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You provide the inside and we provide the outside! We have wholesale plastic containers, wholesale glass containers, jars, sprayers, pumps, bottles and caps of all types. We also stock wholesale cosmetic packaging such as mascara, eyeliner, and lip-gloss containers. Drug & Cosmetic Packaging is now a premiere distributor for foaming pumps and matching containers the most requested new development in packaging in years. There is virtually no wholesale packaging need we cannot fill.
As experts in the distribution of packaging we can fill your order immediately from our stock of empty glass containers, plastic containers, dispensing pumps, fingertip sprayers with a fine mist or heavy mist, lotion pumps, treatment pumps, fragrance pumps, dispensing caps, child resistant caps, and caps, closures and lids of all types. Choose from our wholesale packaging menu the packaging items you need. |
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The Infullpak Fine Mist Sprayer Pump has been a name you can trust for the highest quality pumps for almost 20 years. The Infullpak finemist sprayer pump can be made in a variety of neck sizes and an endless combination of color and decorating possibilities.
Need a fingertip sprayer pump with an even higher output than our Infullpak fine mist sprayer pump?
You have the option of our standard regular mist sprayer pumps with a 1.0cc output.
These fine mist spray pumps feature a more controlled spray pattern for better application of your product. They are faster priming so they pump sooner in less strokes. They also have a lower force to actuate meaning they are easier on the fingers of your customers to actuate than any other fingertip fine mist sprayer pumps. This makes them much more comfortable for your customer, especially seniors, to use than other fine mist sprayer pumps.
Some of the many uses for these high quality sprayer pumps are for hair care products, room fresheners, perfumes, suntan products, insect repellant's, bath & body sprays, eyeglass cleaners, breath & vitamin sprays, cleaning products and hundreds of other uses.
One of our optional features allows the consumer to spray your product with an even controlled mist and hold the bottle in any position ¨C even upside down! This feature is excellent for products such as foot and body sprays, spray sun tan products, feminine products, hair care products, and cleaning products for hard to reach areas.
There is also a High Viscosity version with a 0.20 cc output, which is designed as the name implies to spray products that have a higher viscosity such as gels, spray butter, some oil products, etc than would work with other fingertip sprayer pumps.
Custom colors or custom collars, and various outputs and a nozzle extension, are available as a custom order.
For real heavy-duty jobs our trigger sprayer pumps should fit the bill. Comfortable in the hand, yet built to last, our standard trigger sprayers allow you to adjust the spray pattern from a misting spray to a forceful stream. A foaming option is also available.
Think of Drug and Cosmetic Packaging first for all of your dispensing and packaging needs. |
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International Air Travel Limitations on Bottle Sizes
All international air travellers are now required to comply with the following measures:
Any liquids, aerosols and gels that passengers want to take in their carry-on baggage must be in containers of 100ml volume or less
Containers larger than 100ml will not be permitted in carry-on baggage, even if there is only 100ml of liquid/gel in the larger container
Passengers may carry as many 100ml containers as will fit comfortably in a single re-sealable transparent plastic bag of 1 litre volume (approximately 20cm by 20cm, or 8 inches by 8 inches)
Each passenger, including children, will be allowed one transparent re-sealable plastic bag
The plastic bag must be presented separately from all other carry-on baggage at the security screening points at airports
Exceptions are in place for medicines, baby products and dietary supplements in liquid or gel form. However, only reasonable amounts will be permitted in the cabin of the aircraft (ie enough for the journey as well as possible delays and flight diversions
Ant Packaging's NEW 100ml Modified Boston Plastic Bottle in beautiful, recyclable PET complies with these measures. Make sure your customers can take your product on-board with them in an Ant 100ml bottle. |
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Clear Glass Jar
These wide mouth jars are perfect for creams, balms, scrubs and lotions, and are accompanied with white metal lids that provide a tight seal. Economical and sturdy with straight sides, these have become an herbalists staple. Choose from 3 different sizes |
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Plastic Bottles
Opaque plastic bottles that come with "push top" caps. These bottles are made of recyclable HDPE and are manufactured from 100% recycled materials with a minimum of 25% post consumer waste. Suitable for oils, lotions, shampoos, and other cosmetic uses. A great bottle that offers your products added protection, because of its ability to diffuse light, and economical as well! |
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How do spray bottles pump fluid?
Spray bottles are an extremely useful type of machine and an excellent demonstration of basic plumbing principles. A spray-bottle head is made up of only a few parts. It has a trigger lever, which activates a small pump. This pump is attached to a plastic tube that draws cleaning fluid from the bottom of the reservoir. The pump forces this liquid down a narrow barrel and out a small hole at the gun's muzzle. The hole, or nozzle, serves to focus the flowing liquid so that it forms a concentrated stream.
The only complex element in this design is the fluid pump, and it's about as simple as they come. The main moving element is a piston, housed inside a cylinder. Inside the cylinder, there is a small spring. To operate the pump, you pull the trigger back, pushing the piston into the cylinder. The moving piston compresses the spring, so when you release the trigger, the piston is pushed back out of the cylinder. These two strokes of the piston, into the cylinder and out again, constitute the entire pump cycle.
The downstroke, the piston pushing in, shrinks the area of the cylinder, forcing fluid out of the pump. The upstroke, the spring pushing the piston back out, expands the cylinder area, sucking fluid into the pump. In a spray bottle, you need to suck cleaning fluid in from the reservoir below and force it out through the barrel above. In order to get all of the fluid moving through the barrel, the pump must only force the fluid up -- it cannot force the fluid back into the reservoir. In other words, the fluid must move through the pump in only one direction.
The device that makes this possible is called a one-way valve. A spray bottle has two one-way valves in the pumping system: one between the pump and the reservoir and one between the pump and the nozzle. Typically, the valve between the pump and the reservoir consists of a tiny rubber ball that rests neatly inside a small seal. The sides of the seal are angled so that the ball won't fall through. Depending on the design, either gravity or a small spring holds this ball against the seal so that the water passageway is blocked off when you are not pumping. When the piston moves out (when you release the trigger), the expanding area of the cylinder sucks on the fluid below, pulling the ball up out of the seal. Since the ball is lifted up, fluid is free to flow from the reservoir. But when you squeeze the trigger, the outward force of the moving fluid pushes the ball into the seal, blocking off the passageway to the reservoir. Consequently, the pressurized fluid is pushed only into the barrel.
