Some Introductory Notes To Aromatherapy

  When purchasing essential oils, always look into ethics and reputation of the supplier. A reputable supplier will always provide you with the botanical name of the essential oil. There are sometimes many different species or chemotypes of visually identical plants. This results in different chemical components therefore different therapeutic uses. You will also want to know how the plants are grown eg. commercially, wild or organically. The part of the plant used and the Country of Origin are also usefull information to know. Obviously you will want to ensure that the oils you are purchasing are not adulterated in anyway.

Healingscents uses only whole, unadulterated essential oils. We have taken great measures to ensure that our organic growers and distillers are small and are located in rural areas that are less susceptible to airborne pollutants. Healingscents essential oils are free from pesticides and chemical fertilizers whenever possible and are not deterpenated, peroxided, redistilled or adulterated in any way. Regular testing is done to insure purity and quality. Using whole natural oils means that our essential oils and products may vary slightly in texture and scent from season to season, but we are happy to accept this as part of the natural process of obtaining excellent quality Essential Oils. 

When blending Essential Oils an attempt should be made to include a Top, Middle and Base Note.

All Essential Oils fall under one of the following three categories

• Top Notes - Are stimulating, uplifting and evaporate quickly. Top notes influence the body’s system immediately and remain in the body for a period of 2-4 hours.

                     Basil, Cajeput, Eucalyptus, Lemon, Lime, Peppermint, Oregano, Sage, Tangerine, Caraway, Cardamom, Clay, Sage, Coriander, Lemongrass, Mandarin, Myrtle, Orange,  Petitgrain, Thyme,  Verbena, Bergamot , Cajeput,        Citronella, Grapefruit, Laurel (Bay Leaf),  Lemon,  Litsea Cubeba, Niaouli, Tea Tree, Verbena, Yarrow

• Middle Notes - Are balancing, furthermore they will stimulate and calm the body’s systems. Middle notes maintain their presence in the body from 4-6 hours.

                     Fennel, Geranium, Eucalyptus, Hyssop,  Palmarosa,  Rosemary, Aniseed,  Chamomile, Juniper Berry,  Lime,  Marjoram,  Pine,  Rosewood, Black Pepper, Camphor,  Cypress,  Fir,  Juniper Berry,  Lavender, Manuka,      Melissa, Palmarosa, Ravensara, Spearmint

• Base Notes - Are calming and evaporate very slowly. Base Notes slowly disperse into the body's systems and remain effective for up to 72 hours

                      Cinnamon, Clove Bud, Jasmine, Patchouli, Benzoin, Cedarwood-Himalayan, Frankincense, Ginger, Linden Blossom, Neroli, Nutmeg, Sandalwood, Tarragon, Tumeric, Valarian, Veviter, Ylang Ylang, Cedarwood, Helchrysum, Myrrh, Rose, Spikenard

For more information on using and combining  Essential Oils please refer to our Aromatherapy Guide by Leah Morgan

Building Your Essential Oil Collection

It takes a long time to build up a collection of essential oils. So you will want to purchase the most versatile oils to start and build from there.

Your Basic Kit
Chamomile, clary sage, eucalyptus, geranium, lavender, peppermint, rosemary, tea tree, thyme, lemon.

Your Growing Collection
Basil, benzoin, bergamot, carrot seed, fennel, grapefruit, jasmine, marjoram, neroli, orange, patchouli, ravensara, rose, rosewood, palmarosa, sandalwood, tangerine, ylang ylang.

Now You're Hooked
Angelica, black pepper, cedarwood, cinnamon leaf, citronella, cypress,fir, frankincense, ginger, helichrysum, juniper berry, lemongrass, lime, litsea cubeba, linden blossom, mandarin, manuka, melissa, myrrh, niaouli, petitgrain, pine, spearmint, tagates, vetiver, yarrow.

Once you are really on your way to aromatic wisdom you can begin collecting different species of the same essential oil. There are 5 different species of Lavender alone. There are literally hundreds of essential oils currently available to us.

Our Essential Oils pages describes over 50 common essential oils. You will learn what part of the plant the essential oil is derived from, the method of extraction, botanical family, Country of origin, whether the oil is sympathetic, parasympathetic or balanced (if known), characteristics of botanical family (if known), therapeutic properties, common uses and precautions. If you are planning to experiment with an oil that you have not used before, please familiarize yourself with the precautions, as not all essential oils are suitable for everyone.

The Methods of Obtaining Essential Oils
Before one can understand the methods of obtaining an essential oil, one must have a general understanding of how essential oils are made within the plant. Plants produce glucose through the process of photosynthesis. The plants that are able to produce an essential oil have special cells that further transform glucose into volatile aromatic molecules. These molecules are stored in different parts of the plant. For example: the blossoms, leaves, bark, seeds, needles, fruit etc. Each different species of plant produces a different make up of biochemical molecules. When these molecules are put together they form what is called a chemo-type, which can contain up to 250 constituents.

