The Essential Guide to Essential Oils

Interview by BR Natalie

We bet at one time or another most of you have thought about using essential oils.  You've probably brought aromatherapy based products or chosen products containing essential oils for one reason or another.  But when it comes to actually using essential oils in your own home, it can feel overwhelming.  Where on earth to you start?

Well we've caught up with Gillian Parkinson - the essential oil guru behind NZ brand Le'Esscience and cult tattoo after care TINKture and asked her our (oil) burning questions!

- Why should people give essential oils a try?

Simple, they actually work – if used as directed of course!  They are 100% natural and there is a lot of scientific research backing up the use of essential oils, they can be used as a complimentary health treatment for everything except the eyeballs!  

- Where should they start?! 

Follow a blog / Facebook page from a ‘qualified’ practitioner or company.  Ask questions, as many questions as you want. [You can follow Gillian's blog here]

If purchasing pure essential oils make sure the label says 100% pure and/or the botanical name.  This is REALLY important as there are several different essential oils from the same family ie: Lavender.  The most common are Lavendula Angustifolia, Lavnder Grosso & Lavender Intermedia X. The latter two you shouldn’t use neat on the skin as they contain more camphor but they are brilliant for aches & pain, muscle pain, coughs, colds & flu.  Lavendula Angustifolia is the best and safest, it can be used on all ages and can be used neat on the skin.  It's amazing for burns!

- Aromatically, Topically or Internally?  What's the difference and benefits for each?

In New Zealand practitioners aren’t allowed to encourage internal use. 

Topically and inhaling however are still very effective.  Get this (and this is scientifically proven) once applied topically, the natural chemicals of the essential oils are in the blood stream within two minutes and in the central nervous system within 15 minutes!! 

Essential oils have a cumulative effect so the longer you use them, the better they get!  Each essential oil is either a top note, middle or base note and they stay in your system for 24 hours (top), 2-3 days (middle) or a week (base). 

The best way to get the quickest ‘hit’ from an essential oil synergy is to add 2-3 drops to the palm of a hand, rub hands together, close eyes, cup nose and inhale deeply 4-5 times.

This is brilliant for panic attacks, emotional breakdown, hayfever, headaches, anxiety/stress – where a quick result is required. 

Of course synergies (2 or more undiluted essential oils mixed together) can also be used in the bath, steam inhalations & vaporisers.  Personally I don’t like ‘burners’ as such as they over heat the essential oils and the properties burn away quickly.

Synergies can be used for compresses too (for injuries).  Body Blends (essential oils diluted in a carrier oil) are used for longer term conditions such as depressions, anxiety, insomnia, pain & injuries, over worked tight muscles, PMT, Menopause and Immunity Boosting, all conditions where a longer time is required to help relieve symptoms or in some cases aid & speed a healing process. 

 - Any tips for mixing your own essential oils?

If you do wish to make your own at home without guidance of a professional ALWAYS adopt the attitude ‘less is more’ – they are strong and extremely effective. 

A lot have contraindications and some can’t be used during pregnancy, with some health conditions (such as heart) and not all are safe to use on babies and young children.  Do your homework, don’t just guess or think ‘I’ll be ok’. 

A really helpful book is Complete Essential Oils by Julia Lawless.  If you Google and get conflicting answers, try and find a reputable business page on Facebook and ask! 

If making body blends at home, always keep in dark glass bottles, always measure and store out of direct sunlight and away from direct heat. 

- What's the deal with carrier oils?  And what carrier oil would you say is the most useful?

ALL carrier oils used in conjunction with essential oils must be plant based – they are packed with vitamins & minerals and have degrees of therapeutic benefits. 

Did you know that extra virgin olive oil is SO good as an all over body moisteriser!  It is calming, relieves itchy dry or cracked skin, it will also give mild protection against the sun. 

Sweet Almond oil is common in a lot of products, but if you should avoid it if you suffer from psoriasis, dermatitis or eczema, as it can inflame these conditions. 

