essential oil question

[Guest guest]

Hi there. You can make your own essential oil,

however, it requires massive quantities of herbs to do so. Some herbs are

better suited for home making than others…that’s why some are so

much more expensive to buy.

 

In order to make your own oils, you would need some sort of large

kettle…one with a spout. Now I am writing this from memory, but if you’re

really interested, I could look it up to get exact instructions. I’ve

never made them myself. You would also need some tubing…enough to reach

from the spout to the floor with some slack so that you can run the middle of

it through a bucket of ice. The flowers/herbs would go in the kettle and

covered with water. You need a tight seal.

Cover with water, bring it to a simmer. The steam travels through the

tubing, gets cooled off in the ice and out the other end comes essential oils

and flower water. You skim the oils off the top of the water and now you have

two wonderful products.

 

Some produce more oil than others. For instance, it would take hundreds

of pounds of Rose petals to produce a small amount of oil. If you’ve ever

seen the price of rose eo…now you know why. Others

produce greater amounts such as Lavender, Citrus peels, etc.

 

I don’t really think that making your own eo’s would be

cost effective if that is what you are looking for because of the quantity of

flowers and herbs you would need to produce a small amount of oil. But I’m

sure that making them youself would be highly rewarding and you would know the

exact quality of the oil.

 

Let me know if you actually embark on such a venture!! I’d love

to know how they turn out!!

 

Kim

 

 

Tressie

[sesbpa]

Thursday, December 19, 2002

9:55 AM

herbal remedies

[herbal remedies]

Essential oil question

 

 

Hi all. It has been a

loonnnnng time since I last posted. I have just been enjoying everyone

else's posts and learning more as I enjoyed them.

 

 

 

 

 

I have been getting more and more

into the natural. I was thinking about essential oils recently and I

wondered if there might be a way that a person can make his/her own essential

oils? If so, how would that be done? I know how to make tinctures,

I have been discovering a ton of fruits, veggies, and herbs that I can order

from my favorite seed catalogs and raise myself, and now I would like to try my

hand at making essential oils if anyone knows how and could tell me how.

My goal is total self-sufficiency, here, folks--I don't want to have buy anything.

I would like to raise it and make it myself. The only thing I want to

rely on someone else for is to get information about how to treat myself and my

family. Other wise, I want to be self-sufficient.

 

 

Becky

 

 

 

 

 

Wife to Steve, mom to Paul and

Amanda.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

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Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

Version: 6.0.423 / Virus Database: 238 - Release 11/25/02

 

 

Federal

Law requires that we warn you of the following:

1. Natural methods can sometimes backfire.

2. If you are pregnant, consult your physician

before using any natural remedy.

3. The Constitution guarantees you the right to be

your own physician and to

prescribe for your own health.

We are not medical doctors although MDs are

welcome to post here as long as

they behave themselves.

Any opinions put forth by the list members are

exactly that, and any person

following the advice of anyone posting here does

so at their own risk.

It is up to you to educate yourself. By

accepting advice or products from list members, you are agreeing to

be fully responsible for your own health, and hold

the List Owner and members free of any liability.

 

Dr. Ian Shillington

Doctor of Naturopathy

Dr.IanShillington

 

 

Your use of

is subject to the

Terms of Service.

[Guest guest]

Good for you...

 

Tressie [sesbpa]Thursday, December 19, 2002 6:55 AMherbal remedies Subject: [herbal remedies] Essential oil question

Hi all. It has been a loonnnnng time since I last posted. I have just been enjoying everyone else's posts and learning more as I enjoyed them.

 

I have been getting more and more into the natural. I was thinking about essential oils recently and I wondered if there might be a way that a person can make his/her own essential oils? If so, how would that be done? I know how to make tinctures, I have been discovering a ton of fruits, veggies, and herbs that I can order from my favorite seed catalogs and raise myself, and now I would like to try my hand at making essential oils if anyone knows how and could tell me how. My goal is total self-sufficiency, here, folks--I don't want to have buy anything. I would like to raise it and make it myself. The only thing I want to rely on someone else for is to get information about how to treat myself and my family. Other wise, I want to be self-sufficient.

