FAQs

Below are some common conditions that are of interest to our customers. Any base would be fine, but we have noted in parenthesis the base that we generally recommend for that given condition.

Acne: Silky Mist (Facial Mask)
Depression: Dancing Dragonfly (Lotion)
Headaches: Tranquil Waters (Oil)
Insomnia: Lavender Dreams (Spritzer Spray)
Muscular Pain: Soothing Sunflower (Lotion or Bath Salt)

Do you have any blends that are commonly used for Acne?

Yes. Simply put, the one blend that we tend to recommend for customers is Silky Mist Facial Mask. Please read below for more info.

Why is this blend recommended?

As you probably know, there are three principle causes of Acne: 1) hereditary predisposition, 2) bacterial infection and 3) clogged pores via dead skin or excess oil (sebum).

Obviously, there's not too much we can do about the first cause, but the second two causes, on the other hand, is something that we can work with.

Silky Mist has essential oils like Sandalwood which acts as an anti-microbial agent to help fight off an infection. Additionally, Roman Chamomile is also present in the blend which has long been traditionally used for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, thereby reducing redness and swelling.

As for the excess oil and dead skin cells, the Facial Mask base plays an important role in helping out with that! Our Facial Masks are made with French Green Clay which is widely known for its "oil absorbing" properties. It will act to remove the excess oil and toxins from your skin, enabling your pores to breathe once again.

What is the History of Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is a natural, holistic practice that has been used for thousands of years. This ancient practice has been applied to healing, ceremonies, cosmetics, medicine & has had many other applications over the years. Aromatherapy uses our most primal feature, our sense of smell. This practice is a part of the larger field of herbal medicine.

The term "Aromatherapy" was first coined in by Rene-Maruice Guttefosse, a French chemist working in his family's perfumery business. He discovered, by accident, that lavender was able to heal a severe burn on his hand.

Madame Marguerite Maury later did much to establish the reputation of aromatherapy. The first clinics were set up in France, Britain & Switzerland. At that time, a great deal of research was done regarding the benefits of using essential oils.

Through the years aromatherapy has taken a very interesting journey. Aromatic plants and oils have been used for many, many years and natural aromatics and perfume items were among the earliest trade of the ancient world. For many centuries, aromatic materials were the main defense of protection against epidemics.

Early documentation of essential oils shows that they were used for rituals, embalming, mummification, ceremonies and for healing purposes. Cleopatra and High Egyptian priests were famous for their herbal preparations, ointments and oils. Romans and Greeks used essential oils for pleasure, fragrance, massage and medicinal purposes. India's Ayurvedic medicine and Chinese ancient herbal traditions used essential oils.

Historically speaking, aromatherapy has been used by many cultures in a variety of methods and modalities. This practice continues to be a safe and useful way to aid in healing and to enhance and restore balance to our mind, body and spirit.

What are Extraction Methods for getting Essential Oils?

Cold Pressing
Steam Distillation
Carbon Dioxide
Essential Oils and Pregnancy

It is recommended to avoid all essential oils within the first trimester of pregnancy.

FOR BLENDING: The standard dilution for aromatherapy blends is 20 drops per ounce. For pregnancy, the recommended dilution is only 5-6 drops per ounce (and again should only be used after the first trimester).

There is also a restriction in the essential oils that should be used, limited to ONLY Roman Chamomile, Lavender, Grapefruit, Lemon, and Orange.

**If you are pregnant or nursing, please consult your doctor before starting an aromatherapy regimen**

Essential Oils and Babies & Children
Just as with during pregnancy, it is necessary to take care when using essential oils on babies & children.

The following are general recommendations for the standard essential oils considered acceptable and the proper dilution for blending.

Newborns
Essential Oils: Roman Chamomile, Lavender

Dilution: 1-3 drops in TWO ounces of carrier oil

2 – 12 Months Old
Essential Oils: Roman Chamomile, Lavender, Eucalyptus Radiata (NOT Globulus or Citriodora), Tangerine, Tea Tree

Dilution: 3-5 drops in TWO ounces of carrier oil

1 – 5 Years Old
Essential Oils: Roman Chamomile, Lavender, Eucalyptus Radiata (NOT Globulus or Citriodora), Tangerine, Tea Tree, Geranium

Dilution: 5-10 drops in TWO ounces of carrier oil

5 – 7 Years Old
Essential Oils: Roman Chamomile, Lavender, Eucalyptus Radiata (NOT Globulus or Citriodora), Tangerine, Tea Tree, Geranium, Ginger

Dilution: 5-12 drops in TWO ounces of carrier oil

7 – 12 Years Old
Essential Oils: Roman Chamomile, Lavender, Eucalyptus Radiata (NOT Globulus or Citriodora), Tangerine, Tea Tree, Geranium, Ginger, Frankincense, Lemon, Rosemary, Spearmint

Dilution: 5-15 drops in TWO ounces of carrier oil

What are the proper storage conditions for essential oils?

