Carrier oil for essential oils

In fact, pure essential oils (EO) should be diluted first with a carrier oil or basal oil in order to obtain an adequate concentration and chemical effects are not too hard on the body, so they should not directly be used for aromatherapy purposes. This is because the active ingredients in EO have the strong enough power of reaction. If it is not be diluted first, then it can lead to excessive sensitivity of the users organs.
Carrier oil is the oil obtained from the extraction of vegetable material. The content can usually be found in the seeds and the fruit of a plant. Its function is as a source of food reserves as these plants grow. In addition, it is also a backup energy source for plants, especially in helping the chemical-biological processes during his lifetime.
Chemical properties
The compounds that make up carrier oil for essential oils may consist of: lauric, palmitic, capric, stearic, kaproat, decanoate, and linoleic acid and other compounds which are derivatives. They have different chemical properties with EO properties. They are less stable, easily soluble in ether, but not easily soluble in water and do not easily evaporate.
Basically it is is a type of vegetable oil in the form of straight-chain fatty acids containing ester groups, which are hydrophilic. These can cross the hair follicle, reaching the top layer of skin and can be absorbed by the skin as well. Aside from being a base component in the aroma therapy, they also can act as emoliensa, cosmetics, nutrition, sunscreen, and water repellent. In aroma therapy, they are used in a ratio of more than EO.
They can be produced from grains and fruits through the process of extraction so that it is commonly referred as vegetable oil. The type of carrier oil for essential oils are the oil of coconut, wheat, sunflower, olive, peanut, corn, soy, sesame, avocado, and etc. Choosing the right type of material mentioned above will determine the characteristics of the resulting mixture for each of these vegetable oil have a distinctive aroma, especially if they have not been properly purified. However, sometimes it purification process eliminates the efficacious component in it, such as antioxidants or vitamin E that actually has a benefit if the mixture is intended for the skin.

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Essential oil for abdominal pain

Essential oil is traditionally prepared to get rid of light abdominal pain and which is not repetitive. However, in principle, the pain should be examined by the physician to keep the possibility of the symptom which is associated with appendicitis, inflammation of the pancreas, peptic ulcers, pancreatic cancer, pneumonia, inflammation of the bladder, hepatitis, inflammation of lung, viral infection, or other things that need more serious treatment. If nothing else more serious then it can be reduced by the following treatment.
Pain in the upper abdomen
Rub the following mixture to the abdomen. The essential oil of peppermint (3 drops) and clove (2) dissolved in 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil (coconut or sesame oil).
In the lower abdomen
Rub the following mixture to the abdomen. Thyme (2 drops) and clove (3) dissolved in 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil (coconut or sesame oil).
That symptom actually can be caused by other factors, such as malabsorption syndrome caused by unbalanced eating lifestyle. So that, the food absorption and digestion process of is compromised, because a number of enzymes to break down food is not enough. Some foods that enter the body will be wasted. Therefore, if abdominal pain occurs too often, then you should consult to your doctor or nutritionist, instead of using essential oil.

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Different types of essential oils

