Which are the most common essential oils used in organic cosmetics, health care, and why?

But first of all, some essential oils history and stories:

Aromatherapy means the therapy with aromas.

It is the use of distilled plant to allow a higher concentration (75 to 100 times more concentrated than dried herbs).

Nobody can tell precisely for how long men are using aromatic plants to treat themselves and for wellbeing. However we found the first vestiges of essential oils around 4000 to 5000 BC, in Orient. The most ancient still made with terra cota was found in Pakistan. It is interesting to note that in Australia, aborigines were already using plants fumigation 40 000 BC.

René-Raymond Gatefosse, a French chemist, is a modern precursor in this field, he proved the effectiveness of essential oils after critically burning himself  and treating his infected wounds with lavender essential oils. He wrote a book named Aromatherapy, which is the first time this term has been used. It is to be noticed that Jean Valnet, a French Doctor during the Corean war, used essential oils on his patients very successfully. Pierre Franchomme, a Belgian biochemist created the Pranarom Essential oils Lab entirely dedicated to aromatherapy, he developed his researches on the chemotype: the ID card of essential oil, identifying the different molecules composing an oil, as well as the benefits of each chemotype (anti inflammatory, calming, antiseptic…)

Aromatherapy can be used in different manners and for different purposes.

The most common ways to use aromatherapy will be:

1 by inhalation for our wellbeing:

-by stimulating our emotions and memory through the limbic system

-by stimulating the release of hormones

 

2 by application on skin. Thanks to the light density of essential oils molecules, they are penetrating into the human body through the bloodstream. By this fact, they are reaching the different organs and have direct healing actions, like anti inflammatory, anti viral, antifungal, regulating functions, boosting immune system…etc

Scientific studies lead by L. Cavel (1918) are proving the strong antiseptic power of essential oils.

3 in cosmetics. Essential oils have numerous benefits for skin: healing, treating soothing.

 

All this 3 approaches of essential oils are allowing the therapist to plainly offer an holistic therapy to his/her patients. Indeed, by surrounding human body with natural concentrated essential oils, it is healing and balancing the mind, body and soul. Aromatherapy is not only treating symptoms, but encouraging the natural forces to realign.

It is a wonderful preventive medicine, with numerous benefits for the Triangle Of Life; taking care of Psychological, Anatomical and physiological aspects interactively.

 

You can click on any essential which is underlined to be taken to their Essential Oils Review and Informations. It will offer you to learn more about them (I am working on completing all the oils reviews in a clear, enjoyable  and usefull way).

My advise is to always select your provider producing 100% pure steam distilled plant oils, which will offer the highest concentration in active natural chemicals you will need to take care of your skin and to perform an interresting prevention on all your daily little health issues. It is extremelly important your essential oils to be free of carriers, diluents and other inputs. These essential oils will also offer an unequal fragrance, exceptional depth, magnificent keynote, thanks to all these exceptionnal qualities, you will enjoy using your essences in your cosmetics and fragrances. Here I will tell you were botanical plants are ideally growned,. Indeed depending on weather, soils, humidity, we can find some of the worlds most magnificent therapeutic quality oils from reputable distillers and suppliers I discoverd, trust, and have a wonderful working relationship with.

 

 

Just one example with my Niaouli essential oil. The leaves are picked, distilled and sold by a couple of passionated people which are doing a wonderful job next to Nouméa-New Caledonia.

Here is the list of essential oils:

Yarrow:

anti inflammatory, healing, cracks healing, reduce digestive cramps, preventing irregular and spare period

Angelica:

reduce stress and fatigue, reduce digestive  and gaz issues, in China: famous for fighting infertility

Sea fennel:

draining and slimming, anti oxidating, repulping and regenerating, face and anti aging benefits

Galbanum:

Particular frangrance used in perfumery as head note, green grass touch, antispasmodic and stimulating

Helychrysum:

reduce edema and brouse, rosacea, repulping, healing

Inula:

strong expectorant, heal respiratory ways

Ledum:

organism stimulating, detox, soothing, reduce stress and insomia

Pistacia Lentisticus:

decongesting blood and lymph circulation, fight heavy legs

Magnolia:

relaxing floral and delicate perfume, heart note in perfumery, delightfully sweet and honey note

