Essential Oils are highly concentrated so care must be taken to handle them correctly.
Using certain essential oils on your skin through massage or a bath can cause irritation if it is applied undiluted. However, there are exceptions like Tea Tree Oil and Lavender which can be used undiluted. But to avoid irritation (a very itchy red rash), it is important to follow the recipe carefully and dilute the essential oils with a carrier oil. If a rash occurs, wash the affected area immediately and apply a base cream or oil (Sweet Almond Oil) to the area. Then apply a cold wet cloth until the redness and itching stops.
There is also the risk of skin sensitization caused by an allergic reaction to the oil. If you have allergy prone skin, it is best to avoid essentials oils that can cause sensitization altogether. There is also the possibility if an allergic reaction even if you don’t have sensitive skin so be aware of your skin.
The best way to find out how your skin will react to an essential oil is to massage a small amount on your skin on the inside of your arm and cover with a band-aid overnight. In the morning remove the band-aid and if your skin is normal, then the essential oil is safe for you to use.
Certain essentials oils such as citrus oils can be phototoxic and this can cause skin discolouration if you are exposing your skin to the sun. It is best to avoid these oils in sunny weather.
Clearly Essentials Limited lists the aromatherapy uses and safety data of each essential oil and carrier oil we sell. Please take the time to read carefully and if you have any questions or concerns please to not hesitate to contact us.
Benzoin Oil comes from the resin of the Benzion tree and produces a very strong aromatic smell that is described as sweet, balsamic, vanilla odour. It blends well with other resins, spices, lemon, juniper berry and pine.
This aroma of this essential oil is known to bring you inner peace and tranquility. It is also used as a cold remedy for coughs and bronchitis, but can help ease asthma.
Listed below are the aromatherapy uses of Benzoin Oil:
- Anti-inflammatory – relieves or alleviates inflammation
- Antioxidant – inhibits oxidation
- Antiseptic – destroys or controls pathogenic bacteria
- Astringent – contracts & tightens tissues
- Carminative – settles digestion, flatulence & eases gripes
- Cordial – stimulant & tonic
- Deodorant – counteracts body odors
- Diuretic – increases the production & secretion of urine>
- Expectorant – helps to expel mucus from respiratory system
- Sedative – calms/reduces nervousness
- Styptic – astringent, helps to prevent external bleeding
- Vulnerary – promotes healing of wounds & prevents tissue degeneration
Benzoin is considered non-toxic and non-irritant, but should be avoided if you have sensitive skin.
Please check out our Clearly Essentials’ website to see our list of essential oils and carrier oils we supply.
The blending of essential oils is an art that goes way back to ancient times. There are few things to consider when creating a good blend that is well rounded and balanced.
You must first consider whether the oil is a top, middle or a base note and what the odour intensity of the oil is. As a guideline you could use 3-5 drops of top note, 10-13 drops of middle note and 15-18 drops of the base note. It will take some time to experiment with different formulas to find out what works best for you. It is important to record how many drops of oil you use and it is best to start with the base notes, than middle and working your way up to the top notes. Once you have finished creating your blend place in a dark bottle and label it with a name and date.
Guidelines for top, middle and base notes of a blend:
Top Notes – most volatile and are the first thing we smell, they are fresh, light and dissipate quickly like lemon, bergamot, orange, eucalyptus and basil.
Middle Notes – once the top notes start to fade you begin to smell the middle notes which are the heart of the blend and they tend to linger for a while like geranium, lavender, rosemary and rosewood.
Base Notes – last a long time and are rich and heavy which holds the blend together like patchouli and ylang ylang.
It is also helpful to know the evaporation rate and odour intensity of an essential oil when creating a blend. Evaporation rates are determined on a scale of 1 to 100 like eucalyptus 5, bergamot 55, ylang ylang 91 and patchouli 100. The odour intensity of an essential oil is rated on a scale of 1 to 10 like lavender 4, rosemary 6, basil 7 and peppermint 7.
Please check out our Clearly Essentials’ website to see our list of essential oils and carrier oils we supply.
