Everyday Aromatherapy

An essential oil compress may soothe aches, sprains, or swelling. Cut a piece of nonmedicated lint or clean cotton to the required size. Vary the number of essential oil drops and size of receptacle according to the ailment: from two drops in an eggcupful of water for a septic finger to eight drops in a medium-sized basin of water for a wrist sprain. Use hot water for muscular aches, and cold for sprains or headaches. Immerse the cloth in the water, squeeze it lightly, and place over the affected area. Cover with plastic wrap/cling film (Keep hot compresses warm.) Leave the compress in place for at least two hours.

You can use essential oils in the bath to help a wide range of health problems. The oils do not readily dissolve in water but will disperse rapidly when swished around. Add a total of six to eight drops of one or more essential oils to a warm bath. Do not use very hot water, since this will cause the oil(s) to evaporate too quickly. If you have dry skin, dilute the essential oil(s) in two teaspoons of carrier oil before adding to the water. For maximum benefit, stay in the water for 10 to 20 minutes.

Rosemary, an oil that stimulates both body and mind, is invaluable if you are mentally fatigued by overwork but need to maintain a clear head in order to complete some pressing task. Where stress is partially to blame, clary sage and juniper berry will help both to relieve tension and lift your spirits.

Finding a good aromatherapist is not always easy. Many people set up as professionals after only a few days’ training, when in fact a minimum of six months’ full-time study is normally required before a qualifying exam may be taken.  Always look out for a diploma or certificate stating that an examination has been taken; be wary of the phrase “attendance at”, which usually indicates an imcomplete training.  If you are lucky enough to have a friend’s recommendation, this is often the surest way of finding a good therapist. If not, find out whether the therapist you have chosen is a member of an aromatherapy association and selects and mixes his or her own oils.  Every well-trained aromatherapist should do this and it is vital if you are to benefit fully from a treatment.

Essential oil of geranium is a good all-rounder. It is effective in cleansing the body, and uplifting the mind. The oil has a rich, sweet aroma and is usually greenish-yellow in colour.

Tea tree, lemon, geranium, and black pepper may help to combat infection. Lavender, rosemary, and, again, tea tree have a generalized beneficial effect and can give a boost to your immune system. Where the chest is affected, eucalyptus, peppermint, and Atlas cedarwood are all useful since they can loosen mucus.

Essential oil of juniper berry is noted primarily for its antiseptic and diuretic properties. The oil is colourless to pale yellow when freshly distilled, but it grows darker and thicker with age. The fresh aroma is similar to that of cypress (both plants are from the same family), but sharper and more peppery.

Essential oil of peppermint promotes overall physical and emotional wellbeing, although its healing properties are primarily associated with the digestive system. It has a light, clean, refreshing aroma, and is a good insect repellant.

Over the past 2 years the shifts in the oil market have been dramatic and erratic, with the past 6 months proving to be the most chaotic in memory. The impact of climate change, rising fuel prices and changing economic communities has resulted in a completely different market place. That being said, we would like to keep all of our customers advised of price and availability changes in the market place.

LEMON OIL - The lemon oil supply remains extremely difficult as the shortage of product becomes more apparent, this truly is a global problem due to unusual weather conditions in all of the key growing areas.

Despite increasing pricing, the demand for the product has not declined due to additional demand from emerging economic countries. It is a global expectation that this oil will remain firm into 2009. The Aromatherapy Place has taken a position on this oil to ensure a continual supply to our customers and would ask for forward requirements so no one is left disappointed.

BERGAMOT OIL - Over the past 18 months adverse weather conditions have had a huge effect on the quality and quantity of bergamot oils being offered on the market. Heavy frosts in winter and un-seasonally high temperatures in summer lead to a poor yield. For the remainder of 2008, this product will remain difficult.

LIME OIL - Lime Oil has remained steady.

GRAPEFRUIT OIL - At last we can report on a citrus oil that has improved, we have seen the price and availability of this oil come back to historical levels which has lead to an resurgence of usage by perfumers across the globe.

MANDARIN OIL - The damage to the fruit of bergamot oil is mirrored in the mandarin oil supply; the effects on this oil are less available product and higher prices. Again The Aromatherapy Place has managed to cover forward to ensure a continual supply but would request that our customers do not wait too long before ordering their requirement.

LAVENDER OIL - It is too early to confirm the 2008 lavender crop but early indications are that the product available for supply will be comparable with the volumes reached in 2007; with no carryover it is safe to assume that the pricing will remain high.

ROSE OIL - Indications are that although the volume of flowers this year is healthy the yield of oil has been reduced. This has lead to a increase in price for the 2008 crop.

MOROCCAN OILS - It has been reported that the supply of Moroccan oils is going to be low from the 2008 crop witht the main problem area being Chamomile Oil Wild.

CARROT SEED OIL - The crop for this oil was completed in April/May and indications are the production is 50% lower than that in previous years. This has lead to a firming in price which will continue until April 2009 crop.

CORIANDER OIL - At this time, there is little oil available in the maket. There is a conflict of requirement between seeds used for the spice industry and seeds used to distil oil so essential oil supply will be dependant on the winner.

ANISEED OIL - Heavy rains and flooding in the key growing provinces have kept the supply of this oil low, which has had an effect of increasing the price. At this inflated price, farmers will be more attracted to grow and supply, therefore hopefully we should see an improvement.

TEA TREE OIL - The growers have been very reluctant to advise price and availability but the situation should become clearer towards the end of July. Organic Oil remains difficult but we have been able to obtain some product. Any interest is welcome.

AROMA CHEMICALS - High Crude Oil pricing has effected the supply and pricing of many aroma chemicals. The supply chain has been hit hard in regards to both raw material cost and additional transport costs, manufacturers have no alternative but to pass on many of these costs.

Some of these prices are moving on a daily basis and our suppliers are currently offering quotes with short validity. Unless we see a major change in the price of crude oil, the firming of many key aroma chemicals will continue.

VEGETABLE OILS - Many key vegetable oils have been affected by the food shortages around the globe with several countries banning the export of vegetable oils and seed for food applications.

We have also seen an increase in demand on organic vegetable products; in some instances the demand has increased 2 times the historical quantities.

At this time, the markets are changing on a daily and sometimes even hourly basis.

Geranium - (Pelargonium graveolens) p.o. leaves, b.s. geraniol, esters - noted for its anti-inflammatory and astringent properties, particularly good at reducing lymphatic congestion as well as being decongestant and phlebotonic to the veins and vessels of the lymphatic system.