Rae of Light
Aromatherapy Massage
Aromatherapy Massage
About Essential Oils Continued...
Inhalation
Direct
• Place 2 or more drops into the palm of the left hand, and rub clockwise with the right hand. Cup hands
together over the nose and mouth and inhale deeply.
• Add several drops of an essential oil to a bowl of hot (not boiling) water. Inhale the vapors that rise from
the bowl. To increase the intensity of the oil vapors inhaled, place a towel over the head and bowl before
inhaling.
• Apply oils to a cotton ball, tissue, or hand-kerchief (do not use synthetic fibers or fabric) and place in the
air vent of your car.
• Inhale directly.
Indirect or Subtle Inhalation (wearing as a perfume or cologne)
• Rub 2 or more drops of oil on your chest, neck, upper sternum, wrists, or under nose
and ears. Breathe in the fragrance throughout the day.
Diffusing
Diffused oils alter the structure of molecules that create odors, rather than just masking them. They also
increase oxygen availability, produce negative ions, and release natural ozone. Many essential oils, such as
lemongrass, lemon, Purification, Citrus Fresh, and Thieves, are highly antibacterial and are extremely
effective for eliminating and destroying airborne germs and bacteria.
A cold-air diffuser is designed to atomize a microfine mist of essential oils into the air, where they can
remain suspended for up to several hours. Unlike aroma lamps or candles, it disperses oils without the
heating or burning, which can render the oil therapeutically less beneficial and even create toxic compounds.
Burned oils may become carcinogenic. Research shows that cold air diffusing certain oils may:
• Reduce bacteria, fungus, mold, and unpleasant odors.
• Relax the mind and body, relieve tension, and clear the mind.
• Help with weight management.
• Improve concentration, alertness, and mental clarity.
• Stimulate neurotransmitters.
• Stimulate secretion of endorphins.
• Stimulate growth hormone production and receptivity.
• Digest petrochemicals on the receptor sites.
• Improve the secretion of IgA antibodies that fight candida.
• Improve digestive function.
• Improve hormonal balance.
• Relieve headaches.
• Dispel odors.
Start by diffusing oils for 15-30 minutes a day. Remove immediately if there is any discomfort. As you
become accustomed to the oils and recognize their effects, you may increase the diffusing time to 1-2 hours
per day. Do not diffuse the blend Thieves or cinnamon bark for longer than 15 minutes at a time per day.
Place the diffuser high in the room so that the oil mist falls through the air and removes the odor-causing
substances.
By connecting your diffuser to a timer, you can gain better control over the length and duration of diffusing.
For some respiratory conditions, you may diffuse the oils the entire the night.
Do not mix blends in a diffuser as this will alter the smell and the therapeutic benefit. However, a single oil
may be added to a blend.
Always wash diffuser before using a different oil blend. Use natural soap and warm or hot water.
If you don’t have a diffuser, you may add several drops of essential oil to a spray bottle, add water, and
shake. You can use this to mist your entire house, work place, or car.
To freshen air, use the following essential oil blend:
• 20 drops lavender
• 10 drops lemon
• 6 drops bergamot
• 5 drops lime
• 5 drops grapefruit
Diffuse or put in ½ oz. of distilled water in a spray bottle; shake well.
OTHER EASY WAYS TO DIFFUSE OILS
• Add essential oils to cedar chips to make your own potpourri.
• Put scented cedar chips in closets or drawers to deodorize them.
• Place any conifer essential oil onto each log in the fireplace. As they burn, they will disperse a lovely smell.
This method has little therapeutic benefit.
• Put essential oil on cotton balls and put in car or home air vents.
• Place a bowl of water with a few drops of oil on a wood stove.
• Dampen a cloth, apply essential oils to it, and place it near the intake duct of your heating and cooling
system.
Humidifier and Vaporizer
Essential oils like peppermint, lemon, and frankincense make ideal additions to humidifiers or vaporizers.
Essential Water Diffuser
The AromaMist deffuser is designed specifically to diffuse Essential Waters (Hydrosals) See Chapter 7
Travel Diffuser
Allows users to enjoy the health benefits of essential oils while traveling or camping.
To use: Untwist and remove the lid from the oblong storage container. Turn the storage container upside
down and pour up to 20 drops of your favorite essential oil or oil blend into the storage container.
Insert the diffuser top (paper), pointed end downward (paper folded), into the storage unit. The diffuser will
absorb the oil. Twist the plastic lid back onto the storage container and shake to help the absorption
process. Untwist the lid remove the diffuser top (paper) and twist lid back on.
Simply place the storage unit with plastic lid down into the wood base. Unfold the diffuser top and place it
over the storage container in a lamp-shade fashion. Enjoy the aroma.
• Diffusion rate will vary depending on thickness or viscosity of the essential oil or blend used on the
diffuser.
• Wash storage container* with soap and warm water or grain alcohol before utilizing another essential oil
or blend.
• Reusable.
* DO NOT WASH THE DIFFUSER OR WOOD STAND.
Vaginal Retention Implant
For systemic health problems, such as candida or vaginitis, a vaginal implant is one of the best ways for the
body to absorb essential oils.
· Place 10-20 drops of essential oil into a tablespoon of carrier oil.
· While lying down use a small syringe to implant the mixture into the vagina at bedtime. Do not get up
again until morning.
· To use a capsule, place oils in the capsule and implant immediately after the oils are added.
· A pad or tampon may need to be used to aid in the retention of the essential oil solution.
Rectal Implant and Retention Enema
Enemas and rectal implants are the most efficient ways to deliver essential oils to the urinary tract and
reproductive organs. Always use sterile applicator.
• Mix 20-35 drops of essential oil in a teaspoon of carrier oil.
• Place mixture in a small syringe and inject into the rectum.
• Retain mixture through the night (or longer for best results).
• Clean and disinfect applicator after each use.
Water Distillers and Filters
You can apply oils like peppermint, lemon, clove, and cinnamon to the post-filter side of your water
purifier. This will help purify the water.
Dishwashing Soap
To add fragrance or improve the antiseptic action of your liquid soap, add several drops of essential oils
such as lavender, Melaleuca alternifolia, fir, spruce, pine, lemon, bergamot, and orange.
Cleaning and Disinfecting
A few drops of oil may be added to the dishwasher to help disinfect and purify. Some popular oils are
lemon and peppermint, although any antibacterial oil would work well.
Painting
When painting, add a 5 ml. bottle of your favorite essential oil, such as White Angelica, Abundance, or
Sacred Mountain, to 1 gallon of paint. Mix well. The oil will counteract the unpleasant smell of paint.
Because essential oils are not fatty oils, they will leave no oil spots on the walls.
We recommend that no more than 90 ml. of essential oils be user per 5 gallons of paint.