Melissa Officinalis:

calming, reduce spasm, anxiety, sleeping help, digesting help, light smell

Neroli:

naturally calming, reduce anxiety on depressed and stressed persons, delightful floral fragrance

Rose:

preventing aging and lines, tonic, provide harmony, amazing in perfumery

Valerian:

nerves tonic, veinous decongesting, fight intense fatigues

Vervain:

anti inflammatory, sedative and stimulating organism, help when depressed, stressed and insomnia

Yuzu:

rare lime oil, not photo sensibilating, help to reduce stress, anxyety and fatigue, stregth selfconfidence

Elemi:

healing, skin care, energy giving, recentring energy, harmony, balance

Frankincense:

nervous tension releave, air ways antiseptic, pain killer, anti inflamatory, healing

Myrrh:

soul and spirit soothing, relaxing, creating a convivial ambiance, air ways anti infection, teeth neuralgia

Spikenard;

spiritual, spicy musky frangrance, raise the spirit, promote zen attitude, reduce stress insomnia migrena, helps to overcome emmotionnal shocks

Ahibero:

strong antifungal, anti bacterial, acne fighter

Ajowan:

strong antiseptic, tonic, energizing, anti parasites, great air purifying

Basil (Ocinum BasilicumCT linalol):

skin well tolerated thanks to linalol, antibacterial, antispasmodic, balancing nervous system, fight stress, revitalize dull and mature skins

Basil ( Ocinum Sactum):

strong anti aging, anti oxidant, strong energizing, famous for stimulating body and soul

Tropical Basil (Ocinum Basilicum Var):

strong nervous tonic, fight stress and fatigue, reduce transit issues

Taragon (Artemisia dracumculus):

famous anti viral, , antispasmodic, anti allergy by rubbing and diffusion

Hysope ( Hyssupus):

help reducing asthma, cought, flu by chest rubbing, great against dermatosis

Laurus Nobilis;

body tonic, soul revive, respiratory ways antiviral and anti bacterial, pain killer, anti inflammatory, relieve rheumatism and muscle aches

Marjoram (Origanum Majorana):

sedative and calming, antibacterial, antispasmodic, fight aerophagy

Marjoram (Thymus Mastchina):

expectorating, decongesting, antibacterial, fresh and pleasant fragrance, great in diffusion synergy with  lavender

Origanum Marjorana CT Thujanol:

Strong anti bacterial, antiviral, antifungal, protecting organism, healing and stimulating muscles and blood circulation

Myrtle green (myrtus communis):

well tolerated respiratory ways antiseptic by rubbing on thorax, great air purifying, tonic and astringent, good acne fighter

Myrtle red (myrtus communis):

rich in myrtenyle acetate: great antispasmodic and veinous decongesting, help asthma issues, preventing against lice

Origan (origanum compactum):

major antibacterial and anti viral, is a must have, immune tonic and stimulating, antifungal (always important dilution!)

Origan (origanum vulgaris):

is one of the strongest anti infection, tonic and stimulating, air purifying in winter

Parsley Seed (petroselinum sativum):

used for 2000 year, helps circulations issues linked with period, fight retention, stimulating

Rosemary Campher (rosmarinus officinalis campher):

fight muscle spasm, prepare muscles before effort, lipolitic (slimming cure)

Rosemary Verbena (rosmarinus ct verbenone):

regenerating and body protection, healing and bactericid, skin care: eczema, acne, stretches, and scares

Sarriette (satureia montana):

major anti infection, dynamizing properties

Sage Clary (salvia sclaree):

balancing, reduce menstrual symptoms, excessive perspiration fighter, exceptional regenerating

Thyme (thymus serpyllum):

antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic, digestion stimulation, strong tonic

Thyme Geraniol (thymus vulgaris geraniol):

sweet and lime fragrance, anti infection, tonic, acne fighter, fungal and eczema fighter

Thyme Linalol (thymus vulgaris linalol):

excellent antibacterial, anti infection, immune stimulation, skin tonic, often used in cosmetics

Thyme Thujenol (thymus vulgaris thujenol):

essential in famous aromatherapist natural pharmacy, sweet and still powerful anti infection, usefull for ERT, urinary and gynecology

Thyme Thymol (thymus vulgaris thymol):

excellent lungs antiseptic, general stimulation, purify skin issues, nervous, energizing, tonic (always diluted!!)