Becky

 

Wife to Steve, mom to Paul and Amanda.

 

 

 

 

---Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).Version: 6.0.423 / Virus Database: 238 - Release 11/25/02Federal Law requires that we warn you of the following: 1. Natural methods can sometimes backfire. 2. If you are pregnant, consult your physician before using any natural remedy. 3. The Constitution guarantees you the right to be your own physician and toprescribe for your own health. We are not medical doctors although MDs are welcome to post here as long as they behave themselves. Any opinions put forth by the list members are exactly that, and any person following the advice of anyone posting here does so at their own risk. It is up to you to educate yourself. By accepting advice or products from list members, you are agreeing to be fully responsible for your own health, and hold the List Owner and members free of any liability. Dr. Ian ShillingtonDoctor of NaturopathyDr.IanShillington

[Guest guest]

Dear Becky,

 

Good to hear from you again and have you out of "lurk" mode ;o)

 

Best bet is to type "essential oils" into our list's "search" engine, and you'll get an eye full. This should keep you busy for a day or two LOL.

 

Love,

 

Doc

 

Ian "Doc" Shillington N.D.505-772-5889Dr.IanShillington

 

-

Tressie

herbal remedies

Thursday, December 19, 2002 7:54 AM

[herbal remedies] Essential oil question

 

Hi all. It has been a loonnnnng time since I last posted. I have just been enjoying everyone else's posts and learning more as I enjoyed them.

 

I have been getting more and more into the natural. I was thinking about essential oils recently and I wondered if there might be a way that a person can make his/her own essential oils? If so, how would that be done? I know how to make tinctures, I have been discovering a ton of fruits, veggies, and herbs that I can order from my favorite seed catalogs and raise myself, and now I would like to try my hand at making essential oils if anyone knows how and could tell me how. My goal is total self-sufficiency, here, folks--I don't want to have buy anything. I would like to raise it and make it myself. The only thing I want to rely on someone else for is to get information about how to treat myself and my family. Other wise, I want to be self-sufficient.

Becky

 

Wife to Steve, mom to Paul and Amanda.

 

 

 

 

---Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).Version: 6.0.423 / Virus Database: 238 - Release 11/25/02Federal Law requires that we warn you of the following: 1. Natural methods can sometimes backfire. 2. If you are pregnant, consult your physician before using any natural remedy. 3. The Constitution guarantees you the right to be your own physician and toprescribe for your own health. We are not medical doctors although MDs are welcome to post here as long as they behave themselves. Any opinions put forth by the list members are exactly that, and any person following the advice of anyone posting here does so at their own risk. It is up to you to educate yourself. By accepting advice or products from list members, you are agreeing to be fully responsible for your own health, and hold the List Owner and members free of any liability. Dr. Ian ShillingtonDoctor of NaturopathyDr.IanShillington

[Guest guest]

The statement is true. I've been taught this also. It's only when they

have been altered to be thinned out will they become oily........try it

,get yourself a good oil one from a reliable source. you'll

see......buy oils used for smelly candles.....cheap ones......big

difference in quality just like anything else in life.......There was

just a dicussion on oil of oregano..........read

it..........ie.....someone mentioned about using 1 or 2 drops to make a

bottle of oil of oregano like some stores sell......for 32.00 for 2

oz...........

Hobbit Woman

[Guest guest]

I have put several of my oils on a paper (white) and there is no spot left

but I did the same oils on a brown paper bag and it did leave a slight

discoloration on it. On the white paper if I had not marked the spots with

an ink pen I could not see where they were. Not so on the brown paper sack

and I used the same oils that I used on the white paper. I would have lost

this bet for sure. LOL Learn something everyday.

Zo

 

 

-

<angelicaspirit

 

Monday, October 15, 2007 10:45 AM

Re: essential oil question

 

 

> The statement is true. I've been taught this also. It's only when they

> have been altered to be thinned out will they become oily........try it

> ,get yourself a good oil one from a reliable source. you'll

> see......buy oils used for smelly candles.....cheap ones......big

> difference in quality just like anything else in life.......There was

> just a dicussion on oil of oregano..........read

> it..........ie.....someone mentioned about using 1 or 2 drops to make a

> bottle of oil of oregano like some stores sell......for 32.00 for 2

> oz...........