Laundry
Essential oils may be used to enhance the cleanliness and fragrance of your laundry. As unpleasant as it
seems, dust mites live in your bedding, feeding from the dead skin cells you constantly shed. Recent research
has shown that eucalyptus oil kills dust mites. To achieve effective dust mite control, add 25 drops of
eucalyptus to each load, or approximately 1/2 ounce to a bottle of liquid laundry detergent.
You may also add several drops of essential oils to the rinse cycle, such as fir, spruce, juniper, lavender,
cedarwood, wintergreen/birch, or rosewood.
Instead of using toxic and irritating softening agents in the dryer, place a washcloth dampened with 10 drops
of lavender, lemon, melaleuca, bergamot, or other essential oils While the oils will not reduce static cling,
they will impart a distinctive fragrance to the clothes.
In addition, because clothing (like everything else) has a frequency, consider moving toward natural fabrics
instead of synthetics. Cotton, linen, silk, and wool possess energy frequencies harmonious to the human
body.
Surface Cleansers: Counters, Furniture, etc.
Instead of purchasing standard household cleaners for surfaces, you can create your own natural, safe
version by filling a plastic spray bottle with water and a squirt of dishwashing soap. Add 3 to 5 drops each
of lavender, lemon, and pine essential oils. Shake the spray bottle well, and your homemade cleaner is ready
to spray. This simple solution is extremely economical, yet it cleans and disinfects as well as any
commercial cleaner.
Please keep in mind that some of the oils used directly may stain some surfaces, such as linoleum.
Additional antibacterial and antiviral oils that are excellent for cleaning include cinnamon, clove, Eucalyptus
globulus, thyme, juniper, Melaluca alternifolia, spruce, lemongrass, and grapefruit.
Floors and Carpet
By combining essential oils with common household products, you can create your own nontoxic aromatic
floor and carpet cleaners.
To clean hard floors, add 1/4 cup of white vinegar to a bucket of water. Then add 5-10 drops of lemon, pine,
spruce, Melaleuca alternifolia, Purification, or another suitable oil. If the floor is especially dirty, add several
drops of dishwashing soap. This will clean even the dirtiest floor.
To make a carpet freshener, add sixteen to twenty drops of essential oils to a cup of baking soda or borax
powder. Mix well and place in a covered container overnight so that the oil can be absorbed. Sprinkle over
your carpet the next day and then vacuum the powder up.
You may also saturate a disposable cloth or tissue with several drops of essential oil and place it into the
collecting bag of your vacuum. This will diffuse a pleasant odor as you clean. If your vacuum collects dirt
into water, simply add a few drops into the water reservoir before cleaning. This refreshes both the carpet
and the room.
Insecticide and Repellent: Dust Mites, Fleas, Ticks, Ants, Spiders, etc.
Many of us use synthetic chemicals to deal with insects. Essential oils and oil blends, such as lavender,
lemon, peppermint, lemongrass, cypress, Eucalyptus globulus, cinnamon, thyme, basil, Thieves,
Purification, and citronella, effectively repel many types of insects including mites, lice, and fleas.
Peppermint placed on entryways prevents ants from entering.
If you need moth repellents for your linens and woolens, avoid toxic commercial mothballs made of
naphthalene. Natural essential oils, like citronella, lavender, lemongrass, Canadian red cedar, or rosemary, can
just as effectively repel moths and other insects. You can make a sachet by placing several drops of essential
oil on a cotton ball. Wrap and tie this in a small handkerchief or square of cotton. Hang this cloth in storage
areas or add it to your chest of linens. Refresh as often as necessary.
You can put this sachet in your bureau drawers to keep your clothes freshly scented. Lavender and rose are
classic scents. For children’s sleepwear, Roman chamomile is especially fragrant and relaxing. To scent
stationery, stretch out a scented cotton ball and place in an envelope.
Hot Tubs and Saunas
Hot tubs, jacuzzis, and saunas act as reservoirs for germs, especially if used frequently. Lavender, cinnamon,
clove, Eucalyptus globulus, thyme, lemon, or grapefruit can be used to disinfect and fragrance the water. Use
3 drops per person. For saunas, add several drops of rosemary, thyme, pine, or lavender to a spray bottle
with water and then spray down the surfaces. Scented water can also be used to splash on hot sauna stones.
Note: Some essential oils may damage plastic sauna/spa filters or hoses.
Deodorizing: Kitchens, Bathrooms, etc.
The kitchen and bathroom are often a source of odors and bacteria. Use the following mixtures to freshen,
deodorize, and disinfect the air, work areas, cupboards, bathroom fixtures, sinks, tiles, woodwork, carpets,
etc. These blends are safe for the family and the environment.
Since the oils separate easily from water, always shake well and keep on shaking the bottle as you use these
mixtures. They will deodorize and clean the air, instead of covering the odors.
Single oils:
• Rosemary CT cineol with lemon, Eucalyptus globulus, and lavender.
Blends:
• Lavender with Purification.
Recipe #1
Mix:
• 2 drops rosemary CT cineol
• 4 drops lemon
• 3 drops Eucalyptus globulus
• 4 drops lavender with 1 quart water.
Shake well and put in a spray bottle.
Recipe #2
Mix:
• 3 to 4 drops lavender
• 5 to 6 drops Purify with 1 quart water.
Shake well and put in a spray bottle.
Recipe #3
Mix:
• Pine with chamomile, Melaleuca alternifolia, lemongrass, or clove.
Cooking
Many essential oils make excellent food flavorings. They are so concentrated that only 1-2 drops of an
essential oil is equivalent to a full bottle (1-2 oz. size) of dried herbs.
As a general rule, spice oils impart a far stronger flavor than citrus oils do. For stronger spice oils (such as
oregano, nutmeg, cinnamon, marjoram, tarragon, wintergreen/birch, thyme, or basil), you may choose to dip a
toothpick into the oils and stir food (after cooking) with toothpick. This controls the amount of essential oil
that is put into the food.
Oils that can be used as spices: Basil, cinnamon, clove, fennel, ginger, lemon, marjoram, nutmeg, oregano,
peppermint, Rosemary CT cineol, sage, spearmint, tarragon, coriander, grapefruit, mandarin, orange,
wintergreen/birch, black pepper, and thyme.
For a recipe that serves 6-10 people, add 1 to 2 drops of an oil and stir in after cooking and just before
serving, so the oil does not evaporate.
Cooking uses:
• Cakes, frosting, puddings, fruit pies: Lemon, clove, orange, mandarin, or peppermint.
• Pie Crusts: V-6 Mixing Oil has been reported to produce very flaky crusts.