Essential oils (EO) are obtained by different methods -- distillation being the most familiar. There are four different types of essential oils: absolutes vs. concretes, expressed, solvent-extracted, and steam-distilled.
Absolutes are "essences," rather than "essential" oils. They are generally obtained from the extraction of a concrete with alcohol. A concrete is the solid waxy residue derived from hexane extraction of plant parts(usually the flower petals). This method is used for botanicals where the fragrance and therapeutic parts of the plant can only be unlocked using solvents. These are not to be used internally, as traces of petrochemicals remain in the product. Jasmine and neroli are examples of absolutes.
Expressed oil are pressed from the rind of fruits (usually citrus). Tangerines, grapefruits, lemons and oranges are produced by this method. Technically speaking, these are not EO - they are expressed product, but they are highly regarded for their therapeutic properties, none the less. It is best to use only organically grown crops for this method, since pesticide residues, especially highly toxic, carbamate and chloride-based petrochemicals, can become highly concentrated in this product.
Solvent extration involves the use of oil-soluble solvents, such as hexane, dimethylenechloride, and acetone. There is no guarantee that the finished product will be free of solvent residues. Steam distillation is the oldest and most traditional extraction method. Plant material is inserted into a cooking chamber, and steam is passed through it. After the steam is collected and condensed, it is processed through a separator to collect the product. The amount of pressure used, the amount of time the plant parts is steamed and the material the steam chamber is constructed of contribute a great deal to the quality of the product.
Glossaries related to the different types of essential oils
Absolute : the most concentrated form of fragance obtained when distilling a concrete.
Balsam : water soluble, semi-solid or viscous resinous exudate similar to that gum.
Concrete : a waxy concentrated semi-solid EO extract, made from plant parts, and is used to make absolute.
Essence : the liquid products resulting from the condensation of vapour from puree processing.
Essential oils : volatile aromatic liquid consisting the odorous principles botanical matter
Fixed oil : obtained from plants that are fatty and non-volatile
Flower water : the water resulting from the distillation of essential oils, which still contains some of the properties of the plant parts used in the processing.
Fractionated oil : it have been re-distilled, either to have terpenes removes or remove other substances.
Infused oil : its is produced by steeping the macerated botanical material in oil until it has taken on some the material properties.
Oleo gum resin : odoriferous exudation from botanical material consisting of essential oils, gum, and resin.
Oleoresin (OR): Natural resinous exudation from plants or aromatic liquid preparation extracted from botanical material. Solvent extraction of properly ground plant parts subsequent removal of solvent distillation gives dark coloured viscous products.
Resin : they are natural exudations from trees, prepared resins are OR from which the essential oils has been removed.
Resinoids : perfumed substances extracted from natural resinous material by using solvent.
Terpeneless : EO from which monoterpene hydrocarbons have been removed.
Tincture : either a herbal or perfume substances prepared in an alcohol base.
Volatile : substance that is unstable an evaporates easily, like an EO, then give distinct aroma
Spice oil : EO obtained by steam or water distillation of ground spices and in some cases whole spices.
Perfume : liquid with a specific favour produced by mixing or blending two or more EO in a solvent
Different types of essential oils showed the effect on their chemical composition, properties, proper application, and application concentration, although it used the same raw materials.

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Essential oil for natural sunscreen

Among the essential oil that can be used for natural sunscreen is ylang-ylang. This oil can be a single topical dosage form or mixed with other materials in the form of basal oil such as avocado, seed grain, and corn oil. This basal oil contain vitamin E, an antioxidant that can function as a protective skin from the damage caused by environmental factors such as dust, heat, radiation, and others.
Sunscreen is very beneficial to the skin from the influence of the hot sun. Especially for those who live in the tropics where the hot sunlight can burn the outer layer of the epidermis then the skin become darker because of pigmentation changes. By using natural sunscreen from ylang–ylang essential oil, skin health is expected to always awake.
It is a material that can absorb or scatter ultraviolet (UV) radiation which can be produced from organic materials. These compounds generally contain a benzene ring. One of the active components is 4-methoxy octyl cinnamic which can be synthesized from the Claisen condensation reaction between 4-methoxybenzaldehyde and octyl acetic. Eugenol, seen from its structure (aromatic ring, allyl functional groups, hydroxy, and methoxy), can be converted to derivatives such as 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde. Eugenol is a component of clove essential oil. By replacing the octyl group with other alkyl compounds, it is expected to produce a better sunscreen activity. Their activity is shown by the SPF value (sun protection factor). The value expressed the ability of a component to protect the skin from sun damage.
The results Dwiyono et.al., students from Gadjah Mada University - Indonesia, showed that the condensation reaction of 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde, a derivative of eugenol, and hexyl acetic produced 3,4-hexyl dimethoxy hexylbenzaldehyde. This essential oil natural compound has the activity of the protection against UV-B ray regions that can be classified as UV-B sunscreen compound.

