10 things to know about essential oil
The world of essential oils is vast and fascinating, but information about it is not yet sufficiently structured and widespread. Here are 10 tips you shouldn't miss if you use essential oils!
1 - Can I use essential oils on my skin?
Using pure essential oils directly on the skin is not recommended. These are extremely concentrated raw materials (a true condensate of active ingredients) that can be too aggressive for the epidermis. Mix them with a vegetable oil or a neutral cream in a dilution of 0.5% to 2% for the face (paying attention to eyes and mucous membranes) and 3% to 5% for the body: you will benefit from their properties to the fullest. Dilution in a carrier allows the active ingredients to penetrate the dermis more easily. One exception: you can use pure Lavender on a mosquito bite, burn, or scratch. Pure Tea Tree can also be applied topically for canker sores, warts, and nail fungus.
2 - Do essential oils stain fabrics?
Essential oils are dry oils, not greasy. The only risk of staining is due to colored waxes naturally present in some plants: a gentle wash is enough to remove them from the fabric. If you intend to use essential oils on clothes, we recommend diluting them and spraying them with a spray bottle: this way, no marks will be left. Would you like to use them in wardrobes, on pillows, between sheets... in short, everywhere? We understand, that's why we have created a line of spray essential oils: discover them all here!
3 - Essence or essential oil?
The term "essence" is often used improperly: in aromatherapy, "essence" refers to what is contained within the plant, while after distillation, the aromatic molecules are called essential oils. This partially incorrect term often conceals synthetic products, which have little to do with essential oils.
4 - What is aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is a branch of phytotherapy that uses essential oils for body harmony and the development of human potential. No aromatherapy properties are recognized for any type of synthetic substance: essential oils, in addition to active ingredients, contain the message and energy of the plant from which they were distilled, which interact with the organism on both physical and psycho-emotional levels. If you are curious, discover how aromatherapy works
5 - Essential oils for dogs
Our four-legged friends benefit from an exquisite sense of smell (with about 200 million receptors), which could be disturbed by overly strong odors. There are essential oils that dogs prefer over others, such as Lavender and Chamomile: in addition to an excellent sense of smell, they have a fine instinct and seem to recognize the oils most suitable for them. You can use Lavender hydrolate for cleaning their fur (exceptional!) and Tea Tree to repel ticks, fleas, and parasites. In any case, before using essential oils directly on the animal, it is advisable to check that the smell does not disturb it too much and to consult a veterinarian.
6 - How long do essential oils last?
Essential oils are by nature "natural preservatives," and are used with this intent also in biocosmetics. Officially, the expiration is 12 months after opening, but, thanks to their antibacterial and antiviral properties, essential oils can be preserved even longer if stored correctly. Citrus fruits are at a higher risk of oxidation: in this case, we advise you to consume them within a year to have a fresh and active product.
7 - Can I use essential oils with children?
Children have an extremely acute and delicate sense of smell that must be respected. For early childhood, particularly gentle essential oils are recommended, associated with comfort and relaxation: Orange, Lavender, Blue Chamomile, Mandarin, Vanilla. You can use them for a gentle ambient diffusion, on clothes or pillows, in a cream for a massage, or in an aromatic bath. Discover Sweet Dreams and Cuddle, Olfattiva's synergies dedicated to little ones!
8 - Are essential oils ingestible?
Yes, essential oils can be taken orally, after proper dilution (for example, in sugar or honey). If you wish to use oils in this way, it is good practice to consult a naturopathic doctor and receive instructions on the number of drops, the carrier, and the methods. They are great allies for our body, which, if used correctly, can support the immune system, digestion, respiration, the circulatory system, the menstrual cycle, and the nervous system. Before ingesting an essential oil, make sure it is a food-grade essential oil.
9 - Do you have pomegranate or poppy essential oil? And green tea?
Essential oils are extracted from aromatic plants, while others do not contain them: typically, plants that do not produce essential oil have no scent when brought to the nose, just like poppy or ivy. Very few flowers can be distilled and usually have a minimal yield, such as Rose, Neroli, and Jasmine. Essential oil is not extracted from fruits - with the exception of citrus fruits - using traditional techniques. Here are some plants whose scent is exclusively reproduced synthetically by the perfume industry and for which no essential oil exists: Narcissus, Lily of the Valley, Green Tea, Black Tea, Poppy, Fig, Ivy, White Musk.
10 - I am allergic to perfume, can I use essential oils?
Essential oils contain certain allergens such as limonene and geraniol, which are also synthetically reproduced and used in the industrial production of shower gels, perfumes, creams, and cosmetics. The excess of irritating chemicals in contact with our skin is leading to an increasing number of people experiencing various types of allergies. Unfortunately, generic patch tests that determine these "perfume allergies" are carried out with eight mixes of synthetic molecules and do not provide specific indications on the allergens that cause these reactions. To find out if an essential oil causes skin reactions or sensitization, you can use a drop (diluted) in the crook of your arm and perform a home patch test. If you think you are allergic to perfume, you can try Patchouli: this essential oil does not contain allergens.
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