> Hobbit Woman

>

>

>

>

> The information contained in these e-mails is not a substitute

> for diagnosis and treatment by a qualified, licensed professional.

>

>

> Step By Step Instructions For Making Herbal Labna Cheese! So easy, SO

> yummy!

> http://www.aromaticsage.com/cz.htm

>

>

> To adjust your group settings (i.e. go no mail) see the following link:

> /join

>

[Guest guest]

> I have been told that if you put a drop of essential oils on a

paper sack

> that it will not leave an oily spot if they are pure.

>

> I don't buy this. If they aren't oily then why are that called oil?

>

> Can anyone shed light on this for me?

> Zo

>

Hi Zo,

You may have already gotten your answer, but here is one answer.

Since essential oils are obtained by steam distillation they

are 'volatile', so when placed anywhere (on that paper bag for

instance) they should evaporate. Carrier oils on the other hand are

not volatile since they are pressed. So any essential oil that is

diluted in a carrier oil can be identified this way. However, it

will not tell you if the essential oil has had another volatile oil

added to it. For instance, some eos are not exactly as they are from

the plant such as lavender 40/42. This is standardized to have a

specific ratio of linalool to linalyl acetate as I understand -

which isn't always how it comes out of the plant.

 

Why they are called oils is for a number of reasons:

1. It is difficult to lump them into any other chemical family

2. They are less dense than water as other oils are

3. They are soluble in oil

 

Cindy Jones

Sagescript Institute

http://www.sagescript.com

Herbal Distillates, Botanicals, Microbiology

[Guest guest]

Here's a simplified chemistry-based answer:

 

True oils are Lipids - both saturated (animal fats and some plant oils) and

unsaturated (most plant oils).

 

Essential " oils " on the other hand, are not lipids. Many of them are

aromatic compounds based on benzene rings (in chemistry the term " aromatic "

doesn't necessarily mean a compound has an odor, although they frequently

do). I am sure that EO's came to be called " oils " because they are not

miscible with water - they float on top, just like lipids do. Hence the

need for steam distillation; after the distillation the two immiscible

portions (the water or hydrosol and the EO) are easy to separate since the

EO floats on top of the hydrosol.

 

Anyway, that's my two cents on why EO's are not oils.

 

Hope that helps!

Melissa Bell

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Neat! I've never heard this, so thanks for the question and

informative answers!

[Guest guest]

on a doula group a question came up about diffusing essential oils around

babies. they wanted to know if it was safe & what was safe. some of the women on

there said they would never use the oils around babies. what is your opinion?

thanks,

mavis

Mavis Gewant

Sacred Artist & Doula

 

 

www.sacredmotherarts.com

www.gentlecaredoulaservice.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Remember in the old days when we put Vicks vapor rub in the little basin in a

room humidifier for colds. Then they said the oil in the air got into kids lungs

and therefore wasn't good for them. Of course, I'm thinking that was a petroleum

product for one thing. But I'm wondering if oil actually floats in the air to be

inhaled. I don't know, is there any connection between this thinking and

essential oil use?

I should be embarrassed to sign my name to this dumb question.

 

Vicky York, CPD, IBCLC

Postpartum Care Services

Portland, OR

 

www.vickyyorkdoula.com

references: www.ikarma.com/user/vmyork

 

 

-

mavis gewant

perinatalayurveda

Friday, June 12, 2009 7:50 PM

PerinatalAyurveda forum essential oil question

 

 

 

 

 

on a doula group a question came up about diffusing essential oils around

babies. they wanted to know if it was safe & what was safe. some of the women on

there said they would never use the oils around babies. what is your opinion?

thanks,

mavis

Mavis Gewant

Sacred Artist & Doula

 

www.sacredmotherarts.com

www.gentlecaredoulaservice.com

 

[Guest guest]

 I believe the main concern with using Vicks Vapo Rub around infants was the

camphor content.  Camphor is a wonderful medicine when used correctly, but it

is a narcotic and can damage the central nervous system, liver and kidneys if

mis-used.  Camphorated products have been known to cause seizure disorders in

infants as their systems are not developed enough to handle most of the products

on the market.