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Essential oil chemical changes

Essential oil chemical changes is usually attributed to such general reactions as oxidation, resinification, polymerization, hydrolysis of esters, and to interreaction of functional groups. These processes seem to be activated by heat, the presence of air, of moisture, and catalyzed by exposure to light and in some cases, possibly by metals.
There is no doubt that oils with a high content of terpenes (all citrus oils, pine needle oils, oil of turpentine, juniper berry, etc.) are particularly prone to spoilage, due probably to oxidation, and especially resinification. Light seems to be of lesser importance as a factor causing deterioration, than is moisture.
Essential oils containing a high percentage of esters (bergamot, lavender, etc.) turn acid after improper storage, due to partial hydrolysis of esters. The aldehyde content of certain oils (for example, lemongrass) gradually diminishes as the essential oil chemical changes take place. Fatty oils, with a few exceptions, are very prone to oxidation, but such spoilage can be retarded or prevented altogether by antioxidants. Certain types, especially those containg alcohols (for example, geranium), are quite stable and stand prolonged storage. Still others, patchouli and vetiver, for instance, improve considerably on ageing; in fact, they should be aged for a few years before being used in perfume compounds.
As a general rule, any essential oil should first be treated to remove metallic impurities, freed from moisture and clarified, and then be stored in well-filled, tightly closed containers, at low temperature and protected from light. A layer of carbon dioxide or nitrogen gas blown into the container before it is sealed will replace the layer of air above the oil and thereby assure added protection against oxidation. Nevertheless, moisture seems to be one of the worst factors in itsspoilage and, therefore, any moisture must be removed prior to storing.
The effect of essential oil chemical changes is on their physical properties such as increase or decrease in their viscocity, color change, and loss of scent.

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Retort for essential oil distillation

Retort for essential oil distillation is often referred as tanks. It is a vessel where the contact between the plant substances with steam takes place and then it vaporizes the volatile compounds. Its simple form is a cylindrical with a diameter equal to its height or slightly smaller, and equipped with a lid that can be raised and can be attached with a clamp on the cylindrical body.
The lid should be attached strong and tight enough with vessel so that no moisture can loose during the refining process takes place. At the top of cylinder was placed a kind of swan neck that can flow the vapor to the condenser. In the water distillation method (WD), liquid H2O and plant material is filled into the retort, and then heated. The steam along with essential oil will evaporate together, then head to the goose neck and condense.
In the water and steam distillation method (WSD), an open container is stationed in the form of plates with holes (can also be a coarse sieve from metal) on the bottom inside the retort for essential oil distillation, which is used to hold plant material above the water surface.
During the processing of seed (whole or have been grinded), this container should be covered with cloth or others so that the seed do not pass down. This container must be sufficiently far above the bottom so that the liquid H2O can be filled pretty much into the vessel without any contact with the material and drought does not occur during the processing. As an illustration, for the retort which has 60 cm height, the container should be 20 cm above the bottom.
In WD method, the tank should be wider so that the raw plant parts can be submerged in liquid H2O. It will produce more yield and better quality. Height and diameter of the tank on the WSD are approximately equal. If you have more quantity of the material, so the tank height must be adjusted. All you need to know is it must be maintained so that it is not too dense to allow the steam move freely toward the top through them. In addition, it should also be made an instrument that can detect the water level in the vessel to avoid drought during the processing. To prevent heat lost, it would be good if the entire surface of the retort for essential oil distillation is coated with heat-resistant layer, such as asbestos.

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Health benefits of essential oil

