Essential oils

Varieties and methods of using essential oils

Varieties and methods of using essential oils
Content
  1. What it is?
  2. What is the difference between an essential and cosmetic?
  3. Types and properties
  4. Indications and contraindications
  5. Combinations of various oils
  6. Application methods
  7. How to make at home?

Every woman tries to take care of her health and beauty. Armed with the fair sex thousands of modern cosmetology products. Some of them are used at home, others are intended for professional use in beauty salons. However, all of them to one degree or another contain essential oils. These substances were used by ancient beauty trendsetters. The secrets of old recipes came to us almost unchanged, and were even more widely used.

What it is?

Essential oils are truly magical substances. These are not only precious amphoras with particles of unique natural aromas enclosed in them, but also medicinal preparations. Their composition and properties are very diverse. They are widely used in various fields of medicine: academic and non-traditional. They are used to better heal wounds and relieve severe headaches, during a relaxing massage session and to tone the body with the inclusion of its natural immune properties.

Everyone can find their own remedy or create a unique composition. When choosing oil, it is important to focus not only on useful properties. It should be nice and right for you.

What is the difference between an essential and cosmetic?

Often, essential oil is unknowingly confused with cosmetic. The difference in their concentration and components.A cosmetic product is a finished product. In addition to essential oils, it includes many auxiliary substances. This is a neutral base oil, glycerin, various extracts. The composition of such funds is complex and multicomponent.

Essential oil is a natural product in a pure and very concentrated form. It is obtained using such complex technology as the squeezing of volatile components of various parts of plants. It cannot be used in its pure form. The esters are diluted with water, a conductor oil, and other fats. They are used in aroma lamps and as part of various cosmetic and therapeutic agents.

Types and properties

Essential oils are divided into varieties according to the method of preparation and the main effect on the human body.

Depending on the raw materials used in the extraction, oils are:

  • harvested from flowers and fruits, as well as plant seeds;
  • obtained from the green part: stems, shoots and leaves;
  • obtained from underground parts: roots, tubers and rhizomes;
  • secreted from leather, peel, wood and other parts.

Thus, different oils can be obtained from different parts of the same plant. In this case, they can have the opposite effect.

Esters are also distinguished by the varieties of the technological process in which the necessary extracts are obtained from plants. Some of these methods can be recreated at home, as will be discussed later. Separate processes are quite complex and require the use of expensive professional equipment.

  • Distillation is used to obtain the extract from the bark and foliage. In this case, the substance is divided into fractions and the liquid component is removed from the water.
  • Extraction is used for almost all types of raw materials. For this, a special extractant is used, which is connected to the plant in a special unit. It turns out high-quality concentrated essential oil.
  • Pressing (or mechanical extraction) is used to obtain oil from the peel or fruit.
  • Enflerage is used in industrial production for the isolation of essential oils from flowers and their petals. This is the most expensive method used to create luxurious fragrances, mainly in perfumes.

The oil of each plant has its own unique properties. There are a huge number of them in the world - from the most familiar (like calendula) to the exotic. Here is a list of the most common and frequently used species with a description of the benefits of using each of them.

Incense

The oil is used as a sedative to help relax and restore the body. The resin of the southern plant allows you to cope with negative emotions, brings peace to the soul and sets up a contemplative mood. This is a fairly powerful aphrodisiac. It is also believed that he is able to purify the aura at the level of the subtlest energetics.

It is also used in medical cosmetology due to its strong antiseptic effect. Essential oil is able to improve skin color, eliminate unwanted pigmentation, smooth wrinkles and fight imperfections. Especially good effect is shown by incense in the fight against various manifestations of dermatitis and eczema. The oil also has a good effect on the hair, moisturizing them and making them strong and strong.

Recent studies by oncologists indicate the effectiveness of the use of frankincense essential oil in the fight against cancerous tumors at different stages of their detection.

Melissa

The oil of this plant is most often used to reduce blood pressure, soothe various kinds of pain. Often this is prescribed for women with painful long periods. Essential oil helps in the treatment of colds and coughs. Antimicrobial and antispasmodic effects are widely used for medical purposes.