Essential oils must be stored in a DARK (out of sunlight) and COOL (away from heat) location, to prevent from rancidity. Undiluted essential oils should be kept in a tinted, glass container to help block the sun.

Note: All of the essential oils that we sell come in an amber glass bottle to maximize their storage.

What are the proper storage conditions for aromatherapy products or blends?

It is ideal to store these products just as essential oils, in a DARK (out of sunlight) and COOL (away from heat) location. Sometimes, it is not practical or possible to maintain these storage conditions for these blends, and that is okay. Just try as hard as you can to keep these conditions, keeping in mind that it will prolong the product's life.

Since these blends now contain diluted essential oils (rather than pure, undiluted), they no longer necessitate a glass container. If plastic is to be used, it is recommended to use PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) Plastic. Please keep in mind that essential oils are very potent and require special care. However, a tinted container should still be used.

Note: All of our blends come in a cobalt blue PET bottle.

How long are aromatherapy products and essential oils good for?

We recommend 6 months to a year for all of our products. Of course, actual storage conditions can either increase or decrease this time frame.

Be sure to check out the FAQ on storage conditions to maximize this time and maintain your product's quality!

Six Months sounds like a long time for natural products to last. Why are your products good for so long?

We are constantly blending the products we sell on a daily basis. We don't believe in letting blends sit around and we want you to have the freshest products available.

With being an online business, you can rest assured that your products are fresh and haven't been "sitting on a shelf" for weeks, months or years. Our blends are made to order! When you open your package, the products within the box have been blended, bottled, and labeled just days before.

All in All, since the products are blended literally minutes or hours before shipping them out, we have found a "loop hole" in the system, and can provide products that will last this long.

Blending Products the SAME DAY as Shipping them? Come On, Body Care doesn't get fresher than this!

What does "volatile" mean?

Volatile, with respect to essential oils, simply means that they evaporate readily at room temperature. Meaning that if you were to leave an essential oil bottle open throughout the night, it would be likely that there wouldn't be much left in the bottle the next morning. On the positive side, you would be enjoying a wonderful scent throughout the room!

Fun Fact: You can only smell a substance if it is in a gaseous state! The essential oils that you see in a bottle are in a liquid phase, so you should be asking yourself how you're able to smell them since they're not a gas…or are they? The answer, of course, is volatility. The liquid can so readily become a gas, that you can easily smell it.

How long does it take essential oils to absorb into the bloodstream?

It has been noted that essential oils typically absorb into the blood within 20 minutes to about an hour after application.

To enhance absorption into the bloodstream, it helps to apply the aromatherapy blend onto areas of the body where skin is thinner. For example, if you are suffering from back pain and are using Soothing Sunflower lotion, it would be best to not only apply the lotion onto the afflicted area (your back), but also to apply some onto the forearm area just around the wrist (area of wrist beneath the palm-side of your hand).

Where do you make your Aromatherapy Products?

o We make our aromatherapy blends within our very own "AromaRoom." Our production doesn't occur in a factory or warehouse that can sometimes be subject to undesirable conditions. Furthermore, all of our aromatherapy products are made with a personal touch and are blended by hand, not a machine.

Why shouldn't essential oils be used on pets?

Some essential oils are appropriate to use on animals in small amounts. The reason though, that many essential oils are not appropriate is due to metabolism. Animals have a different metabolic rate than humans, meaning that they can't break down the compounds within essential oils as well as humans can. Therefore, the compounds can accumulate in toxic amounts if not properly administered.

How much lotion should I use?

When applying the lotion, keep in mind the Kindergarten saying, "A little bit goes a long way." Usually for your hands, a pea-sized amount works rather well. Of course, apply more if your hands are extra dry.

What are ways in which I can use essential oils?

The main uses for essential oils include both fragrancing and body care (or even a combination of the two!).

To fragrance a room, you can use either an Active or a Passive Diffuser. For an active diffuser, it is common to pour a small amount of water and a few drops of essential oil into the "cup" of a ceramic candle diffuser. The candle lies just below the "cup" and gently warms the essential oils, causing them to evaporate or diffuse into the air. Not only can it be used to fragrance the air, but in times of sickness essential oils such as eucalyptus and tea tree can be used to purify the air and soothe the respiratory passageways. For a Passive Diffuser, it is common to use a small terra cotta pot and add a few drops of Essential Oil. Although it may not seem it, these pots are rather porous and will slowly disperse the scent. This type of diffuser is perfect for a car or a bathroom!

