Diffuse Essential Oils in Offices or Waiting Rooms?

Ask the Aromatherapist:

Hi, I work for a holistic and integrative physician and we want to add aromatherapy to our office, my question is what is the best type of diffuser for a large waiting room.

A couple of people have written to me asking about diffusing essential oils in offices or waiting rooms. In this sort of situation, I think it's important to bear in mind that when you choose to diffuse essential oils in a public space, you are subjecting your patients, clients, and/or coworkers to potent aromas they may or may not appreciate. Different people have different reactions to aromas, based on personal preferences and emotional associations with particular scents. And, diffusing essential oils using a potent method - such as with an electric nebulizer - may cause headaches or irritate some people's eyes, nasal passages, or airways. In addition, it wouldn't be good for anyone - an employee who is in the office all day, for example - to continuously be exposed to a heavy mist of essential oils all day, day after day.

For those reasons, I would take a conservative approach to diffusing essential oils in public spaces and use passive diffusion. You can passively diffuse essential oils without any costly equipment by placing cotton pads or stone oil diffusers around the room. Each morning, you could add a couple of drops of an oil or blend to the pads or stones to refresh the scent.

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How to Make Essential Oil Reed Diffusers?

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Two different people wrote to me asking about making reed diffusers....

I like the new bamboo/reed diffusers and would like to create some home fragrances with essential oils using all natural ingredients, but from what I've been reading people are adding chemicals so that the oils don't evaporate and will travel through the reeds more effectively. I was thinking maybe grapeseed oil but just don't know. Any suggestions? Also do you think there is a difference between bamboo and reed diffusers?

Hi: I’m trying to find out how to make my own reed diffuser oil…….I’ve searched to no avail…I was wondering if you knew where I could find the instructions and ingredients……..I need to know everything….what is used for the reed diffuser base? How much of the essential oils do I add? Do you have any suggestions as to where I would be able to find this out? Thank you so much

I have a "lavender" scented reed diffuser in my living room, and as it's quite clear the fragrance is synthetic, I also have wondered about making an essential oil reed diffuser.

Most essential oils are quite volatile and by themselves will evaporate much too quickly in an open container such as a reed diffuser jar. Plus, the aroma of an undiluted essential oil could quickly become overwhelming, depending on the oil. So, it's necessary to dilute the essential oil in another carrier substance. But, the usual aromatherapy carrier oils - sweet almond, grapeseed, olive, etc - probably won't work. These oils won't wick up the reed because they are much too viscous.

I haven't tried this myself, but there is a reed diffuser oil recipe on the Snowdrift Farm website that sounds as though it would work. Here's another recipe for reed diffuser oil. You'll see the recommended carrier is dipropylene glycol, a common cosmetic ingredient. It has the suitable properties of low volatility and solubility with both water- and oil-based ingredients. Perfect for reed diffusing with essential oils.

As to the reed wicking material, from what I understand, materials such as bamboo or any old type of skinny "stick" do not work well. Reed diffusers work well because reed is not a wood but a porous fiber that is very well-suited to absorbing and wicking the oil, and then slowly releasing the fragrance. So I'd stick to reed. It's not expensive: you should be able to find bundles of 100 reed diffusers - enough for several diffusers - for less than $10. See these instructions for making your own reed diffuser for more info.

For more detailed instructions for making reed diffusers, take a look at:

• How to Make Reed Diffuser Oil
• How to Make a Reed Diffuser
• Reed Diffuser Oil Recipe
  

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How to Make Aromatherapy Body Powder?

Ask the Aromatherapist:

I'm just learning about aromatherapy and I tried a recipe I saw for making body powder. It said to add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to cornstarch. I have tried different variations and the powder still doesn't come out of the holes of the container very well. I also tried adding baking soda but I don't like that "grainy" feeling. Do you have any suggestions on how to make a "soft" body powder. Thanks in advance.

To make an aromatherapy body powder with cornstarch, collect the following items:

• a jar with a tight-fitting lid
• a new, unopened box of cornstarch
• essential oil(s) to scent the powder
• a flour sifter or fine-mesh sieve
• a bowl
• a funnel
  
• a body powder shaker container
  

Fill the jar no more than 2/3 full with cornstarch, and add a few drops of the essential oil(s) you selected for your body powder. Close the jar tightly, and shake it vigorously to mix the essential oils into the cornstarch.

It's best if you can allow the jar to sit for several days so that the essential oils fully infuse into the cornstarch. Shake the jar well at least once a day.

After the cornstarch is well infused with the essential oils, use a flour sifter or a fine-mesh sieve and sift the powder into a bowl. This should help eliminate any chunks, and leave you with a silky, soft powder. Use the funnel to transfer the sifted body powder into the powder shaker container.

