Essential Oils: The Essence of Nature
Essential oils should be an essential in every household. They have powerful effects on the mind and body, and there is such a huge variety of them that you are guaranteed to find at least one which will help you. Whether you want to feel focused or energised, relaxed or uplifted, there will be an essential oil you can use. The chemical components that essential oils contain affect the nervous system, which helps to lift our mood and enhance wellbeing.
Here are some examples of essential oils to use that can help
:
Anxiety/depression - Lavender, Chamomile, Frankincense, Bergamot, Clary Sage
Uplifting - Geranium, Rose, Ylang Ylang, Sweet Orange, Jasmine
Energising - Cinnamon, Grapefruit
Focus/concentration - Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Black Pepper, Rosemary, Sage
The History of Essential Oils
About 200 years ago the essential oil trade started for use in the perfumery and food industries. Scented oils have been used throughout the ages in incense and candles for religious rituals, with a lot of cultures believing the smell could ward off evil. Scented oils were used by the Egyptians in burial rituals and as a status symbol, by the Romans for seduction, and the Greeks thought that aromas connected them to the gods.
The modern use of essential oils as a therapy began in the 1930s when Rene-Maurice Gattefosse (a French chemist) created the term ‘aromatherapy’ after finding that lavender oil helped heal his burned hand without scarring. In World War II, Dr Jean Valnet (a French army surgeon) used oils on wounded soldiers, and Marguerite Maury (an Austrian biochemist) prescribed oils and is credited with the idea of using essential oils in massage.
In recent times, there has been a growth of interest in the traditional use of essential oils, and the benefits for our health, beauty and wellbeing. Nowadays, a lot of people are leading such busy, stressful lives, and so the healing, soothing powers of essential oils are needed more than ever. They are a comfort and should be used by everyone to have more relaxing mindful moments. Today, there are around 150 essential oils used in aromatherapy, and each one has its own amazing, unique effect on the body, mind and spirit.
Harnessing the Power of Essential Oils in Natural Vegan Skincare
Discover the transformative power of these botanical wonders and experience the ultimate in natural, vegan, and organic skincare. When sourcing essential oils for my natural skincare products, I ensure I buy and use the best quality pure and natural oils. Synthetic fragrances have none of the special therapeutic benefits that essential oils offer and they are of less value. I use Organic Lavender essential oil in most of my products. It is one of my favourite oils and because its organic, contains higher levels of antioxidants, has a higher therapeutic value, and is less likely to have potentially toxic residues from pesticides and chemical fertilisers. I am also careful about the oils I use in my natural skin care products, due to sustainability issues. There are some plants that are vulnerable species including sandalwood and rosewood, so I do not use these in my products.
Essential oils are extracted from a wide range of plants in every continent apart from Antarctica. There are sometimes different varieties of an oil. I use the British Roman variety of Chamomile essential oil in two of my face care products, the Mitcham variety (with chocolaty undertones) of Peppermint in my Coco Protect Dual Balm and Carrot & Peppermint Head Balm, and the Extra variety of Ylang Ylang in my Cocoa Passion Body Butter.
Essential oils work holistically on mind, body and spirit to bring balance, healing and a deep sense of wellbeing:
Mind
Enhance wellbeing and mood
Promote relaxation
Improve concentration and focus
Balance energy
Body
Work as antiseptics
Relieve pain and reduce inflammation
Have a cleansing action
Help boost immunity
Influence hormones
Spirit
Promote spiritual pursuit e.g. prayer
Enhance mindful practices e.g. meditation
Energy and chi - clearing of blockages in the “chakras”
Chakras
There are seven chakras (energy centres) in the body which are listed below. Essential oils can help to clear blockages in the chakras. Blockages in any of the energy centres are thought to lead to poor health in that area of the body. Specific essential oils are associated with different chakras, and they can help bring balance and healing to the area of need.
The crown - is at the top of the head and governs the pineal gland and our “inner self”. Essential oils to try include Frankincense, Elemi, and Lavender
The brow - located just above and between the eyes. Connected to the pituitary gland and rules memory and mind. Oils to try include Jasmine, Sandalwood, and Myrrh
The throat - covers the area of the throat/thyroid gland and relates to communication. Oils include Peppermint, Rosemary, and Clary Sage
The heart - located around the heart/upper body and affects wellbeing. Oils to use include Chamomile, Neroli, and Bergamot
The solar plexus - includes organs in the upper abdomen and connects to self-esteem. Oils to use include Lavender, Orange, and Ginger
The sacral - located in the lower abdomen and is linked to the reproductive system. Oils that help include Geranium, Ylang Ylang, and Rose
The base - at the base of the spine and connects to our ability to feel grounded. Oils that help include Patchouli, Myrrh, and Carrot
Extraction of Essential Oils
Essential oils are extracted from plants, aligning seamlessly with the principles of best vegan skincare. A plant’s essential oils are contained in tiny sacs on the surface of a leaf or flower, and sometimes within bark, seeds, and roots. Essential oils are produced by using one of the four methods of extraction, to burst open the sacs and collect the precious oil. The method used depends on the type of plant material that the oil is being extracted from.
Steam-distillation - this ancient method of extraction is the most widely used. It dates back to around 5,000 years ago when earthenware stills were discovered. The plant material is heated up by steam, which eventually breaks open the sacs containing the essential oil. The oil rises up with the steam and is condensed, usually with cold water in a coiling pipe, and collected in a vessel. The oil and the water separate here, with the oil rising and gathering on top of the water, where it is tapped off and bottled
Expression - this is the simplest way to extract an essential oil but is used normally with citrus fruits with rinds. The plant material is mechanically pressed to extract its liquid, and then the watery juice is separated from the essential oil, which is collected
Absolute extraction - a method for producing an oil from very delicate flowers that would be damaged if heat was involved in the distillation. No steam or water is used. There was a traditional process used in France called ‘enfleurage’ but modern methods involve blending flowers with a solvent, and the solvent is then removed to leave the highly concentrated absolute oil
Supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) extraction - a newer method which uses gas rather than heat. CO2 is converted from a gas into a liquid that can be used as a solvent. The solvent diffuses through the plant material and extracts its aromatic constituents. It produces a smell closer to that of the actual plants than other methods do
