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Defining Essential Oils
Professionally speaking an "essential" oil is defined as the
oil obtained after extracting highly aromatic cells from a plant by
distillation. The special cells that are extracted are the
"essence" of the plant, and the substance which gives the
plant its aroma. (Davis. F., Aromatherapy An A - Z, 1988,
Revised Edition, 1995. 111.) An "absolute" is the term used
to describe materials which are obtained from the plant by means of
enfleurage or solvent extraction. Absolutes differ from essential oils
in that they have an extremely high perfuming and therapeutic power.
(Davis, 12.) "Enfleurage" is the traditional method used to
extract the finest quality essences from delicate flowers such as rose
and jasmine. It is a laborious and therefore a costly process,
which accounts for the high price of these oils, or absolutes. (Davis,
108.)
Loosely speaking, I have seen the
uninformed or general market place referring to any liquid oily
substance having the fragrance of a flower or plant as an
"essential oil." This is whether the substance is
synthetically created or not. Obviously, this is not only an incorrect
application of the term "essential oil" it is a fraudulent
misrepresentation if made by a vendor, if the synthetic substance
is being represented as an essential oil.
Because the plant source from which the
essential oil is obtained can be distilled over and over again, there
are different grades of the same essential oils. The first
distillation process produces the highest, or 1st grade of essential
oils. The reason for this is simple. The 1st batch of essential oil
produced from a particular crop will contain the highest content of
the highly aromatic cells or essences of the plant. The next
processing will yield less; the third less, and so forth. Grades 1, 2
and 3 are generally considered therapeutic or medicinal grade, 4-10
are the commercial grades.
The major countries of the world
have created guidelines which outline the constituents which an oil
must possess in order for it to be used medicinally. In the United
States, the compendium is known as The National Formulary. Many oils,
such as essential oil of lavender, but not all essential oils, are
described in The National Formulary. If the essential oil is correctly
presented as either grades 1, 2, or 3, or is of National Formulary
grade it is considered to be a therapeutic grade oil.
Many people have asked me the
question "Where do I get the ‘best’ essential oils?" The
only answer I can give them is that there is no "best"
essential oil. Any essential oil which is truly of grades 1-3, and
properly selected for a particular purpose, or meets the standards
contained in a compendium such as the National Formulary, are
generally quality essential oils. The trick is to find a supplier of
therapeutic grade oils. One reference source would be books or digests
on alternative medicine, as the publishers have had the opportunity to
evaluate many different sources of oils which have been presented to
them. The oil can be scientifically tested, although this is not 100%
foolproof. Its body and aroma are evaluated (similar to a fine wine).
And finally, noncompensable testimonials from people who have used
the essential oils may be the best reference.
Once you have obtained
your therapeutic grade essential oil or essential oil blend, you
should keep it in an opaque container, such as a cobalt blue or amber
glass bottle. As the essential oil is very volatile, meaning it
evaporates on contact with the air, it needs to have a tightly sealed
cap. The bottle should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct
sunlight and heat.
Legalities on use
This article is not intended to give
specific legal advice - as each matter is different, and each state
has its own particular laws.
"You, as a
professional, and your employer, are exposed to a lawsuit for your
professional actions (or inactions), and, can and will be successfully
sued if your actions or inactions cause injury to another."
Obviously this statement applies to
all of your professional activities, and is not just limited to the
use of essential oils, should you use them in your practice. How do
you avoid being successfully sued or losing in the courtroom? The
simplest though most complex answer is - "do not do anything
wrong".
If you are interested in using
either aromatherapy or essential oils or if you are already using
either modality (and they can be different)
in your business, my advice would be to be properly informed and
educated before you begin offering services.
Education
How or where do I learn about using essential
oils?
The answer to this question, at
least in the United States, is very difficult to answer as there is no
state recognition or licensing of "aromatherapists,
aromatologists, or aromacologists," and accordingly no standard
of reference exists upon which to make a decision. While it is not an
easy or quick task, unless a person specifically knows of someone who
is reputed by trusted and informed friends/professionals as a
knowledgeable teacher in the use of essential oils, I recommend that
you read as much as you can. Before a person starts using essential
oils, or picks a person who is going to direct the initial studies, at
least two or three books on aromatherapy should be read. This will
give the prospective student an idea of the questions to ask the
person who is presenting the class, so that an initial impression of
the teacher’s qualifications can be made.
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The essential oil of sage
(salvia officinalis)
should not be used on females.