Be sure to keep the shaker container tightly closed, especially if you store it in the bathroom where it will absorb moisture. If you notice the powder starting to get lumpy from moisture absorption, you can simply sift it again.

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What Is the Shelf Life of Carrier Oils?

Ask the Aromatherapist:

Do carrier oils spoil or go bad, and do different carrier oils have a different shelf life? Thanks for your help!

Many carrier oils (such as sweet almond oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, apricot kernel oil) can "go off" over time. Many of these oils become rancid, marked by a distinct, unpleasant smell. Depending on how old the oil is when you buy it and how it has been handled, the carrier oil may last years. I have had several carrier oils for more than four years without any perceptible change. Jojoba oil in particular does not go rancid because it is actually a liquid wax.

Store your carrier oils away from heat and light, and with the caps tightly closed. With proper handling you can probably expect that your carrier oils will last two years, and possibly much longer. Be sure to discard them if you detect any rancid smell. If you plan to use only small amounts of carrier oils, purchase the smallest size available so that you don't end up storing large unused quantities that will go bad.

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Aromatherapy for Pigmentation, Enlarged Prostate, Impotence?

Ask the Aromatherapist:

I have browsed your site and found it very
informative.I am an aromatherapist from Mumbai,India.I
would like to have your guidence regarding
pigmentation,BPH (enlarged prostate),and
Impotency.Kindly let me know effective formula
(recipe) and how to use the same.

It's great to know that there are vistors all over the world interested in aromatherapy!

Darkening of the skin, called hyperpigmentation, can occur because of age, sun exposure, or because of hormone fluctuations. The best defence is to avoid tanning and over exposure to the sun, and to wear sunscreen. I do not know of essential oils that may be effective for reducing hyperpigmentation. However, certain essential oils, especially bergapten-containing bergamot, may be very phototoxic and can cause severe hyperpigmentation when they are used on skin that is then exposed to sunlight. To avoid more hyperpigmentation, potentially phototoxic essential oils should be used carefully or not at all.

For enlarged prostate, I am not aware of aromatherapy remedies that are well-known to be effective. The herb Saw Palmetto has been shown helpful for many men who experience benign enlargement of the prostate that occurs with age.

Because impotence (erectile dysfunction) can have different causes ranging from emotional to physical, it is difficult to give general suggestions for how aromatherapy might be useful. For impotence that is caused wholly or in part by anxiety, aromatherapy may help induce relaxation. Ylang ylang is particularly helpful because it is both an aphrodisiac and emotionally soothing. Sandalwood and Atlas cedarwood essential oils may have similar effects. A full body massage using the following blend may be helpful to soothe anxiety:

• 4 drops ylang ylang essential oil
• 5 drops sandalwood essential oil
• 5 drops Atlas cedarwood essential oil
• 2 ounces sweet almond oil

For more information about how aromatherapy may help with sexual dysfunction, I refer you to these articles:

• Aromatherapy for Sexual & Reproductive Problems
• Understanding Erectile Dysfunction (see the Alternative Medicine section)

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How to Make Infused Oils with Herbs?

Ask the Aromatherapist:

I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE INFUSED OILS. CAN YOU SUGGEST WHAT PLANTS(AND WHAT PARTS OF THE PLANTS)TO USE AND IF THEY SHOULD BE DRIED OR FRESH. I WOULD LIKE TO USE EVENING PRIMROSE AND ST JOHNS WORT. ALSO WHAT IS THE BEST VEG.OIL TO USE?

Infused herbal oils are a more peripheral tool in the aromatherapy tool box, but useful nonetheless and valued for their own healing properties. An infused oil is NOT the same as an essential oil. Essential oils are usually distilled from plant matter, and require a very large amount of plant matter to produce tiny amounts of essential oils, which are very concentrated substances. Infused oils are made by placing a small amount of plant matter in a carrier oil and allowing molecules of the plant to infuse into the carrier oil.

Infused oils are quite easy to make, and can be used as carrier oils for essential oils. Herbs that can be used to make infused oils include:

• lavender
• calendula
• peppermint
• chamomile
• St. John's wort
  

Suitable carrier, or base, oils to use for infusing are those with little or no scent and with a long shelf life. You might want to try:

• olive oil
• jojoba oil
• coconut oil
• or some combination of these, perhaps with small quantities of other oils

You can use either fresh or dried herbs, though dried may be more convenient if you don't grow your own. The dried herbs shouldn't be too old, and they should be slightly crushed (but not powdered) for infusing. In most cases you would use the flowers and small stems, or in cases where there are no flowers, use the top, more tender leaves and stems. For some herbs, the roots should be used, as these parts of the plant have most therpeutic value. You may need to do a bit of research to find out what part of the plant you should use.

