How to Dilute Essential Oils

Posted on January 27, 2015March 25, 2016 by Johann Callaghan

Essential oils are concentrated, highly potent substances. A working knowledge of how to use them safely is vital and should be respected. Knowing how to dilute essential oils properly will help you to use them safely and gain the highest possible therapeutic effects.

Essential oil dilution is a safety precaution for two reasons:
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Helps to avoid irritated skin, sensitivity, photosensitivity and sensitisation
Helps to avoid systemic toxicity such as neurotoxicity and carcinogenicity. This may not be as obvious as skin reactions

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The most effective way to dilute essential oils is in a carrier oil. A carrier can be any high-quality vegetable oil, such as almond, grapeseed, apricot kernel, jojoba, olive or sesame.

Percentage dilution is worked out on the basis that there are 20 drops of essential oils in 1ml. Aromatherapy for home use usually adapts the percentage dilution of between 1.5% and 3%.

Table of Percentage Dilution

Percentage Dilution Number of drops in 10mls of Carrier Oil Number of drops in 50mls of Carrier Oil

Percentage Dilution	Number of drops in 10mls of Carrier Oil	Number of drops in 50mls of Carrier Oil
0.5%	1	5
1%	2	10
1.5%	3	15
2%	4	20
2.5%	5	25
3%	6	30

Never put undiluted essential oils on your skin

If you have sensitive skin, essential oils can cause it to become over sensitised. Once you become sensitised, you will probably remain sensitised permanently to that oil and even other similar oils. Don’t take the risk and ensure all your essential oils are diluted before applying to the skin. If you have sensitive skin and are unsure of using any oils, always do a patch test. Always remember, less is more.

*Note
Essential oil percentage dilutions given in this article are not intended for use for the following:

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Facial blends
Body blends for sensitive skin
Special conditions which need treatment ie pain, inflammation
Pregnancy
Children
Elderly who are weak following illness or on any medication
Those whose immune system is comprised or other serious health issues

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Important
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Essential oils should never used neat on the skin
Essential oils should never be taken internally
Essential oils should be stored out of reach of children and pets
Essential oils are highly inflammable and should be kept away from naked flame and should be stored correctly

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Top 5 Aromatherapy Carrier Oils for the Winter

Posted on December 4, 2014May 1, 2015 by Johann Callaghan

Cold winds, frost and rain all contribute to drying out the skin. As the weather gets colder, it is important to pay more attention to our skin through a natural, moisturising beauty regime, which will leave your skin looking radiant and feeling hydrated in the harsh winter months.

What are Carrier Oils?

A carrier oil or vegetable oil is derived from the fatty portion of the plant usually the kernel, seeds or nuts.

How Do They Work?

Carrier oils are particularly effective for protecting the skin from drying out and nourishing the skin in the cold winter months. Many carrier oils simulate sebum, which is the skin’s natural moisturiser. Essential Fatty Acids are necessary for dry skin and particularly for skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema. It supports the natural PH level or acid mantle of the skin, protecting the skin and body from bad bacteria. The acid mantle is vital to our health as this is the first line of defence. A diet rich in omega 3 and omega 6 essential fatty acids and using carrier oils on the skin will significantly nourish and improve the skin’s appearance.

How Do You Use Them?

Carrier oils can be used up to twice a day in the winter. Only use small amounts. To prevent over production of sebum, avoid using harsh products on your skin, alkaline soaps and over cleansing. This will stimulate the sebum to produce more oil leaving you with oily skin and possibly further problems.

Top 5 Carrier Oils

Apricot Kernel Oil

A smooth light oil. Good for skincare especially for the face and mature and sensitive skin. Contains oleic acid. Rich in vitamins A & D.

Calendula oil

Excellent for eczema, damaged, itchy or dry skin, wound healing. Has anti-inflammatory properties and aids in wound healing. Good for dry, mature skin and eczema. Contains Vitamin A, B1, B2, B6 & Vitamin E.

