Alternative Medicine

Aromatherapy dates back 3,500 years ago, before Christ. Today, aromatherapy is used in massage sessions, uplifting spirits, health uses and simply creating a desirable environment through the magic of scent.

Plants, herbs, trees, fruits, and vegetables are run through a distillation process to remove drops of oil from them and the oils are then bottled and sold for purposes of massage, healing or aroma to achieve the holistic basis of aromatherapy. These oils can be placed in other oils, called “carrier oils” to dilute the powerful properties of the essential oil. The diluted oil can then be massaged into the skin or applied to the injured area for healing.

When adding the essential oil to the skin undiluted, as with a few of the oil types, healing can be achieved as well. When applied full strength, some of the essential oils can burn or irritate the skin, calling for the need of carrier oils. Some of these oils also find their way into potpourri burners, or pans of water on a stovetop, to fill the air with a scent to either heal or lift spirits.

Essential oils can lose their potency if not handled or stored carefully. With a few simple steps, the oils can be kept at their optimal levels of strength.

The first thing to remember when purchasing essential oils is to buy them from a reputable supplier. Some companies aren’t as careful with the packaging or the distilling process of oils from the original source, leaving them lacking in potency.

The oil needs to be packaged and stored in dark glass bottles, relieving it from direct sunlight. Sunlight can speed the oxidation process, which breaks down the oil’s healing elements. Do not store any essential oil in plastic containers. The powerful attributes in essential oil can break down or in some cases melt the plastic, causing leakage or contamination of the oil.

Tightening of lids on all essential oil bottles is very important! These oils will evaporate and can become contaminated if left uncovered. A cooler environment is the best way to store bottles. Always keep the oil away from pets and curious children. Some oils are harmful and even fatal to animals and because of the potency of certain types, they can cause damage to children’s skin, or get into eyes. Some oils are not to be consumed and will cause illness or serious problems for children as well.

Most oils will keep up to two years. Citrus oils are the most susceptible to problems with deterioration with lack of proper care, but will last up to two years if stored properly. Oil will become cloudy from the oxidation process if not cared for. Certain oils are known to improve with age, such as the Patchouli oil.

Blended oils remain effective up to 3 months if stored in a cooler place, such as the refrigerator. When oils are blended with high quality carrier oil, it dilutes the essential oil, making certain oils safer to use.

High quality base oil should be an extra virgin cold pressed carrier for the optimal performance. These oils are extracted from the first pressing while later extractions use heat or chemical processes which destroy the valuable trace minerals and vitamins that are found in the make-up of the oil. Without the higher quality carrier oils, or with the use of essential oils that aren’t of such high quality, the oil can lack in the strength at which they can heal when found under the purest of conditions.

As mentioned above, dark bottles are the best when storing essential oils. Even when mixed with carrier oil, the mixture should be sealed in a dark colored bottle for storage in between use. Dark colored glass bottles filter out the sun’s damaging ultra violet rays. The bottles are found in dark amber, violet, blue, and green colors. Dark amber is preferred by most people, however all will provide some protection from light.

Never leave bottles in the kitchen or bathroom window, as light can invade the oil. The introduction of direct light can dramatically speed up the oxidation process with heating up and cooling down variables that will damage the product.

Citrus is more prone to quick oxidation and must always be protected by storing in a dark, cool place. Carrier oils are prone to the changes in temperature and to sunlight as well. All carrier oils do well in the refrigerator also. The temperature of the refrigerator should be at 5 to 10 degrees Celsius or 41 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

If stored in the refrigerator, Rose Otto, aniseed, star anise and fennel may solidify at this temperature, leaving the need for heating before use. Rose Otto oil may be warmed in the hand, where the warmth of skin is enough to dissolve the natural waxes. Others may need to stand at room temperature before they return to normal. Never microwave or heat the oil, as it can lose potency because of the warming and cooling trend, not to mention oil will splatter in the microwave.

In the summer when the rooms in a building are warmer, place carrier oils in the refrigerator to eliminate the brighter sunshine coming through windows and oxidizing them.

When oils are stored at low temperatures, some may appear cloudy or different from the original state when removed. Warm them naturally, although some can be shaken to return them to the normal state they began with. Jojoba will set to butter like consistency when refrigerated. This does not mean the oil should be discarded. The fatty oils in jojoba have simply settled and molded into a harder form. This is an indication the oils have not been tampered with in terms of processing. Unrefined avocado oil may react the same way. Refined oil will remain liquid since the essential fatty acids have been removed.

If there is no room in your refrigerator for storing oils, it is a wise choice to invest in a storage box. These storage boxes range in price to appearance. A storage box will keep the oils upright, in one place, away from harmful sunlight and protect against drastic changes in temperature.

When purchasing oils, avoid buying bottles that have rubber droppers inside the lid. These droppers are made from rubber and plastic. The plastic will be eaten away from the corrosion of the oil in some cases or the rubber will turn gooey and fall apart. This will contaminate your oil!

Once an essential oil is blended with carrier or base oil, the shelf life reduces also. Be sure to mix your oils in smaller quantities so they can be used before they lose their potency. Usually, these oils are to be used up within three months.

The normal life expectancy of citrus can be two years when stored and used properly. Floral and herbal oils have a life expectancy of two to four years, while wood oils such as spruce; have a shelf life that is indefinite. These time frames do not include oils that are added to carrier oils.
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Just remember that carrier oils and essential oils are strong. They go a long way when used for massage or healing powers. Mix a small amount, store in a brown bottle for protection from light, and use up the mixture as quickly as possible to completely ensure you the quality you pay for in aromatherapy essential oils.