Check out our assortment of Aromatherapy Diffusers!

Another way to fragrance a room is by making your own air freshener. All you need is a suitable bottle, atomizer spray top, distilled water, and the essential oil(s) of your choice. Remember about 20 drops of essential oil per ounce of base (in this case water). Shake Well before each use and you are good to go!

For body care, you can have all the fun of blending your own products! From lotion to body & massage oils to facial masks to bath salts, you truly can enjoy the benefits of natural, homemade body care without the costs or hazardous ingredients of most products on the market. This is a great way to take an active part in your healthy lifestyle. Best of all you can have the satisfaction of controlling exactly what you put into your products and knowing that you made them yourself!

Other types of applications include uses as a compress, floral water, steam inhalation, and bath.

What is a Patch Test?

A Patch Test is when you apply a very tiny amount of an aromatherapy blend onto a very small part of your skin. You occasionally check on that area over a 24 hour period. If you note any redness on that part of the skin during those 24 hours, then that is generally an indication of an allergy to one or more of the essential oils within that blend. If no reaction occurs, then generally that indicates that you are not allergic to the essential oils within that blend and you may continue general use of that product.

A Patch Test should always be performed before regular use of any aromatherapy product.

Why perform a Patch Test?

o Although rare, there are cases of allergic reactions to essential oils. By performing a Patch Test on a small area of skin, the effects of an allergic reaction are minimized. The symptoms of a typical allergic reaction are minor redness and possible irritation. If a reaction occurs it is best to Contact a Medical Professional.

Essential Oils & Allergic Reactions

Although rare, allergic reactions are possible with essential oils. Just as people are allergic to the natural pollen of plants, it is possible to be allergic to natural essential oils. Typically, a minor rash is the prominent symptom. If you or someone you know is experiencing an allergic reaction, Contact a Medical Professional immediately.

Within the field of Aromatherapy, we perform what we call a "Patch Test." What you do is apply a very tiny amount of aromatherapy lotion or oil onto a designated area of the skin and let it sit for about 24 hours. If during those 24 hours you experience any irritation or redness in that area, it most likely means that you are allergic to an essential oil within that blend. It would be best to avoid that blend. If no reaction is experienced, it is most likely that you are not allergic to those essential oils and may apply as desired to your body and skin.

If you do have allergies and would like to check on the essential oils within a blend, send us an e-mail and we would be more than happy to assist you!

What's the difference between the Organic Aloe Castile Liquid Soap and the Organic Bath & Shower Gel?

Although the composition in terms of ingredients is rather similar between the two, the main difference lies within the consistency. The Organic Aloe Castile Liquid Soap is more fluid or water-like than the Organic Bath & Shower Gel which is thicker and more gel-like. Let's just put it this way, if these two were to race in coming down a hill, the Organic Aloe Castile Liquid Soap would win.

What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is a holistic approach to wellness which uses the art and science of essential oils for health & well-being. This art traces its origins back to ancient times when the practice of using aromatic plants for physical & spiritual care was common. It is used to attain a natural balance of body, mind, & sprit.

What are essential oils?

o A pure essential oil is a liquid or semi-liquid substance extracted from an aromatic plant by steam distillation or other methods, such as cold pressing. Each essential oil has a unique chemical composition with many properties that can be used to promote a state of health and well-being.

Where do essential oils come from?

Essential Oils come from the various parts of aromatic plants, including the Fruits, Leaves, Roots, & Bark.

Where can I find out the ingredients to all of your blends?
Ingredients Page

What is the difference between the Organic Brown Sugar Scrubs & the Organic Body Scrubs?

Organic Brown Sugar Scrub vs. Organic Body Scrub.

Which do I choose?

The Organic Brown Sugar Scrub was designed for facial uses, but can also be used on other parts of the body.

The Organic Body Scrub, on the contrary, was designed for the Body (mainly Hands & Feet), but can also be applied onto the face.

The Organic Brown Sugar Scrub contains only Organic Brown Sugar, Carrier Oils, & Essential Oils. The Brown Sugar exfoliates, whereas the Carrier Oils will nourish. There is no soapy component to this scrub.

The Organic Body Scrub exfoliates and nourishes, but also has a foaming and soapy component, as there is Organic Bath & Shower Gel added to it. This would be the "typical" exfoliating soap-scrub that you've probably seen.

There are no items in your shopping cart.

Account Menu

Recently Visited Pages

Popular Pages

Shipping Policy
0.01 - $25.00 = ($5.00*)
$25.01 - $49.99 = ($6.95*)
$50.00 + Up = FREE
(FREE SHIPPING*
for Continental USA Customers Only)