The supplements every home should have to get the most out of essential oils
Essential oils can be taken via different routes: respiratory, cutaneous, or dispersion into the air. The preferred administration route will depend on the problem to be addressed, the essential oil’s properties, precautionary measures for use, the user’s age, etc.
While some essential oils can be used in pure form (primarily on the skin, very locally, or by diffusion), they often need to be administered in combination with a crucial supplement: plant oil (the cutaneous path), a neutral tablet or neutral base (for bath or shower). Below is a brief synopsis of the key points to keep in mind when using plant oils.
Plant oils
Plant oils are vital supplements to essential oils. They help to optimise and heighten their action and benefits. Extracted from fruit seeds or kernels, or from plants, plant oils are used for diluting essential oils before they are massaged into or applied to the skin: this is an important benefit, as some essential oils can be irritants if used in pure form. Plant oils also aid the absorption of essential oils into the epidermis, meaning they are effective vectors. Furthermore, they have genuine properties unique to them, and can for instance, be used to care for, beautify or protect the skin, or also stimulate vein circulation or help wounds heal. Ideally, plant oils should be chosen and combined with care (blend of plant oils with or without essential oils), to address very specific needs and work in synergy. A true guarantee of efficacy!
How to select plant oils?
First of all, only ever use organic plant oils, which are solely extracted from organically-farmed seeds, fruits or plants, and free of chemical fertilisers, pesticides and harmful insecticides. It is advised that you choose oils extracted by cold-pressing seeds or kernels (sweet almond, apricot, rose hip) or macerating plants (St John’s Wort), as both of these processes preserve the plant’s active ingredients. It goes without saying that they should never contain added scents, colourings or preservatives!
Organic Sweet Almond Plant Oil
Its properties
Softening, soothing, calming, emollient, repairing, fortifying, sweet almond plant oil moisturises and nourishes dry skin, or damaged, irritated, fragile or sensitive skin, and is the perfect solution to irritation, dry patches, chapping, cracking, eczema and stretch marks.
Precautions for use
Sweet almond plant oil can be allergenic for people with nut allergies.
Everyday recipes
- Chapping, dry patches: Blend 20 drops of Asian rosewood essential oil into a 30 ml bottle of sweet almond plant oil. Apply a few drops to the affected areas (except around the eyes) until they have completely healed.
- Calming anti-stress massage: Blend 45 drops of true lavender essential oil into a 30 ml bottle of sweet almond plant oil. Apply as a daily relaxation massage for 1 to 2 weeks.
Organic Jojoba Plant Oil
Its properties
Highly protective, it combats dehydration, nourishes, restores balance, regulates sebum secretion, calms, speeds up healing, adds suppleness, softens, regenerates, smooths, firms and fights signs of ageing.
Precautions for use
As a liquid wax, this plant oil does not have allergenic potential.
Everyday recipes
- Dry, brittle hair: In a 30 ml bottle, blend 20 drops of Atlas cedar essential oil, 10 ml of jojoba plant oil and 20 ml of argan plant oil. Apply a small quantity as a hair mask, 3 times per week. Leave to set for 1 hour before washing the hair.
- Atopic skin: Add 1 drop of rosemary verbenone essential oil into a 30 ml bottle of jojoba plant oil. Massage into the face and body, morning and evening, after washing.
- Sensitive skin: In a 30 ml bottle, blend 1 drop of Roman chamomile essential oil, 20 ml of jojoba plant oil and 10 ml of sweet almond plant oil. Massage into the face and body, morning and evening, after washing (avoid eye contour area).
Organic Macadamia Plant Oil
Its properties
With protective, soothing, nourishing, moisturising, softening, anti-radical and anti-ageing properties, it also protects and stimulates micro-circulation, and acts as a lymph tonic.
Precautions for use
It has slight allergenic potential.
Everyday recipes
- Under-nourished skin (body): Blend 10 drops of geranium essential oil + 10 drops of ylang-ylang essential oil into a 30 ml bottle of macadamia plant oil. Apply and massage into the body, morning and evening.
- Cold extremities (hands, feet): Blend 2 drops of Ceylon cinnamon essential oil into a 30 ml bottle of macadamia plant oil. Apply and massage into the affected areas, morning and evening, for 2 weeks.
- Circulatory cellulite: Blend 22 drops of cypress essential oil + 22 drops of mastic tree essential oil into a 30 ml bottle of macadamia plant oil. Apply to critical areas, massaging in circular movements (clockwise), always from bottom to top (following the direction of vein flow), morning and evening, 5 days per week, for 6 weeks.
Organic Rose Hip Plant Oil
Its properties
With regenerating, softening, toning and strong wound-healing powers, it works against dark spots, wrinkles and signs of age, tones and moisturises, and also activates microcirculation.
Precautions for use
It is not recommended for highly allergic skins.
Everyday recipes
- Scars: Blend 22 drops of Roman chamomile essential oil + 22 drops of helichrysum essential oil into a 30 ml bottle of rose hip plant oil. Apply the blend, gently massaging into the scar, 3 times per day, until the scar completely disappears.
- Skin blisters: Blend 20 drops of peppermint essential oil into a 30 ml bottle of rose hip plant oil. Apply to the blister 3 times per day, until the skin completely heals.
- Minor burns: For facial burns, drop 5 drops of super lavandin essential oil (10 drops if used on the body) into a 30 ml bottle of rose hip plant oil. Apply a small quantity of the blend to the affected area, 3 times per day, until the skin heals. When applying to the face, avoid the eye contour area.
Organic St John’s Wort Plant Oil
Its properties
Calms, soothes, fights bacteria, viruses, pruritis and inflammation, repairs, regenerates and speeds up healing of wounds.
Precautions for use
This oil macerate is not recommended for use by people with a history of allergies. It is also photosensitising. When using this plant oil, on the skin or orally, and for 7 days after stopping treatment, exposure to the sun is not recommended.
Everyday recipes
- Rash: Blend 27 drops of Roman chamomile essential oil into a 30 ml bottle of St John’s Wort plant oil. Apply some of the blend to all the affected areas (face and body, avoiding the eye contour area), 4 times per day.
- Cold sores: Blend 1 drop of Ceylon cinnamon essential oil + 30 drops of lemongrass essential oil into a 30 ml bottle of St John’s Wort plant oil. Apply some of the blend to the cold sore 6 times per day, for 5 days; do not massage in.
Use plants and Essential Oils with care. Before any use, read the information and precautions for use carefully.
Extracts from Top Santé's Guide '48 Essential Oils which every home needs to be healthy.