Jojoba Oil

Is actually a wax. It’s texture is light and silky. It simulates the skins sebum and so is not likely to block pores. It is able to dissolve into skin oils and help soothe damaged and irritated skin. Good for fine lines and wrinkles. Acts as an anti-inflammatory. It does not contain triglycerides, unlike most other vegetable oils and as a result, it does not oxidize easily and will not turn rancid like some other vegetable oils.

Rosehip Oil

Rich is alpha linolenic acid. It has a light texture. Contains vitamin C & E. A highly effective anti-oxidant. Excellent for wound and burn healing, premature ageing, regeneration of scar tissue and various skin disorders. Use for dry, irritated or weather damaged skin.

Olive Oil

It’s texture is heavy and oily. It has disinfecting properties and is very healing. Good for burns, sprains and bruises. It is high in oleic acid and vitamin E & A. It also contains the natural moisturiser squalane as well as chlorophyll, which can help the skin’s natural healing processes.

Essential Oils for Pain and Inflammation

Posted on October 18, 2014May 1, 2015 by Johann Callaghan

What is Inflammation?

Inflammation is an immune response and is the body’s way of dealing with an injury or infection. It is a very natural process. Your body is constantly exposed to toxins, in the air, food, water, chemical reactions in the body ie emotional or physical and of course injury to the body’s tissues and food intolerances. When the body is overloaded with toxins and the liver is under too much pressure, they can leak through the mucous membranes resulting in catarrh or inflammation of the mucous membranes. These toxins or free radicals can also build up elsewhere in the body causing pain and infection and digestive problems.

Pain and inflammation almost always goes hand in hand. Inflammation is caused by injury or acidity and always causes degeneration and or pain. The fundamental key to reducing pain and inflammation is almost always to reduce acidity in your body. Our normal healthy pH levels internally are around pH 7.

What happens during acute inflammation?

When the body’s tissue has been damaged, the inflammation process begins within seconds. The damage may be from a physical injury, or caused by an immune response. Histamine is released causing blood vessels to dilate and become more porous allowing in more fluid and blood proteins into the interstitial spaces. White blood cells ie neutrophil, macrophages and lymphocytes, attack and ingest the foreign body. The inflamed area becomes painful as the nerve endings are stimulated to further protect the area. The area becomes red and hot to touch.

Chronic Inflammation

Chronic Inflammation is a long term inflammation which can last for several months. This occurs as a result of a failure to eliminate the root cause, stress or an auto immune response where the immune system is attacking it’s own healthy tissues. Examples are asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic sinusitis, crohn’s disease, psoriases and fibromyalgia.

How do essential oils work?

Essential oils encourage a process known as phagocytosis which stimulates white blood cells to ingest and clean up micro-organisims. They are the highest know anti-oxidants substances which are vital to help soak up the free radicals and balance the acid/alkaline balance. The body can handle free radicals with anti-oxidants, however, excess free radicals can cause damage to cells and contribute to aging.

Essential oils for pain and inflammation are increasingly being used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, such as allergy, rheumatism and arthritis. They also support the body’s first line of defence. The skin acts as a protective barrier and essential oils future support this action. When treating inflammation with essential oils, we also need to help detoxify the body, eliminating free radicals and also to help relieve pain. Essential oils with diuretic properties help to accelerate the detoxification process by stimulating the kidneys. Ie lemon, grapefruit, fennel and juniper berry. These oils will also stimulate the body’s ability to make more white blood cells.

Essential oils for anti-oxidant, analgesic and anti-Inflammatory properties

Eucalyptus has been traditionally used to clear congestion with symptoms associated with colds and flus. Diffusing eucalyptus can purify the air of harmful microorganisms.

Ginger can be used for arthritis, fatigue, muscular aches and pains, poor circulation and strains and sprains. It has a similar action to rosemary in that it stimulates the blood flow and warms the skin, bringing relief from pain and stiffness associated with inflammation.

Roman Chamomille helps sooth painful joints, muscular aches and pains, sprains, rheumatism and neuralgia. German chamomile contains chamazulene, a powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy and cooling agent.

Rosemary is effective for muscular pain and rheumatism and stimulates the circulation. Do no use if you suffer with epilepsy or high blood pressure.

