What is essential oil?
All plants will carry out photosynthesis, and its cells will secrete aromatic molecules, which will converge into sachets and spread on petals, leaves or trunks. After extracting the sachet, it becomes what we call "plant essential oil". Essential oils can be composed of more than 250 different molecules. Under the arrangement of nature, these molecules coexist in perfect proportion, which makes each plant have its own particularity, so the mysterious effect of essential oil on human body is extremely extensive.
Essential oils are composed of some very small molecules, which are very soluble in alcohol/emulsifier, especially fat, which makes them easily penetrate into the skin and enter the body by mixing with fat fibers. When these highly mobile substances volatilize, they are also absorbed by thousands of cells, enter the body from the nasal cavity and respiratory tract, and send information directly to the brain. With the operation of cerebellar system, we can control emotions and other main functions of the body. 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.
Pure natural plant essential oil mainly has the following functions: fragrant smell. After natural fragrance enters the brain through olfactory nerve, it can stimulate the anterior lobe of the brain to secrete endorphin and enkephalin to eliminate two hormones, which makes the spirit in the most comfortable state and is the best prescription 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. 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.
There are two biggest differences between essential oils and chemically synthesized molecules:
1. Chemically synthesized molecules have certain toxicity. When using chemical compounds, it is necessary to clearly understand the etiology and individual differences in order to accurately use the dose. If used in excess, chemical compounds will poison our bodies. If used in insufficient doses, they will not produce substantial effects, leaving only poison.
2. The random combination of three or more chemical molecules has too many possibilities, which are beyond human interpretation and prediction.
Essential oil can be said to be a plant hormone, with the same composition and life energy as human beings. Essential oils have extremely fine molecules and high permeability, so they can enter and leave the body very effectively without leaving any toxins. According to research, essential oils do not remain in the body like chemicals, but are excreted through defecation, sweating and exhalation. For normal healthy people, it takes three to six hours, even for unhealthy people, it only takes fourteen hours. Broadly speaking, plants themselves are factories that make chemicals. When essential oil enters the human body, we are eating the essence of plants. Therefore, we can be sure that the use of essential oils can make human tissues stronger and more energetic.
What are unilateral essential oils and compound essential oils?
The unilateral essential oil is pure essential oils, which is not mixed with essential oil. For example, the use of lavender essential oil is the use of lavender unilateral essential oil. Compound essential oil is a mixture of two or more essential oils. Essential oil and essential oil complement each other, and some complement each other to enhance the curative effect. Usually, the ideal blending method is to use 2~4 kinds of essential oils to adjust the essential oil formula that suits you. What you need to consider here is which essential oils are suitable for your emotional and physiological needs, what flavor you want to choose and how much you need. For example, when you want to relieve stress and relax, you can choose 3 drops of lavender +3 drops of chamomile and take a bath in warm water, because lavender can coordinate the central spirit and restore the spirit, and chamomile has the function of calming the spirit. After mixing the two, the curative effect is much enhanced.
Daily use of essential oil
(1) steaming method
Fumigation furnace method
Pour clean water into the water container of the incense burner and add 5-6 drops of essential oil. Light the candle and put it in the incense burner, waiting for the heat to slowly release the essential oil in the water. Different essential oils can be mixed and dripped into the incense burner, which can get different effects and help to create different atmospheres.
Humidifier fumigation
Add 5-8 drops of essential oil directly into the water tank of the humidifier, so that the essential oil will be emitted into the air with the water mist of the humidifier.
Heating machine aromatherapy
Dip the cotton ball in essential oil and put it in the place where the heating tube emits hot air, so that the essential oil can be emitted into the air with heating.
(2) inhalation method
Home inhalation method
Pour boiling hot water into a glass or porcelain washbasin, choose 1-3 kinds of essential oils to drop into the hot water, with a total of no more than six drops, and then fully mix the essential oils. Cover the whole head and washbasin with a large bath towel, and breathe alternately through the nose and mouth for 5- 10 minutes. Two drops of lavender and two drops of mint can cure a cold.
Simple inhalation method
Drop the essential oil 1-3 into a towel or handkerchief and smell it.
(3) Massage method
Health massage generally starts from the back, with hands on both sides of the spine above the hips, palms facing down and moving along both sides of the spine to the shoulders. When you reach the neck, massage your shoulders and sides with your hands outward, and then return to the starting point. Massage must be done in one go, don't give up halfway. Dilute 2-3 kinds of unilateral essential oils with 3-4 ml of plant massage oil, with 3 drops in total, for face, head, neck and shoulders or body massage.