In the spray mechanism pictured above, the one-way valve between the pump and the nozzle is a sort of cup, which fits over the end of the barrel. On the upstroke, the inward pressure from the pump pulls the cup against the barrel, so air can't flow in through the nozzle. On the downstroke, the fluid pushing out lifts the cup off the barrel slightly and flows on through the nozzle. Without this second one-way valve, the pump system wouldn't be able to draw fluid up from the reservoir because there would be no suction (no drop in air pressure). The upstroke wouldn't lower the air pressure in the pump; it would only draw in more air to maintain that pressure.
This valve also works as a shut-off system. When you screw the nozzle piece in, it pushes the valve cup tightly against the barrel, so you can't force any liquid out. When you loosen the nozzle piece, there is enough room for the valve cup to move back and forth.
When you use a spray bottle for the first time, you have to squeeze the trigger a couple of times to spray any cleaning fluid. There are two things causing this delay:
Before you start pumping, the gun is set for a downstroke, not an upstroke (the piston is sitting outside the cylinder). When you first pull the trigger back, and the piston pushes in, there is no liquid to pump out; there is only air in the cylinder chamber. The piston has to slide out to suck any fluid from the reservoir.
On this first upstroke, the pump starts sucking the cleaning liquid from the reservoir. But it also sucks in any air sitting in the plastic tube leading to the reservoir. Before you can start spraying the cleaning liquid, you have to drive this air through the pump mechanism. This may take a couple of downstrokes and upstrokes.
This simple pump design, called a reciprocating piston pump, is used for a variety of tasks. In addition to pressurizing water, air and many other fluids, this design can also extract water and oil from underground. We even have reciprocating pumps built into our bodies: Your heart expands to draw low-pressure blood in through one one-way valve and contracts to force high-pressure blood through another one-way valve, back into your body. The same basic mechanism that makes an ordinary spray bottle work also serves to keep you alive! |
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Aromatherapy and Essential Oil Diffusers
Several different styles of electric and passive aromatherapy diffusers and nebulizers. Many more types exist.
Diffusion is the process of dispersing essential oils so that their aroma fills a room or an area with the natural fragrance. From the simple to the elaborate, many different methods exist for diffusing essential oils into a room. Three easy methods exist which can be done with things you probably already have in your household. In addition, there are numerous diffusers and diffusing devices available for purchase from aromatherapy vendors. This article will detail the different types of devices and methods that may be used. For blends that you can try once you have your diffuser, be sure to visit the Diffuser Blends page
Methods That Can Be Done With Items Already in Your Household
Simple Tissue Diffusion
Place 3-4 drops of essential oil on a tissue. Place the tissue near you. As movement occurs in the room (i.e. as you move or as someone walks by), you will notice the aroma.
Advantages:
This method can be used anywhere and is quickly transportable.
Disadvantages:
This method does not emit much aroma into a room.
Steam Diffusion
Boil 2 cups of water. Pour the water into a bowl and add up to 10 drops of oil to the water. Use fewer drops if you are using an oil that may cause irritation to your mucous membranes (i.e. cinnamon, eucalyptus, rosemary, pine, thyme, cajuput, etc.). Use of energizing or relaxing oils can make this method useful any time of day or night. The steam will heat the oils and cause them to evaporate quickly into the room.
Advantages: This method will quickly diffuse the oils into a room.
Disadvantages: The aroma is not exceptionally long-lasting. Additionally, the heat may alter or destroy certain constituents of the oils and thus the therapeutic benefit may not be as optimal as using cold-air diffusion methods.
Candle Diffusion
Light a candle and allow it to burn for about 5 minutes. Extinguish the candle, place 1 drop of essential oil in the melted wax (not on the wick!) and then relight the candle. Essential oils are highly flammable, so great care must be used.
Advantages: This method can be used most anywhere that a candle may be used.
Disadvantages: Essential oils are flammable, so great care must be used. The aroma is not long-lasting. The heat may alter or destroy certain constituents of the oils and thus the therapeutic benefit may not be as optimal as using cold-air diffusion methods.
A selection of diffusers
Aromatherapy Diffusers and Diffusion Products on the Market
The descriptions below are generalities about the different aromatherapy diffusers and other products that are available. Always check the specifications, requirements and safety comments supplied with the particular product you are interested to confirm that it is suitable for your needs and expectations. To locate vendors that sell aromatherapy diffusers, visit the Diffusers & Nebulizers Category of AromaWeb's Business Plaza.
Lamp Rings
Lamp rings are a terra-cotta ring that sets directly onto a light bulb. It has a grooved lip that goes all the way around it. This lip holds essential oil. The heat from a light bulb heats the essential oil in the Lamp Ring and the oil is then gently diffused into the room.
Advantages: Lamp Rings are usually very inexpensive.
Disadvantages: If any essential oil gets onto the light bulb, the light bulb could break. The heat may alter or destroy certain constituents of the oils and thus the therapeutic benefit may not be as optimal as using cold-air diffusion methods.
Clay Pot Diffusers
Clay pot diffusers go by many names, but they resemble small terra-cotta pots. They also can be found in various small shapes such as pyramids. A clay pot diffuser contains an opening for adding essential oils. Usually a cork is the method by which the opening is closed. The oils permeate through the pot and then diffuse out into the room. The intensity of the aroma depends on how much essential oil is added to the clay pot.
Advantages: Clay pot diffusers are very inexpensive, easy to use, and do not require electricity or batteries.
Disadvantages: The aroma is strongest shortly after adding essential oil to the clay pot and then dissipates as time passes. As such, it¡¯s hard to keep the same level of aroma in the room.
Candle Diffusers
A candle diffuser is a diffuser that utilizes a tea light or other candle to gently heat the essential oil to promote diffusion into a room. A candle diffuser is usually ceramic or metal. The diffuser has an opening or space for a candle and a little bowl or tray for storing a tiny quantity of essential oil. Candle diffusers come in many shapes and colors from the modest functional piece to the piece that acts both as a work of art and as a candle diffuser.
Advantages: Candle diffusers can be inexpensive, depending on the style and design. Candle diffusers do not require electricity or batteries.