• Herbal teas: Lavender, Roman chamomile, orange, tangerine, lemon, peppermint, wintergreen/birch, and
melissa. ADD Two drops in a cup of warm water.
• Cool refreshing drink: Lemon, orange, mandarin, tangerine, or peppermint added to a teaspoon of honey
and mixed in a pitcher of cold water.
• Flavored honey: warm until it becomes a thin liquid, then stir in your favorite oil, such as cinnamon,
clove, lavender, basil, German or Roman chamomile, or lemon.
Internal and Oral Use as a Dietary Supplement
All essential oils that are Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS) or certified as Food Additives (FA) by the
FDA may be safely taken internally as dietary supplements. In fact, many oils are actually more effective
when taken orally.
Essential oils should be diluted in vegetable oil, agave, almond, oat, or rice milk prior to ingestion. More or
less dilution may be required, depending on how strong the oil is. More potent oils, such as cinnamon,
oregano, lemongrass, and thyme, will require far more dilution than relatively mild oils, and very mild oils
like lavender or lemon may not need any dilution at all. As a general rule, dilute 1 drop of essential oil in 1
teaspoon of honey* or in 4 ounces of a beverage. *(Honey should not be given to children under 12 months
of age.)
Usually no more than 2 or 3 drops should be ingested at one time (during any four to eight hour period).
Because essential oils are so concentrated, 1 to 2 drops are often sufficient to achieve significant benefits.
Essential oils should not be given as dietary supplements to children under six years of age. Parents should
exercise caution before orally administering essential oils to any child, and oils should always be diluted prior
to ingestion.
Essential oils are extremely concentrated, so they should be kept out of reach of infants and children. If a
large quantity of oil is ingested at one time (more than 5 drops), please contact your health care physician or
Poison Control Center immediately.
Toothpick application: Dip end of wood toothpick into oil and apply to mixtures when one drop of oil is to
much.
Cooking Tips:
• Ginger, cinnamon, clove, or nutmeg can be added to spice up gingersnap cookies. Toothpick application is
preferred.
• Lemon, orange, mandarin, or tangerine oil can be added to a regular sponge or bundt cake recipe.
• Peppermint or spearmint oil can be added to chocolate cake, brownie, or frosting recipes.
• Nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, or ginger oil can be used in pumpkin pie or spice cake recipes.
• Oregano, marjoram, thyme, or basil can be put in tomato sauces for spaghetti, pizza, ravioli, and lasagna
recipes. Toothpick method of application is preferred.
The key to producing oils that are of genuine therapeutic quality starts with the proper cultivation of the
herbs in the field.
· Plants should be grown on virgin land uncontaminated by chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, or
herbicides. They should also be grown away from nuclear plants, factories, interstates, highways, and
heavily-populated cities, if possible.
· Because robust, healthy plants produce higher quality essential oils, the soil should be nourished with
enzymes, minerals, and organic biosolids. The mineral content of the soil is crucial to the proper
development of the plant, and soils that lack minerals result in plants that produce inferior oils.
· Land and crops should be watered with reservoir or watershed water. Mountain stream water is best
because of its purity and high mineral content. Municipally-treated water or secondary run-off water from
residential and commercial areas can introduce undesirable chemicals and residues into the plant and the
essential oil.
· Different varieties of plants produce different qualities of oils. Only those cultivars that produce the
highest quality essential oil should be selected.
· The timing of the harvest is one of the most important factors in the production of therapeutic-grade
oils. If the plant is harvested at the wrong time of the season or even at the incorrect time of day, a
substandard essential oil can be produced. In some instances, changing harvest time, by even a few hours,
can make a huge difference. For example, German chamomile harvested in the morning will produce an oil
with far more azulene (a powerful anti-inflammatory compound) than chamomile harvested in the late
afternoon.
Other factors that should be taken into consideration during the harvest include the amount of dew on the
leaves, the percentage of plant in bloom, and weather conditions during the two weeks prior to harvest.
To prevent herbs from drying out prior to being distilled, distillers should be located as close to the field as
possible. Transporting herbs to distillers hundreds or thousands of miles away heightens the risk of
exposure to pollutants, dust, mold, and petrochemical residues.
Essential oils can be extracted from the plant by a variety of methods, including solvent extraction, carbon-
dioxide extraction, and steam distillation. Steam distillation is one of the most common and has several
advantages over other methods.
Steam distillation involves channeling a flow of steam into a cooking chamber that holds raw plant material.
As the steam rises, it ruptures the oil membranes in the plant and releases the essential oil. The steam,
carrying the essential oil molecules, rises to the condenser, where the oil-water mixture condenses and
reliquefies. It is then sent to a separator where the oil is separated from the water. The run-off water is
referred to as hydrosol or “essential water”.
However, there are many variants in steam distillation. Subtle differences in distillation equipment and
processing conditions can translate into huge differences in essential oil quality. The size and material of the
cooking chamber, the type of condenser and separator, and the degree of temperature and pressure can all
have a huge impact on the oil. In many respects the way essential oils are steam distilled can enhance or
destroy their therapeutic potency. Distillation is as much a science as it is an art. If the pressure or
temperature is too high, or if the cooking chambers are constructed from reactive metals, the oil may not be
therapeutic grade, even though it still may technically be “Grade A.”
Vertical steam distillation offers the greatest potential for protecting the therapeutic benefits and quality of
essential oils. In ancient distillation, low pressure (5 pounds or lower) and low temperature were extremely
important to produce the therapeutic benefits. Marcel Espieu, president of the Lavender Growers
Association in Southern France has long maintained that the best oil quality can only be produced when the
pressure is zero pounds during distillation.
Temperature also has a distinct effect. At certain temperatures, the oil fragrance, as well as the chemical
constituents, may be altered. High pressures and high temperatures seem to cause a harshness in the oil.
Even the oil pH and the electrical polarity are greatly affected.
For example, cypress requires a minimum of 24 hours of distillation at 265° F and 5 pounds of pressure to
extract most of the therapeutically-active constituents. If distillation time is cut by only two hours, 18 to 20
constituents will be missing from the oil.
However, most cypress is distilled for only 2 hours and 15 minutes. The short distillation times allow the
producer to cut costs and produce a cheaper oil, since money is saved on fuel to generate the steam. It also
causes less wear and tear on equipment, but it results in an oil with little therapeutic value.
In France, lavender produced commercially is often distilled for only 15 to 20 minutes at 155 lbs. of pressure
with a steam temperature approaching 350 degrees F. Although this oil costs less and is easily marketed, it is
of poor quality. It retains few, if any, of the therapeutic properties of high-grade lavender distilled at zero
pounds of pressure for a minimum of one hour, 15 minutes.
To expand this window, Click the "Help Topics" button located to the top left of this screen. To return to
the original size, click the button again.