 

In general terms of safety using Essential Oils around babies, I would agree

with the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy as stated here:

 

" Can I use essential oils on my baby...no age given, so clarity on use

w/infants/baby, children and elderly etc?

 

Since our bodies are designed to continually try to maintain homoeostasis (i.e.

the status quo), absorbed essential oil components can be removed from the body

quite quickly in a number of ways, for example – by being exhaled during

breathing, being metabolized and excreted in urine & feces etc. Babies and small

children have less well-developed detoxification mechanisms than adults, and the

bodies of elderly people may not work as efficiently. So we might regard both

these categories as being more prone or more fragile than healthy adults – and

therefore they might be more sensitive to essential oils, which should be used

with caution. Because of considerations of relative size (adults to infants),

and therefore potentially higher doses per kilo body weight with infants we must

reduce the applied dose. If we were to use a 2% solution (EO in carrier oil) on

adults, we must use MUCH less on a small child, or none at all. Older children

enjoy baths

with a couple drops of skin safe oils, and may enjoy massage as well. The

elderly can also benefit by gentle applications, but again use caution and a

knowledge of safe use. Some oils have been known to cause respiratory problems

if used too close to baby’s nostrils (peppermint, eucalyptus oils). However,

safe oils such as Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), and Neroli (Citrus

aurantium var. amara) etc. could be used in minute amounts for bath or massage -

e.g. 1 drop in bath, or 1-2 drops/per ounce carrier). Diffusion into the home

environment is usually fine on both ages, but do not diffuse the same oil for

long periods of time. "

http://www.naha.org/faq_safety.htm

 

Hope that helps answer your question.

 

Suzanna

 

--- On Fri, 6/12/09, Vicky York <VMYORK wrote:

 

 

Vicky York <VMYORK

Re: PerinatalAyurveda forum essential oil question

ayurveda

Friday, June 12, 2009, 9:20 PM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remember in the old days when we put Vicks vapor rub in the little basin in a

room humidifier for colds. Then they said the oil in the air got into kids lungs

and therefore wasn't good for them. Of course, I'm thinking that was a petroleum

product for one thing. But I'm wondering if oil actually floats in the air to be

inhaled. I don't know, is there any connection between this thinking and

essential oil use?

I should be embarrassed to sign my name to this dumb question.

 

Vicky York, CPD, IBCLC

Postpartum Care Services

Portland, OR

 

www.vickyyorkdoula. com

references: www.ikarma.com/ user/vmyork

 

-

mavis gewant

perinatalayurveda

Friday, June 12, 2009 7:50 PM

PerinatalAyurveda forum essential oil question

 

on a doula group a question came up about diffusing essential oils around

babies. they wanted to know if it was safe & what was safe. some of the women on

there said they would never use the oils around babies. what is your opinion?

thanks,

mavis

Mavis Gewant

Sacred Artist & Doula

 

www.sacredmotherart s.com

www.gentlecaredoula service.com

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi Suzanna Sarasvati -

 

Thanks so much for this great info. I wonder if the camphor issue has to do

with the synthetic/petrochem basis of Vicks' camphor and this and other

artificially tampered with influences in many essential oils too. This is my

unmedical chemistry very limited trained questioning here also. Many true

essential oils have camphene bioconstituents I think they are called (including

lavendin), which is - probably for your multiple reasons - contraindicated

during pregnancy too.

 

I do know that the NAHA recmmendations are very strongly put forth for such

timid dilutions. They are good advice to protect people who use the huge range

of quality of essential oils. Everyone of course says their oils are the best,

but who has the expertise to evaluate it? The section you shared is wise advice

if you dont know the quality of your oils. The extreeme dilutions the English

(NAHA recognized) model of aromatherapy gives even for adults do still support

some mood enhancement.

 

For therapeutic effects as used by the French MDs, other appropriate uses with

well documented results and testing for side effects not seen as are warned

about by NAHA when using truely pure essential oils are seen.

