Carrier Oils: Aromatherapy's Harmonizer
The word aromatherapy instantly draws up a long list of delicious and delightful scents: rose, lime, lavender, tea tree, frankincense, mandarin! Volatile oils are the alluring, and certainly the most memorable, aspect of aroma medicine. Following on the coattails of this exotic repertoire of essential oils, however, is a group of oils frequently referred to as "carrier oils." This category includes any plant-derived oil that primarily functions as a base oil for containing, delivering and enhancing an essential oil. While essential oils are short-chain molecules that quickly dissolve when exposed to air (thus the term "volatile oils," meaning quick to change), carrier oils are longer-chain molecules that do not break down as rapidly and hold their shape and qualities longer.
It's helpful to think of the relationship between carrier and essential oils as a dynamic that brings out the best in both oils. While most people consider carrier oils mediums for massage and reflexology applications only, carrier oils have healing qualities that essential oils do not possess. Rather than consider carrier oils a lowly delivery system for those stimulating volatile oils we all adore, let's take a moment to consider the merits of carrier oils alone. You may never look at evening primrose oil the same way again. You may also find that your aromatherapy experience is blessed by new ways of combining oils you already trust with carriers that magnify their healing potential.
To begin with, it is important to remember that fats are essential for human life. Fats, called lipids, are critical for maintaining warmth, providing protection and ensuring healthy cellular function. Although the world of nutrition is engaged in discovering which fats are best for internal health, aromatherapy is concerned with how plant-derived oils deliver health from the outside in. Externally-applied oils help the body maintain vital functions in unique ways through both chemical changes and mechanical assistance.
Fat molecules are composed of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon atoms. It's easy to become immediately confused when chemistry comes into the mix, but because so many of these fat buzz words are found in natural health and nutrition, it's useful to understand where the aromatherapy carrier oils fall in the spectrum of lipids. A basic explanation of fat composition is that while all fats contain carbon atoms, some fats have carbon atoms that are double bonded to one another, meaning they share electrons. These fats are called unsaturated fats, they are liquid at room temperature, and they are derived from vegetables. Most carrier oils are unsaturated fats. Saturated fats have carbon bonds that do not bind to other carbon atoms. These oils are solid at room temperature and include animal-derived fats and some plant-derived fats as well. Coconut oil is a saturated fat that is often used as a carrier oil. Fractionated coconut, another common carrier oil, occurs when a coconut molecule has been altered to keep it in a liquid, rather than solid, state. The healing qualities of the oil are not compromised, and we can use the oil the same way we'd use a seed or nut oil.
Many carrier oils have the essential fatty acids omega-6 (linoleic acid) and omega-3 (linolenic). Essential fatty acids must be acquired through outside sources, primarily through diet, and are critical to maintaining health. According to aromatherapist Salvatore Battaglia, omega-6, which is important for skin, hair, liver function, joints, healing wounds and circulation, is especially powerful in evening primrose oil, a popular and versatile carrier oil. Omega-3 is also in many carrier oils. Taken internally, it helps with vision, muscles and growth. It is found in fish and some vegetable oils, like linseed and canola. It is know to help circulation, assist in heart health, lower cholesterol and blood pressure and prevent inflammation. The most important thing to remember about lipid structure in carrier oils is that choosing high-quality, nutritious oils will greatly assist the skin in its vital functions. Since the skin is the largest organ in the body and often needs assistance in maintaining its elasticity, vitality and moisture, carrier oils are truly the skin's best friend.
Carrier oils are primarily derived from nuts and seeds. They are extracted via cold-pressed technology, meaning high heat is not used. Once oils reach temperatures exceeding 160 degrees Celsius, their structure is altered, making them trans-fats, a kind of mutated fat that the body cannot assimilate properly. Expeller-pressing is another common extraction method. By placing seeds or nuts in an expeller, the precious oil is pressed out and then bottled. Superior carrier oils are mechanically pressed oils and have not been subjected to chemical changes.
