Dr Jane Collins writes.... 

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Instalment 2 of The Lavender Story, which covers the story of essential oil production, is now on this site.  Go to the LHS of home page and you will see it underneath Instalment 1.  Any comments, please email or use Face Book.  Thank you and we hope you enjoy reading this instalment.  Instalment 3 coming up ! Jane

The Essential Oil Industry in the UK is self-regulating.  In other words, unlike prescription medication, there is no global, EU or national legislation covering the sales of essential oils.  There are some very good suppliers in the UK and, unfortunately, some not so good.  We are underpinned by 22 years of essential oil research & development and began our Company over 15 years ago now.  In fact, we still source our essential and carrier oils from the same global suppliers which means that the high quality, therapeutic value and aroma are continuous.

Aromatherapy is a very successful complementary therapy indeed and part of that success is that therapists (and their clients) feel confident and reassured about the quality of the oils they use.  

When I began my research, Aromatherapy was really only just evolving.  Today it is firmly in the UK National Health Service (we know as we supply the oils to many hospitals, hospices and healthcentres) which is where it should be and also in GPs' surgeries, first aid centres and schools, in my opinion.  Aromatherapy is about preventing heath issues from developing as well as aiding recovery.

There are many healthcare issues for which there is not really a successful prescription medicine, eg stress, anxiety, insomnia, mobility issues, muscular and rheumatic pain,skin problems, digestive disorders, menstrual problems and babies' and childrens' healthcare.  Also, of course, all of the many other uses of essential oils, eg home fragrancing, household cleaning, insect deterrent.  

When applied to the skin, essential oils start to work immediately on body tissues.  The molecules in the oils are so small that they can be absorbed through the pores of the skin and through the olfactory system and into the bloodstream by which means they are carried to every part of the body.  Inhalation of the aroma means that the essential oil is in the bloodstream as fast as an intravenous injection.

Aromatherapy benefits people and is gentle enough to be used by people of all ages and states of health.  It is nurturing for babies and children and can offer care and comfort to the elderly.  Even seriously ill people with AIDS or cancer can benefit from professional treatments.

Essential oils can be absorbed into the body at different rates, depending on the oil.  This can take minutes or up to an hour or so and depends also on the body chemistry and the person. Oils can stay in the body for hours, or longer.  They are eliminated from the body by exhalation or eliminated in urine, faeces or perspiration. 

The role of science in aromatherapy

Science is a very useful tool to support Aromatherapy.  We know that essential oils are anti-microbial (ie anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral).  Scientists prove this by testing essential oils against these microbes. I was involved with these experiments over 20 years ago now and provided the genuine essential oils for the experiments and did so again 8 years ago.  The published results of the experiments means that as a supplier of essential oils I can state categorically that essential oils have very good therapeutic and medicinal properties indeed.

Certain oils have particular affinity with certain areas of the body.  For example rose essential oil is effective for the skin to restore elasticity and tone.  Clary sage is effective for the female reproductive system and peppermint and eucalyptus are very good for nasal and chest congestion.  

Spice oils can benefit the digestive system and some oils (geranium, marjoram) may sedate an overactive system.

Lavender essential oil, the most popular of oils, should be in the medicine chest and the holiday bag as its uses for calming the body, reducing anxiety and curing some infections is well known.  Lavender essential oil can be used directly on adult skin (patch test first) for healing cuts and abrasions and for reducing the effects of minor burns and scalds.  In fact lavender essential oil is very effective for forming scar tissue on minor wounds which take time to heal.

Although not impossible, it is very unlikely that genuine essential oils can cause harm or have serious side-effects when used properly. Aromatherapy involves getting essential oils into the body in order to alter body chemistry, support body systems and improve moods and emotions.  This is done mostly by massaging the oils into the skin.  However, oils can also be used for inhalation, compresses (hot or cold), added to baths and foot spas, used in burners and pot pourri used for gargles and mouthwashes and added to base products (creams, lotions, gels, vegetable butters, shampoos, conditioners). 

Aromatherapy is a dynamic process and can begin the start of a journey which will lead us to successful health management. 

The most important aspect of aromatherapy is that the oils used must be genuine and pure, not mixed with synthetic chemicals, which are sometimes misleadingly called "nature identical" chemicals. Genuine essential oils have always  been part of the evolutionary and interactive development of plant and human life. In fact, during evolution, our bodies have been in contact with plants and their aromas at all stages.  This means that when a plant fragrance enters into our body, our systems recognise the specific aromatic molecules and "accept" them.  

This means that allergic reactions are rare.  Not so with synthetic fragrances used to adulterate essential oils.  Some essential oils are expensive (rose, neroli, jasmine, German chamomile) and it because of the fact that the oil is only found in the flowers which often have to be hand-picked.  Also the yield of oil is much lower too.  So, these are the oils which are often "stretched" with (ie mixed with) inferior oils and even synthetic fragrances.  

Citrus essential oils are often a by-product of the juice industry and are extracted by pressing the fruit rind.  Therefore they are cheaper essential oils.  

Once you have your stock of essential oils, then you can use them in all sorts of ways.  Because essential oils are very anti-microbial and wonderful at killing bacteria and fungi, then they can be used to make house-hold cleaning products which are not only very effective, but natural, biiodegradable and cheap.  

A good recipe for an anti-bacterial cleaner is a mixture of thyme, niaouli and lemon essential oils.  Using a (recycled) spray bottle filled with water, add about 10 drops of each essential oil.  Shake the bottle (as the oils will sit on top of the water) spray kitchen surfaces and bathroom surfaces with the blend.  Not only will the surfaces be free of microbes, but there will be a lovely aroma too !