Enfleurage - (Pornades)
Freshly cut plant material (such as jasmine) is immersed in a neutral fat or oil and spread on sheets of glass. This process is repeated for weeks and eventually the fat becomes saturated with the volatile oils and then alcohol is used to separate the essential oils from the fat.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Method
This method is a fairly recent discovery. CO2 or butane, when liquified under pressure, extracts essential oils from plants. Essential oils distilled in this manner allow the plants volatile components to remain. Aromatherapists are still studying the properties of essential oils are extracted by this method.

Upon extraction, essential oils fall into three of the following categories:

Concrete
Extracted by hydro-carbon (petroleum) type solvent from raw or live tissues of the vegetable family. Usually solid and have a waxy non-crystalized consistency. This method of extraction is used when heat takes away the ‘nutrients’ or goodness of certain plants (bark, flower, herb, root) Concretes contain 50% wax and 50% oil therefore being more stable and concentrated.

Absolute
Extracted from Concrete by a second process using pure alcohol. Not recommended for thereputic work because of the remaining impurities from the alcohol (2% or less). The texture is highly concentrated liquid. In rare cases solid or semi-solid (clary sage).

Resinoid
Extracted from hydrocarbon solvent from dead organic material. Typical resinoids (amber), oleoresins (turpentine) and oleo gun resins (frankinsense and myrhh).

Various textures
Liquid, semi-liquid or solid. Is a good fixative to prolong the scent of a fragrance

Origin of Essential Oils

Essential oils are meant to be harvested in the country where Mother Nature intended them to grow. Aromatherapy is part of a multi billion dollar industry and farmers and wholesalers are trying to grow crops of plants where they are not intended to grow. Plants have their optimum healing properties when grown and harvested in the optimal growing and climatic regions. It is also important that the oils are grown botanically or wildcrafted without pesticides and fertilizers.

Price
Basically - you get what you pay for. There are different qualities of essential oils, just as there are different quality tomatoes, there will also be some price fluctuation, depending on the harvest conditions. It also depends on the amount of Essential Oils a plant produces: It takes 160 lbs of Lavendar to make 1 lb of Esssential Oil, it takes 1000 lbs of Jasmine to make 1lb of Essential Oil, etc. Some companies have re-labeling and high overhead costs which are projected in their oils. Some Essential Oils are also diluted (make sure the carrier is botanical). Become a label reader and ask your seller for all of this information. There are some tests a consumer can do to test the purity of the oils. Essential oils are not an ‘oil’ in the true sense of the word. Unlike fatty oils they are volatile and evaporate without a trace (except maybe a bit of color) when dropped on a piece of tissue or white silk, leaving no oily residue. The nose knows, trust it !!!

Packaging:
Essential Oils should be kept in dark containers and should not be exposed directly to light or drastic tempuratures - this can diminish the volatile properties of the oils. All of the PURE Aromatherapy blends are confined to the strict standards we have set for ourselves. As you can see by the photo, our oils are stored and shipped directly to you in dark glass containers which prevent contamination from UVA and UVB sources.

Shelf Life
Essential oils are fresh botanicals and should be treated as such. They are at their optimum for healing power within the first few years. Citrus fruits are more sensitive and should be used as soon as possible. Some essential oils like, jasmine, rose, patchould, sandalwood, ripen over the years, much like a good wine.
Finally, a word on safety. Most essential oils are safe to use in minimal doses. Your body tends to take what it needs from the essential oils and dispense of what it does not need through various organ elimination (lungs,skin (sweat), and excretion (urine, bowels).

SUGGESTED USES/APPLICATIONS FOR ESSENTIAL OILS

BATH

Bathing with essential oils is a delightful experience for the body, mind and soul. It is one of the most effective ways to benefit from Aromatherapy. In warm water, essential oils are readily absorbed into the body tissues and the aromatic vapors effortlessly inhaled. This benefits the 'entire' body/mind system. After the tub is filled, add 5-10 drops of your specifically chosen essential oil/blend to water. Breath deeply, relax and let all your worries decimate into the water. For dry, sensitive skin add essential oil(s) to a carrier oil (jojoba, grapeseed, etc....)

MASSAGE

Essential oils can produce incredible results when used in massage. They have the ability to penetrate deeply into the skin tissues and then are circulated throughout the entire mind/body system. Inhaling the aromatic vapors also have an immediate effect upon the mind and emotions. Massages are therapeutically beneficial for internal problems, stress, anxiety, depression, lymphatic drainage, weight loss, detoxification, circulation, easing pain, and sore muscles. Custom blend essential oils for your massage to your specific needs.

SKIN CARE

Essential oils easily penetrate into the underlying layers of the skin (dermas), promoting regeneration and rejuvenation of the skin cells. They can be purchased pre-blended (make sure you read your ingredient listings - look out for mineral oil, it is natural, but clogs pores) essential oils can also be added to facial cleansers, toners, creams and lotions you may purchase unscented skin care and add 10-15 drops of essential oil to 1 ounce of liquid. Do not apply essential oils directly to skin without the advice of an aromatherapist. Essential oils have incredibly rejuvenating and moisturizing effects on your skin, also beneficial when inhaling essential oils during your daily skin care regime.

HAIR CARE

Essential oils 'vastly' improve the health of your hair and scalp, strengthening and stimulating the hair follicles, enhancing growth, and regulating oil secretion. For dry damaged hair, mix 10-15 drops per 1 ounce of jojoba and massage into scalp and comb through hair ( can leave on for thirty minutes, then shampoo). Essential oils can moisturize, eliminate dandruff, and add shine to your hair. Essential oils can be added to your s hair to eliminate frizz may also be added to a 'hot oil' treatment.

INHALATION

The easiest way to enjoy the benefits of essential oils is to inhale their aromatic fragrance directly. Try a few drops on a tissue, or a few drops on your pillow at night, wonderful for the respiratory system when inhaled through steam vaporization.

DIFFUSION

Also known as environmental fragrancing, used in Aromatherapy diffusers, spray/body mists, air fresheners. There are a variety of ways to disperse essential oils directly into the air. This is a very beneficial way to refresh the air, kill airborne bacteria, promotes physical and well being, creates various moods in your home, car or work place, can also protect your aura from negative energies.

*NOTE*

Essential oils are highly concentrated and should be used with extreme respect and care. Never take essential oils internally or during pregnancy without the advice of your aromatherapist. This reference chart is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe.

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