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Carrier Oils
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| Carrier oils often referred to as "base"
or "vegetable" oils are obtained from seeds, nuts, and vegetables.
Essential oils cannot be used undiluted they would be too powerful
and too expensive. Lubrication for massage is needed. Many carrier
oils have their own therapeutic properties. Mineral
oils (of which baby oil is one) are not recommended, as they have
no powers of penetration and inhibit the action of essential oils
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| Almond Oil
Contains: glucosides, minerals, vitamins A, B1,
B2, B6 and E. Rich in protein. Helpful to all skin types. Especially
good for eczema. helps relieve itching, soreness, dryness and inflammation.
May be useful against burns and thread veins. Very lubricating,
but not penetrating, which makes it good for a massage oil. Can
go rancid fairly fast. Use caution on anyone with a known nut allergy,
as a few can suffer a reaction.
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| Apricot Kernel Oil
Cold pressed. Useful for all skin types, very rich
and nourishing. Helpful for prematurely aged, sensitive, inflamed
or dry skin
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| Calendula Oil, Infused
Calendula is an exceptional skin conditioner and
may repair damaged skin, diminish bruising, help with bedsores,
relieve sore nipples, and help with athlete's foot, impetigo, and
burn healing. Calendula may reduce swelling, help damaged blood
vessels to seal, stop bleeding and preventing bruising. Calendula
may be effective for varicose veins and hemorrhoids. Especially
useful for dry eczema and to help prevent diaper rash.
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| Evening Primrose Oil
Contains gamma linolenic acid, vitamins and minerals.
Useful internally for PMS, menopause, psoriasis, eczema. Helps to
prevent prematurely aged skin, aids wound healing and any sort of
dermatitis. Can go rancid fairly fast.
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| Foraha Oil
This unusual green carrier oil is cold pressed from
the berry of a shrub is believed to have pain relieving effects,
making it useful for rheumatism, arthritis, sciatica, etc. It may
be useful for lesions due to herpes or shingles, especially with
the addition of Ravensara Essential Oil.
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| Fractionated Coconut Oil
This oil is compatible with skin, does not turn
rancid and does not clog pores. It has a light texture, ideal for
summer use. It is an ideal carrier for oily or troubled skin. Coconut
oil imparts a lovely sheen to the hair. It is also very soothing
and nourishing on dry skin. Useful for dryness, itching, sensitive
skin, tanning aid base.
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| Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil contains vitamins, minerals, protein,
linloeic acid. Cholesterol-free. Useful for all skin types, it is
odorless, penetrates well. May be useful to tighten and tone the
skin. Can be used in a base for acne. The antioxidant properties
are helpful for adding to oils that go rancid fast.
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| Jojoba Oil
Jojoba does not oxidize so therefore will not spoil.
Very rich in Vitamin E, protein, minerals, plant wax and myristic
acid. Research shows that insaponifiables applied to skin increase
the dermal state of elastin. JoJoba contains 50% insaponifiables,
most vegetable oil contain around 2 to 3%. Used daily in your skin
care program you can help fight time and wrinkles and may assist
with scars, bruises, windburn, sunburn, chaffed skin, bruises, dry
brittle hair, acne and oily skin or scalp. Jojoba is an antioxidant
and may help extend the life of other oils. It is noted for its
deep penetration and fast absorption, so not recommended for massage
but excellent for nourishing the skin. Jojoba gets its anti-inflammatory
properties from Myristic acid and may be helpful for rheumatism
and arthritis. It has very good anti-inflammatory properties which
makes it useful for eczema, psoriasis, acne and inflamed skins.
It is widely used in shampoos and hair conditioners conditions because
it restores skin and hair. It is likened to the natural sebum in
the skin and is a good natural moisturizer. It contains traces of
iodine and it has the ability to emulsify fat and tone tissues.
It is good for dieting/losing weight.
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Macadamia Oil
Contains high amounts of palmitoleic acid, which
is also normally found in the sebum of man, and the oil therefore
has great affinity to the skin. It is very emollient, and is therefore
great for dry and ageing skin. Macadamia massage oil has great emollient
properties and is readily absorbed. It softens the skin and is said
to help reduce fine lines when used in facial massage.
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Olive Oil
Olive oil has a strong, "foodsy" smell,
but also has good medicinal properties, soothing and healing the
skin, especially when it is dry. It is a
very stable oil and does not go rancid easily and can be stored
without refrigeration for a year. The oil is made from the pulp
and not the kernel and different qualities are available and range
from extra virgin, virgin and pure. Extra virgin is obtained from
the first pressing, while virgin oil comes from the second pressing
and is normally lighter in color and less aromatic. It contains
good levels of essential fatty acids, alpha linolenic acid and when
taken internally is said to assist with heart disease. Applied externally
it is useful for dehydrated, sore and inflamed skin and is also
used as a remedy for arthritis when rubbed onto the affected parts.
Olive oil is too heavy to use alone and the aroma is often overpowering,
but you could add Olive oil to a blend when massaging a mature or
dry skin.
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Pumpkin Seed Oil
Pumpkin seed oil is high in protein, zinc as well
as polyunsaturated fats. It is made from the
common pumpkin - Curcurbita pepo - and although it is used by some
people orally for the treatment of urinary tract infections, it
also makes a great addition to a carrier oil mix. Pumpkin
seed massage oil has great healing qualities for skin problems such
as sores and ulcers which makes it a good choice to include when
mixing a massage oil or preparing a carrier oil blend .
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| Rosehip Seed Oil
Contains GLA, Linolenic acids, oleic acid, palmitic
acid. This oil has been found to be a very effective skin treatment.
It promotes tissue regeneration and is good for scars, burns and
wrinkles. Also useful for dry, scaly skin, acne, eczema, psoriasis,
scars, over-pigmented skin, after burns or trauma, ulcerated veins
and scars. It is very high in Vitamin C and can be used undiluted.
Avoid using with acne. Can go rancid fairly fast.
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Safflower Oil
Safflower massage oil has great moisturizing qualities
which makes it a good choice to include when mixing a massage oil
or preparing a carrier oil blend. It has a high content of unsaturated
fatty acids but can go rancid quickly.
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| Walnut Oil
Walnut Oil has a pleasant, nutty aroma. Use caution
on anyone with a known nut allergy, as a few can suffer a reaction.
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Wheat Germ Oil
This oil is made from the germ of the wheat - the
heart of it. Wheatgerm oil is very high in vitamin E and essential
fatty acids. Because of its high vitamin E content, which is a natural
antioxidant which helps to prevent rancidity, it is often added
to other carrier oils to help lengthen their shelf life and to prevent
them going off. Wheatgerm oil is said to help promote the formation
of new cells, improve circulation, and help repair sun damage to
the skin. It is also used to help relieve the symptoms of dermatitis.
Wheatgerm oil is far too sticky and heavy to use on its own, it
is suggested to mix it with another carrier oil such as almond oil.
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Dilution of essential oils for massage
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General Guidelines
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Age
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Carrier oil
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Essential oil
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65 years +
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20 ml
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5 drops
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12 - 65
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20 ml
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10 drops
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6 - 12
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20 ml
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7 drops
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4 - 6
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20 ml
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5 drops
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1 - 4
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20 ml
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2 drop
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under 1
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20 ml
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1 drop
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Pregnant
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20 ml
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1 drop
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