An Introduction to Using Essential Oils Safely

Workshop

https://www.judithguerra.com/

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Aromatica la Vida

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My intention for sharing the knowledge I have about

Essential Oils is to provide an ‘out of the box’

approach to enhancing your wellness regimen, which

will complement a personal healthful experience for your

spirit, body, and mind.

Sincerely, Judith L. Guerra

Certified Aromatherapist, Consultant

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Special Thanks

to the

New York Institute of Aromatic Studies

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Table of Contents

Aromatherapy Defined ............................................................ 6

What Are Essential Oils? .......................................................... 7

Essential Oils Are Not Fragrance Oils ........................................ 9

Carrier Oils and Essential Oil Storage ..................................... 10

How to Dilute Essential Oils ................................................... 11

Cautions to Take with Children and Pets ................................ 13

Phototoxic Essential Oils ........................................................ 14

Therapeutic Benefits of Essential Oils .................................... 15

Diffusing Essential Oils ........................................................... 16

Suggestions ........................................................................... 17

Popular Essential Oils ............................................................. 18

Do Essential Oils Expire? ........................................................ 21

Mindfulness Smelling ............................................................. 22

Alternative Wellness Tips ....................................................... 24

Exploring Aromatherapy ........................................................ 25

Aromatherapy Information .................................................... 26

Certified Aromatherapist, Consultant Services ....................... 27

Thank You .............................................................................. 28

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Aromatherapy, also referred to as Essential Oil

therapy, can be defined as the art and science of utilizing

naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to

balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind

and spirit. It seeks to unify physiological, psychological and

spiritual processes to enhance an individual’s innate healing

and living processes.

"Aromatherapy is... the skilled and controlled use of

essential oils for physical and emotional health and well

being." Valerie Cooksley

"Aromatherapy is a caring, hands-on therapy which

seeks to induce relaxation, to increase energy, to reduce

the effects of stress and to restore lost balance to mind,

body and soul." Robert Tisserand

"Aromatherapy can be defined as the controlled use of

essential oils to maintain and promote physical,

psychological, and spiritual wellbeing." Gabriel Mojay

Source: National Association for Holistic

Aromatherapy - https://naha.org/

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What are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are not perfumes.

1. Essential oils

come from various

plants, seeds,

leaves, and herbs.

For example:

Lavender,

Peppermint, Lemon.

2. Two major

ways essential oils

are extracted are:

steam distillation or

expressed.

Distillation is the

most prominent

method used to

extract

aromatherapy oils.

3. Makers of

essential oils do this

worldwide.

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Precious Plants – Require careful use

Some Facts about Essential Oils

Approximately three pounds of lavender flowers are

required to produce just 15mL of lavender essential oil.

Read more about this at:

Source: https://www.doterra.com/US/en/essential-oilsafety-and-application-plant-perspective

Note: 15ml = approximately ½ ounce of liquid.

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Essential Oils are not the same as Fragrance Oils

Some Facts about Essential Oils

• The task of ascertaining “authenticity” in this product is

formidable because, given the circumstances in today’s

USA market, these oils are not regulated by the USDA

unless they are ‘certified organic’.

Source https://www.ams.usda.gov/rulesregulations/organic/labeling)

• As a starter conclusion in this formidable task about

“authenticity” in essential oils is that these oils are not

synthetically produced.

• When you are purchasing essential oils look for the

‘botanical‘ name along with the common name. For

example: Lavender (common name), has the botanical

name Lavandula angustifolia –this essential oil has

calming therapeutic benefits - helps with anxiety, stress

and sleep.

• The botanical name is important because each plant

provides different ‘therapeutic’ benefits

An example of a different lavender essential oil is Spike

Lavender (Lavandula latifolia), which has different

therapeutic benefits for example: energizing, promotes

concentration, and focus. Eases aches and pains.

You can read more about this on my blog

https://hairblues.me/2019/11/08/is-your-essential-oil-authentic/

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Carrier Oils and Essential Oil Storage

Some Facts about Essential Oils and Dilutions:

✓ Unless you are working with a certified

aromatherapist, it is recommended that you dilute

your essential oils with a carrier/base oil when

applying them to your skin.

✓ Examples of carrier/base oils: Jojoba, Olive Oil,

Avocado Oil, Fractionated Coconut Oil

Put a label on

the essential oil

bottle Aaa top to

easily find an oil

in your storage

box.

✓ Store essential oils away from the heat and light.

✓ Keep the lid on at all times when not in use.

✓ Never store essential oils in plastic bottles unless

they are PET plastic bottles.

Read more about carrier oils at: https://naha.org/explorearomatherapy/about-aromatherapy/most-common-base-oils-used-inaromatherapy

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How do I know what dilution to use?

Some Facts about Essential Oils and Dilutions

Dilution Rates – for Carrier

Oils

For general body care oil, it’s

recommended that a 2.5-5%

dilution. For treatment body oil

(e.g. acute muscular aches

and pains, acute tension, etc.),

It’s recommended that 5-10%

dilution be used.

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How many drops per dilution?

Some Facts about Essential Oils and Dilutions

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Cautions to take with Children and Pets

Look at the recommendations given at the two websites

below on how to protect your children and pets when using

essential oils.