Thyme Borneol (thymus starcioide borneol carvicrol):

stimulating benefits, immune balancing, helps to fight arthritis and rheumatism

 

 

 

 

Learn the potential hazards of essential oils before you use it.

Essential oils are wonderful and can be very beneficial when used properly.  Use them the wrong way and you might end up with skin irritations or worse!  I hope you will read the following guidelines about the hazards and warnings regarding essential oils.

General Guidelines

1. Read and follow all label cautions and warnings

2. Keep out of reach of children and pets

3. Do not use on babies, children or pets

4. Keep away from flame, heat and ignition sources (essential oils are flammable)

5. Do not apply undiluted (neat) essential oils directly onto skin; dilute with a carrier oil first

6. Always conduct a patch test of diluted essential oil on the inner arm before using; do not use if redness or irritation occurs

7. Do not ingest essential oils

8. Keep essential oils out of eyes, ears, nose, mouth and any body opening

9. Never assume an essential oil possesses the same properties as its plant

10. If you have sensitive skin, epilepsy, heart or kidney problems, or any serious medical condition, do not use essential oils unless advised by a physician or medical professional that it is safe

Specific Precautions

1. Do not use at all, or under the supervision of a qualified expert: (These are the most hazardous of essential oils, possessing very high oral and dermal toxicity): Bitter Almond, buchu, camphor, sassafras, calamus, horseradish, mugwort, mustard, pennyroyal, rue, savin, savory, southernwood, tansy, thuja, wintergreen, wormseed and wormwood. 

2. Do not use during pregnancy: aniseed, balsam peru, Bay (laurel), basil, benzoin, bergamot, bitter almond, basil, birch, cajeput, camphor, cedarwood, celery seed, chamomile (blue), cinnamon (bark and leaf), cistus, clary-sage, clove, cornmint, cypress, dill seed, douglas fir, eucalyptus, eucalyptus lemon, fennel, grapefruit, hyssop, jasmine, juniper, lavender (spike), lemon, lemongrass, lemon myrtle, lemon verbena, lime, lovage, marjoram, myrrh, myrtle, nutmeg, oakmoss, oregano, parsley seed, pennyroyal, peppermint, pine (scotch), rose, rosemary, sage, savory, spikenard, st. johns wort, sweet marjoram, tangerine, thuja, thyme, valerian, wintergreen, and yarrow

3. Do not use on skin (ever): Ajowan, cinnamon bark, cassia, clove leaf-stem-bud, costus, elecampane, bitter fennel, oregano and pine

4. Do not use if you have high blood pressure: Hyssop, rosemary, sage or thyme

5. Do not use if you have epilepsy: Sweet fennel, hyssop, sage, rosemary and wormwood

6. Skin irritants: Angelica root, bergamot mint, birch, bitter almond, cinnamon leaf, cinnamon bark, clove bud, costus, grapefruit, hyssop, lavender (spike), lemon, lemon verbena, lime, marjoram, orange peppermint, oregano, parsley seed, peppermint, pimento berry, pine, savory, spearmint, tagetes, tangerine, red and wile thyme and wintergreen

7. Will make skin more sensitive to sunlight: most concentrated citrus oils, angelica, bergamot, and lemon verbena.

8. Not to be exposed by mucous membranes or ingested: all absolutes, allspice, ajowan, amyris, benzoin, calendula, cinnamon (bark and leaf), Douglas Fir, Jasmine, Lemon Myrtle, manuka, myrrh, oregano, parsley seed, pennyroyal, pine (scotch), savory, st. johns wort, tarragon, tea tree, thuja, and thyme.

In Case of an Accident

1. If essential oil gets into eyes: Immediately flush with cold milk or vegetable oil to dilute; if stinging persists, seek medical attention. Water won’t help, essential oils are not missible with water but with oily substances

2. If essential oil gets on hands: Use cream or vegetable oil to dilute; wash with soap and warm water; repeat if necessary

3. If ingested: Call National Capital Poison Control Center

This information is for educational purposes only, it is not intended to treat, cure, prevent or, diagnose any disease or condition. Nor is it intended to prescribe in any way. This information is for educational purposes only and may not be complete, nor may its data be accurate. As with all herbs, . Do not take internally unless working with a qualified and expert practitioner. Keep away from children. Avoid use  unless discussed with your physician especially if you are pregnant, nursing or suffer from any type of health issue.