Massage can strengthen blood circulation and eliminate toxins in the body. Different essential oils have different curative effects. It is recommended to use it in professional beauty salons under the guidance of professionals.
(4) Aromatherapy gargle method
Drop 2-3 drops of essential oil into a glass of water and mix well. Rinse your mouth 10 second, and then spit it out. Repeat this process until the whole glass of water is used up. Rinse your mouth with aromatherapy every day to keep your breath fresh, protect your teeth and reduce laryngitis. Common essential oils: tea tree, lavender and mint. When you have a toothache, put a drop of undiluted cinnamon and apply it directly to the toothache with a cotton swab to relieve the toothache.
(5) Scraping method of essential oil
Scraping with essential oil, that is, applying plant essential oil and base oil (or compound therapeutic essential oil) to the affected area or near acupuncture points, and then scraping with a scraper. It is recommended to consult a professional aromatherapy therapist.
(6) According to the application method
Cold or hot compress method
Add 3-6 drops of aromatic essential oil into cold water (cold compress) or hot water (hot compress), stir evenly, then immerse in a towel, wring out the towel and apply it to your face, gently press the towel covering your face with both hands to make the water containing essential oil penetrate into your skin as much as possible, and repeat the above steps for 5- 10 times. When applied to body parts, the ratio of water to essential oil is about 200ml of cold water or hot water to 5 drops of essential oil, and only 1 drop of essential oil can be used on face.
Cold compress can relieve, calm and soothe. In order to relieve pain, hot compress can promote blood circulation, eliminate toxins or increase skin penetration. Commonly used essential oils are lavender, violet, rosemary, geranium, jasmine, rose, lemon and so on.
(7) Spraying method
Add the essential oil into distilled water, put it into a spray bottle and spray it on the bed, clothes, furniture, pets, bookcases and carpets at any time to disinfect and deodorize and improve the living environment. Commonly used essential oils are rosemary, lemon, sweet orange, mint, geranium, eucalyptus and so on. The ratio is 10 drop of oil pair 10 ml of water.
(8) aromatherapy bath method
Different essential oils have different functions and use methods! For example, you can look at the usage and functions of the following essential oils:
First of all, to deal with blackheads:
Wash your face frequently: as long as you come home from outside, you must wash your face no more than three times a day.
Apply a deep cleansing mask to your face. If the pores are dirty and greasy, you can drop 1-2 drops of lavender essential oil, which can thoroughly clean the pores, diminish inflammation and avoid the deterioration of acne.
Massage your face once a week. You can use grape seed oil plus lavender+grapefruit+juniper (refreshing and easy to absorb). Lavender can make the skin's metabolism normal and prevent keratin accumulation and hypertrophy; Bergamot can purify pores and repair swollen pores; Juniper Juniper is more effective in sterilization and lymphatic detoxification for acne skin with large pores.
Formula 1: grape seed oil 10ML lavender 6 drops, grapefruit 3 drops, juniper 3 drops.
Formula 2: two drops of lemongrass and three drops of lavender.
Second, improve pore contraction pore essential oil. Or a drop of rose and two drops of geranium.
Third, oily skin can use oily essential oil. It can also be prepared with lily essential oil.
Fourth, acne acne essential oil. Another most commonly used formula for removing acne marks: two drops of cedar, one drop of lavender and two drops of tea tree. It can be used as an acne gel point in the development of acne. Be careful not to use it on other parts as much as possible, but you should not apply it directly after removing acne marks, so as not to irritate the skin. The concentration of essential oil is high, which directly increases the burden on the skin. To remove acne marks: point your fingertips at the printed area and gently massage for about 10 minutes. For minor acne and acne pits, use 10ml grape seed oil as base oil, add 3 drops of tea tree oil and lavender oil, and then massage the affected area with it. . . Evening primrose or sweet almond oil can also be used as base oil in winter. The formula of acne marks is basically tea tree and lavender. Moisturizing with a little rose can improve pores. Less serious acne, the effect of tea tree oil is enough to deal with them. Removing acne marks is basically anti-inflammatory and calming with tea trees and lavender. If it is not too expensive, add some rose oil. The effect will be obvious. The usual dosage is: 10ml base oil +3 drops of tea tree, 3 drops of lavender+1 drop of rose oil.
Five, in addition to stretch marks can use neroli essential oil, carrot essential oil, frankincense oil and basic essential oil. Or directly use essential oil to remove stretch marks. Formula: neroli oil 5 drops, lavender 4 drops, 10 ml base oil.
