Aromatherapy is very popular for both beauty and medicine, but many brands are packed in plastic, and sometimes use unsustainable oils (rosewood trees are critically endangered).
Even essential oils can harm aquatic life, so never pour neat down drain. Dilute with water or oil, and wrap and bin leftovers.
Also using essential oils when pregnant/nursing or for allergies/medical conditions. Never use near babies and pets (cats can’t break them down in their livers). Air rooms before allowing them back in, and don’t use if pets sleep on your bed.
Keeping Safe with Essential Oils
- Avoid going out in the sun, after using photo-toxic oils.
- Do not use essential oils internally.
- Keep essential oils away from flames and ignitions. It’s safer to use reed diffusers over candles (if used, keep away from flammables like curtains, and use a proper candle snuffer to put out, don’t blow it out with your breath). Never leave unattended (and follow wick trimming instructions). Soy wax candles are soot-free.
- Always dilute with carrier oil, using instructions. Don’t use oil in baths, as it creates slipping hazards.
Avoid essential oil fresheners in cars
These are not safe for allergies, babies or pets. Replace toxic ‘tree air fresheners’ with unscented charcoal bags to absorb odours (can remove cigarette smoke). Scent-free probiotic sprays are safer.
What is Aromatherapy?
It’s been around thousands of years, and was rediscovered in France, when a perfumier burned his arm and shoved it into the nearest vat (of lavender oil). It healed, and thus the movement began.
Oils are usually steam-distilled. Prices vary (it takes a huge amount of rose petals to create one drop of oil, hence why it’s so expensive). Some anti-drug campaigners want farmers who grow the base for cocaine to grow organic roses instead, as alternative income.
Look for organic labels, to prove authenticity. You can usually gauge if a company is ethical, as its whole ethos will be around protecting nature.
The Nature of Things offers sustainable oils from an old Dublin chocolate factory. The diffusers switch off automatically when dry (so safer than candles) and have timers with sleek sustainable shells. These oils are sourced from quality producers with a history of sustainable practice.
How to Use Sustainable Aromatherapy Oils
Diffusing is a gentle way to fill your space with calming or uplifting scents (not near pets or babies). For topical use, dilute with carrier oils (and test the blend first on a small patch of skin for 24 hours). Follow instructions on bottles. Or just swish a few drops in a warm bath.
For areas safe to use essential oils (see above), this plastic-free diffuser needs no heat or water and has a scent intensity control button and automatic switch-off.
Organic Jojoba Oil in a Metal Tin
This organic jojoba oil is a real all-rounder, sold by a natural Welsh beauty company, in a metal tin that’s easy to recycle. Jojoba (from a shrub) is the nearest in composition to human sebum (skin oil) so ideal to use for beauty routines. It has happily replaced the use of whale oil in most skin care products.
Use neat (without essential oils) for pregnancy/nursing and affected medical conditions.
A great natural skin moisturiser, it’s rich in vitamin E and easily absorbed. And also contains natural plant wax, to mimic your skin’s own collagen. Just add a few drops to your skin. This oil i also good to prevent razor burn, after shaving. Or use as an alternative to body lotion.
Jojoba oil is also good for your hair, to help prevent split ends. Just rub in and leave for a few minutes, then shampoo as normal.
A Great Book on Aromatherapy
Just the Essentials is a wonderful guide by the founder of a natural beauty company (she also wrote a great book on natural skincare using kitchen ingredients). Adina Grigore was a real skeptic and changed her mind after studying aromatherapy. This fresh fun guide is a good read, with safety guidelines and DIY recipes.