Melissa successfully helps to cope with anxiety, neurosis, muscle spasms. The soothing effect of mint has been known for a long time, so even a simple inhalation of the vapors of the oil of this plant can effectively help in eliminating the spleen, stress, fatigue.

In addition, lemon balm has a vasodilating effect. Oil improves blood supply to brain cells, helps with pain in the heart. It can also relieve motion sickness syndrome, manifested in the form of nausea.

Use essential oil for cosmetic skin care purposes. It allows you to moisturize the dermis, cope with defects, increase elasticity and heal wounds thanks to regenerative properties.

Kayaputa

Essential oil from an evergreen tree with an unusual white bark has a whole set of useful properties. It is most popular with cosmetologists in the fight against oily skin problems. The oil normalizes the functioning of the sebaceous glands, removes the effects of acne, heals and heals.

In order to get rid of dandruff and get healthy shiny hair for a long time, the extract of this plant is also used. It is enough to add a few drops of oil in a regular shampoo, and the effect will not take long. In addition, the hair will acquire a pleasant aroma.

Cayaputa essential oil effectively eliminates various pains, including female, dental, articular. It has an antiseptic effect and is used in the treatment of infectious diseases and diseases of the upper respiratory tract. A herbal remedy also helps to treat the apparatus of the gastrointestinal tract.

An aromatherapy session with kayaputa oil helps to relieve tension, invigorates and promotes concentration. For those who find it difficult to pull themselves together and make a decision, the fragrance will help to show the strong-willed qualities of the person.

This is a wonderful tonic that will provide effective help before taking important steps on the path of life.

Cypress

By its properties, this oil is similar to other types of needles. It has a wide range of medical and cosmetic properties. Tannin components strengthen the gums, have a good effect on the hair follicles and are able to tighten the skin. Astringent action helps with strong and heavy menstruation. It is useful to use oil for people with vein diseases and poor blood coagulation.

The antiseptic qualities of cypress allow it to be used to better heal wounds and fight bacteria that are aggressive to the human body. The calming effect not only heals the nervous system and relieves stress and chronic fatigue - the oil acts more deeply, eliminating muscle spasms and relieving pain. It is actively used as part of various agents for treating cold symptoms.

Scientific studies of the last decade have proven the effectiveness of cypress essential oil in cleansing the body of toxins and all kinds of harmful substances, including blood lymph. It is able to cleanse the skin, remove excess fluid from the body and normalize the work of many systems. This effect is also beneficial for women with cellulite problems. Thanks to improved microcirculation in the deepest layers, the skin gets rid of tubercles.

Finally, a fragrance lamp with the addition of a few drops of cypress oil can relieve fatigue, improve mood and relieve unnecessary anxiety. Peace and good mood in the house are guaranteed.

Oregano

An unpretentious plant with purple small flowers collected in inflorescences, grows wild in the forests and in the fields of the central band. Some gardeners cultivate this spicy culture on their site. The effect of oregano oil is very beneficial. It is widely used in cosmetology for skin rejuvenation. This is facilitated by a rich composition with vitamins A and C, valuable acids and antioxidants.

Essential oil gives problematic skin health, eliminating unhealthy rashes.Perhaps this is due to its disinfecting and antiseptic properties. Dull hair provides a healthy glow. With numerous unsuccessful attempts to get rid of dandruff, oregano extract will also help. The addition of a few drops to a cream or massage oil helps to get rid of cellulite and reduce the signs of its pronounced severity.

The therapeutic effect of oregano has long been proven. Oil helps with painful menstruation and is able to reduce toothache without pills. It is used to increase immunity in the flu season. Inhalations with an anti-inflammatory effect are also made.

This remedy is useful not only for the body, but also for the soul. It raises the mood, is able to relieve fatigue and give harmony. This plant, familiar to many, will also help to establish a dream and calm from daytime thoughts and worries.

Basil

The oil of this fragrant plant is most often used to get rid of a headache. It is also useful for nervous disorders, to relieve fatigue. It is a good sedative for bouts of depression and a bad mood. It activates the body's own reserves, has a light invigorating effect. Women are advised to take it for irregular periods. Essential oil allows you to establish a cycle and make sensations from it less painful.

Basil also helps in joint diseases, as it is able to minimize the concentration of uric acid in the blood. Its essential oil is also effective for stomach cramps, nausea.