Six, weight loss can directly use leg slimming essential oil, body shaping and firming essential oil, slimming essential oil, face-lifting essential oil, double chin essential oil. It can also be mixed with fennel essential oil, rosemary essential oil and base oil. You can also use 3 drops of cypress and 3 drops of lemon, soak them in a warm bath, massage them and wrap them with plastic wrap for better results.
Seven, increase memory can use thyme essential oil. Decompression can use comfortable decompression essential oil.
Eight, whitening can be configured with whitening and tender skin essential oil, rose maintenance essential oil or lemon essential oil.
Nine, breast enhancement can use breast enhancement firming essential oil or ylang ylang essential oil.
1. Meimei who wants breast enhancement:
Function: for one month (massage twice a week, 5 minutes each time), keep the chest from A cup to B cup.
2 drops of rose +4 drops of fennel +3 drops of geranium +20ml of sweet almond.
2 drops of roses +5 drops of ylang ylang +3 drops of bergamot +20ml of sweet almonds.
2. For girls who want breast enhancement:
Function: help to keep the chest firm and firm;
2 drops of lemon +4 drops of rose+10ml sweet almond.
3. Breast reduction scheme for girls with big breasts
Function: It is the burning of excess fat, similar to the principle of losing weight. Just take a bath and massage for 5 minutes every day.
2 drops of lemon +4 drops of cypress +2 drops of juniper+jojoba 15ml.
Ten, insomnia can use neroli essential oil, grapefruit essential oil, comfortable decompression essential oil.
Eleven, to scar can be used to dilute scar essential oil, or prepared with neroli essential oil.
Twelve, neuralgia, headache can use neroli essential oil.
Thirteen, constipation, flatulence, bad breath, diarrhea, rheumatic pain, muscle pain also use nutmeg essential oil.
Fourteen, you can use basil essential oil and ovarian care essential oil during menstruation.
Fifteen, osmanthus essential oil has the best air purification effect.
Sixteen, hair care essential oil. Thyme essential oil is also anti-alopecia.
Seventeen, detoxification can use lymphatic detoxification essential oil, detoxification essential oil. Body massage essential oil.
Eighteen, to prevent aging, you can use kidney care essential oil, ylang ylang essential oil, wrinkle-removing and skin-activating essential oil, and activating cell essential oil.
Nineteen, moisturizing skin care essential oils can be used. Dry conditioning essential oil. This formula can also be used in the case of water shortage: 10ml base oil is added with two drops of roses and three drops of sandalwood. This formula is suitable for facial skin. Because the eye skin is thin and fragile, the content of essential oil in 10ml is reduced by half. After washing your face, massage until you are tired, and then wipe off the excess oil with a cotton pad.
Twenty, sensitive skin can use anti-allergic essential oil.
Twenty-one, foot odor can use myrrh essential oil.
Twenty-two, hand care essential oil, foot massage essential oil
Twenty-three, eye care essential oil and dark circles essential oil are used to remove fine lines.
Twenty-four, neck massage essential oil.
Twenty-five, red blood silk essential oil.
Twenty-six, black spot purification essential oil.
Twenty-seven, flat wart can be mixed with lemon and base oil.
28. Sensitive skin
(1) Symptoms: the skin has thin cutin, fine pores and red blood, which is easily stimulated by external environment (such as heat, cold, air pollution, improper use of cosmetics, etc.), causing allergic symptoms such as redness, swelling, heat and pain.
(2) Suitable essential oils: chamomile, neroli, jasmine, neroli, cypress and lavender are preferred.
1, redness, swelling, heat and pain: after freezing with chamomile flower water, apply it directly to the face, then dilute it with chamomile essential oil and massage and absorb it.
2, capillary congestion, expansion: can be diluted with chamomile, cypress, massage absorption.
3, moisturizing: chamomile, rosewood, lavender, orange blossom, jasmine and so on.
Twenty-nine, dry, spotted skin
(1) Symptoms: the cuticle of the skin is thin, the pores are fine, the skin color is dull, there are spots, the skin is loose, and red blood is occasionally seen.
(2) Suitable essential oils: neroli, chamomile, rose, ylang ylang, geranium, jasmine, sweet orange and other mild essential oils.
1, dull complexion, yellow gas removal: carrot seed, geranium, orange blossom, jasmine, etc. Preferably, it is absorbed by massage after dilution.
2, spots, sensitive skin: orange blossom, sweet orange, chamomile, jasmine and so on.
3, spots, yellow gas is heavier: lemon, carrot seed, orange blossom, geranium and so on.
4, loose skin, wrinkled skin: orange blossom, ylang ylang, frankincense, lavender, geranium and so on.
5, moisturizing: rose, rosewood, chamomile, jasmine, orange blossom, lavender and so on.
