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Post by Dragonmaster on May 4, 2009 18:15:39 GMT 1
I'd like to get on to some practical stuff you can do at home. Can you let me know what essential oils you each have at home (if any) so I can get something sorted out. Ta k Kathy
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Post by gordo on May 4, 2009 20:38:25 GMT 1
I have: Tea Tree, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Bergamot, Geranium, Lemongrass, Grapefruit, Clary Sage, Garlic, Marjoram, Citronella and Cedarwood Atlas
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Post by gemmamarygold on May 4, 2009 20:41:34 GMT 1
I have Lavender, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree and sandalwood.
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gypsyroselee
Olympic Poster
She who does not make mistakes, does not make discoveries.
Posts: 611
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Post by gypsyroselee on May 6, 2009 21:09:42 GMT 1
At the moment I only have Tea tree, Lavender and Eucalyptus
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Post by Dragonmaster on May 6, 2009 22:55:34 GMT 1
Gypsy, can you get hold of a base note oil suggest frankincense, sandalwood, ylang ylang, or cedarwood. Then we've all go a range and can do some blending.
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Post by feemac on May 7, 2009 15:44:51 GMT 1
Hi Dragonmaster
I'm waiting for the starter pack of oils to arrive hope I'll get them soon so whatever they have in them other wise I just have Teatree and Lavender.
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gypsyroselee
Olympic Poster
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Post by gypsyroselee on May 7, 2009 19:51:23 GMT 1
Will do. Can I ask - how long do oils last for when opened and when not? My sister gave me a few bottles today but some were opened (she says they are at least a year old so I didn't want to use them), also a couple are unopened but she originally bought them over a year ago - can I still use them? If I can't use the oils - can I re-use the bottles? How would I clean them? Sterilise? Thanks
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Post by Dragonmaster on May 7, 2009 20:10:49 GMT 1
the average shelf life of an oil is 18 - 24 months if they are stored correctly ie caps tightly closed, cool but not cold and out of sunlight. Citrus oils only last about a year and some heavy ones like sandalwood and patchouli actually improve with age. Oils do not 'go off' but they do gradually loose their potency, so an oldish oil will still smell the same but just not have as much effect. That said I'm still using some that are 5 years old and they seem OK - but they were high quality to start with.
Just wash empty bottles in hot soapy water and rinse well. They will come in quite handy. Buy some stick on lables for them.
Feemac - Sue said she was getting a set ready for dispatch when I spoke to her at the weekend so they should be with you soon.
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Post by Dragonmaster on May 7, 2009 23:01:09 GMT 1
In preparation for some practical work at home you will need... 1 a selection of essential oils - at least 3. 2 some carrier oil - sweet almond or grapeseed. Supermarket grapeseed will do. 2 some paper strips - if you can get hold of some perfume testing strips from Boots or a perfume shop they'd be ideal, otherwise just cut some from fairly stiff but not shiny paper. 3 some empty small glass containers. Empty essential oil bottles, empty pill bottles (if they still make them glass not plastic,) the little jars that hotel jams come in, whatever you can get hold of that is only about 25 mls or smaller. If all else fails then use an egg cup or liqueur glass. 4 some sticky lables for the bottles. 5 if you have a medicine measuring cup or spoon so you can measure 5 and 10 mls that would be useful.
Look at the essential oils you have got and find out for each one if it is a base note, a top note or a middle note. If you can't find out (it's not something all aromatherapy books put in, and it wont say on the bottle) then post on here and I'll tell you.
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Post by feemac on May 9, 2009 14:19:23 GMT 1
Hi
Oils arrived today I'll email Sue and let her know I received them
Lavender, Tea Tree, Marjoram, Eucalyptus, Geranium, Lemongrasse, Rose, Frankincense, Bergamot, Ylang Ylang, Rosemary, and Grapefruit.
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Post by magicgirl on May 10, 2009 9:13:15 GMT 1
I have been reading this with great interest and was wondering if you could suggest a suitable fly spray that could be made with essential oils.
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Post by Dragonmaster on May 10, 2009 12:28:22 GMT 1
Fly repellent / insecticidal oils are tea tree citronella eucalyptus lemon lemongrass lime litsea cubeba (which has a lemony smell) niaouli ( a bit like Tea tree) There are others as well but these are all relatively cheap to buy. Eucalyptus is supposed to be particularly good at repelling midges. There are lots of 'recipies' for making fly spray, some using vinegar or cold tea. I find just water and a bit of some sort of detergent to emulsify the oil into the water is fine. The detergent can be a few drops of your horse's shampoo. Chose up to 3 different oils - though you may find just citronella is perfect. Citronella is an excellent fly repellent but some horses / people are allergic to it and that is why it has been banned in commercially made fly sprays. ( a bit of an over-reaction IMO but that's the EU for you!) Make up about half a pint at a time using about 25 - 30 drops of oil in total to 250 mls / half a pint of water and a few drops of shampoo. Make it in a bottle and shake well. Essential oils, especially the lemony ones, gradually eat through plastic and rubber so if you use a plastic spray bottle you will find after a week or so that it wont spray any more. That's why I suggest you only make up a smallish amount at a time. You can use a spray bottle but you could also put it on an ordinary bottle and apply it with a sponge. Do a patch test of the mixture on your horse and leave a day to make sure he doesnt have a reaction. Generally avoid applying the mixture to non hairy areas: eyes, muzzle, sheath/ udders but you can apply a more diluted form to the 'underneath' as they do need fly protection there.
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Post by magicgirl on May 10, 2009 14:18:40 GMT 1
Thank you for that I think I will be busy on Monday.
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gypsyroselee
Olympic Poster
She who does not make mistakes, does not make discoveries.
Posts: 611
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Post by gypsyroselee on May 10, 2009 18:59:55 GMT 1
Dragonmaster, can you recommend a book (or books) about essential oils? I have a book obsession but haven't as yet got any on essential oils/ aromatherapy.
Thanks.
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Post by Dragonmaster on May 10, 2009 22:32:23 GMT 1
'The Very Essence' by Lisa Burke, Philip Chambers and Simon Mallinson. Available from Likisma aromatherapy parties. www.likisma.co.uk Lisa is the Founder / owner of Likisma and this is the best simple guide to aromatherapy I've ever come across. Aromatherapy an A- Z by Patricia Davies Aromatherapy Workbook by Shirley Price The Encyclopaedia of Essential Oils by Julia Lawless These 3 are the 'standard works' that all students will be asked to get. The Fragrant Pharmacy & The Fragrant Mind by Valerie Worwood for something a bit more off the wall - especially the Fragrant Mind. These are more about how oils work on a vibrational and spiritual level.
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