin and usually burn in the sun you may want to take extra precaution by protecting your skin.
ALLERGIES: People with skin allergies should do a test before extensive topical use of oil. A good way is to put a small diluted amount on the inner side of the upper arm. The safest place to put essential oils is always the bottom of the feet.
If you are someone who is taking a lot of prescription medication and/or has a lot of allergies, you should do a patch test by following the instructions below to check for skin irritation and sensitivity before using each essential oil.
To do a patch test:
To do a patch test:
- Mix a very small amount of essential oil/carrier at twice the concentration you plan to use. For example, if you plan to use a 3% mixture of the essential oil, mix it at 6% (six drops in a teaspoon of carrier oil, or three drops in ½ teaspoon of carrier oil).
- Using the inside of the forearm, apply a couple drops of your double concentration mix to the pad of a band aid and keep the bandage on the skin. After 48 hours remove the bandage and check for irritation.
- You may repeat to check for allergic sensitivity. Remember, however, that allergies can develop any time after the first exposure; thus absence of a reaction does not necessarily mean that an allergy will not develop with later exposures.
- If the skin under or around the bandage becomes red, swollen, itchy, or develops blisters, that is a reaction and you should avoid skin exposure to the essential oil you tested.
- Remember, the safest place to put any essential oil is the bottom of the feet. In general, you should adjust dosages downward for children, but also use extra caution in choosing essential oils to be used in babies and children.
FLAMABILITY: Some essential oils are flammable. Keep all essential oils away from fires, open flames, sparks, and electricity. Always remember to think of safety with essential oils.
Note
Always store essential oils out of reach of children, in bottles with single-drop dispensers. Why? because Accidental ingestion of amounts as small as a teaspoon has resulted in death.
Note
Always store essential oils out of reach of children, in bottles with single-drop dispensers. Why? because Accidental ingestion of amounts as small as a teaspoon has resulted in death.
A small proportion of people may experience skin irritation, allergic reactions, or cross-sensitivity to essential oils. Cross-sensitivity is the potential for an allergic reaction to similar substances (for example, if you are allergic to ragweed, you might also be allergic to chamomile essential oils).
Irritation is characterized by a rapid onset redness and pain in the skin exposed to the essential oil. This may have been caused by oils adulterated with synthetic chemicals or chemical changes resulting from exposure of the essential oil to heat or light over time. Try another type essential oil with similar properties that will not produce the same reaction or get a diluted version of the essential oil, whatever works best for you. Think - Safety with Essential Oils!
Our favorite is bergamot, jasmine, Rose, neroli, ylang-ylang, lemon, lavender, peppermint, sandalwood etc Therapeutic oils are made from organic essential oil plant part, best for heath and they are toxic free.
Irritation is characterized by a rapid onset redness and pain in the skin exposed to the essential oil. This may have been caused by oils adulterated with synthetic chemicals or chemical changes resulting from exposure of the essential oil to heat or light over time. Try another type essential oil with similar properties that will not produce the same reaction or get a diluted version of the essential oil, whatever works best for you. Think - Safety with Essential Oils!
Our favorite is bergamot, jasmine, Rose, neroli, ylang-ylang, lemon, lavender, peppermint, sandalwood etc Therapeutic oils are made from organic essential oil plant part, best for heath and they are toxic free.
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