Thirty, oily, mixed skin
(1) Symptoms: The cuticle of the skin is thick and the pores are large, which makes it dull and shiny.
(2) Suitable essential oils: geranium, ylang ylang, tea tree, eucalyptus, bergamot, rosemary, lime, lemon, etc.
1, oil secretion is strong: geranium, ylang ylang, green orange, rosemary, etc. Preferably massage and absorption after dilution.
2, the pores are strictly blocked, and the pores are thick: juniper mold, green orange, rosemary, cypress, etc. They are the first choice, you can mix them with others, or you can directly wipe them in dark places with tea trees.
3, late inflammation, recovery: eucalyptus, lavender, patchouli and so on. Preferably, it is absorbed by massage after dilution.
4, moisturizing: geranium, Martin grass, rosewood, green orange, jasmine, lavender, chamomile, rose and so on.
5, whitening: lemon, citronella, sweet orange, bergamot, pink grapefruit and so on. Pay attention to avoid light.
Lavender essential oil is known as universal essential oil, which can directly contact the skin. ● What is plant essential oil?
Plant essential oil is a plant essence extracted from flowers, leaves, stems, roots or fruits of plants by steam distillation, extrusion, cold soaking or solvent extraction. Among them, the plant essential oils extracted from flowers include rose, jasmine, lavender, ylang ylang and so on; Plant essential oils from leaves and stems include mint and citronella. Plant essential oils extracted from bark include cinnamon. Vegetable oil extract from roots include vetiver grass, etc. Essential oils extracted from rhizome include ginger. Plants extracted from pericarp include lemon, orange and so on. Plant essential oils extracted from seeds include cloves and so on; Plant essential oils extracted from resin include myrrh and frankincense. Because of its high concentration, strong volatility and very small molecules, it is easy to penetrate into tissues, blood and secretion system from the skin. With magical energy and utility, as long as a small drop can play an unexpected role.
● What are the classifications of aromatherapy essential oils?
Essential oils can be roughly divided into three categories: single plant essential oils, compound essential oils and base oils. Unilateral essential oils are generally mixed with other essential oils and cannot be used directly on the skin. Compound essential oil refers to the formula essential oil that can be used immediately.
● How to use plant essential oil?
Direct application: if there are burns, wounds, insect bites and scars on the body, synthetic essential oil can be directly applied to the affected area to eliminate the defect; When you are tired and weak, you can also apply it directly under your nose or on both sides of your forehead; If you drop 1~3 drops of mixed essential oil on the pillow before going to bed, you can relieve children's insomnia or restless sleep.
Water steaming: dropping plant essential oil into a fumigator filled with clear water to heat and fumigate. (Note: It is best to use an electric incense burner. Because the candle incense table is used, there are potential dangers in safety; Secondly, if the space is narrow, combustion will consume oxygen in the air and cause dizziness; Third, when the candle burns, the temperature is too high, which will change the amount of essential oil and make the effect impossible. )
Skin massage: plant incense oil not only has the fragrance effect, but also contains certain health care function. Through massage, essential oil can penetrate from the skin surface to the deep part of the body and be absorbed by blood and lymph.
Incense bath: soak the whole body in the bathtub, drop 8 drops of incense oil, and soak for 15~30 minutes. You can relax your body and mind and let your whole body return to nature.
Hot compress: drop the plant essential oil into hot water, soak it with a towel, take it out, remove some water and put it on the corresponding part of the body for hot compress. This method is very effective for colds. For acne and sunburn, you can add 3~4 drops of synthetic essential oil to cold water, and then wet it with a towel; For dry skin, aging and dysmenorrhea, you can add 3~4 drops of compound essential oil to hot water and then wet it with a towel.
Aromatherapy and smell: adding 80% water to the fumigation lamp and dropping 4~5 drops of synthetic essential oil can purify the air and drive away mosquitoes; Add 8~ 10 drops of synthetic essential oil to the water container of the sprayer, so that atomized essential oil particles can be directly sprayed on the face and inhaled through the mouth or nose.
Spraying: Spray plant essential oil on bed sheets and pillows to make the bedroom full of "warmth". This method is very helpful for people with poor sleep quality for a long time.
Essential oil sauna: drop plant essential oil into steam water for steam fumigation to achieve the best effect of aromatherapy.
Facial steam beauty: after washing your face, add 1~3 drops of essential oil to clean hot water and let steam fumigate your face 10 minutes. You can also beautify your face. Note that different skin types need different essential oils. In addition, when steaming your face, you can also cover your head and washbasin with a large towel to prevent steam from leaking out and enhance the beauty effect.
● How does plant essential oil work?