Disadvantages: One needs to be as careful with using a candle diffuser as with using candles in general. Also, one must be sure to keep replacement candles on hand. The aroma generally diffused by a candle diffuser is very light and it does not usually diffuse an entire room. The heat may alter or destroy certain constituents of the oils and thus the therapeutic benefit may not be as optimal as using cold-air diffusion methods.
Fan Diffusers
Fan diffusers come in a variety of sizes, shapes and styles. A fan diffuser uses a fan to blow the essential oils into the air. To use a fan diffuser, essential oils are usually placed onto a disposable absorbent pad or into a tray. The pad or tray is placed into the unit and then powered on. The fan then blows air across this pad or tray and carries the aroma throughout the room. Since fan diffusers come in a variety of sizes, some fan diffusers will only diffuse a small room whereas others can diffuse very large areas. Some fan diffusers require the use of an absorbent pad (the pads can usually be reordered from the retailer or directly from the manufacturer). In others, the use of absorbent pads is optional.
Advantages: Fan diffusers are available in a wide variety of brands and styles. Depending on the brand and model, fan diffusers can fragrance a large area. Fan diffusers are generally easy to use. Some fan diffusers are powered by both electricity and batteries making them quite portable.
Disadvantages: Some fan diffusers, depending on the brand and model, require the purchase of replacement absorbent pads. Some fan diffusers are noisy.
Electric Heat Diffusers
Similar to a fan diffuser, heat diffusers use heat and a fan to gently heat the oil and disperse the aroma into a room.
Advantages: Electric heat diffusers may fragrance larger areas, depending on the brand and style. They can also help to more efficiently disperse the aromas of thicker oils such as Sandalwood and Patchouli.
Disadvantages: Heat may alter or destroy certain constituents of the oils and thus the therapeutic benefit may not be as optimal as using cold-air diffusion methods.
Nebulizers
A nebulizer is a device that takes essential oils and breaks them into separate molecules before dispersing the smaller molecules into the room. It is said that these smaller molecules can be more readily absorbed by the lungs and thus create greater therapeutic value than by use of other diffusion methods. A nebulizer is a small (perhaps 8" x 4" x 6") device that consists of two main parts: the plastic base that contains the motor and a very unusual, clear blown-glass looking device that holds and "nebulizes" the oils. Instead of the use of the unusual glass piece, some nebulizers use a special bottle that looks like a Boston round bottle.
Advantages: It is said that nebulizers can supply greater therapeutic benefit than the use of other diffusers because they break the oils down into smaller molecules.
Disadvantages: The glass piece is breakable and expensive to replace. Compared to other methods, cleaning the glass between different oils is time consuming. Depending on the style nebulizer, thick oils such as Sandalwood and Patchouli usually cannot be used as they can clog certain style nebulizers.
For Those Who Own a Food Dehydrator
I do not recommend purchasing a food dehydrator for diffusion purposes as it is a little bulky and cumbersome for this purpose. If, however, you already own a food dehydrator, you may have nice results in using it as an alternative to diffusing EOs. Excalibur, makers of high-end food dehydrators, say that you can dry evergreen branches directly in the machine to experience the aroma. They also mention that you can place a wet sponge with a few drops of oil on it (they say vanilla extract, but this should work with EOs) into the dehydrator. It goes without saying, however, that you should follow all safety precautions and instructions for your dehydrator model and only leave your dehydrator running for this purpose for a short period of time.
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Aromatherapy for Pets
Aromatherapy blending supplies. Great care must be given when practicing aromatherapy on pets.
Just as aromatherapy can provide emotional and physical benefits for humans, aromatherapy can provide similar benefits for our beloved pets. We, however, must keep in mind that animals are much different from humans, hence most doctors practicing on humans do not provide veterinary services and vice versa.
The same oils and blends that we use on ourselves are not always safe to use on our pets. Unfortunately, very little is documented or taught about the use of aromatherapy for pets. For example, I recently completed a yearlong intensive aromatherapy course from a well-respected, state-licensed school. Aromatherapy for animals, however wasn't covered.
In 2002, Kristen Leigh Bell published the text Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals. At long last, the aromatherapy community finally has a reliable text that focuses upon animal aromatherapy. Kristen Leigh Bell is probably the most recognized expert in the safe utilization of aromatherapy with animals. For more information, please visit AromaWeb's detailed book description for Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals.
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A Aromatherapy and Insomnia
An array of supplies used in holistic aromatherapy.
Lack of sleep can impact our well being and the quality of lives. The frustration in not being able to get a good night's sleep can add to sleeplessness. Hectic lifestyles, stress, depression, physical illness and working unusual schedules can all be root causes for insomnia.
Aromatherapy cannot cure insomnia or its root cause, but using calming and relaxing aromatherapy formulations before your intended bedtime can potentially help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep until your intended wake-up time. Of course, if you have an ongoing, serious sleep disorder, you should see your health professional to discuss your situation and gain treatment for the root cause as it could be physical or emotional in nature.
If you suffer from occasional insomnia or want to try ideas that may help you fall asleep faster, consider the following tips:
Aromatic Cotton Ball by Bedside: Add a drop of Roman Chamomile or Lavender to a tissue or cotton ball and place that near your pillow at bedtime. Roman Chamomile essential oil is considered a natural sedative. Another essential oil that possesses sedating properties is Clary Sage. AromaWeb's Recipe Box contains an Insomnia Recipe that you might want to try.
Bed Linen Spray: Create a calming bed linen spray and lightly spray your sheets before bedtime.
Bathtime: Bathing is a wonderful way to relax, but avoid taking a bath immediately before bedtime. Hot water can increase your circulation and make it hard to fall asleep. Instead, plan to finish your bathing ritual about an hour before bed. While bathing, add a drop or two of Roman Chamomile or Lavender to your bathwater. For a moisturizing and more aromatic experience, try AromaWeb's Bath Oil recipe. You can use this basic recipe and adapt it using your calming oils of choice. AromaWeb's Aromatherapy Baths article provides additional information regarding aromatic bathing.
The minerals in natural salts, especially Dead Sea salts, help to relax muscles which in turn can help you to relax overall. AromaWeb's offers a Bath Salts recipe that teaches you how to naturally fragrance your chosen bath salts with essential oils. Be sure to select essential oils that are calming and safe for your skin.