In many large commercial operations, distillers introduce chemicals into the steam distillation process to
increase the volume of oil produced. Chemical trucks can now pump solvents directly into the boiler water.
This expands oil production by as much as 18 percent. These chemicals inevitably leach into the distilling
water and mix with the essential oil, fracturing the molecular structure of the oil and altering both its
fragrance and therapeutic value. These chemicals remain in the oil after it is sold because it is impossible to
completely separate them from the oil.
Another way that essential oil producers increase the quantity of oil extracted is through redistillation. This
refers to the repeated distillation of the plant material to maximize the volume of oil by using second, third,
and fourth stages of steam distillation, with each distillation generating successively weaker and less potent
essential oils. Such essential oils are also degraded due to prolonged exposure to water used in the
redistillation. This water can hydrolize or oxidize the oil and begin to chemically break down the
constituents responsible for its aroma and therapeutic properties.
Few people appreciate how chemically complex essential oils are. They are rich tapestries of literally
hundreds of chemical components, some of which— even in small quantities—contribute important
therapeutic benefits. The key to preserving as many as possible of these delicate aromatic constituents is to
steam distill plant material in small batches using low pressure and low heat. This is the traditional method
of distillation that has been used for centuries in Europe but is being abandoned in favor of high-volume
pressure cookers designed to operate at over 400° F and over 50 pounds of pressure.
Even more important, the cooking chamber where the plants are distilled should be constructed of a non-
reactive metal, preferably stainless steel, to reduce the possibility of the essential oil being chemically altered
by more reactive metals such as aluminum or copper.
No solvents or synthetic chemicals should be used or added to the water used to generate steam because
they might jeopardize the integrity of the essential oil. Even the addition of chemicals to water used in a
closed-loop heat-exchange system of the condenser can be dangerous, since there is no guarantee that they
will be completely isolated from the essential oil. It is unfortunate that many essential oils distilled
commercially are processed using boiler water laden with chemicals and descaling agents.
Absolutely no pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or agricultural chemicals of any kind should be used in the
cultivation of herbs earmarked for distillation. These chemicals—even in minute quantities—can react with
the essential oil and degrade its purity and quality and render it therapeutically less effective. During
distillation, pesticide residue leaches out of the plant material, with the extracted essential oil.
Different Types of Oil Production
Expressed oils are pressed from the rind of fruits, such as grapefruit, lemon, lime, mandarin, orange, and
tangerine. Rich in terpene alcohols, expressed oils are not technically “essential oils,” even though they are
highly regarded for their therapeutic properties. Expressed oils should only be obtained from organically
grown crops, since pesticide residues can become highly concentrated in the oil.
Steam distillation is the oldest and most traditional method of extraction. Plant material is inserted into a
cooking chamber, and steam is passed through it. After the steam is collected and condensed, it is run
through a separator to collect the oil.
Solvent-extraction involves the use of oil-soluble solvents, such as hexane, dimethyl-enechloride, and
acetone. Because there can be no guarantee that solvent residues will not be found in the finished product,
none of Young Living’s essential oils are processed using solvent extraction.
Absolutes are technically not “essential oils” but are “essences.” They are obtained from the grain alcohol
extraction of a concrete, which is the solid waxy residue that is derived from the extraction of plant materials,
usually flower petals. This method of extraction is used primarily for botanicals where the fragrance and
therapeutic parts of the plant can only be unlocked using solvents. Jasmine and neroli are extracted this way.
Different Types of Oil Production
Expressed oils are pressed from the rind of fruits, such as grapefruit, lemon, lime, mandarin, orange, and
tangerine. Rich in terpene alcohols, expressed oils are not technically “essential oils,” even though they are
highly regarded for their therapeutic properties. Expressed oils should only be obtained from organically
grown crops, since pesticide residues can become highly concentrated in the oil.
Steam distillation is the oldest and most traditional method of extraction. Plant material is inserted into a
cooking chamber, and steam is passed through it. After the steam is collected and condensed, it is run
through a separator to collect the oil.
Solvent-extraction involves the use of oil-soluble solvents, such as hexane, dimethyl-enechloride, and
acetone. Because there can be no guarantee that solvent residues will not be found in the finished product,
none of Young Living’s essential oils are processed using solvent extraction.
Absolutes are technically not “essential oils” but are “essences.” They are obtained from the grain alcohol
extraction of a concrete, which is the solid waxy residue that is derived from the extraction of plant materials,
usually flower petals. This method of extraction is used primarily for botanicals where the fragrance and
therapeutic parts of the plant can only be unlocked using solvents. Jasmine and neroli are extracted this way.
Producing pure essential oils is very costly. It often requires several hundred or even thousands of pounds of
raw plant material to produce a single pound of essential oil. For example, it takes three tons of melissa to
produce one pound of oil. Its extremely low yield explains why it sells for $9,000 to $15,000 a kilo. It takes
5,000 pounds of rose petals to produce approximately one pint of rose oil. It is not difficult to understand
why these oils are so expensive.
The vast majority of oils are produced for the perfume industry, which is only interested in their aromatic
qualities. High pressure, high temperatures, and the use of chemical solvents are used in this distillation
process to produce greater quantities of oil at a faster rate. To many people, these oils smell exquisite but
lack true therapeutic properties. Many of the important chemical constituents necessary to produce
therapeutic results are either flashed off with the high heat or are not released from the plant material.
The Benefits of Therapeutic-Grade Essential Oils
1. Essential oils are small enough in molecular size that they can quickly penetrate the tissues of the skin.
2. Essential oils are lipid soluble and are capable of penetrating cell membranes, even if the membranes
have hardened because of an oxygen deficiency. According to Jean Valnet, M.D., essential oils can affect
every cell of the body within 20 minutes and are then metabolized like other nutrients.
3. Essential oils, according to researchers at the University of Vienna, stimulate blood flow, which
increases oxygen and nutrient delivery.
4. Essential oils are some of the most powerful known antioxidants as determined by the ORAC test
developed by Tufts University. They may prevent mutations, fungus, and oxidation in cells, and work as
free-radical scavengers.
5. Essential oils are antibacterial, antifungal, anti-infectious, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, antiviral, and
antiseptic. Some essential oils have been shown to destroy all tested bacteria and viruses.
6. Essential oils may detoxify the cells and blood in the body.
7. Essential oils containing sesquiterpenes have the ability to pass the blood-brain barrier.
8. Essential oils are aromatic and when diffused may provide air purification by:
A. Increasing ozone and negative ions in the area.
B. Eliminating odors from cooking, bacteria, mold, animals, and other sources.
C. Filling the air with a fresh, aromatic scent.
9. Essential oils promote emotional, physical, and spiritual well being.
10. Essential oils are made up of three of the same elements as the human body: hydrogen, oxygen, and
carbon.