• https://naha.org/assets/uploads/Animal_Aromat

herapy_Safety_NAHA.pdf

• https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/howto-use-essential-oils-around-pets-safely

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Phototoxic Essential Oils

• Photosensitization and phototoxicity can occur when

certain essential oil constituents (natural chemicals

found in particular essential oils), particularly

furocoumarins (FCs), react when exposed to

ultraviolet light. Inflammation, blistering and

reddening/burning of the skin are common.

https://www.aromaweb.com/articles/phototoxici

ty-essential-oils.asp

Citrus essential oils [Lemon, Bergamot] can fall into this

category, and it is recommended to avoid sunlight up to 12

hours after external application.

More information can be found at

https://draxe.com/essential-oils/essential-oil-safety/

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The Versatility and the Therapeutic Benefits

of Essential Oils

• Inhalation is a common and relatively safe way of

using essential oils.

• New research indicates that essential oils can be

used as Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM)

Sources:

(CAM) https://www.cancer.gov/aboutcancer/treatment/cam/patient/aromatherapy-pdq

Integrative Medicine

https://integrativemedicine.arizona.edu/about/definition.html

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Diffusing Essential Oils

How many drops of essential oil should you use?

Look at this website for guidelines:

https://completehomespa.com/essential-oil-diffuser-drops

Source: https://tisserandinstitute.org/learn-more/diffusionguidelines-2/

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Suggestions

• Read aromatherapy blogs to learn more about how

to use essential oils to enhance your quality of

everyday life and to explore ‘natural’ remedies.

• Take a ‘free’ on-line class; there are many to choose

from.

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Popular Essential Oils and their Therapeutic Benefits

* Latin name

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Popular Essential Oils and their Therapeutic Benefits

* Latin name

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Popular Essential Oils and their Therapeutic Benefits

* Latin name

Tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca oil, is an essential oil

that comes from steaming the leaves of the Australian tea

tree.

When used topically, tea tree oil is believed to be

antibacterial. Tea tree oil is commonly used to treat acne,

athlete's foot, lice, nail fungus and insect bites.

Source: Mayo Clinic Staff

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Do Essential Oils Expire?

In my research, often I found that the consensus is essential

oils do not expire. However, oils can ‘oxidize’. Without going

into the chemistry specifics here, this is where the source of

your essential oil is important. Distillation and the botanical

(plant) are also a factor. Some essential oil retailers do place

an expiration date on the oil bottle.

For more thorough information, I suggest you research at

the website below for specific essential oil safety.

https://www.aromaweb.com/articles/essentialoilshelflife.asp

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Take a Mindfulness Moment to Breathe and Smell

Smell is one of the most primitive senses we have and such a gift.

The olfactory bulbs have a unique position relative to our brain

and the other sensory nerves and deeply connected to our

midbrains. https://www.wheretotalk.org/self-care-through-our-5-

senses/

You’re only here for a short visit. Don’t

hurry, don’t worry. And be sure to smell the flowers

along the way. - Walter Hagen.

For the sense of smell, almost more than any

other, has the power to recall memories and it is a

pity that we use it so little. – Rachel Carson

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Create Mindfulness Moments

Using Your Sense of Smell

Nowadays we hear a lot of talk about mindfulness, and other

opportunities to ‘opt out’ of the constant rush to finish the

next task, for our jobs and daily responsibilities.

Have you thought about taking a ‘time-out’ for yourself? Try

smelling an oil for a mindful break. You will be glad you did.

Aromaweb has several ideas to assist you with generating ways to

incorporate essential oils into your wellness regimen. Look at the

website below.

https://www.aromaweb.com/aromatherapyspirituality/meditatingwithe

ssentialoils.asp

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Try Alternative Wellness Tips

Inhale a few drops of Peppermint essential oil to

relieve a headache.

Inhale a few drops of Lavender essential oil to

help you sleep.

If you burn yourself in the kitchen, put 1 or 2

drops of Lavender essential oil on it to relieve

the pain.

Sources: https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/migrainesheadaches-essential-oils

https://surginglife.com/wellness/essential-oils/guide/lavender/burns/

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Exploring Aromatherapy

Every time I register for an aromatherapy webinar, I am

pleasantly surprised to learn how many people from all over

the world are exploring and using Aromatherapy for their

wellness regimen. It gives me a sense of pleasure to know

that I have found something worth exploring as a

complementary method to care for my mind, body and spirit.

I am excited to share this information with my family, friends,

and community to provide them with additional options for

their continued well-being.

Aromatherapy Websites

Canadian Federation of Aromatherapists

✓ https://www.cfacanada.com/

International Federation of Aromatherapist

✓ https://ifaroma.org/en_GB/home

National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy

✓ https://naha.org/

Atlantic Institute of Aromatherapy

✓ https://atlanticinstitute.com/about-us-2/

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Aromatherapy Info

There are numerous

aromatherapy blogs and websites that one can visit and learn

from. Below are links to some of my favorite sites. I

encourage you to find out more about this wellness gift and

to visit the websites listed below to explore aromatherapy on

your own.

https://aromaticstudies.com/blog/

https://floranella.com/blog/

https://blog.aromahead.com/

https://www.aromaweb.com/

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What does a Certified Aromatherapist, Consultant do?

Inform communities by introducing a

conversation about what the field of Integrative

Medicine thinks Aromatherapy can provide using

essential oils as an addition to one’s wellness

program, and their families.

Introduce the methods for selecting

‘authentic’ essential oils, rather than purchasing

‘fragrance’ oils and identifying the difference.

Introduce the safety methods for utilizing

essential oils to gain therapeutic benefits.

Conduct workshops for exploring using

Essential Oils with Mindfulness smelling exercises.

Conduct workshops for creating personal

items (e.g. inhalers, lotions) with simple methods.

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That’s all for now

Learn more at my Website: https://www.judithguerra.com/