Hopefully, from reading the
initial books on aromatherapy, the prospective student will be able to
assess the manner in which the teacher demonstrates his/her knowledge
of the subject. Because of potential medical ramifications involved in
the use of essential oils, I believe the teacher should have a
comprehensive medical background or understanding of the human body
and how it works.
As with most matters,
your first impression of the teacher is probably the right impression.
Make sure that the teacher does in fact know that there are
differences in the grades of essential oils and that the essential oil
of sage (salvia officinalis) should not be used on females. Also, as I
outline later; I would not pay to, nor study with a person or school
which tells you that the certification that you will receive will
entitle you to be a practicing aromatherapist, aromatologist, or
aromacologist some of the names that are being used.
The law is clear:
Unless you have a recognized state license empowering you to touch or
treat people, you are not authorized to administer essential oils in
the treatment of another person.
Where to find this
"teacher?" Some schools are listed in the various books that
are written on aromatherapy, some classes may be taught in the local
community college, or adult learning center at a public school. Also
don’t forget to contact each teacher you find to ask your questions,
before deciding if you are going to study with that person.
Should I use
essential oils on myself or in my practice without being trained in
their use? Absolutely not!
Before using essential oils
An essential oil can be used by
itself or can be formulated in a blend
of essential oils (the blended oils create a synergy or substance with
a chemically different composition than that of the original two or
three essential oils) which is intended to accomplish a certain
result.
Once the uses and functions of
essential oils are explained, the esthetician can ask questions to
ascertain if the client may have any contraindications.
If the client is offended by
the smell of the essential oil, that particular oil will probably not
help the client. Be aware that the oil will probably smell differently
once it comes into contact with the body, if it is being applied
topically or in a bath (either neat or in a carrier oil).
Contraindications
The following contraindications should
concern you if you plan to use essential oils. The client must be
fully apprised or told of all contraindications to the use of
essential oils, even if this means the loss of a sale. If your client:
• Is pregnant, although
stretch marks can be soothed with the use of certain oils, permission
from the doctor must be obtained before using essential oils. I do not
recommend that anyone who is pregnant use essential oils unless they
are prescribed or approved for use by a qualified health care
practitioner.
• Is epileptic, I do not
recommend that anyone who answers this question in the affirmative,
smell or apply the essential oils, as certain essential oils can cause
such a person to suffer a seizure.
• Has high blood pressure,
permission from the doctor must be obtained before using essential oil
especially if on medication. I do not
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1998
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recommend that anyone who answers this
question in the affirmative smell or come in contact with certain
essential oils, as exposure to certain essential oils such as
peppermint (mentha piperata), will cause such a person to suffer
from a rapid increase in blood pressure as a result of exposure to
the essential oil.
• Has low blood
pressure, again, permission from the doctor must be obtained
before using essential oils especially if on medication. Certain
essential oils such as ylang - ylang (cananga odorata) will
immediately lower the blood pressure.
• Is taking
medication, or under a doctor’s care, permission from the doctor
must be obtained before using essential oils). Essential oils may
increase or decrease the effects of the medication your
client may be taking and their doctor should be made aware of and
give clearance to what the patient is using.
• Is an infant or young child,
I do not recommend using essential oils.
• Is drinking an
excessive amount of alcoholic beverages, I do not recommend
using essential oils.
The above list is not exhaustive,
but demonstrates the major contraindications, or when not to use
essential oils.
Sampling
the fragrance of an essential oil is one way to tell if the oil is
of therapeutic quality. Just like fine wine, if it doesn’t
smell right, send it back.
Who can use oils
Can I
use essential oils in my practice as an esthetician?
As an esthetician,
you may use essential oils in your practice. You can make the essential oils available,
providing that you do not overstep your bounds, i.e., you cannot represent yourself as providing
a product
that is going to "cure" a particular ailment. Simply
put, you cannot practice medicine, nor dispense a drug.
If you do use essential oils, I feel
that you have a duty to let your client know what the particular
essential oil has historically been known to accomplish, because of
the overlapping properties of the oils. Perhaps you may want to have
aromatherapy reference materials available for the curious client to
review so that he or she is fully aware of the properties of the
oils.
Certification
What is
"certification" in the use of essential oils and
what does it entitle me to do in the U.S.?