Direct
• Place 2 or more drops into the palm of the left hand, and rub clockwise with the right hand. Cup hands
together over the nose and mouth and inhale deeply.
• Add several drops of an essential oil to a bowl of hot (not boiling) water. Inhale the vapors that rise from
the bowl. To increase the intensity of the oil vapors inhaled, place a towel over the head and bowl before
inhaling.
• Apply oils to a cotton ball, tissue, or hand-kerchief (do not use synthetic fibers or fabric) and place in the
air vent of your car.
• Inhale directly.
Indirect or Subtle Inhalation (wearing as a perfume or cologne)
• Rub 2 or more drops of oil on your chest, neck, upper sternum, wrists, or under nose
and ears. Breathe in the fragrance throughout the day.
Diffusing
Diffused oils alter the structure of molecules that create odors, rather than just masking them. They also
increase oxygen availability, produce negative ions, and release natural ozone. Many essential oils, such as
lemongrass, lemon, Purification, Citrus Fresh, and Thieves, are highly antibacterial and are extremely
effective for eliminating and destroying airborne germs and bacteria.
A cold-air diffuser is designed to atomize a microfine mist of essential oils into the air, where they can
remain suspended for up to several hours. Unlike aroma lamps or candles, it disperses oils without the
heating or burning, which can render the oil therapeutically less beneficial and even create toxic compounds.
Burned oils may become carcinogenic. Research shows that cold air diffusing certain oils may:
• Reduce bacteria, fungus, mold, and unpleasant odors.
• Relax the mind and body, relieve tension, and clear the mind.
• Help with weight management.
• Improve concentration, alertness, and mental clarity.
• Stimulate neurotransmitters.
• Stimulate secretion of endorphins.
• Stimulate growth hormone production and receptivity.
• Digest petrochemicals on the receptor sites.
• Improve the secretion of IgA antibodies that fight candida.
• Improve digestive function.
• Improve hormonal balance.
• Relieve headaches.
• Dispel odors.
Start by diffusing oils for 15-30 minutes a day. Remove immediately if there is any discomfort. As you
become accustomed to the oils and recognize their effects, you may increase the diffusing time to 1-2 hours
per day. Do not diffuse the blend Thieves or cinnamon bark for longer than 15 minutes at a time per day.
Place the diffuser high in the room so that the oil mist falls through the air and removes the odor-causing
substances.
By connecting your diffuser to a timer, you can gain better control over the length and duration of diffusing.
For some respiratory conditions, you may diffuse the oils the entire the night.
Do not mix blends in a diffuser as this will alter the smell and the therapeutic benefit. However, a single oil
may be added to a blend.
Always wash diffuser before using a different oil blend. Use natural soap and warm or hot water.
If you don’t have a diffuser, you may add several drops of essential oil to a spray bottle, add water, and
shake. You can use this to mist your entire house, work place, or car.
To freshen air, use the following essential oil blend:
• 20 drops lavender
• 10 drops lemon
• 6 drops bergamot
• 5 drops lime
• 5 drops grapefruit
Diffuse or put in ½ oz. of distilled water in a spray bottle; shake well.
OTHER EASY WAYS TO DIFFUSE OILS
• Add essential oils to cedar chips to make your own potpourri.
• Put scented cedar chips in closets or drawers to deodorize them.
• Place any conifer essential oil onto each log in the fireplace. As they burn, they will disperse a lovely smell.
This method has little therapeutic benefit.
• Put essential oil on cotton balls and put in car or home air vents.
• Place a bowl of water with a few drops of oil on a wood stove.
• Dampen a cloth, apply essential oils to it, and place it near the intake duct of your heating and cooling
system.
Humidifier and Vaporizer
Essential oils like peppermint, lemon, and frankincense make ideal additions to humidifiers or vaporizers.
Essential Water Diffuser
The AromaMist deffuser is designed specifically to diffuse Essential Waters (Hydrosals) See Chapter 7
Travel Diffuser
Allows users to enjoy the health benefits of essential oils while traveling or camping.
To use: Untwist and remove the lid from the oblong storage container. Turn the storage container upside
down and pour up to 20 drops of your favorite essential oil or oil blend into the storage container.
Insert the diffuser top (paper), pointed end downward (paper folded), into the storage unit. The diffuser will
absorb the oil. Twist the plastic lid back onto the storage container and shake to help the absorption
process. Untwist the lid remove the diffuser top (paper) and twist lid back on.
Simply place the storage unit with plastic lid down into the wood base. Unfold the diffuser top and place it
over the storage container in a lamp-shade fashion. Enjoy the aroma.
• Diffusion rate will vary depending on thickness or viscosity of the essential oil or blend used on the
diffuser.
• Wash storage container* with soap and warm water or grain alcohol before utilizing another essential oil
or blend.
• Reusable.
* DO NOT WASH THE DIFFUSER OR WOOD STAND.
Vaginal Retention Implant
For systemic health problems, such as candida or vaginitis, a vaginal implant is one of the best ways for the
body to absorb essential oils.
· Place 10-20 drops of essential oil into a tablespoon of carrier oil.
· While lying down use a small syringe to implant the mixture into the vagina at bedtime. Do not get up
again until morning.
· To use a capsule, place oils in the capsule and implant immediately after the oils are added.
· A pad or tampon may need to be used to aid in the retention of the essential oil solution.
Rectal Implant and Retention Enema
Enemas and rectal implants are the most efficient ways to deliver essential oils to the urinary tract and
reproductive organs. Always use sterile applicator.
• Mix 20-35 drops of essential oil in a teaspoon of carrier oil.
• Place mixture in a small syringe and inject into the rectum.
• Retain mixture through the night (or longer for best results).
• Clean and disinfect applicator after each use.
Water Distillers and Filters
You can apply oils like peppermint, lemon, clove, and cinnamon to the post-filter side of your water
purifier. This will help purify the water.
Dishwashing Soap
To add fragrance or improve the antiseptic action of your liquid soap, add several drops of essential oils
such as lavender, Melaleuca alternifolia, fir, spruce, pine, lemon, bergamot, and orange.
Cleaning and Disinfecting
A few drops of oil may be added to the dishwasher to help disinfect and purify. Some popular oils are
lemon and peppermint, although any antibacterial oil would work well.
Painting
When painting, add a 5 ml. bottle of your favorite essential oil, such as White Angelica, Abundance, or
Sacred Mountain, to 1 gallon of paint. Mix well. The oil will counteract the unpleasant smell of paint.
Because essential oils are not fatty oils, they will leave no oil spots on the walls.
We recommend that no more than 90 ml. of essential oils be user per 5 gallons of paint.