Myrtle

Squeezing the resin of this southern plant has been used for a long time due to a wide range of therapeutic effects. The most important of its properties are antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and regenerative.

Myrtle oil is used in the recovery process after many severe illnesses and operations. Regular use helps to clean up the lymphatic system, has a beneficial effect on the blood, strengthens the body's immunity. Myrrh also has an effective effect on the gastrointestinal tract, able to get rid of the unpleasant odor from the oral cavity.

For cosmetic purposes, essential oil is quite actively used to care for hair and skin. It strengthens the hair follicles and prevents hair loss. The very structure of the hair is recovering, which becomes radiant and strong. When used in creams and face masks, myrtle in the best way shows all its healing qualities. The oil acts as a therapeutic and anti-aging agent: smoothes wrinkles, moisturizes, evens complexion, helps eliminate problems with oily sheen and pustular rashes on the face.

Essential oil has the properties of an aphrodisiac. It has a beneficial effect on mood, helps to relax and relieve tension, calm nerves. It is recommended for women with frequent migraines and severe menstrual pain.

Spruce

Oil of a plant familiar from childhood has one of the best antimicrobial and antiseptic properties. It is used for colds and severe coughing in the form of inhalations or rinses. It has an expectorant effect and anti-inflammatory effect. The ability to effectively resist germs makes it an effective tool for treating wounds of various origins.

The aroma of the essential oil in the aroma lamp helps to maintain a balance of the psycho-emotional state, to cope with mental stress. It raises the mood and evokes associations with relaxing outdoor recreation and New Year's eve anticipation.

Thyme

This wild grass is common among us under the name thyme. It contains a huge amount of vitamins and nutrients, which is why it is considered an important doctor in a herbal medicine cabinet. Oil is indicated for women with a problem hormonal background and a monthly cycle.It also gives a good analgesic effect.

The extract is also ideal for speedy recovery after severely transferred diseases. They treat both colds and viruses, as thyme is a real natural broad-spectrum antibiotic. The tool is used to cure diseases of the genitourinary system, as well as to maintain complex therapy for diseases of the joints.

It is believed that essential oil is able to increase pressure in hypotensive patients, it acts well on the capillaries of the circulatory system, and can cleanse the liver. Helps patients with anemia and with problems with thyroid hormones. Apply the remedy for sleep disorders, disturbance of the rest and wakefulness regimen, high nervous loads.

Marjoram

A close relative of oregano contains several dozen useful chemical compounds that can have a beneficial effect on the human body. This is almost a universal remedy for people suffering from disruption of the digestive system. It relieves pain during exacerbation of gastritis and peptic ulcer, neutralizes flatulence and prevents bloating, helps with constipation.

With bleeding of weak gums, this medicine is also recommended. It gives a good effect to women in the treatment of PMS syndrome. Anti-inflammatory, mild analgesic effect makes the oil an indispensable component in the treatment of colds and flu.

Marjoram will help with metabolic disorders. The body begins to better absorb vitamins and includes in its active work its natural functions of providing energy. On the other hand, essential oil has a calming effect, helps with sleep problems, and helps to relax the whole body.

Valerian

The properties of this plant relieve stress, nervous tension, quickly calm, everyone knows. However, it also has a number of other medicinal properties. So, essential oil is used to treat skin diseases, especially very sensitive, prone to irritation. A mild analgesic effect helps use valerian to relieve symptoms of rheumatism. It is also effective in normalizing the menstrual cycle in women.

In addition, the ether extract facilitates the occurrence of colds thanks to the removal of the main symptoms and antimicrobial effects. It helps especially well in the early stages of the disease.

Indications and contraindications

Essential oils, if they are not a kind of panacea, they certainly help in the complex treatment of many diseases, take care of our beauty and longevity. The list of problems that can be solved by the use of ether volatile compounds in one concentration or another can be very long. It is worth mentioning only the most common indications for the use of natural essential oils.

Oils are used for various skin diseases. They contribute to the growth and strengthening of hair. Prolong youth and slow down aging. Bathtubs and rubbing with various oils were used by the beauties of Ancient Rome and Egypt. The result is supple, tender skin, healthy and well hydrated. In the treatment of hair loss, various valuable oils are also used in modern medicine.