Peppermint is used to relieve irritated skin conditions and has a cooling effect on the skin and is an effective analgesic. Used for muscle aches and pains, respiratory and sinus congestion.

Tea tree is antiviral and antibiotic, it is a good oil to use when the skin is inflamed.

Thyme has probably the strongest anti-oxidant properties. It helps boost the immune system, has a warming effect and stimulates poor circulation.

How To Use Essential Oils with Carrier Oils

Carrier oils or base oils are used to dilute and to carry the essential oils into the body. Examples of carrier oils are almond, grapeseed or sunflower. Mix 6 drops of essential oil(s) to 1 tablespoon of carrier oil and rub into the body (3% blend for adults).

Safety

Always do a skin test before using an essential oil. Keep vegetable oil nearby in the case of sensitivity occurring on the skin. Never use water because oil and water do not mix. Children generally use about 1/3 of the adult blends.

The Powerful Moisturising Properties of Shea Butter

Posted on October 4, 2014May 1, 2015 by Johann Callaghan

100% natural unrefined & organic Shea Butter is an off- white or ivory-colored fat extracted from the nut of the African tree. Shea butter is edible and is used in food preparation in Africa. Our Shea Butter is produced by a women’s fair trade project in Ghana. The Organic Shea Butter that Therapeutic Healing gets from Ghana, go through an initial filtering process with a fine cloth to remove any impurities, an then goes through a final cleansing process in Holland.

LEAH Whipped Shea Butter has moisturising properties &amp anti-aging properties, full of nutrients and has exceptional healing properties for the skin. Shea butter is also packed with antioxidants like vitamin E, as well as polyphenols (anti-oxidants) and phytonutrients (protect from disease). It is high in vitamin A and oleic acid which help to maintain youthful, supple skin. Vitamin A is responsible for improving dry skin, scars, blemishes, stretch marks and wrinkles. Oleic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid found naturally in many plant sources. Oleic acid’s high lipid count makes it highly compatible with the sebum naturally produced by our skin. It is able to penetrate past the outer skin layer, to deeper layers, which leads to a more intense moisture and helping with the absorption of other active ingredients. While some standard creams may simply sit on the top of the skin, those made with omega-9 fatty acids typically go much deeper, producing more profound results.

Shea butter is sometimes used as a base for ointments as it has medicinal wound healing properties which are anti-inflammatory, emollient, and humectants. It contains 5-10% phytosterol, which stimulates cell growth and repair. It can also be massaged into and around the joints where pain is experienced. It is an aid for muscle pain, swelling and arthritis.

Shea butter was a valuable commodity during the reign of Cleopatra, and it is still widely used because it is very nourishing, as well as being gentle and easily absorbed.

In summary, the powerful moisturising properties of Shea Butter is a gentle and effective and may be used to treat a number of skin conditions. Good for protecting and healing the skin, especially dry and damaged skin. It can also be used as a conditioner to moisturise the hair and protect from dryness and it even has some natural protection from the sun’s UV rays. It can be used effectively on facial skin and won’t clog pores.

Shea Butter Uses/Treatments:

protects dry chapped lips
treats eczema and burns
aids skin blemishes, stretch marks and dry irritated skin
helps restore skin elasticity
natural sunscreen
Vitamins A & E for skin balance & normalisation
provides collagen for anti-aging benefits
pain reliever for inflammation and arthritis
massage aid for muscles and stiffness
deep nourishing hair conditioner
nappy rash treatment

About Alcohols in Your Skin Care Products

Posted on August 23, 2014May 1, 2015 by Johann Callaghan

Most of us assume that alcholols in your skin care products will result in dry, irritated and inflamed skin. However, there are good and bad alcohols.

The bad alcohols include ethanol, denatured alcohol, ethyl alcohol, methanol, benzyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, and sd alcohol, which not only can be extremely drying and irritating to skin, but may be cytotoxic. Alcohol helps ingredients like retinol and vitamin C penetrate into the skin more effectively, but it does that by breaking down the skin’s barrier—destroying the very substances that keep your skin healthy.