Laundry
Essential oils may be used to enhance the cleanliness and fragrance of your laundry. As unpleasant as it
seems, dust mites live in your bedding, feeding from the dead skin cells you constantly shed. Recent research
has shown that eucalyptus oil kills dust mites. To achieve effective dust mite control, add 25 drops of
eucalyptus to each load, or approximately 1/2 ounce to a bottle of liquid laundry detergent.
You may also add several drops of essential oils to the rinse cycle, such as fir, spruce, juniper, lavender,
cedarwood, wintergreen/birch, or rosewood.
Instead of using toxic and irritating softening agents in the dryer, place a washcloth dampened with 10 drops
of lavender, lemon, melaleuca, bergamot, or other essential oils While the oils will not reduce static cling,
they will impart a distinctive fragrance to the clothes.
In addition, because clothing (like everything else) has a frequency, consider moving toward natural fabrics
instead of synthetics. Cotton, linen, silk, and wool possess energy frequencies harmonious to the human
body.
Surface Cleansers: Counters, Furniture, etc.
Instead of purchasing standard household cleaners for surfaces, you can create your own natural, safe
version by filling a plastic spray bottle with water and a squirt of dishwashing soap. Add 3 to 5 drops each
of lavender, lemon, and pine essential oils. Shake the spray bottle well, and your homemade cleaner is ready
to spray. This simple solution is extremely economical, yet it cleans and disinfects as well as any
commercial cleaner.
Please keep in mind that some of the oils used directly may stain some surfaces, such as linoleum.
Additional antibacterial and antiviral oils that are excellent for cleaning include cinnamon, clove, Eucalyptus
globulus, thyme, juniper, Melaluca alternifolia, spruce, lemongrass, and grapefruit.
Floors and Carpet
By combining essential oils with common household products, you can create your own nontoxic aromatic
floor and carpet cleaners.
To clean hard floors, add 1/4 cup of white vinegar to a bucket of water. Then add 5-10 drops of lemon, pine,
spruce, Melaleuca alternifolia, Purification, or another suitable oil. If the floor is especially dirty, add several
drops of dishwashing soap. This will clean even the dirtiest floor.
To make a carpet freshener, add sixteen to twenty drops of essential oils to a cup of baking soda or borax
powder. Mix well and place in a covered container overnight so that the oil can be absorbed. Sprinkle over
your carpet the next day and then vacuum the powder up.
You may also saturate a disposable cloth or tissue with several drops of essential oil and place it into the
collecting bag of your vacuum. This will diffuse a pleasant odor as you clean. If your vacuum collects dirt
into water, simply add a few drops into the water reservoir before cleaning. This refreshes both the carpet
and the room.
Insecticide and Repellent: Dust Mites, Fleas, Ticks, Ants, Spiders, etc.
Many of us use synthetic chemicals to deal with insects. Essential oils and oil blends, such as lavender,
lemon, peppermint, lemongrass, cypress, Eucalyptus globulus, cinnamon, thyme, basil, Thieves,
Purification, and citronella, effectively repel many types of insects including mites, lice, and fleas.
Peppermint placed on entryways prevents ants from entering.
If you need moth repellents for your linens and woolens, avoid toxic commercial mothballs made of
naphthalene. Natural essential oils, like citronella, lavender, lemongrass, Canadian red cedar, or rosemary, can
just as effectively repel moths and other insects. You can make a sachet by placing several drops of essential
oil on a cotton ball. Wrap and tie this in a small handkerchief or square of cotton. Hang this cloth in storage
areas or add it to your chest of linens. Refresh as often as necessary.
You can put this sachet in your bureau drawers to keep your clothes freshly scented. Lavender and rose are
classic scents. For children’s sleepwear, Roman chamomile is especially fragrant and relaxing. To scent
stationery, stretch out a scented cotton ball and place in an envelope.
Hot Tubs and Saunas
Hot tubs, jacuzzis, and saunas act as reservoirs for germs, especially if used frequently. Lavender, cinnamon,
clove, Eucalyptus globulus, thyme, lemon, or grapefruit can be used to disinfect and fragrance the water. Use
3 drops per person. For saunas, add several drops of rosemary, thyme, pine, or lavender to a spray bottle
with water and then spray down the surfaces. Scented water can also be used to splash on hot sauna stones.
Note: Some essential oils may damage plastic sauna/spa filters or hoses.
Deodorizing: Kitchens, Bathrooms, etc.
The kitchen and bathroom are often a source of odors and bacteria. Use the following mixtures to freshen,
deodorize, and disinfect the air, work areas, cupboards, bathroom fixtures, sinks, tiles, woodwork, carpets,
etc. These blends are safe for the family and the environment.
Since the oils separate easily from water, always shake well and keep on shaking the bottle as you use these
mixtures. They will deodorize and clean the air, instead of covering the odors.
Single oils:
• Rosemary CT cineol with lemon, Eucalyptus globulus, and lavender.
Blends:
• Lavender with Purification.
Recipe #1
Mix:
• 2 drops rosemary CT cineol
• 4 drops lemon
• 3 drops Eucalyptus globulus
• 4 drops lavender with 1 quart water.
Shake well and put in a spray bottle.
Recipe #2
Mix:
• 3 to 4 drops lavender
• 5 to 6 drops Purify with 1 quart water.
Shake well and put in a spray bottle.
Recipe #3
Mix:
• Pine with chamomile, Melaleuca alternifolia, lemongrass, or clove.
Cooking
Many essential oils make excellent food flavorings. They are so concentrated that only 1-2 drops of an
essential oil is equivalent to a full bottle (1-2 oz. size) of dried herbs.
As a general rule, spice oils impart a far stronger flavor than citrus oils do. For stronger spice oils (such as
oregano, nutmeg, cinnamon, marjoram, tarragon, wintergreen/birch, thyme, or basil), you may choose to dip a
toothpick into the oils and stir food (after cooking) with toothpick. This controls the amount of essential oil
that is put into the food.
Oils that can be used as spices: Basil, cinnamon, clove, fennel, ginger, lemon, marjoram, nutmeg, oregano,
peppermint, Rosemary CT cineol, sage, spearmint, tarragon, coriander, grapefruit, mandarin, orange,
wintergreen/birch, black pepper, and thyme.
For a recipe that serves 6-10 people, add 1 to 2 drops of an oil and stir in after cooking and just before
serving, so the oil does not evaporate.
Cooking uses:
• Cakes, frosting, puddings, fruit pies: Lemon, clove, orange, mandarin, or peppermint.
• Pie Crusts: V-6 Mixing Oil has been reported to produce very flaky crusts.
• Herbal teas: Lavender, Roman chamomile, orange, tangerine, lemon, peppermint, wintergreen/birch, and
melissa. ADD Two drops in a cup of warm water.
