Hair Alternative Medicine

Storing, Handling And Using Essential Oils


Pure Essential Oils are a natural product and contain no preservatives or additives. A few of them can also be quite dangerous if not handled correctly. Some basic procedures should therefore be observed in order to ensure safety but also the quality of the oils in storage.

Storing essential oils:

Many Essential Oils are flammable and/or act as strong solvents. Eucalyptus Oil for example can be used to remove glue from old stickers or to strip paint.

Essential Oils are best stored in amber glass bottles with a tight lid. It is also advisable to fit bottles that don't have a dripolator (orifice reducer) with a child proof cap for safety reasons. Sun light (UV) and high temperatures are the main enemies of essential oils. Amber glass bottles offer good protection from UV. Essential Oil containers are best kept in a dark, cool place with temperature fluctuations kept to a minimum. Keep essential oils safely locked away from children at all times.

Stored at low temperatures, some oils will tend to solidify. This is no cause for alarm as they will turn liquid again once they reach room or in some cases body temperature. Most likely to solidify are the absolutes, vanilla, rose otto and fennel.

Under good conditions essential oils can be stored for periods of 6 months to several years. Some oils like myrrh, sandalwood, frankincense and patchouli will even improve or "mature" with age, very similar to a good wine. The shortest shelf life have all citrus oils with grapefruit generally being the first to deteriorate. Once these oils start to turn cloudy or smell rancid they should be disposed of.

Handling and using essential oils: When taking essential oils from the bottle, avoid contaminating the oil. Don't touch the top of the bottle or the inside of the lid. If you are using pipettes to transfer the oils, try to obtain disposable ones that you can throw away after use. Never use the same pipette for different oils. Used pipettes can also be stored for a short time in clip-seal plastic bags to use again later.

Avoid contact of essential oils with the skin as they can cause irritation. Using latex gloves and wearing protective glasses is recommended when handling essential oils. Essential oils must never be used internally. For application to the skin, dilute the essential oil with a good quality carrier oil e.g. jojoba, almond or olive oil. 3% essential oil with 97% carrier oil is a safe ratio.

Diffusers and oil lamps need only 2-3 drops of essential oil to scent a room for many hours. The cup on the oil lamp should be 3/4 filled with clean water, add to it the 2-3 drops of essential oil. Only then light the candle in the burner. Remember some essential oils are highly flammable, so be careful when using an essential oil lamp.

Observe these points and you will get a lot of enjoyment out of your essential oils.

Mireille Gautschi is a qualified Flower Essence Therapist and Herbalist who has many years experience with the developement of natural herbal remedies. Her products can be found on the Hillside Herbal Products website http://www.hillsideherbal.com.au that also offers a very informative newsletter.


MORE RESOURCES:

Alternative Health Journal Unveils Online Destination for Natural ...
MarketWatch - Aug 25, 2008
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Aug 25, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Alternative Health Journal today announced the launch of the Web's first alternative health ...


On the Third Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina; Trust for America's ...
MarketWatch - 3 hours ago
Can we be sure that alternative living arrangements -- such as trailers -- will not pose new threats to the health of evacuees? ...


Democrat's vision will collide with reality
The Associated Press - 20 hours ago
He would also increase spending in other areas such as alternative energy programs. Obama promised to "go through the federal budget, line by line, ...
Three Things Candidates Won't Tell You Forbes
Obama’s New Tax Welfare American Spectator
Obama's vision may collide with stern realities Arizona Daily Star
all 146 news articles


National Quality Forum Endorses National Consensus Standards for ...
MarketWatch - 2 hours ago
"These newly endorsed measures can provide important information on effective use of health IT for both early adopters of HIT and those who are just ...


Alternative thyroid drug sells out
Stuff.co.nz, New Zealand - Aug 28, 2008
Despite this, New Zealand company Health Support yesterday confirmed it had stopped taking orders for imported Goldshield late last week. ...


Daily Mail

The real problem with Paxo is he's got a female boss
Daily Mail, UK - Aug 28, 2008
Don't forget that Radovan Karadzic, one of the most evil warlords of modern times, evaded capture for years disguised as an alternative health practitioner.


Actions, not words, needed to deliver primary health care
The Canberra Times, Australia - 23 hours ago
... location-specific provider numbers or through incentives and support for alternative primary health care approaches, particularly in areas of need and ...


Ontario Now

Real world issues for graduates include health insurance
Bolingbrook Sun, IL - 14 hours ago
Short-term health insurance offers one to six months of coverage, and can be a lower cost alternative for new graduates as well as workers between jobs and ...
Non-payment, under-payments are draining hospital resources North Fort Myers Neighbor
all 338 news articles


The Gazette (Montreal)

Listeriosis not big concern for many people — province
Fort Saskatchewan Record, Canada - 5 hours ago
He said Safeway is in the process of finding alternative suppliers for some products affected by the recall, but said alternative choices are already ...
Meatless lunch options Kawartha Media Group
Suspect meat removed from BC health facilities Vancouver Sun
Elderly woman's death linked to listeriosis Orillia Packet & Times
New York Times - Canada NewsWire (press release)
all 2,026 news articles


West Nile Virus found in mosquito in Kensington
Hampton Union, NH - 13 hours ago
As has been the case during the mosquito season, Stull urged residents to use DEET or DEET-alternative mosquito repellents containing Picaridin and oil of ...

Alternative Health - Google News

home | Iridology | "Mind Machines" | "Alternative Health" site map | Iridology Site Map | "Alternative Botox"
© 2000 - 2008