Grape seed carrier oil is lovely, it’s very light and leaves a velvety finish on the skin and is great for massage. 

Other carrier oils include Rosehip, Jojoba (a wax that mimics sebum in the skin), Apricot Kernel & Coconut Oil.

 - What are your top five essential oils?

I have a top 20 essential oils but if I had to only have five they would be Bergamot, Lavender, Geranium, Peppermint & Ginger.  Actually I can’t do only five as I have to have German & Roman Chamomiles, Tea Tree, Fragonia, Neroli & Clary Sage too!  These would cover conditions such as injuries, wound healing, women’s conditions, headaches / migraines, panic attacks, stress, depression & anxiety – however, I would negotiate to add more!!  I have around 110 different essential oils in my practice so you can see bringing it down to a number below 10 is VERY HARD!

- What's your advice for people who are scared of 'doing it wrong'?

Just ask someone qualified.  Googling will find us!  I’m always happy to answer questions and educate where I can.  I’m not willing however to share all my recipes as some of them are rather unique / ground breaking and are protected by legal trade secret terms (like the KFC recipe & Coca Cola!!)

- You're clearly an EO Guru!  Tell us a bit about yourself - what's your background and have you always been interested in Essential Oils?

I’ve been using essential oils for more than 20 years now.  I had 17 years in corporate marketing and decided to chuck it in (with the support of my wonderful husband) and study to be a Clinical Aromatologist.  Unfortunately Essential Oils have been linked with wind chimes & crystals in the past so it’s my mission to educate people about the scientific side of these wonderful little bottles of volatile liquids!  I have a practice in Wellington City where I consult and massage (using essential oils of course) plus sell worldwide from my online shops.  I live with my lovely, now converted, husband, a noisy parrot and extremely friendly Griffon dogs (that my clients just adore).  We both have a love for Central Otago and are moving there to live next year, where I plan to open a shop!

 - What is the philosophy behind the Le'Esscience brand? What does it stand for?

Le’Esscience was created by my husband (he’s a creative man) and it was born from the two words ‘essential & science’ – we added the Le’ to make it look better.  The science bit was important to me as I studied the scientific background (Cert. of Aromascience NZQA) and it’s just so important to me that I help people understand essential oils are backed scientifically.  I even do my very best to convert cynics, and am proud to say have done so!

 - What's your best selling product and what makes it so popular?

Oh that’s tough, I have a few really.  SleepEase Blend, has helped insomniacs come off sleeping pills, there are pregnancy friendly & baby/children versions too; everyone operates better with sleep and it’s so good!!  Luxurious Calm is brilliant for depression.  BeautiFuel Serum & Cleanser are very popular.  The PUPPPS Pregnancy Rash Relief is a huge seller (worldwide), it completely calms the most distressing pregnancy rash, providing relief very quickly.  And of course there is TINKture Tattoo Aftercare which aids and speeds the healing process – naturally! Men & Women love it equally!

- You must be kept very busy - how do you wind down?

I am so lucky as working with essential oils, day in day out keeps me calm. I really reap the benefits of massaging clients with the blends I make for them.  I love to knit so enjoy having time to research Ravelry.com and creating some lovely items – it has to be a 100% natural fibre though (wool, alpaca, mohair etc…, ) I’m a bit funny like that!!

- What's next for Le'Esscience?

Well, I’m going to open a shop in Roxburgh Central Otago – I will focus on selling my Le’Esscience products and TINKture as well as providing massage and my pregnancy massage program. I’m very excited! I will keep the online stores and also develop more blends when challenged with a condition I haven’t yet treated!

So there you have it beauties, The Essential Guide to Essential Oils and a quick Behind The Brands of another amazing NZ company! 

The lovely Gillian has agreed to answer your questions about Essential Oils, so why not ask them below and we'll do a follow up article in a few weeks? 

***Gillian has a certificate in AromaScience, NZQA recognised qualification, fully approved by the International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists (IFPA).***