Know what you are looking for when choosing carrier oil. Use a quality carrier for a quality blend.
Carrier Base A carrier oil is the base into which you mix the essential oils. It dilutes the essential oils. It allows for the correct strength of the blend and prevents skin irritation. The use of the blend will also determine the carrier that you choose.
Pure Vegetable Oil Carrier oils are made up of pure vegetable oil. Only plant-based products should be used. There are a variety of different oils, each with different properties and benefits. Blending different oils into one carrier are top quality.
Cold Press Vegetable oils used for carriers are cold-pressed. The oils are squeezed from the fatty portions of plants - the fatty acids. These vegetable oils are heavy and do not evaporate. Vegetable oils with little to no scent are preferred for aromatherapy carrier oils.
Carrier Absorption Carrier oils combine with essential oils and are absorbed into the skin. They nourish and prevent irritation. Essential oils also increase absorption of carrier, so never use a mineral or artificial base.
Buy Quality When buying carrier oils for aromatherapy we require a higher grade than for food consumption because of the essential oils. Cold pressed oils are necessary and they can be found from aromatherapists or health food stores. Be careful of grocery products.
Storing Your Oils All natural vegetable oils used as aromatherapy carrier oil have no preservatives. That means they can go rancid. Carrier oils are sold in small bottle and can be stored in the refrigerator. Keep them cool and tightly capped and they will last for nine months.
Properties of Carrier Oils Different aromatherapy carrier oils have different therapeutic properties. Choose based on the properties and your intended use.
Sweet Almond Light, nutty, golden oil with a mild scent, it is a favorite massage oil ingredient. It is therapeutic in soothing the skin. It relieves itching and irritation. It nourishes and leaves the skin glowing.
Grapeseed This is a favorite for aromatherapy facials. It is exceptionally light and mildly astringent so it tones and tightens the skin. It cannot be sold pressed though and is always solvent extracted.
Avocado The rich, emollient moisturizer is used for dry and mature skin. Avocado is laden with moisture rich fatty acids and vitamins A and E which nourish and heal aging or dry sin. Your skins will look and feel moist and supple as youth after this treatment. Severe dry skins conditions also benefit.
Olive (Olea europaea) This common oil has uncommon healing properties. It is used to make super gentle soaps and is gentle and healing to tender or sensitive skin. It soothes and protects, and softens. It also relaxes and soothes sore, achy muscles, making it a must for serous therapists. It has a light green or yellow color, and aroma. This is also hearty oil. It can keep without refrigeration for up to one year.
Macadamia Nut (Macadamia intergrifolia ) This oil is a light, clear amber and has a slightly nutty odor, and a light texture. The oil contains palmitoleic acid which promotes soft supple skin.
Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) This natural plant wax closely resembles the natural sebum produced by our bodies to protect our skin and hair. Because it is a liquid wax and not really an oil, it does not go rancid and it has no odor. It is readily absorbed by our skin and hair and like sebum, softens, nourishes, protects and soothes. Because it contains no oil, I is ideal for aromatherapy acne treatments and for oily skin and scalp. As an antioxidant, it is good for blending with other oils to extend lie..
Evening Primrose Essential fatty acids are great for your health, inside and outside. This oil is loaded with gamma-linoleic acid. It is superb for dry and mature skin. The fatty acid is soothing to inflammatory skin conditions like eczema. Psoriasis and dermatitis.
Wheat Germ Oils This thick, aromatic, honey-colored oil is rich in vitamin E. It also contains high concentrations of B vitamins and vitamin A. This makes for an energy revitalizing, antioxidant cocktail. To the skin, it is a rich balm, healing scars, cracks and stretch marks alike. It gives skin, hair and nails a healthy, nourished glow. This oil is a strong antioxidant and as such enriches and repairs the skins. It also has some natural preservative effect. While it is not a chemical, it does provide some protection form oxidation. Use in other blends to extend the shelf-life.
Copyright Native Enterprises, LLC 2009. All rights reserved.
About the Author:
Dana is a licensed massage therapist in Atlanta, GA, USA, where she has practiced for over 17 years. For more information on clinical therapies, nutritional counseling or products visit Native Bodyworx at http://www.nativebodyworx.us. Visit Dana's blog for health and wellness information or if you have questions for Dana. http://nativebodyworx.blogspot.com.
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