Historically the use of essential oils was developed (and many properties discovered) well before scientific research was established. Trial and error was the method used most commonly. Nowadays many oils have been well researched by the scientific community. However, one of the joys of working with essential oils is that new uses and applications are still being discovered in an organic way by those who use them. 

It’s important to be absolutely sure that any scientific testing has been carried out away from the influence of the big conglomerates. They have been known to commission research with the aim of discouraging people from using easily available and cheap ingredients such as essential oils in favour of persuading people to spend a lot of money on their own products. 

We now find ourselves in the very fortunate position of being able to take advantage of the thousands of years of experience gained by those who have used essential oils throughout history alongside the genuine modern scientific research which often confirms what was already known. 

Most people are aware of the most popular essential oils, such as Lavender or Tea Tree, but there are so many oils available that choosing the right one can often appear to be an overwhelming task.

This website is aimed at helping you to select the right oil for your particular needs and desires and also at encouraging you to try oils that you might otherwise never consider. 

 

Production

Essential oils are produced from plants, seeds and roots. The most popular method of extraction is by steam distillation. They vary in price because some oils are much easier to produce than others. 

Lemon is very inexpensive because it’s easy to obtain the oil and the fruits are extremely common. Rose is more costly because it takes a large amount of flowers to produce even the tiniest amount of oil. Some oils such as Lavender are pretty much mass produced – others such as Lotus are extremely rare and so particularly expensive. 

It’s important to ensure that you are using pure essential oils and to be aware that some companies adulterate their oils to keep their prices low. These oils will not offer the same benefits as pure oils such as the ones we sell here at Amphora. 

Our many years of experience mean that we know exactly what we’re looking for and we are one of the few companies that actively search for independent producers to ensure we sell only the highest quality products. Our size means we’re able to purchase in larger amounts than most of our competitors. This means we’re able to secure big discounts which we are then happy to be able to pass on to our customers.  

 

Uses

Both physical and mental problems can be helped or even cured by the correct use of essential oils.

There is a lot of mystique around aromatherapy, and whilst it’s true that it’s normally a good idea to consult a qualified aromatherapist there are plenty of ways that essential oils can be used perfectly safely at home. 

Given that on average each essential oil contains around 100 components, it is unsurprising that we are still discovering new uses and applications. The same oil produced in different countries can have differing properties depending on the conditions in which they are grown. 

Similarly, oils produced at different times of the year can be affected by seasonal variations which can mean that the aroma and even the viscosity (and to some extent the chemical make-up) of the oils can change from season to season. 

The simplest and possibly the purest way to use essential oils is probably in a burner or vaporiser. There are thousands of potential blends with plenty of recipes and ideas in this book and still more easily available via a simple search on the internet. 

 

 

Used in this way it’s easy to benefit from the mental and some of the physical advantages of the oils. Just adding 5-6 drops of Eucalyptus to water and then gently heating it is a great way of preventing colds and viruses from taking hold on your body.

A few drops of Orange and / or Bergamot can help to brighten the mood while calming Lavender and / or Chamomile can help you to relax and de-stress. 

Massage is another favourite way of using essential oils. An aromatherapy massage is one of the best ways to relax and de-stress, but there are also oils that can help to improve skin condition, soothe sore and achy muscles, improve circulation and a plethora of other physical problems too. 

Essential oils can also be blended with a base cream or lotion to treat the skin. Blemishes, acne, wrinkles, dry or irritated skin and pretty much any skin condition can all benefit from regular applications. 

Mental health can also be improved and assisted by the use of essential oils. There are many oils which are uplifting and invigorating. There are oils which can assist in times of grief and despair. Conversely, there are oils which can calm and keep a level head when people are over-excited or a little hyper. 

Essential oils can also be taken internally but this is one area where extreme caution is necessary. A consultation with a qualified professional aromatherapist should be your first move if you are interested in consuming oils in this way. Likewise, pregnant and nursing mothers, as well as those planning to use oils on infants or toddlers should ensure that the oils they are planning to use are safe for these groups of people. 

Having said that, essential oils are good for the whole family – a drop of Tea Tree diluted in clean water or a base cream or lotion can help to ensure that a cut or scrape on a youngster will not become infected, whilst a massage blend using including Rose and/or Geranium can be extremely beneficial for elderly skins. 

There are oils which can help with the pain and discomfort of arthritis or rheumatism and there are oils which can help a restless youngster (and wired adults!) drift off to the land of nod. The list of potential applications is almost endless. 

Read more on how to use Essential Oils

 

Why they work

Essential oils work because they have basically the same chemical make-up as the human body. The chemicals in the oils are a derivative of phenylpropane which are a vital part of the chain of components that eventually leads to the creation of amino-acids. These join together to create the proteins without which the human body simply could not operate. 

Essential oils also contain terpineols which are at the heart of the chemical process that plays a vital part in aiding the body to produce vitamins, energy and hormones.

When used in massage essential oils have been shown to have a positive effect on the circulation of blood in the body. This means that not only can they help to increase the flow of oxygen and nutrients to tissues but can also assist in the disposal of waste products such as carbon dioxide. 

Increasing the blood flow is instrumental in upping the efficiency of the immune system and also thinning the blood. This has a hugely beneficial effect on the operation of pretty much every major organ in the body, including the brain, liver and the heart. 

The oils can therefore have a positive effect on the physiology of the body in the same way that manufactured modern medicines do. The advantage of using essential oils (either instead of or alongside prescribed medicines) is that the vitally important mental and psychological elements of treatment are also embraced.

 

 

 

 

 

Safety

As with any natural product, a skin patch test is advised before oils are used all over the body for the first time. Each individual can have a different chemical reaction to any oil which can (in rare cases) lead to rashes or sensitisation of the skin. 

More serious allergic reactions are also possible when using the more potent oils so it’s important to ensure that you have read the safety information for each oil that you plan to use. However, it’s important to remember that severe reactions like this are extremely rare so most people can use essential oils in full confidence. 

Essential oils can be used internally but it’s strongly recommended that you consult a qualified aromatherapist if you wish to use oils in this way. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At home and at work

Essential oils can be used at home or in the office. Here at Amphora HQ we take advantage of the fact that we are surrounded by dozens of different oils and burn a different blend every day depending on our mood. Sometimes we need an energising blend, sometimes a blend that increases our focus and other times we just want the office to smell nice! 

Essential oils make a great alternative to the synthetic chemicals packed in to most commercially available room fresheners. Some oils are also extremely useful around the house. A blend of lavender, lemon and lime in a bottle fitted with a spray attachment can be used to clean surfaces and work tops. Lemongrass mixed with bicarbonate of soda makes a great carpet freshener. I have achieved great results in cleaning and preventing further mould appearing around the shower by using 10-15 drops of Tea Tree in water.

This is part of the beauty of essential oils. They can be used in complicated blends but sometimes all you need is a few drops of oil, some clean water and a cloth! 

Some people are happy using essential oils because they smell nice. This is a good enough reason on its own, but a little research and practice can lead to some amazing results. The flexibility and potential uses are almost immeasurable and it’s easy to quickly include the use of essential oils in our daily routines. Indeed, as our modern lives become busier and more pressurised, essential oils can offer both complex and simple solutions to every-day problems, desires and requirements.  

Using essential oils will open up a whole new world of possibilities for you. You can rest assured that you are simply using what nature has provided and take comfort from the fact that most of the oils have effectively been thoroughly tested in the field over many thousands of years.