Ylang Ylang Essential Oil is used in the perfume industry because of its exotic fragrance which is described as intensely sweet, soft, floral with a spicy undertone.
This essential oil has also many other uses like relieving anxiety, fear, depression and anger, as well as reducing high blood pressure. For women, it helps them to find confidence, sensuality and ease physical tiredness caused by pre-mentrual syndrome. Ylang ylang oil overall uplifts and calms you psychologically.
Ylang Ylang Essential Oil has also been used in skin care for oily or combination skin. It blends well with rosewood, vetiver, geranium, patchouli, other florals and citruses.
Listed below are the aromatherapy uses of Ylang Ylang Oil:
- Antidepressant – uplifts & counteracts depression
- Anti-infectious – combats infection or its spread
- Antiseborrheic – helps to control the production of sebum
- Antiseptic – destroys or controls pathogenic bacteria
- Euphoric – produces a feeling of well-being or elation
- Hypotensive – reduces blood pressure
- Nervine – stimulates & strengthens the nervous system
- Regulator – helps balance & regulate the functions of the body
- Sedative – calms/reduces nervousness
- Stimulant – stimulates the physiological functions of the body
- Tonic – invigorates & strengthens the body
Ylang Ylang Essential Oil is non-toxic, non-irritant but may cause possible sensitization in some individuals. It should be used in moderation because of its heady scent and can cause headaches or nausea.
Please check out our Clearly Essentials’ website to see our list of essential oils and carrier oils we supply.
In the aromatherapy world, you may have come across a few terms used to describe Essential Oils. Hopefully this will help you to understand their definitions;
- Organic – an organic essential oil is produced from plants grown without the use of chemicals like fertilizers or sprays.
- Certified Organic – same description as above but is authorized by an organization like Ecocert Canada which provides organic and environmental certification in Canada.
- Chemotypes – plants of the same species that are chemically different but otherwise indistinguishable resulting in different therapeutic properties.
- Wild Crafted – essential oils that have been extracted from wild grown plants.
- Selected Farming – only specific plants are grown on a particular farm.
- Fractionated – essential oils that have had part of their undesirable chemical composition removed like terpenes which can make it photo-toxic and non-volatile, an example would be bergamot FCF.
- Quenching – is a process of adding a chemical to a whole oil to help prevent unwanted side-effects like a skin irritation, for example adding d-limonene to lemongrass. This process is mainly used in the perfume industry.
In the aromatherapy industry using whole oils is very important because each essential oil has a unique chemical combination that affects the body’s chemistry.
Please visit our website for more information on essential oils and to have a look at our product listing.
Thyme Essential Oil is known to strengthen the body’s defense mechanism and help prevent infection, especially respiratory infections. It also helps to stimulate your appetite, relieve fatigue and ease your mind.
Thyme Oil has a sweet, green, fresh fragrance and blends well bergamot, lemon, pine, lavender as well as other herbs.
Listed below are the aromatherapy uses of Thyme Oil:
- Anthelmintic – expels or destroys parasitic intestinal worms
- Antimicrobial – resists or destroys pathogens that cause disease
- Antioxidant – inhibits oxidation
- Antiputrescent – counteracting, or preserving from, putrefaction; antiseptic
- Antirheumatic – relieves or reduces the symptoms of rheumatism
- Antiseptic – destroys or controls pathogenic bacteria
- Antispasmodic – relieves spasms & cramps of the smooth muscles
- Antitussive – relieves coughs
- Antitoxic – counteracts poisoning
- Aperitif – stimulate the appetite before a meal
- Aphrodisiac – increases or stimulates sexual desire
- Astringent – contracts & tightens tissues
- Bactericidal – prevents the growth of/or destroys bacteria
- Carminative – settles digestion, flatulence & eases gripes
- Cicatrizant – promotes healing through the formation of scar tissue
- Diuretic – increases the production & secretion of urine
- Emmenagogue – promotes & regulates menstruation
- Expectorant – helps to expel mucus from respiratory system
- Fungicidal – resists or destroys fungal infections
- Hypertensive – increases blood pressure
- Nervine – stimulates & strengthens the nervous system
- Parasiticide – destroys parasites
- Revulsive – relieves pain by means of diversion of blood or disease from one part of the body to another
- Rubefacient – warms the skin & increases blood flow
- Stimulant – stimulates the physiological functions of the body
- Sudorific – helps to induce sweating
- Tonic – invigorates & strengthens the body
- Vermifuge – expels worms or parasites from the body
Red thyme oil, serpolet (from wild thyme), thymol and carvacrol type oils contain large amounts of toxic phenols which can irritate the mucus membranes and cause dermal irritation as well as sensitization in some individuals. Thyme oil should be used in moderation and in low dilutions only. It is important to avoid during pregnancy. White thyme is not a complete oil and is often adulterated. Lemon thyme and linalol types are generally less toxic, non-irritant and with less possibility of sensitization in some individuals (safe for use on skin and with children).
