FAQ

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about aromatherapy and essential oils in general.

What are the most common uses of essential oils?

Can essential oils be used internally or in cooking?

Can essential oils be used by women who are pregnant or breast feeding?

Do the essential oils have a 'use by' date? How long can they be kept before they go off?

How about mixing oils?

Where can I find information about essential oils?

What are the most common uses of essential oils?

• As a room fragrance

  There are two methods. For rapid diffusion, use a heat source, for example a burner or electric diffuser. For slower diffusion but a stronger anti-bacterial action, simply add a few drops of essential oil to a saucer or small bowl of lukewarm water.

• For massages

  Use a base oil or plain cream and add 5-10% by volume of the desired essential oil(s). There are many base oils on the market, each suited to different skin types. Those with a composition closest to sebum (naturally secreted by the skin) are jojoba and – in particular – macadamia oil.

 NB: 1ml corresponds to about 30 drops

Can essential oils be used internally or in cooking?

The answer is yes, but we advocate extreme caution, and we advise you to consult an aromatherapist before doing so.

Internal use is common practice in aromatherapy and although this is natural medicine, these natural products are highly concentrated and produce very strong effects. Moreover, not all essential oils are safe for internal use. Indeed, some are quite toxic. Please be sure to have all the necessary information about an oil – its chemotype, its effects, etc. - before using it internally.

Essential oils are administered internally as follows. In a cup, one drop is mixed with a teaspoon of honey. Hot water or a herbal tea is then added. A cure should not be followed for more than two weeks.

Essential oil of rosemary or thyme may be added to sauces or oil during cooking. However, do not add more than one or two drops. Remember than one drop contains the flavour of approximately two tea bags' worth of herb!

Can essential oils be used by women who are pregnant or breast feeding?

No, pregnant or breast-feeding women are strongly advised against the use of essential oils.

Many essential oils are produced by a family of plants named Labiatae. In concentrated form, their chemical composition provokes abortion and acts as a nerve poison. A dose tolerated by adults would be dangerous for foetuses or newborn babies.

Chemically speaking, these nerve toxins are largely ketones, of which camphor is an example. It is present in high proportions in our wild lavender varieties (spike lavender, woolly lavender).

Massage oils for young children should contain no more than 5% by volume of essential oil.

Do the essential oils have a 'use by' date? How long can they be kept before they go off?

If they are stored in a cool, dark and dry place, our essential oils can be kept for years. In fact, many of them have anti-bacterial properties, which extend shelf-life. Once mixed with a base oil, they will keep only as long as this vegetable oil, usually several months.

The scent of the essential oil is the best indicator of its state of preservation.

There is no 'use by' date on our labels. If you would like to know the production date of a particular essential oil, please send us an e-mail stating the 'número de lote' and we will trace it.

How about mixing oils?

This is largely a question of experience, savoir-faire and intuition. Some essential oils reinforce the effects of others, whilst others cancel them out. We suggest you do not try mixing mor than three or four essential oils.

Where can I find information about essential oils?

If you have not found the answer to your questions on this page, try having a surf on the internet, or, if you prefer, contact us directly at info@lapatadeoca.com

You can also download our leaflet.