What is an essential oil?
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Essential oils are a super concentrated form of a plant's essence or life-blood. They can be extracted (usually in the form of steam distillation) from leaves, flowers, bark, seeds, roots, and rinds (as is the case with citrus). A plant's scent and taste come from its essential oil.
- It may take many pounds of plant material to extract only a few ounces of the beautiful essential oil.
- Essential oils are oil soluble but should not feel oily.
What is not an essential oil?
- Except for citrus, anything that smells like fruit is not an essential oil, but most likely a man-made fragrance oil. (i.e. strawberries, coconut, banana, mango, papaya, etc.)
- Fragrance oils. These are chemically derived, man-made fragrances that may smell like nature, but did not come from nature.
- Infused herbal oils. These are fixed oils (i.e. olive, almond, etc.) that have been infused with herbs. (i.e. Rosemary olive oil.)
Essential oils must be diluted to make them safe for use. Fixed oils are excellent for this. Use up to 5 drops of essential oil per teaspoon of fixed oil. One way of knowing how many drops to use is to smell the essential oil. If it smells strong, it most likely is a strong and very potent essential oil - use less!
Some people may be sensitive to some essential oils. Use caution around children, the elderly, if you have sensitive skin, or are pregnant. (Keep out of reach of children.)
Here are a few of essential oils we like to use at Lofthouse Gardens.
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LAVENDER
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A natural antibiotic, antiseptic, antidepressant, sedative, and detoxifier. Stimulates the immune system and contributes to the healing process. One of the very few essential oils that can be used without being diluted in fixed oils - can be put directly on burns, scalds, bites, stings, scrapes, and other skin injuries. Is gentle enough to use on infants (diluted). Can help relieve tension, headaches, and sleeplessness.
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EUCALYPTUS
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An anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antibiotic, antiviral, diuretic, analgesic, and deodorizer. Effective against coughs and colds, the treatment of cystitis, candida, diabetes, and sunburn. Also useful as an insect repellant. Can be used in the ‘medicine cup’ of the humidifier to help clear lungs that may be suffering from coughs, colds, or allergies.
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TEA TREE
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An antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal. Used in the treatment of candida, infections, ringworm, sunburn, acne, athlete’s foot, toothache, and pyorrhea.
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PEPPERMINT
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A digestant, helps the respiratory system and circulation, is anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. Used in the treatment of indigestion, flatulence, bad breath, flu, catarrh, varicose veins, headaches and migraines, skin irritations, rheumatism, toothache, and fatigue. Repels mice, fleas, and ants.
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ROSEMARY
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A physical and mental stimulant, good for treatment of all muscular conditions including sprains, arthritis, rheumatism, depression, fatigue, memory loss, migraine, headaches, coughs, flu, and diabetes. Is useful in beauty treatments - hair care, acne, and cellulite remedies. (Caution: do not use rosemary if you are pregnant or epileptic.)
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Lofthouse Gardens