Light essential oil/Absolute

[Bret]

Hi all
I've recently received an Aromatherapy order and have got a 5% Absolute Neroli. I think this was advertised as Light Essential Oil. Can anyone tell me what this means and whether it can be used for Aromatherapy purposes ? And is the way that it is used different eg in terms of dilution to normal Essential Oils?
Many thanks
Sonia

 

[fxgzkjmt]

I'm not sure what light essential oils are, but absolutes are precious oils (such as neroli, rose or jasmine) which are more expensive than other eo's because of the way they are extracted. Because of the high cost, you can often buy them pre blended in a carrier oil which is where the 5% comes in.

So you can use them as they are, or if you want to mix them with other eo's, you need to take into account that they are already blended.

Lesley

 

[Cowboy_Man]

Just found this on the website - I don't remember seeing it before.

Neroli Light is a blend of Different fractions of Neroli, together with fractions of additional oils to give an excellent approximation to Neroli pure, at a fraction of the cost.

I bought the light because it was cheaper and was prepared to take the dilution into account, however from this it sounds like it doesn't have to be considered a dilution.

Sonia

 

[Pompal 09.]

To be quite clear, Absolutes are oils that have been extracted using solvents as opposed to distillation. They can be produced more quickly than distilled oils, but are not as pure and are therefore cheaper. A pure Neroli is preferable to an absolute, and I've never heard of the sort of thing you describe from the company website.

Where did you buy it from and what are you going to use it for?

Sorry to sound so stern, but my first question to people enquiring about cheap essential oils is always: why do you want cheap ones? You generally get what you pay for, and I think quality is very important.

Bonnie

 

[Pompal 09.]

I think I've seen this oil at Amphora, if I remember correctly they do have the absolute but offer Neroli Light an essential oil. I've dug out a brochure which they sent and it says that Neroli Light is a blend of citrus aurantium & citrus blend (no further details given). I think what they are trying to say is that they have stretched the Neroli using cheaper oils. I would therefore assume that this "essential oil" is not diluted.

I don't think Sonia intentionally bought this oil because it was cheap, the listing was probably unclear. We should remember that although we try to buy the best oils we can, sometimes students and people experiementing can't afford them or don't understand the difference.

angelfish xx

 

[I Like Turtles]

Sonia, if you have a 5% oil that is what you bought. It isn't a 'light' whatever that is these days! You have got a 10ml bottle of carrier oil with a few drops of Neroli in it and from an essential oil point of view it is worthless.

You would be wasting your time in blending it as it is already blended, unless you cut it again and get a 2.5% blend. As an aromatherapist I learned from the first day of my course that these weren't worth buying and as a purist I would only get the real thing.

Absolutes as said above are not the most expensive oils. They are also not favoured with aromatherapists, who prefer the 'purest' oils. I don't buy Rose Absolute I grit my teeth and cough up £22 for 2ml of the real thing. Rose Otto. You only need 1-2 drops in a full body massage so it lasts yonks. It is divine and worth every penny.

Oils such as Neroli that have been 'cut' with cheaper citrus oils (and citrus oils are plentiful and cheap so this is a good trick on their part) might be very nice and can be added straight to a carrier without the need for any other essential oil, but again it isn't the real thing and nothing can beat the aroma of pure essential Neroli oil, again worth every penny and not IMO even that dear.

I have tried lots of different suppliers over the past few years and have now settled on a fantastic company recommended by another HP aromatherapist. I just can't bear to use anything else to be honest and absolutely hate cheap essential oils with a passion. When you have used the good stuff and seen the results it speaks for itself. Afterall, they might be dear to start off but they last absolutely ages and you get your money back from treatments.

Better get off the soapbox now!

 

[Girl you dont know]

Quite right - I just have this tendency to get het up about the whole idea of cutting corners. Apologies to experimenters and students.