Massage: Like bathing, massage is stimulating to your circulation and should generally be avoided immediately before bedtime. Prior to bedtime, however, try gently massaging your feet and legs with a calming massage oil or lotion.
Teatime: Borrowed from the field of herbalism, herbal teas using botanicals that have a natural sedative effect can be both soothing and relaxing before bedtime. Try natural chamomile tea. Teas made from passion flower and valerian are also considered to be very relaxing and help to encourage sleep, but do not have the familiar and pleasant flavor that chamomile tea offers.
Avoid Stimulating Essential Oils Before Bedtime: Some essential oils can be particularly energizing and stimulating (i.e. cypress, rosemary, grapefruit, lemon, peppermint). Avoid using these oils and products containing them before bed.
The safest and most recommended course of action that you can take is to seek out the in-person guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner in your area. Your particular health situation and the root cause of your insomnia can make a difference in the most suitable recommendations for you. A qualified practitioner should conduct a case history on you and guide you based on your personal background and recommend blends suitable for you and discuss suitable dosages and methods of administration.
Other naturally based or simple ideas for helping ease sleeplessness include the following:
Exercise Regularly: Exercising right before bed isn't a good idea, but establishing a regular exercise routine can help ease stress, eliminate toxins from your system, improve your overall health and help you to sleep better at bedtime. Of course, the disclaimer has to be mentioned that you should talk to your doctor before starting a new health or exercise program.
Avoid Eating Before Bedtime: Unless you have diabetes or a health issue that may require you to eat right before bedtime, avoid doing so. Carbohydrates, spicy foods and foodstuffs with caffeine are especially prone to making it hard to fall asleep easily.
Avoid Stressful Activities and Situations Before Bedtime: Whenever possible, spend the last hour before bedtime unwinding and doing something that you find relaxing. If scary movies or tv shows gets your adrenaline racing, consider watching comedies instead. Right before bed also isn't the ideal time to finally work on your finances or call that relative who always upsets you.
Tuning Out Noise: If a root cause of your insomnia is due to noise or distractions, try masking the noise by playing soothing music, using a natural noise machine (the kind that plays soothing natural sounds such as ocean waves or rain) or using ear plugs. These ideas should only be tried if you are in a sleeping situation in which you don't have to worry about masking out all noises.
Tuning Out Light: If lights make it hard for you to fall asleep or stay asleep, make sure that your window treatments mask out all light, especially if your schedule requires you to sleep at times when it is light out. Eye masks are also available that filter out light. Some work better than others, so try them on first to ensure a good fit. |
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romatherapy and Weight Loss
A wooden box filled with bottles of essential oils.
I receive a lot of E-mails from persons asking if aromatherapy can aid with weight loss. Grapefruit essential oil, in particular, is often asked about.
The quick answer is that the use of essential oils will not provide a miracle in weight loss. Used in conjunction with other things described below, however, proper use of essential oils may be a valuable aid in your weight loss plan.
The first step in establishing a weight loss program should be to consult your medical doctor or practitioner. Work with your practitioner to establish a safe plan suitable to your particular medical needs. As a person who has struggled with her weight for years, I also find significant value in defining the reasons why you have poor eating habits. Your particular reasons will vary from those of others, but knowing the reasons and dealing with them will help you on your way to permanent weight loss. Going on crash diets isn't a long-term solution. Several reasons why you may overeat are listed below:
Physical/medical reasons
Poor knowledge of nutrition
Eating as a form of comfort
Eating as entertainment when bored
Depression
Grief
Eating because everyone else is/afraid to say "no"
The use of essential oils or aromatic blends will not miraculously shed pounds. They, however, can assist you with the struggles and "withdrawal" symptoms that you may feel as you begin and continue your weight loss program. The aroma of energizing essential oils (i.e. orange, lemon, grapefruit, rosemary, peppermint) may help provide energy during workouts and during times where you feel sluggish. The Emotional Well-Being section of AromaWeb's Recipe Box area provides a variety of blends. The use of these blends may help you in dealing with the difficulties that you are trying to overcome. |
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Aromatherapy Tips for Combating the Winter Blues and Holiday Blues
As joyful as the holiday season is supposed to be, the days leading up to Christmas can be filled with stress, chaos, hectic schedules, deliciously tempting but unhealthy food, lack of quality sleep and dealing with disagreeable loved ones and fellow shoppers.
The reality of Christmas Eve and Christmas day can also be a difficult time for those that cannot be with their loved ones at Christmas, for those that are in dysfunctional families, for those that have painful past memories associated with Christmas, for those with financial stress and for those that are enduring health issues of their own or those of a loved one. And often, those that are caught within one or all of these categories tend to remain silent about their feelings around the holidays so that they do not put a damper on the joyful mood of those around them.
The shorter hours of daylight during winter as well as the increase in cloudcover, cold and snow can also make it difficult to maintain an energetic, cheerful, positive disposition.
I have been challenged with stress, the blues and even depression during the holidays, and aromatherapy has been a tremendous aid to me during difficult and emotionally challenging times of my life. Aromatherapy isn't a wonder-cure for the winter/holiday blues, but by following the below tips, you can help to naturally uplift your spirits, calm your nerves and energize your mood:
Check out AromaWeb's Winter Blues blends for a selection of blends that can help ease the symptoms of the winter blues. They're also good for holiday stress and holiday blues.
The holiday/winter blues isn't the same as depression, but the aromatherapy techniques that can help improve your outlook are similar. If you're suffering from either the holiday blues or the winter blues, read AromaWeb's detailed Aromatherapy and Depression article. It provides guidelines on the many ways that you can easily implement aromatherapy to help improve your spirits and improve your outlook.
Do pay close attention to the Aromatherapy and Depression article's paragraphs regarding Eating and Nutrition and Exercise. Proper nutrition and exercise is not just essential for physical health, but it also nourishes and strengthens your nervous system, your emotions and your ability to focus and think clearly.
When you're down, stressed and immensely busy, it's easy to forget to give yourself a moment to take an aromatic bath, enjoy a brief self massage or diffuse your favorite essential oil blend. It's also harder to eat well and exercise. If you need to, set up a way to help yourself remember and be sure to carve out the time needed to care for yourself. You deserve it! |
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Aromatherapy Massage
Massage therapy is both physically and emotionally beneficial to the body. It is a beautiful way to express caring and help relieve the stress of a loved one. The safe addition of an essential oil blend to massage therapy can enhance your experience.
