What are essential oils and how to use them?

Essential oils, sometimes also called ethereal oils or just essences, are the concentrated fragrances of plants. These essences contain the vital force and the strength of the plants in a concentrated form and the fragrance is located in tiny Oil drops in or on top of the plant tissue. On some plants you can detect these Oil glands by sight alone, for example, on the peel of an Orange or on a leaf of the Rose of Sharon when holding it against the light.

Essential oils play an important role in the development of plants. They are energy saving, they bear information, they protect from illness, they regulate temperature and many other things. If there is a particularly high amount of essence in the blossom, the plant attracts the insects it likes or it repels the ones which would not like the plant but who would rather eat it i.e. destroy. Nowadays we benefit greatly from this fact and is used successfully in developing insect repellents.

Containers with essential Oils should always be keep tightly closed because they are very volatile, meaning they evaporate very easily. They are also light sensitive and therefore they should be kept in brown glass which does not let the light through.

Some oils like Jasmine, Patchouli, Rose, Incense and Rose Wood however gain maturity with the years in the same way as a good wine. Essential oils react negatively to very high temperatures and must not drop below zero. Essences from citric fruits are especially sensitive to heat and should therefore be stored in a refrigerator.

The consistency of essential oils can vary; they can be fluid (i.e. Lavender, Lemon or Peppermint) or very viscous (i.e. Vetiver, Mimosa). Colours of the various essences are also quite different. Some of them are transparent and clear such as Lavender and Verbena. Others are dark or brown like Vetiver and Patchouli. The essential Oil of the German Camomile and Yarrow are dark blue and Bergamot is a light green.

Essences do not mix with water, however they will mix with fatty oils, in alcohol, soap and in natural emulsions and emulsifiers such as milk, cream, honey or egg yolk.

Therefore different fields of application arise. Essential oils do not only come from flowers but also from leaves of bushes, needles of trees, barks, roots or fruits.

Aromatherapy Lamp

Its effect comes from the combination of form, light, colour and fragrance. The number of drops of essential oils to be used in an Aromatherapy lamp depends on the size of the room and on the fragrance intensity of the essences; usually about 3-5 drops. The fragrance in a room can influence the mood of its inhabitants in a very subtle way. Start with individual fragrances or finished mixtures and watch their influence. Afterwards it is easier to create your own individual blends. You can read about the effects of the individual Jüst Aromatherapy Oils in product text.
Inhalation

Inhalation is recommended in order to treat colds, coughing or catarrh or as a steam bath for your face. Put approximately 3-5 drops (according to the strength of the Oil) of essential Oil in a big bowl of boiling water. Put a big towel over your head and the bowl in order not to release vapour. Close your eyes and breath in the rising fragrances for approximately 5 minutes. If a cold is very bad repeat the inhalation 2-3 times per day. Alternatively use our Jüst thermal inhaler.

Sauna

Pure essential oils in comparison with synthetic oils can support the detoxicating effect of the sauna. Put approximately 5 drops of an essential Oil (or a blend) on a ladle and put it over the hot sauna stones. Never put the Oil directly on the hot stones as essential oils are very easily flammable. This kind of Aromatherapy is very pleasant for the breathing tract, it helps to start the detoxicating process in your body and it improves the bodies defence system.

Compress

A hot compress (i.e. flannel or muslin) has a relaxing and easing effect. Moreover it opens the pores, allowing the essential oils to penetrate faster and deeper into your body. In approximately 2 litres of hot water you should use 4-6 drops of Oil. Soak a towel in this mixture, wring it out and put it on the parts of the body to be treated. The compress should be taken away as soon as its temperature has dropped down to body temperature. It is ideal as a treatment before doing a facial massage. It is a pleasant effect against stress and tension. Hot compresses should not be used if you have broken veins.

Baths

Bathing in valuable fragrances of nature has become very popular. It is one of the most effective applications in Aromatherapy because the whole body can absorb the substances. Bathing is positive not only for your body but also for your soul - essences have a very beneficial effect on the human psyche. As essential oils do not mix with water most bathing oils offered in shops have synthetic emulsifiers, i.e. substances which link Oil and water. There are however some natural emulsifiers like honey and cream. Pure essential oils can be added to these substances and they then mix well with water.

Massage

By blending essential oils with a basic oil you can develop a variety of blends for use on face & body. Mix 20ml of carrier/base oil to five drops of essential oils and your special blend is prepared. With these basic oils (so-called fatty oils) essential oils mix very well. Try and use plant oils with unsaturated fatty acids as these bear important healing agents and vitamins, which support the skins function, breathing, light absorption and heat regulation. They make your skin soft, elastic and firm. Mineral oils are dead oils manufactured from paraffin Oil. They hardly penetrate your skin, they block the pores, slow down the effect of the skins vitamins and they can also reduce the effect of essential oils. Unfortunately they are often used for baby oils. The human body however cannot process mineral oils and they are deposited in the body.

Carrier Oils

Suitable carrier/ base oils are: Sweet Almond Oil, Hazel nut Oil, Jojoba Oil, Wheatgerm Oil, Coconut Oil, Oil of Rose of Sharon and Olive Oil. We recommend the Jüst BodyCare Â‘Skin Function Oil'.

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