 

Negative side effects come when not following good safety detail about a

specific oil also, but NAHA's safety protocols are something I've never paid

attention to since hearing they taught " it really doesn't matter if an essential

oil is organic or not, and it really doesn't matter if an essential oil is even

synthetic or not. " Perhaps their statements there have changed, that was what

my mentor with oils, Vicki Opfer, discovered about 12 years ago.

 

For those interested in certification using essential oils for more truely

therapeutic purposes, the only one NAHA has recognized which I'd choose is Linda

Lee Smith's school - " The Institute of Spiritual Healing and Aromatherapy offers

educational programs ...to prepare practitioners in the art of hands-on healing

and anointing with essential oils. Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry and

Aromatherapy courses are available through our institute. " (two different semi

related tracks, following links to eoils) http://www.ishaaromatherapy.com/

 

The certification program in essential oil education offered by the Institute of

Spiritual Healing and Aromatherapy is a 240 hour course of study that includes:

 

*Three courses

*Completion of homework booklets and case studies

*A mini-research project

*Written tests

 

The program is approved by the Alliance of International Aromatherapists

(AIA)and by the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) as a school

of aromatherapy to grant certification to those students who complete all the

requirements.

 

In addition, graduates of the aromatherapy certification program may also apply

to the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP) to become certified

as Holistic Health practitioners (CHHP). "

 

So there are many myself included who have often used essential oils, some neet

topically, on babies with really great results. There are also important

cautions around babies as you have indicated and more. You will find links on

Linda's site for her articles on pregnancy and related topics also, though

beware - she posts them not on her site but e-zine where most of what you see

first is paid advertising by others.

 

Anyway, we can safely rub a drop of an organic essential oil inbetween two hands

till dry then hold the hands to diffuse to Baby, from 1/2-1 inch away. Babies

are so sensitive and absorb the benefits without irritation. For premies, this

or wearing an oil yourself, or diffusing a few minutes an hour is the advice I

go by.

 

I feel in these crazy times when the microbial climate is much worse than it

used to be, essential oils if available are a great blessing for immune support

and many other purposes. Using ayurvedic as well as aromatherapeutic schools of

guidance whatever your source, are important umbrellas for safe use and best

results.

 

WArm REgards,

Ysha

 

>  I believe the main concern with using Vicks Vapo Rub around infants was the

camphor content.  Camphor is a wonderful medicine when used correctly, but it

is a narcotic and can damage the central nervous system, liver and kidneys if

mis-used.  Camphorated products have been known to cause seizure disorders in

infants as their systems are not developed enough to handle most of the products

on the market.

 

> Because of considerations of relative size (adults to infants), and therefore

potentially higher doses per kilo body weight with infants we must reduce the

applied dose. If we were to use a 2% solution (EO in carrier oil) on adults, we

must use MUCH less on a small child, or none at all. Older children enjoy baths

[Guest guest]

Ysha,

 

I agree that the NAHA is a bit timid in their recommendations.

 

There are so many variables in aromatherapy that I am erring on the side of

caution in answering the broad question as to whether essential oils are are

safe around babies and infants and expectant moms, especially on a public

forum.  So many EOs are adulterated and many people do not know that there is a

medical grade of essential oil that is very different in quality from the ones

generally available in natural foods stores or body product shops.

 

I personally have used a number of them internally treating myself or my

immediate family but have noticed that some will not take the

time/responsibility to research an oil or the supplier before using an excess. 

 

The petrolatum base of the Vicks Vapo Rub is a problem, but I still think the

camphor itself is the greater danger to infants.  Although many other oils with

have camphor like constituents, camphor itself is particularly potent and a

number of children have become ill just by playing in or near a camphor laurel

tree.  It is easy to absorb a toxic dose of the trees oils through the skin.  A

little camphor goes a long way. 