Qualified massage therapists generally receive hundreds of hours of training before working on the public. Naturally it goes beyond this brief article to provide even a true glimpse at the scope of professional massage therapy. There is so much to know! But we all can share in gentle massage between loved ones by following the below guidelines:
Do not ever use hard or painful pressure. Hard pressure can feel good, but gentle movements are the safest and most effective in the long term.
Do not massage anyone that has or who may have blood clots.
Be very careful when massaging anyone with special medical or health issues. Those with special medical issues should receive massage from a qualified massage therapist.
Never massage undiluted essential oils, absolutes or CO2s into the skin. Instead, make a diluted blend following the guidelines outlined in the recipe shown towards the bottom of this article.
Massage Oil Recipe
1 ounce carrier oil such as sweet almond
15-30 drops essential oils. Select oils that will compliment the goals of your massage and that are not contraindicated or unsafe to use by the giver or recipient of the massage. Examples:
Stress Blend: 15 drops Clary Sage/10 drops Lemon/5 drops Lavender
Aphrodisiac Blend: 15 drops Sandalwood/5 drops Jasmine
Sleep Inducing Blend: 15-20 drops Roman Chamomile
Sore Muscles Blend: 3 drops Ginger, 2 drops Black Pepper, 5 drops Peppermint, 5 drops Eucalyptus.
Directions: Mix the oils well and store in an airtight, dark glass container. Apply only a small amount (1/2-1 teaspoon) for each massage.
For more information on massage, explore the book The Complete Illustrated Guide to Massage by Stewart Mitchell.
A Word of Caution About Massage Therapists And Aromatherapy
A large percentage of massage therapists still have minimal, if any, training or understanding about holistic aromatherapy. When a massage therapist claims to have aromatherapy knowledge or to use "aromatherapy oils" or "aromatherapy products," ask some serious questions to ensure the massage therapist isn't just all talk.
Quality massage oils and related lubricating products used during massage should be based on a quality blend of nutritive cold pressed vegetable oils and fragranced only with essential oils. Some pleasant smelling "relaxing" or "stress relieving" massage oils include fragrance oils and do not offer the full range of therapeutic benefits that massage oils fragranced with essential oils offer. Essential oils like lavender not only can relax the mind, but lavender essential oil can also sooth the skin. German Chamomile and Helichrysum are both strongly anti-inflammatory. Ginger and other spice oils, when used cautiously in blends can help increase circulation and are good for muscle stiffness. Fragrance oils, on the other hand, are synthetic. Although they have a pleasant aroma, they offer no therapeutic benefit and can go as far as to irritate the skin and cause headaches in some individuals.
Tips on What to Ask a Therapist to Determine His/Her Aromatherapy Knowledge and Quality of His/Her Products:
Ask the therapist to define aromatherapy and to explain to you what cold pressed vegetable oils and essential oils are.
Another way to tell a therapist's knowledge is to ask the therapist for his/her thoughts on the use of candles during sessions and what constitutes an aromatherapy grade candle. Read AromaWeb's Aromatherapy Candles article for enlightening information.
Ask for details about the massage oil product(s) the therapist uses and ask to read the ingredient label. Even if a therapist is not interested in promoting aromatherapy as a part of his/her practice, a good therapist should understand the distinction of the different vegetable oils and other lipids used in massage.
When you stay at a hotel/resort and want a massage, your choices in therapists might be limited. If avoiding fragrance oils is important to you but you do not have much choice in the therapist working on you, you can try to request an unscented, cold pressed vegetable oil as the oil used during your session. |
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Aromatherapy Baths
Introduction
A variety of beautiful, herbal soaps that contain essential oils.
Bathing with essential oils is a wonderfully synergistic combination. The relaxing properties of hot water compliment the effects of well chosen essential oils. Aromatic baths can provide relief from stress and anxiety, assist with muscle pains, or offer a sensual introduction to a romantic evening with your partner.
The Japanese have long known and respected the relaxing properties of hot baths. In Japan, it is customary to first wash and rinse well in a separate shower or basin and then take a long hot (extremely hot by Western standards) bath.1 It is not appropriate to actually wash in the bath.2 The water is conserved and reheated for reuse by others in the household.3 Maggie Tisserand mentions that the working Japanese individual can call from work and program the bath water to be hot and ready at the time he/she arrives home from a hard day at work.4
Even men are enjoying aromatic baths in increasing numbers. Perhaps not an ideal example, but I have enjoyed watching the U.S. television sitcom called Frasier on occasion. If I recall correctly, Frasier, a male psychiatrist, took a long bath with Jasmine and Vanilla in one episode. Although the sitcom's writers most likely wanted to create humor by having Frasier take an aromatic bath, it truly reflects the benefits that baths can offer to both genders. There is nothing effeminate about a man enjoying an aromatic bath.
Adding Oils to the Bath
Using essential oils in the bath is one of the easiest ways to implement aromatherapy and its benefits. Add 5-7 drops essential oil to 1 ounce carrier oil. Add this blend to your running bath water and mix well before getting into the tub. Be sure to read the safety data for the essential oils you choose to use.
The Recipe Box contains a recipe blend that you can use to customize your own bath oils. It also contains a recipe for creating your own bath salts. For a sensuous bath, try sandalwood, rose, ylang ylang, patchouli, neroli or jasmine. For skin soothing benefits, try Roman or German chamomile, lavender, patchouli or sandalwood. Again, be sure to follow the safety precautions for the oils you use. Avoid oils that can cause sensitivity to the skin. Oils that you should avoid in the bath include but are not limited to basil, oregano, thyme, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, black pepper, and bay (Pimenta and Laurus). |
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Incense and Aromatherapy
A Word of Caution:
This article is intended for informational purposes and not does provide complete information on how to light or burn incense safely. AromaWeb assumes no liability or responsibilty for your choice to light or burn any incense or incense ingredients.
An array of Japanese incense, natural cones, and lose ingredients including aloeswood, red sandalwood powder and frankincense.
Natural resins, gums and herbs have been burned as incense since ancient times for its spiritual, medicinal/healing, fragrancing and odor-masking properties.