• Cool refreshing drink: Lemon, orange, mandarin, tangerine, or peppermint added to a teaspoon of honey
and mixed in a pitcher of cold water.
• Flavored honey: warm until it becomes a thin liquid, then stir in your favorite oil, such as cinnamon,
clove, lavender, basil, German or Roman chamomile, or lemon.
Internal and Oral Use as a Dietary Supplement
All essential oils that are Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS) or certified as Food Additives (FA) by the
FDA may be safely taken internally as dietary supplements. In fact, many oils are actually more effective
when taken orally.
Essential oils should be diluted in vegetable oil, agave, almond, oat, or rice milk prior to ingestion. More or
less dilution may be required, depending on how strong the oil is. More potent oils, such as cinnamon,
oregano, lemongrass, and thyme, will require far more dilution than relatively mild oils, and very mild oils
like lavender or lemon may not need any dilution at all. As a general rule, dilute 1 drop of essential oil in 1
teaspoon of honey* or in 4 ounces of a beverage. *(Honey should not be given to children under 12 months
of age.)
Usually no more than 2 or 3 drops should be ingested at one time (during any four to eight hour period).
Because essential oils are so concentrated, 1 to 2 drops are often sufficient to achieve significant benefits.
Essential oils should not be given as dietary supplements to children under six years of age. Parents should
exercise caution before orally administering essential oils to any child, and oils should always be diluted prior
to ingestion.
Essential oils are extremely concentrated, so they should be kept out of reach of infants and children. If a
large quantity of oil is ingested at one time (more than 5 drops), please contact your health care physician or
Poison Control Center immediately.
Toothpick application: Dip end of wood toothpick into oil and apply to mixtures when one drop of oil is to
much.
Cooking Tips:
• Ginger, cinnamon, clove, or nutmeg can be added to spice up gingersnap cookies. Toothpick application is
preferred.
• Lemon, orange, mandarin, or tangerine oil can be added to a regular sponge or bundt cake recipe.
• Peppermint or spearmint oil can be added to chocolate cake, brownie, or frosting recipes.
• Nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, or ginger oil can be used in pumpkin pie or spice cake recipes.
• Oregano, marjoram, thyme, or basil can be put in tomato sauces for spaghetti, pizza, ravioli, and lasagna
recipes. Toothpick method of application is preferred.
The key to producing oils that are of genuine therapeutic quality starts with the proper cultivation of the
herbs in the field.
· Plants should be grown on virgin land uncontaminated by chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, or
herbicides. They should also be grown away from nuclear plants, factories, interstates, highways, and
heavily-populated cities, if possible.
· Because robust, healthy plants produce higher quality essential oils, the soil should be nourished with
enzymes, minerals, and organic biosolids. The mineral content of the soil is crucial to the proper
development of the plant, and soils that lack minerals result in plants that produce inferior oils.
· Land and crops should be watered with reservoir or watershed water. Mountain stream water is best
because of its purity and high mineral content. Municipally-treated water or secondary run-off water from
residential and commercial areas can introduce undesirable chemicals and residues into the plant and the
essential oil.
· Different varieties of plants produce different qualities of oils. Only those cultivars that produce the
highest quality essential oil should be selected.
· The timing of the harvest is one of the most important factors in the production of therapeutic-grade
oils. If the plant is harvested at the wrong time of the season or even at the incorrect time of day, a
substandard essential oil can be produced. In some instances, changing harvest time, by even a few hours,
can make a huge difference. For example, German chamomile harvested in the morning will produce an oil
with far more azulene (a powerful anti-inflammatory compound) than chamomile harvested in the late
afternoon.
Other factors that should be taken into consideration during the harvest include the amount of dew on the
leaves, the percentage of plant in bloom, and weather conditions during the two weeks prior to harvest.
To prevent herbs from drying out prior to being distilled, distillers should be located as close to the field as
possible. Transporting herbs to distillers hundreds or thousands of miles away heightens the risk of
exposure to pollutants, dust, mold, and petrochemical residues.
Essential oils can be extracted from the plant by a variety of methods, including solvent extraction, carbon-
dioxide extraction, and steam distillation. Steam distillation is one of the most common and has several
advantages over other methods.
Steam distillation involves channeling a flow of steam into a cooking chamber that holds raw plant material.
As the steam rises, it ruptures the oil membranes in the plant and releases the essential oil. The steam,
carrying the essential oil molecules, rises to the condenser, where the oil-water mixture condenses and
reliquefies. It is then sent to a separator where the oil is separated from the water. The run-off water is
referred to as hydrosol or “essential water”.
However, there are many variants in steam distillation. Subtle differences in distillation equipment and
processing conditions can translate into huge differences in essential oil quality. The size and material of the
cooking chamber, the type of condenser and separator, and the degree of temperature and pressure can all
have a huge impact on the oil. In many respects the way essential oils are steam distilled can enhance or
destroy their therapeutic potency. Distillation is as much a science as it is an art. If the pressure or
temperature is too high, or if the cooking chambers are constructed from reactive metals, the oil may not be
therapeutic grade, even though it still may technically be “Grade A.”
Vertical steam distillation offers the greatest potential for protecting the therapeutic benefits and quality of
essential oils. In ancient distillation, low pressure (5 pounds or lower) and low temperature were extremely
important to produce the therapeutic benefits. Marcel Espieu, president of the Lavender Growers
Association in Southern France has long maintained that the best oil quality can only be produced when the
pressure is zero pounds during distillation.
Temperature also has a distinct effect. At certain temperatures, the oil fragrance, as well as the chemical
constituents, may be altered. High pressures and high temperatures seem to cause a harshness in the oil.
Even the oil pH and the electrical polarity are greatly affected.
For example, cypress requires a minimum of 24 hours of distillation at 265° F and 5 pounds of pressure to
extract most of the therapeutically-active constituents. If distillation time is cut by only two hours, 18 to 20
constituents will be missing from the oil.
However, most cypress is distilled for only 2 hours and 15 minutes. The short distillation times allow the
producer to cut costs and produce a cheaper oil, since money is saved on fuel to generate the steam. It also
causes less wear and tear on equipment, but it results in an oil with little therapeutic value.
In France, lavender produced commercially is often distilled for only 15 to 20 minutes at 155 lbs. of pressure
with a steam temperature approaching 350 degrees F. Although this oil costs less and is easily marketed, it is
of poor quality. It retains few, if any, of the therapeutic properties of high-grade lavender distilled at zero
pounds of pressure for a minimum of one hour, 15 minutes.
To expand this window, Click the "Help Topics" button located to the top left of this screen. To return to
the original size, click the button again.