When people breathe, small molecules of plant essential oil enter the olfactory mucosa through the nasal cavity, or fluctuate to the olfactory mucosa to produce special stimulation, which is transmitted to the olfactory center of the brain through nerves, stimulating the anterior lobe of the brain, and directly inputting information into the marginal area of the brain through a series of complicated processes. The edge of the brain is a gathering place for memory, learning and emotion. Inhaled plant essential oil molecules produce physiological changes through the nervous system, endocrine system and immune system in the body. Similarly, psychology has also undergone great changes. Most plant essential oils have the functions of anti-depression, relieving tension and promoting cell metabolism.
● What is base oil?
Base oil plays a very good auxiliary role. Although it is not as distinctive as vanilla essential oil, its function is worse. Because the concentration of pure plant essential oil is too high, it is not suitable for direct contact with skin, so it is necessary to adjust the base oil, which usually uses relatively stable components to extend its effective shelf life. Base oil is usually extracted from vegetable oil rich in nutrients and small molecules, so it has nourishing and nourishing effects. The base oil has fine texture and high lubricity, which is helpful to massage effect and reduce skin friction and discomfort. Base oil is the companion of essential oil.
● How to use aromatherapy essential oil with base oil?
The base oil is neutral vegetable oil, which can dissolve plant essential oil and be used for massage and emulsion. The best mixing rule of base oil and plant essential oil is 4ml base oil and 2 drops of plant essential oil. (or halved in proportion) above the dose for adults. Children or the physically weak and the elderly should use it in half. For example, 4ml of base oil plus 1 drop of plant essential oil massage.
● How to choose plant essential oil for the first time?
What should I do if I want to choose a fragrance essential oil that I like and suits me? If you only pay attention to fragrance, you can choose by your own sense of smell. The basic principle is that the fragrance you smell must be the plant essential oil that suits you. If you want to know more about the health care function of plant essential oil, then you must choose high-quality and high-purity plant essential oil. Generally speaking, the higher the quality, the higher the price. To understand the health care function of plant essential oil, the safest way is to buy lavender, tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil with high safety and versatility. After that, you can buy and use other plant essential oils according to your lack of understanding of plant essential oils. Or you can choose citrus essential oil (such as lemon, etc. ), but be sure to pay attention to whether long-term use will irritate the skin. Usually this observation period is 6-8 months. Similarly, you can also try to choose a plant essential oil from citrus, vanilla, camphor and wood for aromatherapy contact. Try lavender, tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil for the first time. Rosemary is also the best choice for further mixed use. Adding sandalwood, mint, ylang ylang and other plant essential oils can make any mixed aroma more lasting and fragrant. Many plant essential oils will be more effective when mixed together. In addition, the used plant essential oil bottles at home should not be discarded immediately. You can open the bottle caps and put them in the bathroom or toilet or cupboard. Their fragrance can still last for several weeks. .
How to store plant essential oil and base oil?
Plant essential oils and base oils should be stored in opaque glass bottles to avoid light and high temperature. Direct light and high temperature will affect the quality of plant essential oil and base oil. Most plant essential oils and base oils are flammable and cannot be taken orally, so keep away from children and people who don't know how to use plant essential oils correctly. If the plant essential oil is unfortunately splashed on the skin, it should be washed with warm water and soap. You'd better buy small bottles of base oil. If you open the bottle cap, it may go bad quickly. Generally, unopened base oil can be kept for more than two years. But once unsealed, air will enter and produce oxidation, which will lead to deterioration of oil products. The method of delaying deterioration can be to add wheat germ oil or vitamin E capsules to the base oil. Base oil basically has no smell, except that it may have a slight nutty smell. If the expired base oil contains obvious smell, you can easily smell it. The base oil that is not used at ordinary times can be sealed and stored in the refrigerator, which can slow down its oxidation.
The misunderstanding of big essential oil
1. Essential oil massage is suitable for everyone. Essential oil massage is not suitable for everyone, and skin with acne is not suitable for contact with essential oil. In addition, because of the strong permeability of essential oil, it is best for women during physiological period, pregnancy and lactation to avoid essential oil massage. For ordinary people, 15 to 20 days is enough, too often is not good for the skin.
Everyone can massage with essential oil. Because people's physique and spirit are different, the role of essential oil is also different. Different people should choose the appropriate product type according to their specific problems, so as not to make the treatment effect counterproductive.
3. Essential oil can replace medicine.
4. Essential oil is only an element with health care and auxiliary treatment, and it cannot replace the treatment of regular drugs and the professional treatment of doctors. It must not be delayed because some people exaggerate the role of essential oils for some reasons.