 

Warmest regards,

Suzanna

 

 

--- On Tue, 6/16/09, Ysha Oakes <AyurDoulas wrote:

 

 

Ysha Oakes <AyurDoulas

Re: PerinatalAyurveda forum essential oil question

ayurveda

Tuesday, June 16, 2009, 6:57 PM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Suzanna Sarasvati -

 

Thanks so much for this great info. I wonder if the camphor issue has to do with

the synthetic/petrochem basis of Vicks' camphor and this and other artificially

tampered with influences in many essential oils too. This is my unmedical

chemistry very limited trained questioning here also. Many true essential oils

have camphene bioconstituents I think they are called (including lavendin),

which is - probably for your multiple reasons - contraindicated during pregnancy

too.

 

I do know that the NAHA recmmendations are very strongly put forth for such

timid dilutions. They are good advice to protect people who use the huge range

of quality of essential oils. Everyone of course says their oils are the best,

but who has the expertise to evaluate it? The section you shared is wise advice

if you dont know the quality of your oils. The extreeme dilutions the English

(NAHA recognized) model of aromatherapy gives even for adults do still support

some mood enhancement.

 

For therapeutic effects as used by the French MDs, other appropriate uses with

well documented results and testing for side effects not seen as are warned

about by NAHA when using truely pure essential oils are seen.

 

Negative side effects come when not following good safety detail about a

specific oil also, but NAHA's safety protocols are something I've never paid

attention to since hearing they taught " it really doesn't matter if an essential

oil is organic or not, and it really doesn't matter if an essential oil is even

synthetic or not. " Perhaps their statements there have changed, that was what my

mentor with oils, Vicki Opfer, discovered about 12 years ago.

 

For those interested in certification using essential oils for more truely

therapeutic purposes, the only one NAHA has recognized which I'd choose is Linda

Lee Smith's school - " The Institute of Spiritual Healing and Aromatherapy offers

educational programs ...to prepare practitioners in the art of hands-on healing

and anointing with essential oils. Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry and

Aromatherapy courses are available through our institute. " (two different semi

related tracks, following links to eoils) http://www.ishaarom atherapy. com/

 

The certification program in essential oil education offered by the Institute of

Spiritual Healing and Aromatherapy is a 240 hour course of study that includes:

 

*Three courses

*Completion of homework booklets and case studies

*A mini-research project

*Written tests

 

The program is approved by the Alliance of International Aromatherapists

(AIA)and by the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) as a school

of aromatherapy to grant certification to those students who complete all the

requirements.

 

In addition, graduates of the aromatherapy certification program may also apply

to the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP) to become certified

as Holistic Health practitioners (CHHP). "

 

So there are many myself included who have often used essential oils, some neet

topically, on babies with really great results. There are also important

cautions around babies as you have indicated and more. You will find links on

Linda's site for her articles on pregnancy and related topics also, though

beware - she posts them not on her site but e-zine where most of what you see

first is paid advertising by others.

 

Anyway, we can safely rub a drop of an organic essential oil inbetween two hands

till dry then hold the hands to diffuse to Baby, from 1/2-1 inch away. Babies

are so sensitive and absorb the benefits without irritation. For premies, this

or wearing an oil yourself, or diffusing a few minutes an hour is the advice I

go by.

 

I feel in these crazy times when the microbial climate is much worse than it

used to be, essential oils if available are a great blessing for immune support

and many other purposes. Using ayurvedic as well as aromatherapeutic schools of

guidance whatever your source, are important umbrellas for safe use and best

results.

 

WArm REgards,

Ysha

 

>  I believe the main concern with using Vicks Vapo Rub around infants was the

camphor content.  Camphor is a wonderful medicine when used correctly, but it

is a narcotic and can damage the central nervous system, liver and kidneys if

mis-used.  Camphorated products have been known to cause seizure disorders in

infants as their systems are not developed enough to handle most of the products

on the market.

 

> Because of considerations of relative size (adults to infants), and therefore

potentially higher doses per kilo body weight with infants we must reduce the

applied dose. If we were to use a 2% solution (EO in carrier oil) on adults, we

must use MUCH less on a small child, or none at all. Older children enjoy baths

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Welcoming your wisdom and reminding us both to delete extra previous messages at

least mostly, for those on digest especially.

 

Warm Regards,

Ysha

 

> I agree that the NAHA is a bit timid in their recommendations.

>  

> There are so many variables in aromatherapy that I am erring on the side of

caution in answering the broad question as to whether