The health benefits of essential oil today is as a source of natural medicine which is safe and inexpensive, through the aroma therapy method. This is quite reasonable, because they contain chemical content of active ingredient that has efficacy and rapid effect in helping to cure diseases. The active ingredient is also an effective and practical cosmetic material.
The effect of essential oil on health can be explained through the following mechanisms:
1. Its molecules are very small so it can easily be absorbed through the blood capillaries to flow throughout the body tissues. The active substances then circulated to all body tissues, so it will be easier to reach the locations/target to be treated (target site).
2. They have also properties to get dissolved easily in the fat or fat-soluble, so it is easily absorbed into the skin layers and the layers underneath the skin (subcutaneous) when applied or rubbed.
3. They can relieve tension in muscles that are experiencing fatigue due to excessive activity.
4. The health benefits of essential oil can be explained through the effects of active substances which can affect the lining of the intestinal wall directly, lenders membrane, and the muscles in the bowel wall when consumed internally via the oral route.
5. It can also affect the impulses and nerve reflexes received by the ends of nerve receptors in the outermost layer of skin beneath the epidermis layer. In addition, they can affect the work function activity of the brain through the nervous system associated with the sense of smell. This response will be able to stimulate increased production of nerve conduction of the brain (neurotransmitters), which is related to the recovery of psychological conditions (such as emotions, feelings, thoughts, and desires).
6. They can also affect the lymph nodes. In this case, the effectiveness of active substances can help prostaglandin production which plays an important role in regulating blood pressure, controlling the pain, and hormonal balance.
7. Other health benefits of essential oil is to help the performance of enzymes, among others, the digestive enzymes that play a role in stimulating appetite; hydrochloric acid, pepsin, mucin and other substances that exist in the stomach.

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Essential oil for skin softening

Essential oil for skin softening are suitable by using the essential oil of camomile, patchouli, sandalwood and a mixture of all three materials. Those types can be used as a perfume or aroma therapy inhalation. They can also be used in a variety of body care products like hand body, body lotion, body scrub, body mask, and the powder component. The others types are excellent for use in the bath, or afterwards in the form of herbal bath and body wash.
Combine with a healthy lifestyle
All women off course dream about a beautiful skin. Further more if they have already got married, the husband's praise will surely make their effort to treat theirs so meaningful. Caring your beauty is not expensive. If you like to eat vegetables, then get the dream by eating certain herbs. There are a few tips that can make you have the dream. It certainly will make you more and more confident.
For those who live near the tea garden, make it a habit to drink green tea. Green tea has many benefits, among others, stop inflammation, slow the DNA damage, and prevent sunburn skin. For them lived in town, it would be obtained by purchase.
Next, look for plants producing omega-3 fatty acids. Essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6 prevent yours from dryness and excess oil.
Using essential oil for skin softening will give us a better impact if it is followed with good nutrition. Essential fatty acids are the fats that make yours smoother and looking younger. Its sources include olive oil, canola oil, walnuts and salmon, sardines and mackerel.
Next, seek out plants producing vitamin E. It is an antioxidant that becomes a shield from damage caused by sun exposure. They also acts as an anti-inflammatory and immune system enhancer. Sources of foods rich in vitamin E include vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, olives, spinach, asparagus and leafy greens.
The easier way is eating the herb producing vitamin C. They protect yours from the sun. They also repair damage caused by free radicals, which damage the skin reinforcing fibers such as collagen and elastin. Source of vitamin C among other are peppers, citrus fruits, papaya, kiwi, broccoli, green leafy vegetables.
You should also eat a lot of herbs that contain vitamin A. Eat fruits and vegetables such as carrots. Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamin A, which moisturize the skin inside. The other sources are green vegetables, eggs and low fat milk such as cheese.
This one is special, indeed somewhat strange name that is selenium. Selenium is a trace mineral that protect skin cells from free radical damage. Selenium might also plays an important role in preventing cancer. Foods that are rich sources of selenium include brazil nuts, mushrooms, shrimp, lamb, tuna, salmon. Selenium is also found in cooked beef, sardines, crab and pasta wheat.
Facial tips using essential oil
To make facial smoothing concoction in the form of 'liniment' (solution in oil), use olive oil as a basal oil or emollient cream base. Pure olive oil is believed to create a soft glowing skin, compared to other types. It helps you to lubricate yours and make it look healthy glow. Add a drop of essential oil into the basal oil with the proper dose. This herb can also be applied evenly on yours or can be mixed with warm water and used as a facial compress.
So, the use of essential oil for skin softening becomes one of the alternative methods that need to be supported with a natural healthy lifestyle.

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