Active women who monitor weight, essential oil will help in this. You can inhale certain odors from incense or a special device. They discourage appetite and contribute to improving the general condition. Essential components are added to the massage cream or take a bath with them. They improve blood microcirculation in tissues, accelerate metabolic processes and help the removal of toxic substances from the body.

With stress and intense tension, aroma lamps with oils help. They relieve tension, improve the emotional and hormonal levels. Bringing harmony and peace to the house, help to relax and recover after a busy day.Some of them are used as powerful aphrodisiacs.

With a breakdown, a decrease in physical and mental activity due to stress, essential oils are also used, but with a different effect.

They invigorate, have an action awakening the nervous system. They activate their own protective functions of the body, contribute to increased immunity.

For sleep disturbances, anxiety, and insomnia, fragrances from incense or aromatic stones, aroma lamps are inhaled. You can drip 3-5 drops of oil on a pillow or corner of the sleeve.

Essential oil is also used for disinfection, as a cleaning agent. The antimicrobial effect is especially in demand in seasonal epidemics of influenza and acute respiratory infections, as well as in a house where there are already sick people. In inflammatory diseases and pulmonary diseases, inhalations with essential oil are prescribed.

This method of treatment is often used for headaches, prolonged recurring migraines. Essential oil helps with bruises, cuts, injuries. The damaged skin surface heals faster and becomes inaccessible to the penetration of harmful microorganisms.

With all the undoubted benefits of essential oils, it is worth remembering about their features of use. In this regard, a small number of restrictions on their use stand out.

  • You can not use essential oils during pregnancy. This applies to any species, since the remedy is quite powerful and can lead to premature birth.
  • Children are also not recommended to use essential components, especially those under the age of five. This can be done after consultation with a doctor, dosed, and in a highly diluted form.
  • When using essential oil, it is worth remembering that this is a pure concentrated product. It can not be applied directly to the skin in order to avoid burns and allergic reactions. It is diluted in water when used in aromatic lamps or in odorless neutral oil (olive is most often used). They are also added to the usual cosmetic product: cream, shampoo or lotion.

Combinations of various oils

Essential oils can be used not only in its pure form, but also create unique compositions. With proper selection, their components will mutually complement and enhance each other's action.

  • Orange, spruce, cypress, lavender, rosemary, mint and juniper are well combined.
  • An excellent composition is obtained from mint with basil, bergamot, mandarin, neroli and eucalyptus.
  • An effective composition is given by tea tree, cloves, ylang-ylang, cinnamon, lavender, as well as pine.
  • Patchouli is a wonderful companion of cedar, lavender, juniper, neroli and pine.
  • Cedar is ideal in combination with a related pine, juniper, as well as rosemary and neroli oil.
  • But the essential oil of bergamot is combined with almost everyone else except lavender, lemongrass, fennel and mandarin.

Application methods

Due to their high concentration, essential oils cannot be used in their pure form. Most often they are bred in water. For example, vanilla repels mosquitoes. To do this, a few drops are added to a plate with clean warm water.

To harmonize the environment, to help households relax and relieve nervous tension, oil can be added to a humidifier. Familiar aroma lamps, if there are no animals and small children, are suitable for home.

If essential oil is used to relieve a headache, then it is dripped into a special incense worn on the neck. You can use an ordinary cotton scarf for this. Two to three drops are applied to the tip and inhale the selected aroma.

For skin care, relaxation and anti-cellulite effect, add about 15 drops of concentrate to a hot bath. In addition, if you want to improve the condition of the skin and hair, the essential oil is mixed with daily shampoos and creams.

Certain types of oils can be added to tea in very small quantities, but this should be done after consultation with a specialist.

How to make at home?

Essential oils in a wide assortment are sold in pharmacies, specialty stores, and even in supermarkets. If you are not sure about the quality and concentration of the desired composition, you can try to make it yourself. To do this, you need to know the recipe and cooking technology. Choose it based on the main ingredient that will give the concentrate, and the objectives of obtaining ether. Some secrets of the proper collection of raw materials and preparing them for cooking will also help to obtain high-quality essential oil.

