Carrier Oils 101

Carrier or base oils are slippery, fatty oils that pure essential oils can be added to for external application and if you are using a EO supplement, some can be used to dilute oils for internal use.

The minute the cap is opened on a bottle of essential oils, the fragrant molecules begin to escape. Some oils evaporate faster than others. Frankincense is ironically one of the most expensive, precious of EOs and also the most quickly evaporating of all! Heavier, resinous EOs like myrrh and vetiver will become sticky and very thick when exposed to air over a period of time.

Carrier oils help "trap" the lighter EO molecules and enable them to dispersed in a massage or other topical application without rapidly disappearing into thin air. They also provide a slippery texture for rubbing on the skin as pure EOs are not greasy by nature.

Carrier oils help dilute stronger essential oils such as clove, thyme, and oregano to avoid skin irritation.
There are many different carriers that can be used with essential oils. Some of the most popular are:

• Grapeseed Oil--very lightweight. Can be found in most grocery stores. Good for topical and internal application. Goes rancid fairly quickly if not refrigerated.
• Olive Oil--light to heavyweight. Usually has a distinctive scent. Excellent for internal applications. Can go rancid eventually.
• Jojoba Oil-medium to heavyweight. Actually a plant wax, not oil. The closest to human sebum. Very safe for babies and children, gentle, hypoallergenic. Does not go rancid. Best for topical application. More expensive, but does not make massage sheets smelly.
• Almond Oil-light to mediumweight. I avoid this oil in my massage practice since more and more individuals have allergies to nuts.
• Pure Aloe Vera Jelly--excellent for applying EOs to burns and damaged tissue.

Basic Dilution Ratios:

This is for application to specific areas such as peppermint on the abdomen for indigestion or eucalyptus on the chest for congestion. A stronger dilution would be needed for infections.

Children and Elderly: 10 drops of EO in 1 Tbsp of Carrier or Base. One or two drops of this mixture can be applied to specific areas.

Adults: 20 drops of EO in 1 Tbsp of Carrier or Base. Two to five drops of this mixture can be applied to specific areas.

Full Body Massage Oil : 2-3 drops of EO in One or Two ounces of Carrier or Base. This also can be mixed with Epsom or Sea Salts for the bath. Be careful as any greasy oils in the tub or shower may make surfaces slippery!

Never drop essential oils or carrier oils directly into the ears or eyes. If undiluted EOs get into eyes use a carrier oil to wipe it toward the outside corners of the eye, do not flush with water.

Quote of the Week

"We can never be smug or overconfident about healing. Anyone can cover up or rearrange symptoms, or dash around with big doses of herbs used according to the latest scientific or popular fad, but cure is a mystery which comes to us from the hidden vortex of God and Mother Nature. We do not own it, it comes to us as a dispensation from beyond." - Matthew Wood

Essential Tip of the Week : Lavender Recipes

My Resolution List

Keeping in mind that body, mind, and spirit need to be addressed for achieving greater health and wellness, here are my personal core focus goals for 2009.

1. Fill my days with more prayer, gratitude, and God's Word.
2. Listen for God speaking and watch Him at work in all things.
3. Demonstrate Christ's love to those around me, become His "living fragrance".
4. Battle grumbling and petty annoyances that create an irritable spirit.
5. Work on organizing my home and office to reduce clutter and wasted space.
6. Be more intentional about showing love and grace to my husband and son.
7. Exercise for at least 20 minutes three times a week.
8. Get started writing my book.
9. Get back on a detox/cleansing routine twice a year.
10. Make time for friendships.

A Good Night's Sleep

The following is an excerpt from a great article found in Young Living's Essential Lifestyle magazine.


We have all felt the effects of sleep deprivation: that zombie-like feeling that consumes us the moment we roll out of bed. Our eyes are heavy, we can't think straight, everything is a blur. Like mechanical robots, we go about our day not fully comprehending what is going on around us.

The negative effects of sleep deprivation are quickly becoming an alarming issue. According to the National Sleep Foundation's 2002 Sleep in America Poll, 58 percent of adults in the US experience symptoms of insomnia several nights a week.

Sleep-deprived individuals find it hard to concentrate or feel productive during the day. Perhaps worst of all, more and more are driving drowsy. In fact, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 100,000 of reported crashes occur as a result of drowsiness.

Essential oils can promote good, restful sleep. Single essential oils such as Valerian, Spikenard, and Lavender are known for their ability to relax, calm, and emotionally ground a person. Peace and Calming and Gentle Baby are soothing essential oil blends that have similar effects. These oils can be diffused, inhaled, or massaged into the feet prior to retiring to help ease tension and settle the mind.

If you need a little help now and then getting a good night's rest, let pure essential oils do the work. Using the following tips, your nights will soon be spent the way they should be-- in peaceful slumber.

DURING THE DAY:

Tips provided by the National Sleep Foundation

• Consume less or no caffeine, particularly late in the day.
• Avoid alcohol or nicotine, especially close to bedtime.
• Exercise, but not within 3 hours before going to bed.
• Avoid naps especially late in the afternoon or evening.
• Establish a regular sleep schedule; don't try to make up for lost sleep.

BEFORE BEDTIME:

• Take a warm bath using Evening Peace Bath and Shower Gel to soothe away stress and tension before retiring at night.
• Rub a drop of an essential oil such as lavender on your palm and smooth over pillow to aid sleep.
• Apply Peace and Calming or other soothing oil to feet before bedtime to promote relaxation.

Another note.... I am a firm believer in "winding down" the day starting after supper. This is when soothing essential oils can be diffused throughout the house or car to start the relaxation process. It is my opinion that too many nights packed with sports and physical activities, especially for school age children, can be detrimental to getting the restful sleep needed for normal functioning and mental health. Sleep deprivation can contribute to attention difficulties, behavioral changes, anxiety, and depression. I wonder how many children and adults alike have been prescribed drugs for the above list when what their bodies needed was good, quality sleep!

Essential Tip of the Week- Curbing Cravings

Find yourself reaching for yet another plate of holiday goodies?

A great way to avoid those unnecessary calories and reduce cravings is to use Peppermint Essential Oil.

My favorite method to stop the munching and freshen breath is to put a drop (just one!) on my tongue holding it in my mouth until I need to swallow. It can be a pretty intense sensation, so have some water nearby to swish and swallow! Remember, only take essential oils internally if they are labeled as a supplement.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) has a strong, clean, fresh, minty aroma. One of the oldest and most highly regarded herbs for soothing digestion, it may also restore digestive efficiency. A drop or two can be mixed with a little vegetable oil or jojoba and applied directly to the abdomen in a clockwise motion to soothe heartburn, cramping, and gas.

Alan Hirsch MD studied peppermint's ability to directly affect the brain's satiety center, which triggers a sensation of fullness after meals. To aid in suppressing appetite for weight loss, individuals often put a drop or two of Young Living's Peppermint EO Supplement with a quart of water in a glass container, not plastic. Shake well before each serving. This can be sipped warm like a tea, room temperature, or ice cold throughout the day.

What Is Your Wellness Resolution for 2009?

Win An Aromatherapy Sampler

Featuring 9 Essential Oils!

Leave a comment here briefly sharing

WHAT your resolution is

and HOW you plan

to achieve a healthier new you.

Winner will be randomly drawn on January 31st!