Aromatherapy Carrier Oils: Tips And Advice
What are aromatherapy carrier oils?
Most people associate aromatherapy with essential oils. While essential oils form the backbone of aromatherapy, carrier oils also play a vital role in aromatherapy.
Essentially, aromatherapy carrier oils are base oils that are mixed with pure essential oils before they are used for a particular purpose. Carrier oil is generally extracted from vegetables, seeds or kernels.
What is the importance of aromatherapy carrier oils?
In their undiluted form, essential oils are too potent to be used and they can cause irritation or burning. Carrier oils are added to pure essential oils to dilute them before their application. Since the base oil carries the essential oil to the human body, it is termed carrier oil. Carrier oils are used in massage creams, lotions, bath oils and other skin care products too.
Unlike essential oils that evaporate when exposed to air, carrier oils are more stable. They are almost odorless, which means they do not impart any fragrance of their own to the aromatherapy oil. Some carrier oils have a slightly sweet, nutty fragrance though. However, it must be remembered that carrier oils have a certain shelf life and turn rancid after a while. Essential oils, on the other hand, lose their potency but do not turn rancid.
Aromatherapy carrier oils come from different sources. Different oils have different therapeutic properties and conditions. The nature of the carrier oil impacts many aspects of the aromatherapy oil and affects therapy, color, aroma and purpose of the treatment. Thus, the type of oil to be used depends on the therapeutic benefit of the aromatherapy oil.
The most commonly found aromatherapy carrier oils include sweet almond oil, avocado oil, macadamia oil, hazelnut oil, jojoba, sunflower oil and sesame oil. However, it must be remembered that carrier oils used for aromatherapy are cold pressed. Therefore, most oils available in grocery stores cannot be used as carrier oils.
When shopping for carrier oils, the following must be kept in mind:
* Ensure that the oil is cold extracted or cold pressed. This means that the oil has not been influenced by heat. Oils that have been extracted using the ‘cold expeller pressed’ method are the best.
* Carrier oils that have been processed in the right manner are rich in antioxidants and are therefore beneficial for the skin. These also extend the shelf life of the blended product.
* High quality carrier oils also contain essential fatty acids. Since essential fatty acids are not produced by the body, they are highly nutritious for the skin. Different oils have varying amounts of essential fatty acids. While higher percentage of essential fatty acids is beneficial, fatty acids also reduces the shelf life of the oil.
* The price of aromatherapy carrier oils varies. The source of the oil, its extraction process and whether the source is organic are some of the factors that decide the cost of the base oil.
* Mineral oils are not used as carrier oils.
About the Author
Aromatherapy carrier oils
are used to dilute
essential oils
for application. They are also used in the manufacturing of cold-process soaps and for massage by Licensed Massage Therapists.
.5 Hz to -10 Hz Epsilon Binaural Beats with 528 Hz Solfeggio Base/Carrier Frequency
|
|
Wilton Trim-N-Turn Ultra Rotating Cake Stand $14.00 Trim ‘n Turn Ultra. The Trim N’ Turn Ultra is a mid level turn-table with a locking mechanism. Soft grip bottom and center ring for complete control. The 12″ platform separates from the base for quick and easy cleaning by hand or in the dishwasher. This package contains (1) 12″ turntable platform and a 3″ high 9″ wide base…. |
|
|
Wilton Cake Caddy $9.37 Carry decorated desserts with ease in this portable cake caddy. The 6″ high clear plastic dome has 3 locking latches that hold the base securely in place wherever you go. Convenient handle gives you a firm grip for a safe trip from your car to the party. The elegant base is approximately 13″ in diameter and holds and stores up to 10″ round cake or pie, cupcakes, cookies, and more. 13″ x 13″ x 6″…. |
|
|
West Bend 84915 5-Quart Oblong-Shaped Slow Cooker with Tote $43.55 Features: Adjustable temperature control and large 5 quart cooking vessel make it easy to slow cook almost any sized meal, from a dinner for 2 to entertaining a crowd. Cooking vessel features a non-stick interior and is safe for use in the oven, on the stovetop, in the freezer or refrigerator. Features a Keep Warm setting to keep meals at a food safe temperature for serving; always have warm seco… |
|
|
The Big Adventure Series: The Big Aircraft Carrier $1.25 … |
|
|
The Big Aircraft Carrier DVD Adventure Pack $1.82 … |
|
|
Family Ties $1.99 … |
|
|
Brute Force -The Definitive History of War Technology: Aircraft Carriers $18.00 An aircraft carrier melds naval and air power into one superweapon. A floating air base with the population of a small city, it can project is power anywhere in the world and be the first in combat. From the earliest experiments in World War I to the technological wonders that ruled the sea and sky of the Middle East, Aircraft Carriers chronicles the history of today’s most versatile and powerful … |
|
|
Magna Cart Elite 2 Hand Truck $39.99 Ideal for travelers, trade show exhibitors, and anyone else who frequently hauls boxes and other gear from place to place, the Magna Cart Elite 2 personal hand truck is engineered with toughness in mind. The Magna Cart Elite 2 will support up to 200 pounds and folds to a compact size for easy storage. The 10-1/2-pound hand truck features durable metal hybrid construction and will support up to 20… |
|
|
Magna Cart Ideal Hand Truck $29.99 The Magna Cart Ideal hand truck is perfect for travel or home. Load Capacity (lbs.): 150, Handle Type: Continuous flow, Foldable: Yes, Height (in.): 39, Overall Width (in.): 16 1/2, Toe Plate Depth (in.): 11 1/8, Toe Plate Width (in.): 14 29/32, Adjustable: No, Tire Type: Non marking… |
|
|
Fiskars 9405 Kangaroo 30-Gallon Gardening Container $15.76 Perfect for pruning or weeding jobs, the Fiskars Kangaroo 30-gallon gardening container holds itself open, freeing your hands for work. The Kangaroo’s unique spring design springs up to a 22-inch diameter, 30-gallon capacity, just waiting to be filled with weeds, pruned branches, or raked leaves. When you’re done, the container can be collapsed and stored easily in a compact, ready-to-hang 3-inch … |