Essential Oils

Aromas have the power to instantly change your mood, and drive away stress, worry, fear, or anger.  Nature has given the wonderful gift of gentle aromas to plants and flowers; the 'ruh', meaning the soul of the plant, which carry healing properties. The aromas are released through volatile molecules of the plant and flowers, precipitated in the form of essential oils.

The term Aromatherapy was coined in the 20th century but the aromas and therapeutic power of flowers and plants have been captured and used to enhance well-being for many years before that.This holistic healing treatment offers psychological and physical benefits when the aromas are drawn into the body. Essential oils can be extracted from,leaves, roots, wood, peels of fruits and hypnotizing flower through various methods.The orange tree gives us three wonderful and unique oils; the peel of the fruit gives us Orange oil, the leaf provides Petitgrain oil and the flowers give us Neroli oil, commonly called Orange Blossom oil.

The colors of Aroma Treasures represent the five types of essential oils. The oils in each group have unique properties that are suited for different kinds of healing and treatments.

Yellow (Citrus) : These includes oils extracted from citrus fruits and are uplifting oils sometimes known as liquid sunshine in a bottle and impart a feeling of happiness. In the winter they are especially refreshing and energizing. The have antioxidant and antibacterial properties that help to brighten and cleanse skin in cosmetic blends and strengthen the immune system when used in a diffuser. Citrus based oils must be used carefully as they can cause phototoxicity.

Bergamot is a citrus essential oil that combats fatigue and stress. It also helps clear acne and infections to revive youthful skin.

Orange (Spice) : Oils are extracted from spices are deeply aromatic and often induce a feeling of warmth. They help in stimulating energy and focus. They have antiseptic qualities that make them invigorating when blended and used in skin and hair treatment.Spice-based oils are often very strong, and should to be used only after dilution.

Turmeric is the most popular spice essential oil, that works wonders in reducing dark spots and reviving youthful, clear skin.

Brown (Base Note) : These oils are extracted from the wood and bark of trees. They have deep, warm and lingering scents that are hypnotic and seductive. They reflect the scent of the earth and forest and have a natural calming and balancing effect when used in massages and diffusers.

Cedarwood oil is a wonderful ingredient to clean the scalp and stimulate hair follicles. It helps in relieving skin irritation acne and improves the overall health of skin.

Purple (Floral): These floral essential oils are at the heart of aromatherapy. The key attributes of these oils are that they are subtle and romantic, creating a feeling of cheerfulness. They are often used in blends to promote stress relief and comforting vibes. They work as antidepressants and help in mood balancing, inducing restful sleep.

Lavender oil is antiseptic and antibacterial and is a key ingredient in many healing skincare products. When used in a diffuser, its aroma helps to calm stress and anxiety.

Green (Middle Notes) : This group represents the essential oils extracted from plant leaves. Fresh and invigorating the oils are grounding in nature and help balance moods. When used in skincare blends, they are antiseptic and soothing to the skin.

Tea tree helps reduce acne by removing impurities from deep within the pores. Anti-fungal in nature, is used to address many chronic hygiene issues and rejuvenate the skin.

Essential oils are highly concentrated and should not be applied directly on skin. Blends use a carrier or base oil, like almond or apricot, to dilute before use. The oils are only for topical use and should never be ingested. It is advised that you consult an alternative medicine or aromatherapy practitioner before using essential oils. In skincare, oils like Tea Tree, Lavender, Chamomile, Hibiscus have unique properties that make them popular for use. Always perform a patch test to see if any redness, itching or irritation occurs as some people can be allergic to these oils.

Essential oils are classified into three categories, based on the rate at which they evaporate: top note, middle note and base note. Combining different concentration of oils with different notes, leads to the accurate blending of oils for specific therapies.  Lemon, Bergamot, Eucalyptus, Orange are top note oils that create the first impression and will evaporate the fastest, Ylang Ylang, Lavender, Tea Tree, Peppermint will last longer as middle notes while Cedarwood, Frankincense, Sandalwood, Vetiver are base notes and will be the last aromas to linger.

Aromatherapy also includes other ways of using essential oils, beyond blends for skin. Some essential oils are used in diffusers to spread their aroma through a room to relieve stress, detoxify spaces and create a calming atmosphere. Oils can also be used in steam inhalation or on a tissue kept near the pillow to ease in breathing and promote better sleep. Along with a carrier oil, they can be added to a bath for relaxation and to ease aches and pains or used in massage therapies to help rejuvenate the body. You can add a few drops of essential oil to your hair oil, or to your shampoo to use for hair treatment.

Extracting the oils from their source is the first step in the process of bottling essential oils. Specific methods are best suited to extract the oil from different sources.The yield from different plant varies from 0.02% to an average of maximum 2% of oil.Prices of plant material also varies greatly,hence the prices of different essential oils are very disparate. Three main methods are used for extraction; Cold Press, Steam Distillation and Solvent Extraction, depending on the source of the essential oil.