I’ve seen the essential oil ylang-ylang
referred to throughout this book. What exactly is it?
Its botanical name is Cananga adorata. It is a tall
tree growing in Madagascar
and has large yellow flowers that grow high up in the tree. The fragrance is
floral and very sweet with a bit of musk. In the Victorian era it was used to
make the hair shiny, and is still used by some tropical indigenous people for
the same purpose. They use it also as an aphrodisiac. In addition to the usual
safety guidelines, be aware that it causes headache in some people.
How are essential oils used in pet care?
Holistic veterinarians are strong
believers in using essential oils on pets. Some of them are especially good for
calming distressed cats and dogs. The dilution recommended by some is about
25%, or even 50% of that for humans. It depends on the size of the animal too.
Don’t use any essential oils not recommended for babies or young children. Part
of the appeal for some animals is the human touch required in the application.
Don’t however put it directly on the skin, but on the coat, and don’t use close
to eyes, nose, or facial area in general. Some oils are recommended for flea
and tick control. The best way to use them against pests is usually a tiny
spray near the pet’s bed.
I frequently suffer chest congestion and problems with breathing. What
are the best essential oils to use?
There are several oils to give
you some relief. For inhalation use 4 drops of tea tree and 4 drops of cedarwood, used twice daily. You can also make a chest rub
from 5 drops of tea tree and 5 drops of eucalyptus in 4 teaspoons of grapeseed carrier oil. Use one half teaspoonful
in the morning and again at night.
I’ve heard of using essential oil on a lightbulb
ring. What is that exactly?
It is usually made from ceramic
and slides down over the narrow part of the rest coming to rest just before the
widest part of the bulb. As the bulb heats up you can sprinkle from 4 to 6 drops
of oil on it. This will make the room smell as good as the oil. Essential oils
that don’t actually come into contact with the body are administered passively.
How should I store essential oils and how long do they last?
Because essential oils are made from plant materials they
have a definite shelf life and refrigeration will preserve them for the
duration. Remember that the oils should be in glass containers preferably of a
dark color. Place the bottles of oil in an airtight container so that the aromas
won’t interfere with dairy products. If you have children then you’ll want to
store them in a place they can’t reach. The place should be dry and dark, as
well as cool. Some shelf life times for refrigerated oils are: one year for
orange, mandarin, and bergamot, two years for most others. If you can’t
refrigerate them, the citrus oils will last about six months, and the rest for
about a year. Label each oil bottle with the date you purchased it so you won’t
end up using a degraded oil.
I’ve heard of an
essential oil called benzoin. That sounds like a
chemical, is it?
Benzoin is an all-natural product.
It is made from the tree’s resin, and smells similar to vanilla. In India
it is a sacred oil in the deities of
Brahma-Shiva-Vishnu. In Malaysia,
people use it to ward off evil when they are harvesting their rice crops. It is
very good for skin. It promotes elasticity, acts as an anti-fungal, and can
help moisturize chapped skin. On the emotional level it helps people feel less
lonely and exhausted. It is said to be very soothing during a crisis in one’s
life.