In many large commercial operations, distillers introduce chemicals into the steam distillation process to
increase the volume of oil produced. Chemical trucks can now pump solvents directly into the boiler water.
This expands oil production by as much as 18 percent. These chemicals inevitably leach into the distilling
water and mix with the essential oil, fracturing the molecular structure of the oil and altering both its
fragrance and therapeutic value. These chemicals remain in the oil after it is sold because it is impossible to
completely separate them from the oil.
Another way that essential oil producers increase the quantity of oil extracted is through redistillation. This
refers to the repeated distillation of the plant material to maximize the volume of oil by using second, third,
and fourth stages of steam distillation, with each distillation generating successively weaker and less potent
essential oils. Such essential oils are also degraded due to prolonged exposure to water used in the
redistillation. This water can hydrolize or oxidize the oil and begin to chemically break down the
constituents responsible for its aroma and therapeutic properties.
Few people appreciate how chemically complex essential oils are. They are rich tapestries of literally
hundreds of chemical components, some of which— even in small quantities—contribute important
therapeutic benefits. The key to preserving as many as possible of these delicate aromatic constituents is to
steam distill plant material in small batches using low pressure and low heat. This is the traditional method
of distillation that has been used for centuries in Europe but is being abandoned in favor of high-volume
pressure cookers designed to operate at over 400° F and over 50 pounds of pressure.
Even more important, the cooking chamber where the plants are distilled should be constructed of a non-
reactive metal, preferably stainless steel, to reduce the possibility of the essential oil being chemically altered
by more reactive metals such as aluminum or copper.
No solvents or synthetic chemicals should be used or added to the water used to generate steam because
they might jeopardize the integrity of the essential oil. Even the addition of chemicals to water used in a
closed-loop heat-exchange system of the condenser can be dangerous, since there is no guarantee that they
will be completely isolated from the essential oil. It is unfortunate that many essential oils distilled
commercially are processed using boiler water laden with chemicals and descaling agents.
Absolutely no pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or agricultural chemicals of any kind should be used in the
cultivation of herbs earmarked for distillation. These chemicals—even in minute quantities—can react with
the essential oil and degrade its purity and quality and render it therapeutically less effective. During
distillation, pesticide residue leaches out of the plant material, with the extracted essential oil.
Different Types of Oil Production
Expressed oils are pressed from the rind of fruits, such as grapefruit, lemon, lime, mandarin, orange, and
tangerine. Rich in terpene alcohols, expressed oils are not technically “essential oils,” even though they are
highly regarded for their therapeutic properties. Expressed oils should only be obtained from organically
grown crops, since pesticide residues can become highly concentrated in the oil.
Steam distillation is the oldest and most traditional method of extraction. Plant material is inserted into a
cooking chamber, and steam is passed through it. After the steam is collected and condensed, it is run
through a separator to collect the oil.
Solvent-extraction involves the use of oil-soluble solvents, such as hexane, dimethyl-enechloride, and
acetone. Because there can be no guarantee that solvent residues will not be found in the finished product,
none of Young Living’s essential oils are processed using solvent extraction.
Absolutes are technically not “essential oils” but are “essences.” They are obtained from the grain alcohol
extraction of a concrete, which is the solid waxy residue that is derived from the extraction of plant materials,
usually flower petals. This method of extraction is used primarily for botanicals where the fragrance and
therapeutic parts of the plant can only be unlocked using solvents. Jasmine and neroli are extracted this way.
Different Types of Oil Production
Expressed oils are pressed from the rind of fruits, such as grapefruit, lemon, lime, mandarin, orange, and
tangerine. Rich in terpene alcohols, expressed oils are not technically “essential oils,” even though they are
highly regarded for their therapeutic properties. Expressed oils should only be obtained from organically
grown crops, since pesticide residues can become highly concentrated in the oil.
Steam distillation is the oldest and most traditional method of extraction. Plant material is inserted into a
cooking chamber, and steam is passed through it. After the steam is collected and condensed, it is run
through a separator to collect the oil.
Solvent-extraction involves the use of oil-soluble solvents, such as hexane, dimethyl-enechloride, and
acetone. Because there can be no guarantee that solvent residues will not be found in the finished product,
none of Young Living’s essential oils are processed using solvent extraction.
Absolutes are technically not “essential oils” but are “essences.” They are obtained from the grain alcohol
extraction of a concrete, which is the solid waxy residue that is derived from the extraction of plant materials,
usually flower petals. This method of extraction is used primarily for botanicals where the fragrance and
therapeutic parts of the plant can only be unlocked using solvents. Jasmine and neroli are extracted this way.
Producing pure essential oils is very costly. It often requires several hundred or even thousands of pounds of
raw plant material to produce a single pound of essential oil. For example, it takes three tons of melissa to
produce one pound of oil. Its extremely low yield explains why it sells for $9,000 to $15,000 a kilo. It takes
5,000 pounds of rose petals to produce approximately one pint of rose oil. It is not difficult to understand
why these oils are so expensive.
The vast majority of oils are produced for the perfume industry, which is only interested in their aromatic
qualities. High pressure, high temperatures, and the use of chemical solvents are used in this distillation
process to produce greater quantities of oil at a faster rate. To many people, these oils smell exquisite but
lack true therapeutic properties. Many of the important chemical constituents necessary to produce
therapeutic results are either flashed off with the high heat or are not released from the plant material.
The Benefits of Therapeutic-Grade Essential Oils
1. Essential oils are small enough in molecular size that they can quickly penetrate the tissues of the skin.
2. Essential oils are lipid soluble and are capable of penetrating cell membranes, even if the membranes
have hardened because of an oxygen deficiency. According to Jean Valnet, M.D., essential oils can affect
every cell of the body within 20 minutes and are then metabolized like other nutrients.
3. Essential oils, according to researchers at the University of Vienna, stimulate blood flow, which
increases oxygen and nutrient delivery.
4. Essential oils are some of the most powerful known antioxidants as determined by the ORAC test
developed by Tufts University. They may prevent mutations, fungus, and oxidation in cells, and work as
free-radical scavengers.
5. Essential oils are antibacterial, antifungal, anti-infectious, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, antiviral, and
antiseptic. Some essential oils have been shown to destroy all tested bacteria and viruses.
6. Essential oils may detoxify the cells and blood in the body.
7. Essential oils containing sesquiterpenes have the ability to pass the blood-brain barrier.
8. Essential oils are aromatic and when diffused may provide air purification by:
A. Increasing ozone and negative ions in the area.
B. Eliminating odors from cooking, bacteria, mold, animals, and other sources.
C. Filling the air with a fresh, aromatic scent.
9. Essential oils promote emotional, physical, and spiritual well being.
10. Essential oils are made up of three of the same elements as the human body: hydrogen, oxygen, and
carbon.