Today, "incense" is available in a wide array of forms using both natural and synthetic ingredients. The most commonly available types of incense are synthetic and can fill the air with toxic substances when burned. For this reason, most incense does not hold a welcome position within the practice of aromatherapy. Natural incense, however, is available and can also be made at home.
This article will briefly introduce you to the different types of incense and will provide guidance on your quest to explore the delights of natural incense.
Commonly Available Forms of Incense
Dipped Incense Sticks - Dipped sticks are made with incense "blanks" which are long, thin wooden sticks that have a combustible powder coating such as charcoal or wood. The incense blanks are then dipped in either essential oils or synthetic fragrance oils, then left to dry. A variety of sources indicate that the actual incense blanks may be made with inferior pressed wood and glues that are toxic when burned. So even if using essential oils to make dipped incense, the final product, when burned, may still be toxic. There, however, may be rare sources of good quality blanks. If you know of any, please contact AromaWeb.
Hand Rolled Incense Sticks - Hand rolled incense is especially popular in India. The appearance of hand rolled incense is similar to that of dipped incense sticks, but the process of making the sticks is different. Hand rolled incense sticks, especially those from India, are said to be more natural than dipped incense sticks. Like with most incense, however, the handcrafters or manufacturers do not include a complete list of ingredients on their packaging, so the buyer must beware.
Smudge Sticks - Native Americans burn incense by tying white sage into bundles and then burning the bundles as smudge sticks. Sweet grass, juniper berries and other botanicals are also used by Native Americans to cleanse and purify the air.
Cones - Commercially available incense cones generally contain synthetics, but all natural cones are available. Cones are made by mixing fragrant natural and/or synthetic oils and powdered ingredients with a combustible powder that helps the cones burn properly. Cones can be made at home using all natural ingredients.
Japanese Incense (Koh) - "Koh" is the Japanese word for incense. Unlike dipped or rolled incense that contains a wooden stick with combustible incense powder adhering to it, Koh is made by preparing powdered woods, resins, herbs, and oils, forming a dough-like mixture that is made into long, thin "noodles" similar to spaghetti. The long "noodles" are then cut into short sticks and allowed to dry.
Most Japanese incense that is sold does contain synthetics. Quality koh, however, is available, especially via online sources. Baieido, for instance, has been making incense since the 17th century. Baieido is the brand of Japanese incense that I purchase and find the most pleasurable. Not all Baieido incense is 100% pure, but they do offer a large selection of incense made with pure ingredients including aloeswood and sandalwood. Baieido incense can be hard to find. SunRose Aromatics, a long time advertiser and supporter of AromaWeb, offers several varieties of Baieido incense.
The finest Japanese incense is made using aloeswood and/or sandalwood. Aloeswood and sandalwood varies in grade and quality (see the Woods section below for additional information). When higher grades of aloeswood and/or sandalwood are used in a line of Japanese incense or when additional costly herbs/resins are used, expect to pay a premium price.
japaneseincense.com offers a great deal of useful information regarding Japanese incense.
Loose Incense Powders - Natural incense powder can be made using powdered sandalwood, herbs and other natural ingredients. The incense powder can then be mixed with a combustible ingredient such as natural makko powder or burned on top of a charcoal tablet. SunRose Aromatics sells Zukoh Powder. It is a ready to use powder mixture that contains cinnamon, cassia, clove, sandalwood, star anise, and other natural herbs. From Nature With Love is a good source for yellow sandalwood powder, red sandalwood powder and other powdered herbs that can be included in incense powder mixtures.
Incense powders with synthetic ingredients are also readily available. If you want to avoid synthetic powders, be sure to review all ingredients in a powder prior to purchase.
Resins - Natural resins such as frankincense, myrrh, opoponax and dragon's blood can be burned alone as incense. The general method of burning resins is by placing them on a charcoal tablet or via the Japanese Kodo Ceremony (see section below). SunRose Aromatics is a good source for frankincense and myrrh resins.
Woods - Aromatic woods such as aloeswood, sandalwood and cedarwood can be burned alone. Chips or wood powders can be mixed with resins and herbs to create an incense blend. Like resins, they can be burned by setting them on top of charcoal tablets, by using a Japanese incense stove or by using the method employed as a part of the Japanese Kodo method. Because aloeswood and other woods can be costly, burning them slowly or gently heating them is best. Aloeswood is cherished for incense because it is said to promote a deep sense of peace. It, therefore, is commonly used during times of meditation.
Incense Mixtures - Resins, Woods and Powdered incense ingredients can be combined to form a loose incense mixture. Incense mixtures can be burned on top of a charcoal tablet, mixed with crushed charcoal or makko powder and burned on top of rice ash or sea salt, or burned via the methods used for the traditional Japaense Kodo Ceremony.
Japanese "Trail" Method
Incense mixtures can also be burned via the "trail method." To use this method, a wooden press called a koh press is pressed into a bowl of ash, usually white rice ash. The depression is filled with makko powder. The makko powder is then lit and loose incense ingredients are placed onto the burning makko powder as it burns along the "trail." More information on this method can be found by visiting the Makko page of japanese-incense.com. I wouldn't be surprised if the trail method of incense burning was the inspiration that led to the creation of the popular incense "stones" that contain grooved spirals and other designs for burning synthetic incense powders.
The Japanese Kodo Method
A traditional Japanese method of slowly heating resins and woods without burning them too quickly is called the Japanese Kodo method. The process involves filling a Japenese Kodo cup with nonflammable white rice ash, burying a sulfer-free lit charcoal into the white rice ash, poking a "ventilation" hole through the ash and then setting a small mica plate on top of the ventilation hole to hold the resins or other incense ingredients. The Preparing the Censor page on japanese-incense.com provides helpful illustrated information on preparing the cup to heat the incense.
Makko Powder
Makko is finely ground from the bark of the Makko tree. It possesses a woody aroma that does not clash or suffocate the aromas of other incense ingredients. It burns well and is a suitable, natural choice to use as the "combustible" ingredient in natural incense. It can be used within the Japanese "Trail" Method (see the Makko page of japanese-incense.com) and within the creation of Japanese style incense sticks and cones. Makko powder can be obtained through SunRose Aromatics.
Click Here to Purchase Japanese Incense, Resins and Other
Incense Supplies Directly from SunRose Aromatics
Making Your Own Incense at Home
Natural incense cones, sticks and loose incense mixtures can be made and enjoyed at home. Below is a basic recipe that you can use and adapt to your aromatic preferences:
1 part Frankincense Powder
1 part Myrrh Powder
1 part Sandalwood Powder
3-4 parts Makko Powder
4-5 Drops Essential Oil (optional)
For your first time making incense, use 1 tablespoon as the basis for 1 "part" in your recipe. That way if you are not pleased with the recipe, you will not have wasted a large batch and can easily adjust the recipe to better suit your needs next time.
Add the dry ingredients to a bowl and mix them with a spoon or fork. Very slowly add water drop by drop while mixing until you have a workable "dough." If planning to add essential oils, choose oils that compliment the aroma of the powders. Suitable choices include frankincense, sandalwood, patchouli, vetiver or orange. Add your optional essential oils and mix the dough again.
Form small cones or create handmade "sticks" by rolling them into thin 4-5" long spaghetti-like strands. They won't be perfect, especially not your first time. Set your cones and/or sticks on wax paper and allow them to dry for at least 1-2 days. I prefer to use this recipe to make sticks because the sticks tend to burn more evenly than the cones. If making cones, be sure that you keep their size small and that you form a good "point" on them. They are less likely to burn properly if they do not taper well into a small point. Handmade sticks can be burned by filling a heat resistant bowl with fine sea salt and sticking the handmade stick straight into the sea salt (make sure it is securely in place).
You can also experiment by trying other powdered herbs. Be sure to only use herbs that are not toxic when burned.
If you find that your incense does not burn properly, your incense may not have had enough time to dry or there may not be enough makko powder in your recipe. |
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Aromatherapy and Essential Oil Inhalers
Aromatherapy Inhaler
Including Its Four Component Parts
Aromatherapy inhalers enclose a concentrated amount of essential oil. To use one, you simply unscrew the cap and raise the tip of the inhaler to your nose. They can be transported in your purse, briefcase or backpack and are even small enough to fit in a pocket. They allow you to use your chosen essential oils anywhere. Some aromatherapy retailers offer ready-made aromatherapy inhalers that contain a single essential oil or a specially formulated blend of essential oils. You can also find the 4-part housing blanks (the exterior, the cover, the bottom cap and the foam insert that holds the oil) from some vendors. I know that long-time AromaWeb advertiser Nature's Gift sells them, and others may as well. It's simple to add your own essential oils to the insert and takes only a matter of a minute or two.
I keep an aromatherapy inhaler that contains a flu-fighting blend of essential oils in my purse. Anytime I'm exposed to someone that is coughing like crazy, I discreetly then use the inhaler. I also keep a couple inhalers around that contain calming as well as uplifting blends. It's a quick way to energize or unwind even when away from home.
The action of using an aromatherapy inhaler to raise the aroma to your nose can help to curb the hand-to-mouth aspect of smoking cigarettes. Breathing in the aroma from the inhaler also mirrors inhaling deeply when smoking. For more information, see the Guide to Essential Oils and Aromatherapy Techniques That May Help With Your Efforts to Quit Smoking. |
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How to Use Up Those Aging Essential Oils
Within this article, all volatile oils including essential oils, absolutes and CO2s are collectively referred to as "essential oils."
Over time, essential oils can oxidize and gradually lose their therapeutic value. The aroma of essential oils also can change over time.
If an oil smells really weak or dramatically different after a period of time, it's best to dispose of it and not try to find a suitable use for it.
Essential oils that have aged and no longer possess the fresh, full aroma that it used to have are no longer considered therapeutic. Avoid using such oils in any aromatherapy products or application that will come into direct contact with your skin. Old oils should also be avoided in room sprays and diffusion applications where people and pets can directly inhale the volatile components of the oil.
Not all essential oils age poorly. Patchouli and sandalwood are two examples of oils that can mature beautifully with age. See the Essential Oil Shelf Life article for guidelines on the life span of essential oils.
If you can tell that an aging essential oil smells weak but still aromatically pleasant, there are a few ways that you can still get some value out of that aging oil:
Homemade Dryer Sheets
Follow AromaWeb's Dryer Sheet Recipe with your older clear essential oils.
Fabric Softener Additive
Add several drops of a clear essential oil to a Vinegar Fabric Softener Recipe or add it to your commercial fabric softener. Do not allow undiluted essential oils to directly come into contact with your clothing.
Drain Freshener
Add 1-2 drops of your aging essential oil to a stale/smelly drain to help disinfect and eliminate the odor. Do not pour more than 1-2 drops down your drain as essential oils can harm water supplies. See the Essential Oil Disposal article for more information.
Trash Receptacle Freshener
Add 1-2 drops of essential oil to the bottom of your trash liner to help eliminate odors and detract insects and rodents. Peppermint is especially helpful in detracting rodents.
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Essential Oil Disposal
Within this article, all volatile oils including essential oils, absolutes and CO2s are collectively referred to as "essential oils."
Most consumers purchase and store essential oils in small 1/2 ounce bottles. When dealing with such small quantities of essential oils, it can be easy to forget that essential oils are highly concentrated, flammable substances that must be treated like other hazardous materials.
As with pharmaceuticals, paint thinner, household chemicals and gasoline, essential oils should not be disposed of down drains or via other methods that can cause the substances to come into contact with water supplies, vegetation or animals.
Placing one or two drops of essential oil down your drain to freshen bad drain odors, however, is acceptable. This small amount is equivalent to the quantity of essential oil that might be contained in a bar of cold pressed soap or shower gel that you'd use and rinse off in the shower.
Essential oils don't go rancid, but most essential oils do deteriorate with age and should be used up prior to that time or disposed of properly. See the Essential Oil Shelf Life article for more information.
If you have aging essential oils on hand that you no longer want to use in skin care or direct diffusion applications, refer to AromaWeb's How to Use Up Those Aging Essential Oils article for ideas on how to still get some use out of some of your deteriorating oils.
Disposing of small quantities of essential oils is especially easy. But if you're in the midst of cleaning out a large inventory of aging oils, proper disposal is even more important.
