Essential Oil - Usage Guide

What are essential oils & absolutes?

Essential oils are the extremely concentrated essence of plants, depending on the oil they can be obtained from the flowers, steams, fruit peel, seeds, bark, root, leaves etc. These oil are obtained by either distillation or cold pressing.

The term absolutes is used for natural oils extracted through solvent methods, some oils (typically oils obtained from petals) are extracted from very delicate parts of the plant where distillation would be too aggressive. In many cases thousands of petals or flowers are required per liter of oil. For these oils a food grade solvent is used, which is then removed through evaporation leaving the pure plant oil remaining. Absolutes are typically more concentrated and provide a stronger scent.

Despite the different methods of extraction both essential oils and absolutes are often just referred to as essential oils, both are considered natural and have many reported benefits, whilst smelling naturally incredible.

Potential benefits

Essential oils have many reported possible benefits from enhancing moods, to relief of a selection of minor physical symptoms. Some of the reports are anecdotal, whilst others are backed by studies.

IMPORTANT 

Our oils are sold as therapeutic grade but it is important to note that we make no claims, advocate and/ or promote the use of any natural ingredient including essential oils to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any health condition or disease.

Natural & potent

Due to the way they are extracted essential oils are highly concentrated, this being the case they must be diluted before being used (see below for more information with regards to dilution recommendations). There are many reported benefits to using essential oils both topically and through diffusion, we strongly advocated against ingestion, our oils are for external use only. Due to their potency whist diluted essential oils can offer a range of benefits, in concentrated form they can be dangerous. Keep essential oils away from children and pets. Ensure that patch testing is carried out when using a new oil.

Even though essential oils are natural it is possible to have a reaction to use of them, the chances of a reaction are slim and are greatly reduced when following some simple steps:

1. Patch text new oils before use.

2. Do not use above the recommended usage levels.

3. Avoid photo sensitizing oils when going out into the sun.

4. Keep essential oils away from the eyes, nose and mouth, don’t inhale directly.

5. Reduce the concentration levels to below 1% on sensitive areas.

6. Although some sites may recommend usage rates above 2% for short periods of time we do not, it is worth noting that this has a greater probability of causing a reaction which may leave you long term sensitive to that particular oil.

Essential oils are pure and natural but like any thing else stop being beneficial and can become toxic to the body if the amount used is too high, this is why dilution to the levels indicated is so important. Even water becomes toxic to the body if you drink too much in a short space of time.

Photo Sensitizing

Photo sensitizing oils

Possibly photo sensitizing oils from our range include:

Single Oils 

Bergamot FCF, Grapefruit, Lemon FCF, Lime, Sweet Orange

Signature Blends 

Bergamot Bliss, Jasmines Kiss, Cardamom Cream

Whilst our Bergamot & Lemon are both FCF (furocoumarin-free), and our Lime is non photo sensitizing (due to the method of extraction), it is still wise to take care with these essential oils & exposure to sun. 

We recommend leaving 12 hours from application until exposing skin to the sun or cover up exposed areas. This does not apply to wash off products, where photo sensitivity is unlikely to be an issue. 

Usage Levels

Recommended usage levels

Topical use

We recommend the following table when using topically, mix with your favorite carrier oils and ensure the carrier oil and essential oil(s) are fully blended to ensure the solution is consistent.  

Maximum Dilution RateApplies To
0.5%For those with sensitive skin
1%Facial application, wrists and other sensitive areas, daily use.
2%Maximum recommended dilution.
% Dilution 5 ml (1 TSP)
Carrier Oil		10 ml (2 TSP)
Carrier Oil		15 ml (3 TSP)
Carrier Oil
0.5 (Approx)<1 Drop EO 1 Drop EO2 Drops EO
1 (Approx)1 Drop EO3 Drops EO4 Drops EO
2 (Approx)3 Drops EO6 Drops EO9 Drops EO

Our forThave’s blend contains oils which are regarded as “strong”, it is there for advised to not exceed 0.5% dilution.

Electrical Diffuser

When using in an electrical diffuser, follow the manufactures manual. However a rule of thumb is typically 3 to 5 drops per 100 ml of water. 

Reed Diffuser

Find out how to use essential oils in a reed diffuser – CLICK HERE

Full warnings applicable to essential oils.