There are many reasons for choosing one carrier oil over another, and most of the time this is based on personal preference regarding the viscosity of the oil and its natural scent. While this is a fine way to choose oils, if you want to include the specific healing benefits of carrier oils in your aromatherapy applications, it might be useful to look at how carrier oils are sometimes categorized. The primary carriers can be put into three groups: massage and reflexology, facial skin care and bodily skin conditions. Fractionated coconut, hempseed, sweet almond and sunflower are all great choices for massage and reflexology. By adding 10-15% essential oil, your carrier will be easy to work with and smell delightful, too. Carrier oils such as apricot kernel, hazelnut and rosehip work well in facial skin care, bringing vitality to skin that has suffered from the sun or acne. Rosehip also assists in reducing scars. Tamanu, jojoba, evening primrose, sesame, shea, avocado and grapeseed are excellent carrier oils for helping dry skin and other skin ailments, like eczema. Deciding on a carrier oil might require a bit of experimentation to see how your body responds, but when you land on the best oil for your needs, you can move on to blending your carrier with essential oils.
When carrier oils are used with essential oils, they provide a mechanism for the volatile oils to be transported more effectively. While most essential oils, when applied externally, move through the body system in an hour, a carrier oil, which is thicker than a volatile oil, "holds" the essential oil in place, delivering longer-lasting healing. Think of it this way: if you apply a drop of lavender directly to your skin, within a relatively short period of time, the scent will dissipate. If you place the same amount of lavender in a carrier oil and rub the carrier oil into the same spot, you will experience the scent even longer. When we apply the same method for healing purposes, rather than simply attempting to make the scent last for aesthetic reasons, we can increase the healing power of an essential oil by ensuring it maintains contact with the body for a longer period of time. Since consistent application of essential oils over a period of time increases the healing potential of the oil, carrier oils help us keep the essential oil active once it touches the skin. Also, many essential oils are too harsh for direct contact with the skin, but once mixed with carriers, they cause no trouble whatsoever and their healing potential is maximized.
Carrier oils are certainly the least glamorous oils in the aromatherapy world, but with a little effort, these humble oils can bring a world of comfort from the outside in. The added bonuses of finding your ideal carrier oil is that your essential oils will last longer, your skin will sing with happiness over its new-found moisture, and you won't need to ask yourself, "Now how do I apply this frankincense?
It's helpful to think of the relationship between carrier and essential oils as a dynamic that brings out the best in both oils. While most people consider carrier oils mediums for massage and reflexology applications only, carrier oils have healing qualities that essential oils do not possess. Rather than consider carrier oils a lowly delivery system for those stimulating volatile oils we all adore, let's take a moment to consider the merits of carrier oils alone. You may never look at evening primrose oil the same way again. You may also find that your aromatherapy experience is blessed by new ways of combining oils you already trust with carriers that magnify their healing potential.
To begin with, it is important to remember that fats are essential for human life. Fats, called lipids, are critical for maintaining warmth, providing protection and ensuring healthy cellular function. Although the world of nutrition is engaged in discovering which fats are best for internal health, aromatherapy is concerned with how plant-derived oils deliver health from the outside in. Externally-applied oils help the body maintain vital functions in unique ways through both chemical changes and mechanical assistance.
Fat molecules are composed of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon atoms. It's easy to become immediately confused when chemistry comes into the mix, but because so many of these fat buzz words are found in natural health and nutrition, it's useful to understand where the aromatherapy carrier oils fall in the spectrum of lipids. A basic explanation of fat composition is that while all fats contain carbon atoms, some fats have carbon atoms that are double bonded to one another, meaning they share electrons. These fats are called unsaturated fats, they are liquid at room temperature, and they are derived from vegetables. Most carrier oils are unsaturated fats. Saturated fats have carbon bonds that do not bind to other carbon atoms. These oils are solid at room temperature and include animal-derived fats and some plant-derived fats as well. Coconut oil is a saturated fat that is often used as a carrier oil. Fractionated coconut, another common carrier oil, occurs when a coconut molecule has been altered to keep it in a liquid, rather than solid, state. The healing qualities of the oil are not compromised, and we can use the oil the same way we'd use a seed or nut oil.
