Essential Oil

Essential oil

Essential Oil (or essential) is the fragrant, volatile component of medicinal plants, herbs, flowers, fruits, seeds, etc. Essential oils are usually found in special oil cells, glands or channels in the plant. The plant produces them for many reasons: as a “pheromone” to attract certain insects or as a deterrent against certain insects, as protection against certain diseases, etc.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy comes from the Greek “aroma” = smell and “therapia” = care, treatment. Aromatherapy is an alternative method of care based on scents with the aim of promoting physical, mental and emotional health. The scents used are not perfumes, but powerful natural essential oils. They act on our body by ingestion, inhalation or through the skin and can relax, stimulate, open the airways, etc.

 

Health effects of essential oils

 

Essential oils are often used in aromatherapy to balance emotions and because of their positive effect on the respiratory tract. However, their effect can be much broader, here are some examples:

• Lavender: Known for its calming properties, it can help reduce anxiety and stress.
• Peppermint: has a cooling effect and can help relieve headaches and muscle pain.
• Citrus oils (such as orange, lemon, and grapefruit): can help improve mood and increase energy, and can also be used to deodorize spaces
• Rosemary: can promote alertness and concentration
• tea tree oil: can help fight infections
• Eucalyptus: Can help relieve respiratory problems and strengthen the immune system

 

How to use essential oils?

Spray

Diffusing (or diffusing) is perhaps the most well-known way to use essential oils.

Ultrasonic Diffusers

These devices use water and ultrasonic vibrations to disperse a fine mist of water and essential oil into the air. Add water and a few drops of essential oil to the diffuser according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Nebulizers

These diffusers use airflow to spread the oil without water. They are often more powerful than ultrasonic diffusers and spread a more concentrated scent.

Aroma lamps (oil burners)

These are often attractive, but due to the higher evaporation temperature, the composition of the essential oils changes, making them not entirely recommended. The 2 options above work on the basis of cold spraying or evaporation and are preferred for misting rooms.

Steam inhalation

Add a few drops of essential oil (for example Scots Pine) to a bowl of hot water and inhale the vapors with a towel on your head. This is especially helpful for breathing problems.

Spray bottles

You can fill a spray bottle with water and a few drops of essential oil. Shake well and spray in the room to spread the scent.

fragrance sticks

With this method, sticks are placed in a bottle with a mixture of essential oil and a carrier oil. The oil rises through the sticks and evaporates into the air.

Cotton balls or tissues

Drop a few drops of essential oil on a cotton ball or tissue and place it in the room or in a place where you want to spread the scent.

Aroma inhaler mouth

Add a few drops of essential oil to the cotton stick of the inhaler. Can easily be taken anywhere and can be useful, for example, to reduce hay fever or allergies, or for nausea.

 

Massage oil

Mix the essential oil of your choice with a neutral vegetable oil such as almond oil. Body massage: Use 2,5 to 5% essential oil or 5 to 10 drops per 10 ml of vegetable oil

Aromatic bath

Never add pure drops of essential oil to the bath water, but mix beforehand with a vegetable oil: almond oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, neutral bath and shower gel, or neutral water-soluble bath oil. Use 3 to 5% essential oil or 6 to 10 drops per 10 ml of vegetable oil

WARNING: DO NOT use cinnamon, mint, or citrus fruit essential oils in the bath.

Skin oil

You always need an essential oil carrier oil whenever you want to apply it to the skin. Essential oil should never be applied directly to the skin, as this oil is too strong for that. Use 2,5 to 5% essential oil or 5 to 10 drops per 10 ml of vegetable oil

Beauty care

You can mix our essential oils with neutral basic products (day cream, night cream, moisturizing milk, peeling creams, cleansing milk, etc.) and create your own personalized care products. Max. Add 3% essential oil to the base product.

How to calculate? (1 ml essential oil = +/- 20 drops) 3% on 100 ml “carrier” = 3 ml, or 60 drops

 

Why buy essential oil at 't Lof der Kruiden?

All our essential oil types are…

• 100% pure, natural and organic
• Not chemically treated
• Not modified
• Not adulterated (= mixed with other essential oils)
• Not reconstructed
• Not deterpenated (= stripped of terpenes)