Essential oils have many reported possible benefits from enhancing moods, to relief of a selection of minor physical symptoms. Some of the reports are anecdotal, whilst others are backed by studies.

WARNINGS: FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY! KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. DO NOT USE UNDILUTED.

IF SWALLOWED: Do NOT induce vomiting. Immediately call a POISON CENTER. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes; if contact occurs, flush with water and consult a healthcare practitioner immediately. Consult a healthcare practitioner before use if pregnant, breastfeeding or you have a serious medical condition. Do not use on children or pets. Discontinue use if irritation occurs.

ALERTES : POUR USAGE EXTERNE SEULEMENT! GARDER HORS DE PORTÉE DES ENFANTS. NE PAS UTILISER SANS DILUER.

SI AVALÉ : NE PAS faire vomir. Appeler immédiatement un CENTRE ANTIPOISON. Éviter tout contact avec les yeux et les muqueuses ; en cas de contact, rincer à l’eau et consulter un professionnel de la santé immédiatement.

Consulter un professionnel de la santé avant toute utilisation si vous êtes enceinte, allaitez ou souffrez d’un grave problème de santé. Ne pas utiliser sur des enfants ou animaux de compagnie. Cesser l’utilisation en cas d’irritation.

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Refill Your Aromatherapy Room Spray

This natural aromatherapy room mist has been carefully formulated from natural but highly effective ingredients to enable you to refill your bottle, reducing the products footprint and saving you money!
 
Simple to refill

1. Purchase a 944 ml bottle of island essentials room mist unscented base.
2. Purchase a 15 ml or 30 ml bottle of island essentials essential oil blend.
3. Ensure bottle and trigger are cleaned thoroughly.
4. Add 236 ml of refill base (1/4 of 944 ml bottle).
5. Add up to the number if drops listed in the table below
6. Shake vigorously for 60 seconds.
ml of Unscented refillAdd up to drops / ml of essential oil
Awaken Within236ml (1/4 of 944ml bottle)76 to 115 drops
2.4ml to 3.6ml
Bergamot Bliss236ml (1/4 of 944ml bottle)76 to 115 drops
2.4ml to 3.6ml
Cardamom Cream236ml (1/4 of 944ml bottle)76 drops
2.4ml
forThave's chai236ml (1/4 of 944ml bottle)76 to 115 drops
2.4ml to 3.6ml
Jasmine's Kiss236ml (1/4 of 944ml bottle)76 drops
2.4ml
Serene Dream236ml (1/4 of 944ml bottle)76 to 115 drops
2.4ml to 3.6ml
Smudging Sage236ml (1/4 of 944ml bottle)76 to 115 drops
2.4ml to 3.6ml
West Coast236ml (1/4 of 944ml bottle)76 to 115 drops
2.4ml to 3.6ml
If you are blending Island Essentials essential oils other than in the table above work to the lower numbers (76 drops / 2.4ml)

 

Please note some essential oils (other than our specified blends) may not stay solubilized, depending on purity and other factors. In our tests all of our blends stayed solubilized.
 
Shake each time before use.

 

 
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Switching to natural deodorant

 

Conventional deodorant and especially antiperspirants are known to block pores, in the case of antiperspirants aluminum is typically used to block the sweat ducts.
Initially when moving to a natural deodorant, you can find for the first few days that you seem to sweat more, this is due to the pores slowly unclogging from the commercial antiperspirants.

 

Once the detox period is completed you should find that your body adjusts and our natural deodorant keeps your underarm dry and fresh. The great news is that in our experience our natural deodorant works better the longer you use it.

 

Using the natural deodorant

 

Ensure that your under arm is clean and dry.
The deodorant applys best when warm, apply the stick to your under arm, allow to warm for a few seconds then apply a small amount with a single glide, repeat just once more if needed.
Applying too much will reduce effectiveness, and possibly result in staining on clothing. Trying to apply without warming can causing irritation due to the drag.

Reed Diffuser Usage

If scent needs increasing remember to flip the reeds, and swirl the liquid around.
Usage Option A:
  1. Pour 120ml of fractionated coconut/MCT into your container.
  2. Add 40 drops of your choice of essential oils (Check scent strength and increase as needed at this stage).
  3. