Nowadays, online shopping, such as a treasure, a cat and Ginny all sell essential oils, and offline shopping, such as some tourist markets, are mostly in Yunnan, because essential oils first emerged from there.

What is essential oil?

Take Yunhuayun essential oil as an example. Pure natural essential oil is a volatile aromatic substance extracted from flowers, leaves, stems, roots or fruits of plants by steam distillation, extrusion, cold soaking or solvent extraction. Essential oils are divided into diluted (compound essential oils) and undiluted (unilateral essential oils). Essential oils are highly volatile and will evaporate quickly once they come into contact with air. For this reason, essential oils must be stored in sealable bottles, and once they are opened for use, they should be covered as soon as possible.

What is essential oil for?

According to the different extraction and preparation methods of essential oil, essential oil can be used for skin care, and can also be used for health preservation through specific massage techniques to achieve specific effects.

1. air purification and sterilization: because essential oil contains antibacterial and antiseptic components, it has antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiviral properties.

Second, provide cellular nutrition: because essential oil contains hormones, vitamins and antibiotics, it can provide cellular nutrition for our body.

Third, balance the body and mind: the most important characteristic of essential oil is the sense of smell, which will affect the limbic system of the brain and act on the sense of smell. Tiny aromatic molecules will cause different degrees of psychological and physiological reactions in the central nervous system.

Immune function: One of the most important features is that aromatic essential oil helps to strengthen the human immune system and help to resist the attacks of various germs and viruses.

Fifth, it has natural anti-corrosion characteristics.

Supplement:

Brief introduction of essential oil

Essential oil Essential oil is a volatile aromatic substance extracted from flowers, leaves, stems, roots or fruits of plants by steam distillation, extrusion, cold soaking or solvent extraction. Essential oils are divided into diluted (compound essential oils) and undiluted (single essential oils). Essential oils are highly volatile and will evaporate quickly once they come into contact with air. For this reason, essential oils must be stored in sealable bottles, and once they are opened for use, they should be covered as soon as possible.

Not all plants can produce essential oil, only plants containing balsam glands can produce essential oil. Different plants have different distribution of balsam glands, some of which are on petals, leaves, roots or trunks. After extracting the sachet, it becomes what we call "plant essential oil". Essential oils contain many different components. Some essential oils, such as roses, can be composed of more than 250 different molecules. Essential oils are lipophilic and soluble in oil, because the molecular chain of essential oils is usually very short, which makes them easily penetrate into the skin and enter the body through rich capillaries under subcutaneous fat. Essential oils are made up of some very small molecules. These highly volatile substances can be absorbed by the nasal mucosa and enter the body, sending information directly to the brain, and regulating emotions and physical functions through the limbic system of the brain. Therefore, in aromatherapy, essential oil can strengthen physiological and psychological functions. Each plant essential oil has a chemical structure that determines its fragrance, color, fluidity and the way of interaction with the system, which also makes each plant essential oil have a set of special functional characteristics.

Essential oil consists of terpenoids, aldehydes, esters, alcohols and other chemical molecules. Because of its high fluidity, it is called "oil", but it is essentially different from the vegetable oil we see every day. The main components of vegetable oil are triglycerides and fatty acids.

Four grades of essential oil

Essential oils are divided into four grades:

Level 4 (d): scented dew, pure dew or flower water; Grade 3 (c): perfume grade; Grade 2 (b): food grade; 1 grade (a): pure essential oils.

Fold the fourth stage (d)

Pure dew or flower water refers to 100% saturated distilled stock solution separated from essential oil during distillation and extraction, which is natural, pure, gentle and skin-friendly.

Extraction method of pure dew-distillation method

Modern plant petals and distilled water are mixed in a distiller according to a certain proportion, boiled on fire, and strong plant aromatic essential oil is brought out by steam to form a steam state containing essential oil; After cooling, it condenses into liquid by temperature difference, thus separating pure dew.

The third stage of folding (c)

Perfume-grade C-grade oil is an essence or perfume which is usually mixed with chemical solvents to obtain high returns. Generally speaking, the concentration of perfume mainly has five grades, which are as follows:

Parfume: the concentration is above 20%

Eau de toilette: the concentration is about 10-20%.

Eau de toilette: the concentration is about 5- 12%.

Eau de cologne: The concentration is only 3-6%.

Eau Fraiche: the concentration is only 1-2%.

Second stage of folding (b)

Food grade B essential oil is food grade and contains synthetic materials, pesticides, fertilizers, chemical/synthetic agents or vehicle oil (base oil).

Folding first stage (a)

Pure essential oils-pure essential oils Grade A essential oil is of pure medical quality (the highest grade), which is distilled by steam from natural organic plants at a proper temperature.

Essential oil products have passed the certification of gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (GC-Mass) with the highest quality standards in the industry, reaching or exceeding the certification standards of international organization for standardization (USDA NOP, ACO and BFA in Australia, and IFOAM in the world).

Efficacy function

Essential oils can consist of 50-500 different molecules. Under the arrangement of nature, these molecules coexist in perfect proportion, which makes each plant have its own particularity, and therefore its mysterious effect on human body is extremely extensive. volatile oil

Essential oil can prevent infectious diseases, bacteria, viruses and molds, prevent inflammation and spasm, promote cell metabolism and cell regeneration, and make life better. Some essential oils can regulate endocrine organs, promote hormone secretion, and make human physiological and psychological activities develop well.

The well-known function of botanists' essential oil is nothing more than the psychological function of soothing spirit and invigorating spirit, but the function of essential oil is not limited to this. Different kinds of essential oils also have different functions, and also have the function of relieving and alleviating symptoms for some diseases. Essential oil is very helpful for many diseases, and with drug treatment, the disease can be recovered faster. And used in daily life, it can purify the air, sterilize and prevent some infectious diseases.

Essential oil has a good therapeutic effect on endocrine, metabolism, urinary system, sexually transmitted diseases, immune system, gynecological diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, skin diseases, somatic symptoms and diseases, nervous system and mental system diseases, eye, ear, nose, oral cavity, dental diseases, respiratory system diseases, blood circulation diseases, digestive system diseases and so on.

Pure natural plant essential oil has the following main functions:

Respiratory system: plant essential oil molecules are absorbed by the nasal mucosa system, which stimulates the olfactory nerve, which transmits the stimulation to the brain center and excites the brain. On the one hand, it dominates the nerve and plays a role in regulating nerve activity; On the other hand, it enters the alveoli through the respiratory system, then enters the blood through blood circulation and is directly transported to all parts of the body.

Nervous system: directly enters the skin through affinity. On the one hand, plant essential oil molecules stimulate nerves and ultimately regulate nerve activity and internal circulation; On the other hand, it directly acts on the internal environment and other stable States, accelerating the activity of body fluids, thus improving the internal environment and further regulating the whole body and mind.

Stimulating sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves, calming and hypnotizing, stimulating and refreshing, regulating mental state, relieving depression, relieving psychological pressure and repairing nervous system;

Metabolic system: Through affinity, plant essential oil molecules can quickly improve the living environment of local tissues and cells, accelerate their metabolism, and comprehensively solve some problems caused by local metabolic disorders.

Promote exchange: through affinity, plant essential oil molecules enter subcutaneous tissue, and then enter blood and lymph through body fluid exchange, promote blood and lymph circulation and accelerate human metabolism.

Olfactory nerve

The smell is fragrant, and the natural smell can stimulate the front lobe of the brain to secrete endorphins and enkephalins, so that the spirit is in the most comfortable state, which is the best way to protect the soul. Moreover, different essential oils can be combined with each other to make their favorite fragrance, which will not destroy the characteristics of essential oils, but make the functions of essential oils more powerful.

circulatory system

Accelerate blood and lymphatic circulation and lower blood pressure.

Skin system

Sterilization, anti-inflammatory, healing, deodorization, sedation, insect repellent, soft and delicate skin;

respiratory system

Enhance the immune function of respiratory tract, resist virus infection, perspire or relieve fever, and eliminate phlegm;

digestive organs

Spasmolytic, appetizing, expelling wind, invigorating stomach, promoting digestion, promoting bile secretion and protecting liver;

immune system

Anti-bacterial and antibiotic effects, anti-virus, cell defense, detoxification, anti-mold and anthelmintic effects;

Muscles and bones

Anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatism, purifying, soothing muscle tissue and expelling toxin;

endocrine system

Stimulating adrenal gland and thyroid gland, resisting diabetes, lowering blood pressure and balancing various secretion systems, containing estrogen and phytosterol;

Female reproductive system

Anti-spasm, menstruation regulation, lactation promotion, milk secretion regulation, hormone secretion influence, uterus strengthening and aphrodisiac effects;

Direct action: Plant essential oil molecules directly kill germs and microorganisms, enter human essential oil molecules, and enhance human immunity.

therapeutic action

★ Lavender oil: It has the functions of calming, promoting bile secretion, healing, diuresis, dredging menstruation, hypnosis, lowering blood pressure and sweating. And its fragrance is excellent, "like perfume". It is a highly respected natural essential oil at present. It is mainly produced in France, and then transplanted from the Mediterranean Alps to all parts of the world. Now it is cultivated in Italy and Russia, and there are bases in Yunnan, Xinjiang and Shaanxi, with good quality.

★ Rosemary oil: It has the functions of relieving cough, expelling wind, treating hypotension, invigorating stomach, and promoting bile secretion, diuresis, dredging menstruation and sweating. Its cool pungent herbal aroma, some like lavender, eucalyptus leaves, camphor and nutmeg oil, gives people a refreshing feeling, and the aroma is strong, penetrating and long. Europeans prefer it. It originated in Mediterranean countries. In China, it is only cultivated sporadically in flower beds all over the country. At present, several places are ready to expand the planting area and open bases.

★ Lemon oil: It has the functions of expelling wind, cleaning, diuresis, relieving fever, promoting blood circulation, stopping bleeding, lowering blood pressure and lowering temperature. It originated in China or India and spread to Europe and Mediterranean countries. Now it has been exported to Italy, the United States, Cyprus, Spain, Brazil, Guinea and other countries. The quality of cold pressed oil produced in Sichuan is very good, and there are also a few in Yunnan and Guangxi. It should be noted that the aroma and efficacy of lemon oil and fragrant lemon oil are different, so don't confuse them.

★ Lemon oil: At present, we only know that it has sedative effect, but we don't pay much attention to it.

★ Clove oil: It also has the functions of expelling wind, healing wounds and invigorating stomach, and has a good aroma. Mainly produced in Madagascar, Tanzania, Penang, Malaysia, Moluccas, India and other places, there is also a small amount of introduced clove oil in China, which can be divided into bud oil, leaf oil, stem oil, purified oil (extracted from clove bud extract), bud oil, leaf oil, stem oil and purified oil (extracted from clove bud extract), and bud oil and purified oil have better curative effects.

★ Peppermint oil: It has the functions of expelling wind, dredging menstruation and invigorating stomach. Asian peppermint oil made in China, peppermint oil made in the United States and Europe, the latter has a good aroma, sweet and beautiful, but the curative effect is similar.

★ Cinnamon oil: It has the functions of dredging menstruation, stopping bleeding and strengthening stomach. Produced in Guangdong and Guangxi, it is one of the famous essential oils exported earlier in China. "Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing" listed cinnamon as a medicine. Cinnamon oil has a rich, warm and sweet aroma, which is deeply loved by Europeans and Americans. But Asians think it is "too medicinal" and seldom use it for bathing.

★ Thyme oil: It has the functions of expelling wind, benefiting gallbladder, inducing diuresis, dredging menstruation, eliminating phlegm, treating hypotension, invigorating stomach and sweating. Mainly produced in Spanish, Moroccan, Turkish and other countries, and also produced in China. Thyme oil has a strong and rough aroma, which is a cool and burnt herb fragrance with strong bactericidal power. Therefore, bathing with thyme oil can also kill germs in water and skin, which is effective for some skin diseases.

★ Marjoram essential oil: Marjoram was introduced to Germany in the early Middle Ages. People use it as a seasoning and add it to high-fat dishes to help digestion. In addition, Marjoram ("sausage grass") has gradually played a very important role in the process of sausage preservation. The essential oil of Marjoram can not only have curative effect on the body, but also calm the over-excited nerves, which is a good choice to fight against the problems of heart, circulatory system, digestion, anxiety and sleep disorder caused by autonomic nervous insufficiency. [ 1]

Distinguish between true and false

Look at the price

Plant essential oils are mainly extracted by distillation. General 100 kg of flowers and plants can extract 2~3 kg of essential oil, so the price of real essential oil will not be too cheap. The market reference price is about 10m/300-900 yuan for common essential oils such as yunhuayun tea tree oil, and about 10m/900- 1700 for rare essential oils such as sandalwood. I suggest you go to a regular shopping mall or Tmall flagship store to buy it. If some self-proclaimed imported essential oils are cheaper than domestic products, their authenticity is self-evident.

See usage

Except for a few varieties such as roses, tea trees and lavender, most pure essential oils can't be directly used on the skin, otherwise it will cause burns and peeling. If the essential oil introduced to you by the merchant says that it can be used directly on the skin, and it is said that it is pure essential oils, then there is a problem. We must distinguish between base oil and essential oil. Some base oils in the name of essential oils have really deceived many people.

smell

Most pure essential oils tastes soft and mellow, because 100% is extracted from plants, so pure essential oils has an indescribable taste of natural plants (although the smell is not necessarily good), and the essential oil prepared with essence has a slightly pungent taste, so it is harmful to use such essential oil for a long time. When I first entered the nose, the taste was not very strong, but it had a aftertaste. At the back of the head, there will be a feeling of wilderness. Everyone feels different about him, and his taste is different.

Dianxun

A. If there are oily residues (different from scales) left after unilateral essential oil is pumped several times, it means that it has been diluted with vegetable oil or mineral oil; If there is any crystal residue, it is probably diluted with ethanol and ether, which is self-evident.

B, take a glass of water and drop a drop of essential oil. The real pure essential oils generally volatilizes quickly, and then there is no residue. If diluted with vegetable oil or mineral oil, the volatilization speed will be much slower, and oil stains will often be left on the water surface.

Look at the packaging

Essential oils are usually stored in dark sealed small glass bottles, with a special bottle cap resistant to strong acid and alkali to prevent sunlight and oxygen from infiltrating, so that essential oils do not volatilize and deteriorate. In a good preservation environment (room temperature), it can generally be preserved for two years, and the essential oil with good quality can be preserved for 4-5 years. Citrus essential oil can also be stored for 1-2 years. Bottled products with drippers are generally 3%- 10% diluted essential oil, not pure essential oils. The label of pure plant essential oil should indicate the purity.

Look at the specific gravity

Generally speaking, the proportion of grass essential oil is the lightest, and it will disperse quickly when dropped into a glass of water, and the water surface will be oily; Resin essential oil is the heaviest molecule. If you drop it into a glass of water, it can completely fall into the bottom of the cup and should not dissolve in water. But both of them will distribute two kinds of essential oil molecules under the water surface. Although they are insoluble, they have not penetrated into the whole glass of water. Citrus, a special flower essential oil, is heavier than water and insoluble in water. Similar to resin essential oil, it will drop directly into the bottom of the water, and you can see crystal clear dark green essential oil beads.

Look at this color.

For example, the foreign citrus in Germany contains a very precious ingredient "Blue Classic", which is dark blue in color and has a strong medicinal flavor. If what you bought is colorless, you must have been cheated!

Look at this texture.

The purer the quality of essential oil, the stronger the permeability. Gently rub the tested essential oil on the back of your hand or the inside of your wrist, and then massage with your fingertips several times. Good quality essential oil will be absorbed in an instant and will not leave shiny oil on the skin. You can also observe whether the essential oil contains impurities. For example, the essential oil extracted from the peel by the traditional freeze pressing method will leave a little residue, which will make the product quality worse. Because of the molecular structure, the volatile speed of essential oil is relatively fast, and it will play out within 5- 10 minutes, which shows that it is relatively pure. Volatile slowly, not necessarily pure essential oils.

Look at the degree of integration

Pure essential oils is very lipophilic, and when it is mixed in base oil, it will be completely integrated, and the molecules of the two are completely combined. Otherwise, the essential oil contains chemical synthesis or wax, which makes it impossible to completely blend with the base oil.

Look at the place of origin

Plants that extract essential oils will have different qualities due to different producing areas. Land quality, temperature, humidity, planting level, harvesting time and treatment methods all directly affect the quality of its essential oil. Therefore, we should pay attention to the origin of plants when choosing essential oils. At present, the better producing areas in China are all in Yunnan. It is recommended to buy famous brands in Yunnan to buy essential oils.

Common flavor types

There are lavender, lemon, sea breeze, osmanthus fragrans, chamomile, lily, jasmine, rose, violet, sandalwood, tea tree, orange, carnation, snow lotus, ginger flower, mint, forest, tulip, magnolia flower, hyacinthus orientalis and so on.

Lavender: fresh and fragrant, it helps sleep, calms people, promotes New Year's gratitude, and has sterilization and anti-inflammatory effects.

Rose: Soothes nerves and has aphrodisiac effect.

Molly: Anti-depression, making people happy and relaxed.

Tan Xiang: Wood, lasting and mellow fragrance, calming the nerves and mellow aftertaste.

Osmanthus fragrans: sweet and fragrant, which makes people have beautiful associations.

Sweet orange: Citrus fragrance makes people calm and relax and helps digestion.

Sea breeze: collect seaweed, bring fresh sea breath and stabilize mood.

Green tea: fresh and fragrant, calming, restoring physical strength, anti-inflammatory and anti-infection.

Forest: pure and refreshing fragrance, like mountain wind.

Carnation: create a peaceful and warm atmosphere and balance emotions.

Jiang Hua: Enhance memory and only help thinking.

Lily: It can relieve cough and moisten the lungs, which can relax the mood.

Violet: anti-cold, anti-fatigue, so that the brain is in a relaxed state.

Lemon lemon: change your mood when you are tired, refresh your mind, resist rheumatism and neuralgia, and help improve your body's resistance.

Saussurea involucrata: Balance hormone and sebum secretion, moisturize and smooth skin.

Cordate telosma: It creates a romantic atmosphere, eliminates peculiar smell, and has the functions of relaxing, relieving stress and calming.

Green tea: It has the functions of sterilization, anti-inflammation, air purification and metabolism promotion.

Rosemary: It has the functions of refreshing, enhancing memory and slowing down colds.

Narcissus: Sleep well, benefit the lungs, balance emotions and relieve stress.

Usage daquan

Plant essential oil is called "plant hormone". In fact, many essential oils are similar in nature to human hormones and play an important role in the human body. Generally speaking, the usage of essential oil is as follows:

1, massage

Massage is one of the most effective ways to use it, and it is also the most commonly used way to use essential oil. Because of the high concentration of pure essential oils, it cannot be directly used for massage, so it must be mixed with base oil before massage. Generally, the proportion of body massage is 2.5%, that is, the proportion of adding 25 drops of pure essential oils to 50ml base oil; Generally, the proportion of facial massage oil is 1%, 50 ml of base oil and 12 drops of pure essential oils. Caution: You need to do an essential oil skin test before using sensitive skin.

2, bubble bath

Bubble bath is a method with quick curative effect. Simple bubble bath has many benefits to the body, and it is more helpful to promote blood circulation, enhance blood vessel elasticity, regulate body function and so on with essential oil. We can choose 1 or several kinds of favorite essential oils, and the total amount should not exceed 8 drops. It is best to dilute it with pure milk and soak it in the bathtub 10- 15 minutes.

3. Aromatherapy

We can generally buy an aromatherapy stove, an aromatherapy lamp, an aromatherapy stone, an aromatherapy instrument and so on. Used in aromatherapy. To use the aromatherapy stove, we need to buy a tasteless and smokeless candle. You can also drop the essential oil 1 and 2 on the facial tissue, and the essential oil will slowly give off a pleasant taste. It is best not to drop essential oil into the humidifier, which is not good for the humidifier and essential oil.

4. Mix with skin care products such as creams and lotions.

It is best to choose a pure plant-based cream and an unscented emulsion. Just add 10 drop of pure essential oils into 50ml cream or emulsion, such as Han Cuixuan's Rose Moisturizing White Cream, witch hazel astringent and firming essence cream, etc. This fragrance-free emulsion can be purchased in reputable essential oil merchants such as Hancuixuan and Tianyuan Wusha.

5, cold compress, hot compress

Add 5-6 drops of pure essential oils into 1L hot water or cold water, stir well, soak a clean towel, and smear it on the required parts. Hot compress can clean pores and relieve pain, while cold compress is mainly aimed at cooling, sunburn and swelling.

6, inhalation method

You can directly drop 1 drop essential oil in your palm, rub your hands together, then cover around your nose and take a deep breath. Usually this method is only for lavender essential oil and tea tree essential oil.

7, steam evaporation method

Add boiling water to a glass, ceramic and stainless steel (non-plastic) bowl, drop 2 or 3 drops of pure essential oils, put your face close to the bowl mouth and take a deep breath for 3 or 5 minutes. It is best to cover your head with a big towel to prevent steam loss.

In the process of using essential oil, be careful not to use it too frequently. If you want to achieve curative effect, you usually need a low dose for a period of time, so that the effect of conditioning your body function is the best. Usually used, the concentration is still 35%; For more dangerous essential oils, the content should not exceed 3%.

Photosensitive essential oil should not be used in places where sunlight will shine. Some essential oils contain components that can cause photosensitivity. If exposed to the sun after use, the skin will turn black and even cause skin cancer. Photosensitivity is also light and heavy, such as grapefruit. It doesn't matter if you use it in small doses at night and bask in the sun the next day. However, citrus essential oils such as lemon, bergamot, orange and sweet orange are all photosensitive essential oils. Moreover, the concentration of essential oil is extremely high, so do not touch eyes. The oral administration of essential oil must be explained by experts or manufacturers. Good quality essential oils can be taken orally, but not all essential oils can be taken orally. The essential oils in the workshops are all mixed. If you can't judge the quality of essential oil, you'd better not take it orally.

When the skin has a wound, you should avoid using essential oil, but if it is a small knife wound or a small wound, you can use essential oil to make the skin heal quickly. Do a skin test before use, adjust the concentration of 3% essential oil first, and use it under the armpit or chest until there is no allergic phenomenon for at least 24 hours before using the essential oil. Except lavender and tea tree essential oil, which can be used as pure essential oils on the skin, other essential oils must be diluted with base oil before they can be used on the skin.

Do not use the same essential oil continuously for more than 3 weeks, and avoid using a single essential oil every day. Under the intersection, the use of compound essential oil will be better than that of single one. If it is for conditioning, it can be used continuously for 3 months, and the longest is not more than half a year.

Matters needing attention

1, it is best to avoid massage or bathing with essential oil in the first few months of pregnancy and children.

2, skin or physical sensitive person, please sensitive test before use.

3. Except for a few essential oils such as lavender and tea tree, which can be directly applied to the skin, most other essential oils must be diluted or blended with base oil before use, unless there are other special suggestions.

4. Don't expose yourself to the sun for four hours after using citrus essential oils (such as bergamot and lemon) on your skin.

5. Essential oil cannot replace medicine. Therefore, if the symptoms do not improve after use, please be sure to see a doctor, and never give up the medicine you have used because of the use of essential oil.

6. Patients with hypertension, hypotension, epilepsy, neurological and renal diseases should use it with caution. It is best to consult an aromatherapist before using it.

7. Please use the recommended amount. Excessive use will lead to the opposite effect, and even cause an excessive burden on the body.

8, please avoid direct contact with children, so as to avoid misuse and danger.

9. Avoid using containers with plastic, soluble or oil-colored surfaces, and use glass, stainless steel or ceramics when diluting essential oils.

10, it is best not to take essential oil orally unless there is the guidance of an aromatherapist or doctor.