Terpenes, Alcohols, Phenols, Aldehydes, Acids, Esters, Oxides and Lactones are examples of some biochemical compounds found in essential oils.

These various compositions are what determine the therapeutic effects of any particular essential oil. Sometimes different essential oils are obtained from various parts of the same plant. For example:

• Orange Essential Oil comes from the fruit of the sweet orange tree.

• Petigrain Essential Oil comes from the bitter orange leaf.

• Neroli Essential oil comes from the blossoms of the bitter orange tree.

• Neroli Portugal Essential Oil comes from blossoms of the sweet orange tree.

There are several methods in which essences are extracted from plants or trees. Such methods involve breaking down the cell wall of the plant by Steam Distillation, Maceration, Pressing (also known as Expression), Extraction and Enfleurage.

Healingscents essential oils are obtained by steam distillation, expression and solvent & C02 extraction. Our organic herbal oils are extracted by maceration. These techniques for obtaining essential oils  are derived from processes that have been used for centuries.

General Precautions and Proper Storage of Essential Oils
Essential oils are very powerful and should be used only according to direction. Please familiarize yourself with the essential oils that you use as to not harm yourself or others.

General Precautions and storage instructions.

Although you can take essential oils internally, it is only under the advice of a Certified Practioner. Never take essential oils internally without first consulting a medical professional.

Always add your essential oil in an unscented base oil or cream. If using nut oils, be wary of nut allergies.

Many essential oils are skin irritants, always use caution and research the oil prior to use.

People with sensitive skin should use extra caution when using essential oils. Try adding less than suggested at first to see how your skin will react and increase if you see fit.

Most citrus oils are either photosensitive or phototoxic. This means that they react with strong sunlight. Do not use high doses of any citrus oil before prolonged exposure to the sun.

An essential oil is a volatile liquid and will deteriorate if exposed to oxygen, heat or light. Always store your essential oils and carrier oils in a cool dark place.

Always store essential oils away from children and pets.

Essential Oils to Avoid

•   The following essential oils have strong contra-indications and some say should be avoided all together. If you do choose to use the following oils, do so only under the direction of a Registered Aromatherapist: aniseed, anise star, arnica, bay, birch, bitter almond, boldo leaf, calamus, camphor (brown & yellow), cassia, cinnamon bark, clove (bud, leaf, stem), costus, elcampane, fennel (bitter), horseradish, hyssop, jaborandi leaf, mugwort (armoise), mustard (black), nutmeg, origanum, origanum (spanish), pennyroyal (N American, European), pine (dwarf), rue, sage, sassafras (brazilian), savin, savory (summer & winter), southernwood, tansy, thuja (cedar leaf), thuja plicata, thyme (red) wintergreen, wormseed, wormwood.

• People with epilepsy should avoid the following oils: eucalyptus, fennel, rosemary, sage, terebinth.

• People with diabetes should avoid the following oils: angelica.

• People with high blood pressure should avoid the following oils: eucalyptus, rosemary, peppermint, thyme.

• People with low blood pressure should avoid the follow oils: lavender.


• Pregnant women should avoid the following oils: angelica, basil, carrot seed, cedarwood, cinnamon leaf, clary sage, cumin, cypress, dill, fennel, galbanum, geranium, jasmine, juniper berry, marjoram, melissa, myrrh, parsley, peppermint, rosemary, santolina, spearmint, tarragon, thyme, yarrow.


• Pregnant women should avoid the following oils in the first trimester: chamomile, lavender, rose.

•  Nursing mothers should avoid these oils: garlic, peppermint.

• People with sensitive skin should use caution with the following oils: angelica, basil, bergamot, black pepper, cajuput, cardamom, cedarwood, cinnamon leaf, citronella, cumin, elemi, galbanum, garlic, geranium, ginger, lemon, lemongrass, lime, linden blossom, melissa, orange, peppermint, pimento, pine, santolina, spearmint, terebinith, thyme, tea tree, verbena, yarrow, ylang ylang.

• These essential oils are phototoxic: angelica, lemon, mandarin, tangerine, verbena.

• These essential oils are photosensitive: bergamot, grapefruit, orange

• These essential oils may antidote homeopathic medications: eucalyptus, peppermint, rosemary, spearmint.

• These essential oils should be avoided if concentration is needed: benzoin, clary sage, coriander, guaiacwood, jasmine, marjoram, neroli.

• These essential oils may overstimulate the kidneys if used in excess: black pepper, juniper berry.

• These essential oils may become toxic if over used: basil, cedarwood, cinnamon leaf, eucalyptus, fennel, santolina, tarragon, thyme, ylang ylang.

• These essential oils could irritate mucous membranes: galbanum, myrtle, peppermint, pimento, thyme.

• Do not use these oils in massage: caraway, parsley, peppermint, pimento, spearmint, terebinith, thyme, verbena.