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A Beginners Guide to Essential Oils
Essential oils are becoming more and more popular. But what are they exactly?
Essential Oils have been used long before life as we know it, in almost every culture throughout the world, bridging gaps between cultures and health care professionals with a wide range of medical and health benefits. Essential oils have been thought to have been used as early as 2000 BC, by ancient Egyptians. They used essential oils for medicinal benefits, beauty care, spiritual enhancement, and in literally all aspects of their daily life. Today essential oils are used in many ways, from directly applying onto skin, to diffusing and other aromatherapy recipes.
Diffusing essential oils is a great way to enjoy their benefits, whilst also scenting your space without using synthetic fragrances. When diffusing essential oils, it's important to start with a small amount and increase it gradually until you find a good balance with the right amount for your space.
This guide will walk you through the basics of using essential oils, from choosing the right ones to incorporating them into your daily routine.
Selecting Appropriate Essential Oils
There are so many essential oils out there, and we have so many in our range alone. So, how do you pick the right one? Read on to know how to get started.
Know What You Want to Use Them For
Essential oils can be used to enhance your life in many ways. Whether you are looking to relax, relieve stress, warm up your space, remain balanced, or energise your day, there is an essential oil for you. Make sure you make the most of the power of essential oil aromatherapy by firstly asking yourself, ‘What is my intention?’.
Do Your Research
Once you know what you want to use the essential oils for, start reading up on which ones would be perfect for your needs. Each of our essential oils comes with a special description that will assist you in finding an aroma that suits your needs. Different oil ingredients, determine how they will assist an intention. For example, we recommend citrus based oils when you are looking to refresh and energise you and your space.
Browse our range of essential oils to find one that suits your needs. Don’t forget to consider what size you might need based on how often you will be using the oils. We stock our essential oils in various sizes to help you find the perfect fit.
Test Them Out
You can even try our essential oils before buying, by testing them instore. Each of our essential oils can be tested for fragrant suitability, and help you understand how it makes you feel. Testing out essential oils can be particularly helpful if you aren’t sure what fragrances you do and don’t like.
Talk to Our Staff
If you are unsure of which essential oil may work for you and your intentions, be sure to contact us or head in store to be guided by our knowledgeable staff. We would be more than happy to point you in the right direction with which aromatherapy oils may work for you and your unique situation.
Selecting Appropriate Essential Oils
There are a lot of different essential oils out there, and it can be tricky to know which ones to start with. Listed below are three of the best oils for beginners:
● Lavender oil - One of the most popular and versatile essential oils, lavender oil has a calming effect and can be used for various purposes like aiding sleep, reducing anxiety, and relieving headaches.
● Peppermint oil - Another excellent option for beginners, peppermint oils have a refreshing and invigorating scent, can be used to boost energy levels, improve digestion, and relieve pain.
● Seasonal blends – A great way to get into essential oils is by shopping our seasonal blends. Whether, its Summer, Autumn, Winter, or Spring, these blends can be a great start for beginners.
With many more options available, research is essential to find the right oil (or oils) for you.
Be Aware of the facts
● Concentrated plant extracts. They are made by distilling or extracting the oil from the plant material. This process helps to preserve the natural properties of the plants.
● Wide range of uses. They can be used for aromatherapy, massage, skincare, and cleaning products.
● Different types of essential oils are available. Some popular ones include lavender, lemon, and peppermint.
● Use with caution. The oils are very concentrated, so ensure read the label before using them to ensure you are using them safely and correctly.
Mix the oils
Did you know you can combine essential oils? We generally like to mix our oils based on three factors: category, note, and properties.
1. Category
There are three categories of essential oils: floral, citrus, and woodsy/earthy.
● Floral essential oils are typically light and have a sweet smell.
● Citrus essential oils are refreshing and have a tart smell.
● Woodsy/earthy essential oils tend to be heavier and have a more grounding aroma.
2. Note
There are three notes in perfumery: top, middle, and base.
● The top notes are very light and most volatile. They evaporate quickly and are often used to provide an initial burst of fragrance.
● Middle notes are the blend's heart and help round out the fragrance.
● Base notes are the heaviest and most fixative. They provide longevity to a scent and can be used to anchor lighter notes.
3. Properties
Some common properties of essential oils include calming, energising, balancing, grounding, and warming.
Considering these three factors when combining essential oils is a great method to ensure blends that address your specific intentions.
How to Make a Sleep Blend: Step-By-Step Guide
Creating a sleep blend with essential oils is easy and can be done with just a few ingredients. Here is a guide to creating a sleep blend that can be used for relaxation:
● Choose your carrier oil. A carrier oil dilutes the essential oils and helps them spread evenly over the skin. Some good carrier oils for relaxation blends include jojoba oil, almond oil, and coconut oil. Ensure to choose something natural that is made to be put on your skin (to prevent any irritation).
● Add the essential oils. We recommend using lavender oil, chamomile oil, and geranium oil for this sleep blend. You can adjust the amount of each oil to suit your preferences. A little goes a long way, make sure to start with a very small amount and add more if needed.
● Mix the oils and apply them to your body. Mix the oils in one of our many aromatherapy bottles, based on how you will be using the oils. This could be a simple dropper bottle, or even a roll-on for skin application. Massage a small amount into your neck and temples before bedtime, diffuse to spread the aroma around your bedroom.
Essential oils are powerful plant medicines that can promote well-being in several ways. Ensure to keep these factors in mind when introducing essential oils to your life.
Essential oils are powerful plant medicines that can promote well-being in several ways. Ensure to keep these factors in mind when introducing essential oils to your life.