Use 1/2 (dried) or 1 cup (fresh) herbs, in 2 cups of carrier oil. You can heat the mixture very gently (not more than 100 degrees F) for a few hours in a crock pot. Or, you can allow the infusion to take place over several days (allow up to a month) at room temperature. After the infusion is done, strain out the plant matter by pouring the mixture through a funnel with cheesecloth or a piece of muslin lining it. Collect the infused oil in a clean jar, and be sure to store it with the lid tight.

Though you mentioned evening primrose, this botanical is usually more valued as evening primrose oil, which comes from the seeds of the plant. Of course, you can certainly try making an infusion using the foliage.

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Can I use essential oils as preservatives?

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I am going to try making some body products at home (such as lotions). I want to avoid using chemical based preservatives in my products because I want them to be all natural. I've read that essential oils kill bacteria and molds etc so can I use them instead of regular preservatives since I want to put essential oils in them anyway? How do I use them this way?

You are correct, essential oils do have germ killing properties: they may be antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, or all three, depending on the oil. However, essential oils do not make good preservatives in body/skin care products. Some essential oils are strongly antimicrobial when used in their fully-concentrated forms (i.e. when used undiluted), but when diluted to the extent that would be appropriate in a body lotion, for example, the essential oil would not be concentrated enough in the lotion to act as a preservative.

If you plan to sell or give away the body care products that you make, you should include appropriate preservatives to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi. Any body care product with water or water-based ingredients in it has the potential for microbial growth. Only very small amounts of parabens, such as methyl paraben and propyl paraben, are needed for preserving your body lotion.

If you are just making body care products for yourself and don't want to include preservatives, try packaging them in small containers, so that you will use up the quantities in a shorter time and therefor reduce the chance of contamination and microbial growth, and keep them refrigerated to discourage microbial growth.

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What Are Some Good Beginner Essential Oils?

Ask the Aromatherapist:

I recently became interested in Aromatherapy, and I wanted to know what are some good essential oils for a beginner to buy. I want to buy maybe 5 or 10 to start with, and see how I do with them.

It depends on what you plan to use the essential oils for, but since you didn't specify whether you want them for health applications, for skin care, or simply for their natural aromatic properties, I'll suggest some oils that may fall into all three of these categories.

Please make sure that in addition to buying some essential oils, you buy one or two aromatherapy books with good safety guidelines, and that you thoroughly research the oils you want to use before you use them.

Don't forget to dilute essential oils well if you plan to do any topical applications. Remember that in almost all cases, "less is more" when you're using essential oils. When you buy essential oils, also buy at least one carrier oil, such as sweet almond oil, and use it for dilutions. Add only 1-5 drops of essential oil(s) total per ounce of carrier oil, body lotion, bath/shower gel, etc.

10 Essential Oils to Start Your Aromatherapy Collection:

1. Lavender (Lavendula augustifolia)
2. Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
3. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)
4. Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
5. Bergamot (Citrus bergamia), be sure to buy furo-coumarin free
6. Lemon (Citrus lemon)
   
7. Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)
8. Jasmine (Jasminum officinale)
9. Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
10. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

A few more that you might want to try, if you decide to invest in more than 10: Atlas Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica), Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), Frankincense (Boswellia carteri), Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Marjoram (Origanum majorana), and Black Pepper (Piper nigrum). Have fun exploring essential oils! :-)

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How to Make Aromatherapy Bath Salts?

Ask the Aromatherapist:

Hi, I want to make some bath salts with essential oils, and I was wondering if you could give me some ideas - what to use, how much, etc. Thanks!

I love to use bath salts for their detoxifying properties, and essential oils make a great addition to a soak. I like to make a mixture of about 1/3 baking soda and 2/3 sea salts (you can use Epsom salts instead). To about 1/4-1/2 cup of this mixture, I add 2-4 drops total of one or more essential oils.

Essential oils I use for bath soaks include neroli (orange blossom), lavender, cedarwood, or chamomile for relaxation. For a more invigorating soak, try ginger, rosemary, or geranium.

You might also want to try adding a tablespoon or so of honey for skin conditioning, or 1/4 cup of fine-ground oatmeal for its soothing properties.

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Past Ask the Aromatherapist Questions ~

How do I make an aromatherapy body powder?
What is the shelf life for carrier oils?
Aromatherapy for hyperpigmentation, enlarged prostate, impotence?
How do I make herbal infused oils?
Can I use essential oils as preservatives?
What essential oils should aromatherapy beginners try?
How do I make aromatherapy bath salts?
How do I make an essential oil reed diffuser?
Can I diffuse essential oils in an office or waiting room?

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