CARRIER OILS
Pure essential oils
are hardly ever used neat but instead are blended into a carrier oil which acts
as a base for the essential oil, and is a lubricant, so making massage easier
and more effective.
When choosing a
carrier oil look for:
1 Smell (there should
be little or none)
2 Penetrating power
3 Keeping qualities
4 Price (more
expensive oils are purer)
5 Therapeutic
properties of oil.
All carrier oils will
oxidise on being exposed to the air and become unfit for use. Wheatgerm wi11
improve anti-oxidising abilities by one month.
Carrier oils are
always vegetable in origin. They should be natural, unprocessed oils which have
not been treated with chemicals. Any vegetable oil can be used, but some are
more suitable than others. For instance, virgin oil could be used but its smell
would overpower your chosen essential oil and it is also quite expensive.
Animals oils/ fats may
not be acceptable and may be irritants. Mineral oils are not absorbed and may
even leach vitamins from the skin.
You need an oil which
is fine textured with little or no colour or smell The quantities of essential
oil to carrier oil will vary a little from oil to on, but unless otherwise
stated you should use:
Adults
2-3 drops essential
oil to -5m1 (ltsp) carrier oil for use on the body.
4 drops essential oil-
to -10ml carrier oil for use on the body.
2-6 years of age:
1 drop essential oil
to -10m1 carrier oil for use on the body.
Over 10:
As for adults.
From bitter and sweet
almond -Pale yellow, slightly viscous -Cold pressed.. Slight aroma -little
tendency to become rancid -Rich in proteins, very oily -Protects, moisturises
and nourishes skin. Neutral and non-allergic -Relieves itching.
APRICOT KERNEL
Contains vitamins
-Cell regenerator. Good for dehydrated skin, especially with the elderly and
also calms inflamed and dry skin. Good for facial care as it is light and
easily absorbed
Expressed from dried
fruit -Deep green -Do not chill -Keeps well -Penetrating,
Healing. Lecithin,
vitamins A1 B & D -very lubricating.
Very effective in
keeping stretch marks at bay.
CALENDULA
Healing
CARROT
Mainly water -oil in
tiny quantities -Rich in vitamins A, B, C, D, E & F -
Tonic, rejuvenating.
White solid
crystalline fat -Cold pressed from flesh -Soothing.
Traditionally known as
“knit bone” for it’s healing properties. It is also effective for eczema and dry skin.
EVENING PRIMROSE
Pressed from seeds
-Linoleic add (vitamin F) -For dry, scaly skin.
Tasteless -Odourless
-Non-a1lergic -Inexpensive -Keeps well -Vitamin F. Avoid using on sensitive
skin, eczema and psoriasis.
HAZELNUT
Amber -Pleasant odour
-Deeply penetrating -Nourishing -Astringent -Stimulates
circulation.
Liquid wax -Dissolves
sebum. Very good for inflamed skin, eczema, psoriasis and acne.
OLIVE
Calming -Nourishing
-Characteristic odour -Pleasant but may overpower essential oils if in subtle
blend.
PEACH KERNEL
Cell regeneration.
Pale yellow in colour
-suitable for all skin types- contains high levels of vitamin E - obtained from
the safflower.
SESAME
Good for stretch
marks-
Pale yellow in colour
-suitable for dry, sensitive skin -contains proteins –obtained from soya bean.
SUNFLOWER
Not generally used by
aromatherapists but is readily available and can be used for the body.
WALNUT
Balances nervous
system.
Rich in vitamin E -Acts
as anti-oxidant -excellent for helping to heal scar tissue or dehydrated skin-
10% added to any other oil will help preserve it and prevent it from going
rancid -tends to have a bready smell so mix it with plainer carrier oils.