Please check out our Clearly Essentials’ website to see our list of essential oils and carrier oils we supply.
Clary Sage is a powerful essential oil used for easing stress, anxiety and depression. It also is used to relieve asthma, dandruff, balance a woman’s hormones, relieve menstral cramps as well as to help induce labour contractions.
It has an unusual odour described as sweet, herbal, tenacious, soft, somewhat amber, with bitter sweet undertones. Clary Sage Essential Oil blends well with vetivert, geranium, cedarwood, lavender, pine and other citruses.
Listed below are the aromatherapy uses of Clary Sage:
- Anticonvulsant – relieves or controls convulsions
- Antidepressant – uplifts & counteracts depression
- Antiphlogistic – reducing inflammation
- Antiseptic – destroys or controls pathogenic bacteria
- Antispasmodic – relieves spasms & cramps of the smooth muscles
- Aphrodisiac – increases or stimulates sexual desire
- Astringent – contracts & tightens tissues
- Bactericidal – prevents the growth of/or destroys bacteria
- Carminative – settles digestion, flatulence & eases gripes
- Cicatrizant – promotes healing through the formation of scar tissue
- Deodorant – counteracts body odors
- Digestive – aids in the digestion of food
- Emmenagogue – promotes & regulates menstruation
- Hypotensive – reduces blood pressure
- Nervine – stimulates & strengthens the nervous system
- Regulator – helps balance & regulate the functions of the body
- Sedative – calms/reduces nervousness
- Stomachic – aids digestion
- Tonic – invigorates & strengthens the body
- Uterine – tonic of the uterus
Clary Sage Essential Oil is non-toxic, non-irritant & non-sensitizing. It is important to avoid drinking alcohol because it can induce a narcotic effect & exaggerate drunkenness. Clary Sage should be avoided during pregnancy. It is generally used in aromatherapy over garden sage since it has a lower toxicity level.
Please check out our Clearly Essentials’ website to see our list of essential oils and carrier oils we supply.
Have you ever wondered what an Essential Oil can do for you? How does it work? Well for one thing, there is well documented evidence that herbs and aromatics have been around for a long time – some 3000-5000 years ago. Egypt, India and China are just a few of the places that have a long history in the use of aromatics.
Essential oils are volatile substances that evaporate as soon as they come in contact with air. They are inflammable and do not dissolve in water but dissolve well in alcohol, vegetable oils, fats and waxes.
When the massage therapist rubs your skin with a base oil (containing a small blend of essential oils), your skin absorbs the oil mixture and it is drawn into the body through the skin. A small concentration of essential oils circulates around the bloodstream and travels throughout your body. This can lead to a number of physical benefits like muscle relaxation, improved blood circulation, lymphatic drainage and give you an uplifting psychological effect.
When you inhale air during a massage, most of the molecules of essential oils are breathed in and will find their way into your bloodstream from your lungs. Essential oils can have a powerful emotional, mental and psychological effect on us.
Massage is just one of the ways essential oils are absorbed into your body, things like taking a bath, inhalations, creams and lotions are just to name a few.