Most likely, your city/county/community has guidelines in place for the proper disposal of hazardous fluid ingredients. Call your vicinity's waste management department for details. Most guidelines aren't hard to comply with once you're familiar with the process. The procedure generally involves saturating the essential oil in an inert substance like sand and then sealing the mixture in an approved container.
Your retailer/supplier should also have a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) available for each essential oil that you've purchased. The MSDS provides specific safety, storage, usage and disposal information for each oil. |
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General Aromatherapy Glossary
Rose petals
Absolute - See What are Absolutes?
Aromatherapy - The use of essential oils and other natural aromatic substances for psychological and physical therapeutic benefit. See What is Aromatherapy?
Botanical Name - the Latin name given to a species of plant to clearly distinguish it from other plants that share the same common name. Examples: Roman Chamomile's botanical name is Anthemis nobilis. German chamomile's botanical name is Matricaria chamomilla.
CO2s - See What are CO2s?
Common Name - The "everyday" name given to a plant. Examples: Bay, Chamomile, Cedar, Orange, Tea Tree and Eucalyptus. Each of these examples has multiple different species with different properties, yet the species go by the same common name. Because of the possible confusion between common names referring to different species, it is important that the botanical name is utilized for clarity. When purchasing essential oils, be sure you refer to the botanical name. If the vendor does not supply the botanical name, ask for it. Be leery if they don't know.
Dram - A unit of measurement equaling about 1/8 of an ounce. See the Measurements article for more information on measurements commonly used in aromatherapy.
Carrier Oil - See What are Carrier Oils?
Essential Fatty Acids - Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) are fatty acids that our bodies cannot manufacture and need to get from our diets. When applied topically, they are very nourishing to our skin. Carrier oils vary in their ratio and specific EFAs that they contain. EFAs are a benefit to the skin, but they also can make an oil more fragile and prone to quicker rancidity. See the Essential Fatty Acids article for more information.
Essential Oil - See What are Essential Oils?
Floral Water - See What are Floral Waters?
Infused Oils - See What are Infused Oils?
Fragrance Oils - See What are Fragrance Oils?
Resins - See What are Resins?
Orifice Reducer - Most essential oils are sold in bottles that contain an "orifice reducer." An orifice reducer is a small, usually clear insert inside the bottle opening that acts as a dropper. You simply tip the bottle and you can dispense the oil drop by drop. See the Storing Your Essential Oils article for a photo of an orifice reducer.
Perfume Oils - See What are Fragrance Oils?
Pipette - A disposable plastic dropper used in place of an orifice reducer or an eyedropper for dispensing essential oils.
Synergy - A synergistic essential oil blend of the correct oils in proper proportions is considered to be greater in total benefit than each oil working independently, thus creating "synergy." See the Recipes Box area for example synergies.
Viscosity - A measurement of the resistance of a liquid to movement and flow. For purposes in comparing essential oils or carrier oils, things are usually kept simple by referring to them as having a "thin," "medium" or "thick" viscosity.
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Measurements for Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy blending supplies.
Below is a chart in U.S. measures to help convert between common measurements used in aromatherapy. The below measurements are approximations. For measurements regarding drops, the number of actual drops is dependent on the thickness of the oil and the dropper or orifice reducer used.
20 drops ..... 1 ml
75 drops ..... 1 teaspoon
75 drops ..... 1 dram
450-600 drops ..... 1 ounce
15 ml ..... 1/2 ounce
(.5 ounce)
1 dram ..... 1/8 ounce
(.125 ounce)
1 dram ..... 3.7 ml
1 ml ..... .033 ounce
1 ml ..... .27 dram
3 teaspoons ..... 1 tablespoon
16 tablespoons ..... 1 cup
1 cup ..... 8 ounces
2 cups ..... 1 pint
4 cups ..... 1 quart
4 quarts ..... 1 gallon
For more information, visit the
Capacity and Volume Conversion site. |
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Essential Oil Shelf Life
Pure essential oils do not go rancid. Over time, however, essential oils can oxidize, deteriorate and gradually lose their therapeutic value and aromatic quality.
The lifespan of essential oils varies tremendously from one botanical to the next, from one batch to the next, and from one supplier to the next. Other factors that can directly affect the shelf life of an essential oil include the following:
The method of distillation
The conditions and care used during the distillation
The quality of the botanical used
The care in bottling, storage and handling of the essential oil by your supplier and any suppliers they obtained the oil from
The storage conditions of the oil
Essential Oil Life Span
As a broad rule of thumb, essential oils usually retain their aromatic and therapeutic quality for at least 1 year from the date of purchase, provided that you purchased the oil from a reputable supplier that maintains fresh inventory. The shelf life of essential oils can be maximized by storing them in dark glass bottles, keeping their caps tighly closed, and keeping them in a cool, dry location away from sunlight. As you use up the oil from a large bottle, rebottle the oil into a smaller bottle. This reduces the amount of oxygen that stays in contact with the oil. See the Storing Essential Oils article for more information.
But Wait...
The citrus oils and some coniferous essential oils are an exception to the above rule. These oils are rich in a hydrocarbon class called terpenes. Terpene-rich oils tend to oxidize the quickest and can have a scant shelf life of 6-12 months. Having said that, I have had citrus oils that have remained aromatically "fresh" for up to 2 years.
On the other end of the spectrum, some of the thicker viscosity essential oils, including Patchouli, Vetiver and Sandalwood mellow and improve aromatically as they age. I prefer to keep well stocked on these oils so that they have time to mature nicely before I begin to use them.
A few suppliers list a shelf life for each of their essential oils or provide guidelines on the expected shelf life of their oils. Though difficult and not always accurate, this can prove helpful to those new to using essential oils. It is especially helpful when suppliers base it upon their knowledge of when the essential oil was actually distilled and how long they have had the oil in their inventory prior to sale.
Note the Date You Buy Each Essential Oil
Although consumers don't usually know the date that an essential oil was first distilled, you can still keep tabs on the age of your oils by writing down your date of purchase on the oil bottle's label. I purchase 3/4" round labels and place one on the top of each of my oils. On the label, I jot down the date I acquire the oil and the name of the oil. Being able to view the name of the oil from above is so much easier in finding particular oils in my essential oil apothecary.
Guidelines for Telling if an Essential Oil Has Deteriorated
The aroma has drastically changed
The essential oil has thickened
The essential oil has become cloudy
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