Bonnie
xxx

 

[Kimberley G]

Hi SoniaL

Absolutes in my opinion should not be used in aromatherapy because of the solvent extracts found in them (used to extract the oil from the plant). Absolutes were and still are used by the perfumery trade and work wonderfully on the mind. As for this other oil you describe it does sound rather iffy and it certainly isn't pure neroli. A company that does sell good essential oils at affordable prices is Quinessence Aromatherapy. I personally know Geoff and Sue who run the company and they are honest people who are passionate about their product. There are other companies out there that source other oils that are truly wonderful (more expensive, I pay £30 per ml for my rose otto) but as a good starting point Quinessence are great. I advise my students to shop around as much as possible but to buy the best they can afford and if need be it is better to have 6 really good oils than 20 not as good. You really can treat most clients with just 6 oils, honest!!!

Buying essential oils is a nightmare and it is very much trial and error, but you have been given some good information/advice by candie and Bonnie.

Essential oils are your tools and if you buy carefully, store them correctly, love them with a passion and talk to them nicely (I know a little strange!!!) they in return will perform miracles for you.

love and light

 

[zqeclueviidiofeaw]

I have a wacking wooden box stuffed with oils. Guess how many I use?

Not even six. Well maybe, just.

 

[fowlerrolbome]

Hi Guys
Thanks for all the informative advice. I bought the oil in error, not being given a full description of what it can be used for. I bought it from Cotswold Herbs - they look very keen on supplying good oils, maybe I just bought a good product for the wrong job ie not for Aromatherapy use, but for perfume use instead. I'll just have to use it in the burner and have gorgeous smelling rooms!

I will take a look at Quinessence, Candie where do you get your oils from? Recommendation is worth everything to us beginners!

Sonia

 

[I demand a recount]

yes, candie, where do you get your oils?

as experienced aromatherapists, which 6 would you recommend as a must have... the ones you do tend to use most?

 

[faerstil]

If anyone is interested I use Absolute Aromas and find them to be very good.

Bonnie
xxx

 

[Pika Chu]

Hi

I use Fragrant Earth oils and some of the organic ones from Absolute Aromas. I also use some oils that I purchased in France from a wonderful small distillery.

The six oils I use most and would take to a desert island with me are:

1. True Lavender - So healing for both the mind and body

2. Roman Chamomile - Anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, calming also invaluable for pre operation (not on desert island!).

3. Peppermint (French Mitcham variety) - The best analgesic and will reduce pain in 5 mins, as well as a whole host of other uses.

4. Balsam Fir - an amazing oil with so many indications, respiratory relief, nasal catarh + sinusitis (both acute and chronic), muscular aches and pains (works very deeply, relaxation and psychological (the effects are truly powerful and profound).

5. Rose Otto (expensive but worth every penny) - great for grief, shock, PMS, menopause, depression (of all kinds), skin complaints (is a regenerative), also has many more subtle properties and increases the vibrancy of the human body in every area.

6. Bergamot (Italian) - for its truly uplifting and feel good qualities, as well as other indications.

I would also sneak in Wild Tea Tree for its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties.

Love and light

 

[funwithsharpthings]

Absolute Aromas!!!! I dumped all the existing ones in a basket to sell of cheap when I took over the Centre, nasty, nasty, nasty!!! They had to go.

I use a blend of Peppermint, Roman Chamomile and Lavender for all neck and back problems. It numbs the pain and calms everything down.

I use clary sage when people are incredibly stressed.

I use bergamot when people are low in spirits or depressed and it puts a grin on their faces!

I use frankincense when people are distressed or can't breath properly. I get them to inhale it, maybe whilst having reflexology or if they come in for another treatment and are in a bad way.

Rose Otto for grief, sadness etc.

I love the citrus oils by Absolute Aromas and blend them in as well, just like peeling fruit.

I do use others as well but not so often, today used ginger, rosewood and cedarwood for tiredness. I can recommend a blend of t-tree and petitgrain for the worst spots, they melt away. I love black pepper and use it on men. I love Neroli too.