The preparation of essential oil begins with the collection of raw materials. After all, preserving the maximum possible amount of essential oils and getting them from the plant is a big part of success. You can collect the necessary components in the wild or grow some species in your personal garden. The properties of the raw materials depend on the time of collection, tool and many more factors that it is desirable to observe.

You can also use different parts of the plant for cooking. Collect each of them at their specific time. So, the flowers are taken at the stage of complete blooming. Stems and leaves are harvested before buds appear, and underground parts are removed from the ground in early autumn. Seeds and fruits use fully ripened. In this form, they contain the maximum amount of necessary substances.

To collect plant materials, it is better to use the morning time after the dew has dried. Do it mainly in sunny weather. It is better to tear off the necessary parts of plants manually or with a ceramic knife. The use of metal tools is undesirable, since upon contact with metal the tissues of fresh plants are oxidized and lose some of their beneficial substances. They collect plants in places far from dusty roads and gassed tracks. Nearby there should not be large household enterprises or landfills with toxic waste.

The collected parts of the plants must be carefully inspected at home again. To obtain the essential oil, only the highest quality and healthy specimens are selected. Flowers or leaves with damage or traces of disease should be thrown out without pity. The finished oil is poured into a dark glass dish. The obtained precious concentrate is tightly closed and stored in the refrigerator.

After harvesting, some plants need to be dried. To do this, they are laid out on clean, dry paper in a well-ventilated place, sheltered from direct sunlight. It is even better to suspend plants in small bunches. Some use special ovens and ovens to speed up the process. It is worth remembering that raw materials can lose about half of their initial weight in weight.

Some processes may require sophisticated process equipment (such as distillation or enslavement). It is quite expensive. Therefore, we offer common methods for the production of essential oils that do not require special equipment and significant investment.

Infusion

The most common method of obtaining the extract is to prepare the infusion. It is used for almost any plant or part thereof, unless the formulation requires otherwise. In a glass container with a volume of not less than two hundred milliliters, the material is rather densely packed. The amount is taken in accordance with a specific recipe. The remaining empty part is filled with alcohol or a base oil with a neutral odor. For this, they usually take sunflower, olive or other oil.

Close the container tightly and place it in a shaded place with a temperature of about 16 degrees. We stand the infusion for at least four days. To obtain a more saturated concentrate, the period can be extended to two months. Ready alcohol infusion is filtered through a fine sieve or clean gauze. After decantation, the oil-based concentrate is also squeezed.

Spin

The spin process is most often used to obtain essential oils from juicy citrus fruits. Before starting cooking, thoroughly rinse the peel in hot water with a brush. Such a measure will help get rid of the harmful chemicals that fruits process when sold for the best commercial properties. If citrus fruits are taken from your own garden or grow in a bowl on the balcony, we skip this action.

Cut the fresh crust as finely as possible and grind it in a wooden or ceramic container using a pestle of the same material. The resulting slurry is placed in a glass jar or a bottle of the required volume. Fill the entire free surface with neutral oil. Cork tightly and leave in a cool dark place for 3-4 days. Then the composition in the jar is heated with a water bath for 25-35 minutes. The resulting mixture is carefully transferred to cheesecloth or sieve and filtered.

Squeeze

    Squeeze is commonly used to extract ether from plant leaves. High-quality leaves should not be rinsed too intensively in running cool water so that when they come into contact with water, volatile substances do not evaporate. The slightly dried material is then placed in a food bag or loosely wrapped in cling film. Leaves must be beaten off with a kitchen wooden mallet on a clean cutting board.

    When allocating a sufficient amount of juice, you can transfer the leaves with the juice into a glass container. In this case, the raw materials do not need to be tightly packed. We fill in the remaining container area with neutral oil and shake well. For one or two days, leave the dishes in a cool room. Then pour into another container, squeeze the leaves in oil. The procedure for greater concentration is done 3-4 times.

    At the same time, freshly beaten leaves are added each time to the old oil with the extract already obtained. If necessary, add the volume of new fresh base oil to the squeeze.

    What is the difference between essential oil and perfume, see the video below.

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    Information provided for reference purposes. Do not self-medicate. For health, always consult with a specialist.

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