Many carrier oils have the essential fatty acids omega-6 (linoleic acid) and omega-3 (linolenic). Essential fatty acids must be acquired through outside sources, primarily through diet, and are critical to maintaining health. According to aromatherapist Salvatore Battaglia, omega-6, which is important for skin, hair, liver function, joints, healing wounds and circulation, is especially powerful in evening primrose oil, a popular and versatile carrier oil. Omega-3 is also in many carrier oils. Taken internally, it helps with vision, muscles and growth. It is found in fish and some vegetable oils, like linseed and canola. It is know to help circulation, assist in heart health, lower cholesterol and blood pressure and prevent inflammation. The most important thing to remember about lipid structure in carrier oils is that choosing high-quality, nutritious oils will greatly assist the skin in its vital functions. Since the skin is the largest organ in the body and often needs assistance in maintaining its elasticity, vitality and moisture, carrier oils are truly the skin's best friend.
Carrier oils are primarily derived from nuts and seeds. They are extracted via cold-pressed technology, meaning high heat is not used. Once oils reach temperatures exceeding 160 degrees Celsius, their structure is altered, making them trans-fats, a kind of mutated fat that the body cannot assimilate properly. Expeller-pressing is another common extraction method. By placing seeds or nuts in an expeller, the precious oil is pressed out and then bottled. Superior carrier oils are mechanically pressed oils and have not been subjected to chemical changes.
There are many reasons for choosing one carrier oil over another, and most of the time this is based on personal preference regarding the viscosity of the oil and its natural scent. While this is a fine way to choose oils, if you want to include the specific healing benefits of carrier oils in your aromatherapy applications, it might be useful to look at how carrier oils are sometimes categorized. The primary carriers can be put into three groups: massage and reflexology, facial skin care and bodily skin conditions. Fractionated coconut, hempseed, sweet almond and sunflower are all great choices for massage and reflexology. By adding 10-15% essential oil, your carrier will be easy to work with and smell delightful, too. Carrier oils such as apricot kernel, hazelnut and rosehip work well in facial skin care, bringing vitality to skin that has suffered from the sun or acne. Rosehip also assists in reducing scars. Tamanu, jojoba, evening primrose, sesame, shea, avocado and grapeseed are excellent carrier oils for helping dry skin and other skin ailments, like eczema. Deciding on a carrier oil might require a bit of experimentation to see how your body responds, but when you land on the best oil for your needs, you can move on to blending your carrier with essential oils.
When carrier oils are used with essential oils, they provide a mechanism for the volatile oils to be transported more effectively. While most essential oils, when applied externally, move through the body system in an hour, a carrier oil, which is thicker than a volatile oil, "holds" the essential oil in place, delivering longer-lasting healing. Think of it this way: if you apply a drop of lavender directly to your skin, within a relatively short period of time, the scent will dissipate. If you place the same amount of lavender in a carrier oil and rub the carrier oil into the same spot, you will experience the scent even longer. When we apply the same method for healing purposes, rather than simply attempting to make the scent last for aesthetic reasons, we can increase the healing power of an essential oil by ensuring it maintains contact with the body for a longer period of time. Since consistent application of essential oils over a period of time increases the healing potential of the oil, carrier oils help us keep the essential oil active once it touches the skin. Also, many essential oils are too harsh for direct contact with the skin, but once mixed with carriers, they cause no trouble whatsoever and their healing potential is maximized.
Carrier oils are certainly the least glamorous oils in the aromatherapy world, but with a little effort, these humble oils can bring a world of comfort from the outside in. The added bonuses of finding your ideal carrier oil is that your essential oils will last longer, your skin will sing with happiness over its new-found moisture, and you won't need to ask yourself, "Now how do I apply this frankincense?
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To lessen your stress, try Lavender essential oil and Rose oil based in the carrier oil of your choice for a wonderful massage.