SKINIPEDIA - Skin Encyclopedia: Essential Oils, Aromatherapy
Essential Oils & Aromatherapy
Compiled by Peter Brodhead CN
Notes from the Tim Bleckley lecture on Aromatherapy from a lecture given at Expo East 2005 Washington DC September 2005 & a lecture done at Brighter Day in the fall of 2004. Tim Bleckley is an herbalist and works for Frontier Herbs who owns Aura Cacia a high quality essential oil company.
History of Aromatherapy - When Maurice Gattefosse a Frenchman in 1910 burned himself he
dipped his hand in pure lavender oil and found it extremely helpful for the skin burn. Lavender
disperses heat and is great for burns. The French are the world leaders in essential oils. The
biggest growers of lavender oil are Bulgaria and the Ukraine. The Ukraine is the largest producer
of quality lavender oil in the world now. Provence France now produces Lavendin not lavender.
Essential Oils are complex and typically contain about 160 constituents.
General Facts: How long do Oils last – basically forever most essential oils contain so many
anti-oxidants they are perfectly good for a long, long time 30 – 40 – 50 years. The exception to
this rule is Citrus Oils and the Conifer Oils; Citrus oils can go rancid in 2 to 4 years. Patchouli
Oil and Vetiver Oils get better with age. 1-year-old Patchouli is generally a lousy quality – the
older the age the better for Patchouli Oil. Most Oils are steamed distilled but citrus oils are cold
pressed.
How much oil is in a bottle - A white 15ml bottle contains 450 drops of an essential oil. If you
use 10 drops a day that’s a 45-day supply.
How many drops to put in a bathtub – err on the side of caution – Rosemary put only 2 or 3
drops. Lavender is totally non-irritating and you can put more into it. Geranium, Palrosa are
other mild oils and can be used in bigger doses in a tub.
Can essential oils be applied directly to the skin? Try the oil on your elbow 1st. if it doesn’t
become red and irritated its ok or put it on a sensitive area – if it doesn’t bother it – it is probably
ok. Thyme, Oregano, Cinnamon and Camphor can burn the skin. Sage Oil has a lot of ketones
in it don’t use topically day after day. Lemongrass oil can irritate the skin. Lemon Oil,
Grapefruit Oil & Bergamot Oil applied directly to the skin will cause sunburn if you go outside
after putting it on. Lemon Oil is the cheapest oil on the market and it’s a good anti-microbial add
it to cleaning products.
To make a diluted oil use 20 drops of essential oil in 1 oz of carrier oil. The best carrier oils are –
job, almond oil & avocado oil – use unrefined oil. Jojoba oil – never goes rancid – it’s a liquid
wax. It keeps the oil good forever!
If you are using an anti-inflammatory oil like Chamomile Oil diluting it is an excellent idea
because you can cover a larger area of the body with it to act as an anti-inflammatory.
What parts of the body are the best absorption places? Underarms, groin, hair places & the
bottom of the feet. Stomach, chest and butt are the worst places. Exercise and sweating will help
with absorption. Essential Oils are great anti-microbials and make great underarm deodorant.
Moisture and heat help with absorption.
Essential Oils can be used on minor wounds – they sterilize the wound and help it heal – they
are great emollients all essential oils are anti-microbial and anti-bacterial.