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| Definitions, Terms, and Frequently Asked Questions 4ml = 1/7th ounce 15ml = 1/2 ounce 30ml = 1 ounce 60ml = 2 ounce
Definitions Absolutes: Fragrant oils extracted primarily from flowers or delicate plant tissues through solvent or supercritical fluid extraction (e.g., rose absolute). The term is also used to describe oils extracted from fragrant butters, concretes, and enfleurage pomades. Used in perfumery and aromatherapy, absolutes are similar to essential oils. They are concentrated, highly-aromatic, oily mixtures extracted from plants. Whereas essential oils can typically be produced through steam distillation, absolutes require the use of solvent extraction techniques or more traditionally, through enfleurage. First, an organic solvent, such as hexane, is added to the plant material to help extract the non-polar compounds. This solution is filtered and concentrated by distillation to produce a waxy mass called concrete. The more polar, fragrant compounds are extracted from the concrete into ethanol. When the ethanol evaporates, an oil—the absolute—is left behind. This production method leaves trace amounts of solvents in the absolutes. Therefore, absolutes are considered undesirable for aromatherapy, but perfect for perfumery and cosmetics.
Carrier Oils: Also known as base oil or vegetable oil, carrier oils are used to dilute essential oils and absolutes before they are applied to the skin in massage and aromatherapy. They are so named because they carry the essential oil onto the skin. Carrier oils do not contain a concentrated aroma, unlike essential oils, though some, such as olive, have a mild distinctive smell. Neither do they evaporate like essential oils, which are more volatile. The carrier oils used should be as natural and unadulterated as possible. Organic oils should be used where possible. Cold-pressing and maceration are the two main methods of producing carrier oils. Mineral oil should not be used as it is not absorbed by the skin.
Essential Oils: Fragrant oils extracted from plants chiefly through steam distillation (e.g., eucalyptus oil) or expression (e.g., grapefruit oil). However, the term is also occasionally used to describe fragrant oils extracted from plant material by solvent extraction (e.g., myrrh oil). An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds from plants. Essential oils are also known as volatile oils, ethereal oils or aetherolea, or simply as the "oil of" the plant from which they were extracted, such as oil of clove. An oil is "essential" in the sense that it carries a distinctive scent, or essence, of the plant. *** Note on Cosmetic Grade Essential Oils: These are oils that are a combination of essential oils that have been steam-distilled and natural floral components generated in a lab. They are safe for all applications except should not be ingested or used for their medicinal properties, as therapeutic grade oils can be.
Herbal Distillates or Hydrosols: The aqueous by-products of the distillation process (e.g., rosewater). There are many herbs that make herbal distillates and they have culinary uses, medicinal uses and skin care uses. Common herbal distillates are chamomile, rose, and lemon balm.
Infusions: Aqueous extracts of various plant materials (e.g., infusion of chamomile), often referred to when making "tea".
Terms Essential Oil Application (can include): * Aerial diffusion: for environmental fragrancing or aerial disinfection. * Direct inhalation: for respiratory disinfection, decongestion, expectoration as well as psychological effects. * Topical applications: for general massage, baths, compresses, and therapeutic skin care.
Essential Oil Grades (very basic overview): Organic Grade - pure and undiluted essential oils suitable for all applications; medicinal, aromatherapy, topical, cosmetics, skin care, candles, soap, incense, potpourri, magic, etc. Grown, harvested, and processed by organic and sustainable means... this means good for you and Mother Earth!
Therapeutic Grade - pure and undiluted essential oils suitable for all applications, but not grown, harvested, or processed organically. Absolute – suitable for all applications, except should never be taken internally due to the method of distillation. Most absolutes are distilled by solvent means and traces of the solvent can be left behind, even after the oil has been "washed".
Cosmetic Grade - suitable for most applications. Medicinal use not recommended as they are partially steam distilled and partially formulated in the lab. Safe for skin, cosmetics, candles, soap, incense, potpourri, etc.
Commercial and Synthetic Grade - not recommended for skin or aromatherapy applications. Considered safe for cleaning products, candles, incense, potpourri, etc. We do not carry any commercial grade oils at this time.
A: We are exclusively an online business at the moment*, but we do have a catalog for mail-order customers.
*If you live in the Sacramento, CA, area we sell some of our products through The Healing Arts Institute, located in Citrus Heights.
A: We carry oils in 1ml to 16oz sizes! 1ml to 60ml oils can be found on individual item pages, larger sizes are available for purchase on the Wholesale Oils page. Minimum purchase required.
A: Yes, we do! Please see our "Wholesale Oils" tab for oils in 4oz, 8oz, and 16oz sizes. Minimum $50.00 purchase is required for the purchase of wholesale items.
Because essential oils are highly concentrated they can irritate the skin when used neat, or undiluted. Therefore, they are normally diluted with a carrier oil for topical application. Phototoxic reactions may occur with citrus peel oils such as lemon or lime. Also, many essential oils have chemical components that are sensitizers, meaning that after a number of uses they can cause reactions on the skin, and more so in the rest of the body. Some of the chemical allergies can be caused by pesticides, if the original plants are cultivated without organic means. Some oils can be toxic to some domestic animals, with cats being particularly prone.
As with any bioactive substance, an essential oil that may be safe for the general public could still pose hazards for pregnant and lactating women.
While some advocate the ingestion of essential oils for therapeutic purposes, licensed aromatherapy professionals do not recommend self prescription due the highly toxic nature of some essential oil. Some very common oils like Eucalyptus are extremely toxic when taken internally. Doses as low as one teaspoon have been reported to cause clinically significant symptoms and severe poisoning can occur after ingestion of merely 4 to 5 ml. A few reported cases of toxic reactions like liver damage and seizures have occurred after ingestion of sage, hyssop, thuja, and cedar. Accidental ingestion may happen when oils are not kept out of reach of children.
Oils both ingested and applied to the skin can potentially have negative interaction with conventional medicine. For example, the topical use of methyl salicylate heavy oils like Sweet Birch and Wintergreen may cause hemorrhaging in users taking the anticoagulant Warfarin. DISCLAIMER: Customers should purchase products from The Organic Witch with the clear understanding that all products must be used at the customers own discretion. The Organic Witch shall not be held responsible for any damages to property or for any adverse physical effects (including injury or bodily harm) caused by insufficient knowledge or the improper use of a product.
The information on The Organic Witch website is obtained from current and reliable sources but makes no representation as to its comprehensiveness or accuracy. Nothing contained herein should be considered as a recommendation by The Organic Witch as to the fitness for any use. As the ordinary uses of these products are outside the control of The Organic Witch, no representation or warranty, expressed or implied is made as to the effects of such uses (including damage or injury), or the results obtained.
The liability of The Organic Witch is limited to the value of the goods and does not include any consequential loss. The Organic Witch shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.
Please note, the International Federation of Aromatherapists does not recommend that Essential Oils be taken internally unless under the supervision of a Medical Doctor who is also qualified in clinical Aromatherapy. In addition, Essential Oils must be properly diluted before use in order to avoid any damages to property or adverse physical effects (including injury or bodily harm).
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