In the study of aromatherapy or
essential oils, one of the biggest problems that I have is the use
of the word "certification." Very simply, even though some
- one spends some amount of time studying, going through a course on
aromatherapy or the use of essential oils, passes a comprehensive
test (if one is required by the teacher) and is certified, this
qualifies him or her to do absolutely nothing in the rendering of
health care to another person, unless that certified person has a
recognized license which is granted by the state and which empowers
the rendering of health or medical care.
Again, "certification"
merely indicates that a particular person has been given a
piece of paper which says that he / she is certified. Even
though it may represent hours of study which is memorialized
by the certificate, unless you are authorized by the state in which
you are located, it does not permit you to practice medicine
or treat people.
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Type, quality and grade
The fragrance of
an essential oil is one way to tell if the oil is
of therapeutic quality. Just like fine wine, if it doesn’t smell
right, send it back.
Quality essential
oils are rated in grades of 1, 2 and 3. Most of the
essential oils or aromatherapy oils which are found in the general
marketplace, even though represented as "pure" are not therapeutic
grade essential oils. I use this analogy to demonstrate that not
all ~~ pure ~~ essential oils are of therapeutic quality:
Q: If you take a whole, fresh chicken
carcass and place it in 5" of water and simmer it for four hours
in a covered pot, what do you have? A: 100% pure chicken broth.
Q: If you then take the same chicken after
simmering it for the four hours, and place it 15" of water, cover
the pot and simmer it for 15 minutes, what do you have? A: 100%
pure chicken broth.
Q: Of the two
"pure" broths, which would have more flavor?
You must make sure that if you are assisting the client when using
essential oils, that both you and the client are fully aware of the
proper application and quantity to be used.
A unique property of
essential oils is that its molecules are small enough to be absorbed
through the skin. Accordingly, I know that if I’m going to use an
essential oil on my face, in a bath for my body, or in a massage
lotion (massage is historically the manner in which the essential oils
are administered by aromatherapists in Great Britain), I want the oil
to be of the best quality, I also know that if I am not assured to my
satisfaction, that the oil is not grade 1, 2 or 3, or not properly
certified to be National Formulary grade, I should not expose my body
to it.
I feel that if you
or your client are going to use essential oils you must know the type
of the oil that it is, i.e., the grade; the country of origin, as
different parts of the world produce plants that are best suited for a
particular essential oil (for instance, France is reputed to produce
the best lavender essential oil); that the essential oil has been
properly maintained, i.e., has been kept in an opaque or dark bottle,
tightly sealed and kept away from direct heat and sunlight. You must
also make sure that if you are assisting the client when using
essential oils, that both you and the client are fully aware of the
proper application and quantity to be used. For example, a very small
amount (drops), of the oils should be used. The oils are typically
diluted in a carrier oil (which also can have special properties), and
the oil should not be orally ingested.
While the
esthetician may rely to some extent on the product information, if any
that is provided by the supplier of the essential oils, I feel that it
is the esthetician’s duty to be fully knowledgeable about the
essential oils that the client is using. It is the esthetician who is
making the initial suggestion of which essential oils should be used
by his/her client.
Are there overlapping uses for a
particular essential oil? Yes.
For
instance: "Of all the essential oils, lavender (lavendula
officinalis) is undoubtedly the most versatile, with a spread of
properties ranging from analgesic, antidepressant, antiseptic,
antibacterial and decongestant, to hypotensive, insect repellent,
sedative. It also promotes rapid healing, and prevents scarring."
(Davis, P, "Aromatherapy, an A-Z, 1988, Revised Ed. 1995,
183-185.)
You are liable
Finally, history
reveals that over the centuries essential oils have successfully
helped maintain and preserve healthy, attractive skin of all ages.
Since there is now a general awareness of the benefits when using
natural substances (i.e. therapeutic grade essential oils) which are
available, the esthetician, should be properly educated before using
the oils. If the esthetician intends to use essential oils without
having the proper training, they may be exposed to civil liability.
While the use of essential oils may not give the client an
"immediate" fix, essential oils are known to help maintain
and preserve healthy and attractive skin, usually within a short
period of time.
Robert J. Galamaga received his J.D. from the
University of Miami School of Law (1973) and was admitted to the
Florida Bar (1974). In 1994. He commenced his studies of essential
oils, and in 1995, in addition to his private litigation practice, he
became corporate counsel and a consultant to Aromatherapy Associates,
Inc., and in 1996 to Phyto Medicine Company. Practicing in Miami, he
currently represents and consults with a company being developed to
educate estheticians on essential oils. He can be reached by writing
P0. Box 432510, Miami, FL 33243-2510 or call (305) 662-1565.
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