With regular exposure to alcohols in your skin care products, cleansing becomes a damaging ordeal. Once alcohol dissolves your skin’s barrier, it can no longer provide a seal against further damage from outside elements, this allows other substances like cleansing agents and water to cause further damage to the deeper layers of skin, further eroding the skin’s barrier. For those with oily skin, alcohol can stimulate oil production at the base of the pore, causing over production of sebum.

The good alcohols include cetyl, stearyl and cetearyl. These are known as fatty alcohols, and their effects on the skin are quite different from those of ethyl alcohol. When fats and oils (see fatty acid) are chemically reduced, they become a group of less-dense alcohols called fatty alcohols that can have emollient properties or can become detergent cleansing agents.

Cetyl Alcohol

Extracted from coconut oil, it is an emollient that is included in skin care products to stabilize the formulations or to alter their consistencies, or to increase their foaming capacity. It is often included in lotions, hand creams, shampoos.

Stearyl Alcohol

Stearyl alcohol is also derived from coconut oil. Because it is an emollient as well as an emulsifier, it can be substituted for cetyl alcohol to firm skin care formulations. It is mostly found in creams and conditioners.

Cetearyl Alcohol

Cetearyl alcohol is a white, waxy, solid material in the form of flakes. It is oil soluble, but it is not water-soluble. It is a mixture of fatty alcohols. Cetearyl alcohol is an emulsifying wax that is used to soften thick formulas like skin ointments. Derived from natural oils and fats, it is very efficient in stabilising skin care formulations because it gives an emollient feel to the skin. It is widely used in creams and cleansers.

How to Take an Epsom Salt Bath

Posted on August 23, 2014December 7, 2020 by Johann Callaghan

Benefits of Epsom Salts

Magnesium sulfate is the chemical compound that makes up Epsom salt. It can help with your skincare routine and also detoxify your body. Magnesium helps keep your bodily functions running smoothly, including some of the pathways that lead toxins right out of your body. Sulfate helps to strengthen the walls of your digestive tract so that it’s easier to release toxins. As a compound, magnesium sulfate also raises the amount of digestive enzymes in the pancreas. The compound also helps in purifying and detoxifying your body of heavy metals. Epsom salt baths may be used to allay psoriasis symptoms, soften and exfoliate skin or even to restore the body’s internal levels of magnesium and sulfate. It can help relieve muscle cramps, pain and inflammation due to the magnesium. Helps reduce pain and swelling for people with arthritis or sports injuries.

How much to use

If you’re ready for an Epsom salt bath, consider your tub size and water depth before you begin pouring in the salt. More salt isn’t necessarily better. A common formula is to add a cup or two of Epsom salt to warm water in a standard-size bathtub. If you’re a lover of hot, steaming bath water, know that it’s not doing your skin any favours. The water you use in a bath should be warm, not hot. Warm or tepid water is best for your skin because it doesn’t strip away as much protective oil, and it helps to dissolve the Epsom salt. Before you climb into the bath, make sure that all of the salt has dissolved so that it can be more easily absorbed into your skin. Any salt that hasn’t dissolved in the water may dry on your skin as an opaque white powder. If you see this residue on your skin after the bath, don’t worry; excess salt should be harmless and is easily rinsed off. It’s generally recommended to soak in an Epsom salt bath for about 15 minutes for the greatest therapeutic benefits. Do not apply moisturising cream for about two hours after an Epsom bath as the body will still be detoxifying.

Cautions

Despite the benefits, Epsom salt baths aren’t for everyone. They generally aren’t recommended for people who have conditions such as heart problems, high blood pressure or diabetes. Epsom salt is not recommended for children under 6. While the salt solution is not necessarily harmful in and of itself, accidental ingestion may cause sudden diarrhea or more serious side effects. If you aren’t sure whether an Epsom salt bath is safe for you, consult your doctor first. Epsom salt has been a cure-all for generations: It has been used to soothe aches and pains, and more recently for softening skin, preventing wrinkles and detoxifying your body.