Please make sure that you use essential oils safely because they are powerful. You can visit us at www.clearlyessentials.com for our list of essential oils and carrier oils we supply.
Basil is best known as a culinary herb that is used a lot in Italian cuisines. It has a powerful aroma which can be described as sweet, spicy, green, fresh with balsamic and sweet base notes.
Basil Essential Oil has health benefits too. It is known to relieve anxiety and mental overload. It can help ease your mind and emotional vulnerability that can cause you to have digestive upsets. Basil Oil is the perfect nerve tonic, it’s also restorative, fortifying and clearing.
Basil oil blends well with lavender, geranium, bergamot, lemon, lime, pine and other herbs.
LIsted below are the aromatherapy uses of Basil Oil:
- Antidepressant – uplifts & counteracts depression
- Antiseptic – destroys or controls pathogenic bacteria
- Antispasmodic – relieves spasms & cramps of the smooth muscles
- Carminative – settles digestion, flatulence & eases gripes
- Cephalic – stimulates & clears mind
- Digestive – aids in the digestion of food
- Emmenagogue – promotes & regulates menstruation
- Expectorant – helps to expel mucus from respiratory system
- Febrifuge – reduces fever
- Galactagogue – increases the flow of breast milk
- Nervine – stimulates & strengthens the nervous system
- Prophylactic – defending or protecting from disease or infection
- Restorative – helps to restore health, strength, or consciousness
- Stimulant of adrenal cortex – quickens the physiological functions of the body
- Stomachic – aids digestion
- Tonic – invigorates & strengthens the body
Basil Essential Oil should be avoided during pregnancy and may irritate sensitive skin.
Please check out our Clearly Essentials’ website to see our list of essential oils and carrier oils we supply.
Rosemary Oil is known to revive your passion for life, refresh your mind and strengthen your mind and body. It is excellent to use in massage to stimulate and warm sore muscles. This healing herb is also used as a popular culinary flavouring.
Rosemary’s strong aroma is described as fresh, woody-herbal, somewhat minty-forest like odour. It blends well with basil, cedarwood, lemongrass, lavender, peppermint, petitgrain, pine, citronella, thyme, cinnamon and other spices.
LIsted below are the aromatherapy uses of Rosemary Oil:
- Analgesic – relieves or diminishes pain
- Antimicrobial – resists or destroys pathogens that cause disease
- Antioxidant – inhibits oxidation
- Antirheumatic – relieves or reduces the symptoms of rheumatism
- Antiseptic – destroys or controls pathogenic bacteria
- Antispasmodic – relieves spasms & cramps of the smooth muscles
- Aphrodisiac – increases or stimulates sexual desire
- Astringent – contracts & tightens tissues
- Carminative – settles digestion, flatulence & eases gripes
- Cicatrizant – promotes healing through the formation of scar tissue
- Cholagogue – stimulates the flow of bile from the gall bladder into the intestines
- Choleretic – stimulates production & excretion of bile by the liver
- Cordial – stimulant & tonic
- Cephalic – stimulates & clears mind
- Cytophylactic – stimulates the growth of healthy new skin cells
- Diaphoretic – producing or increasing perspiration
- Digestive – aids in the digestion of food
- Diuretic – increases the production & secretion of urine
- Emmenagogue – promotes & regulates menstruation
- Fungicidal – resists or destroys fungal infections
- Hepatic – stimulates and aids liver function
- Hypertensive – increases blood pressure
- Nervine – stimulates & strengthens the nervous system
- Parasiticide – destroys parasites
- Restorative – helps to restore health, strength, or consciousness
- Rubefacient – warms the skin & increases blood flow
- Stimulant – stimulates the physiological functions of the body
- Stomachic – aids digestion
- Sudorific – helps to induce sweating
- Tonic – invigorates & strengthens the body
- Vulnerary – promotes healing of wounds & prevents tissue degeneration
Rosemary Oil is non-toxic, non-irritant in dilution only and non-sensitizing. It is not to be used by epileptics and should be avoided during pregnancy.
Please check out our Clearly Essentials’ website to see our list of essential oils and carrier oils we supply.
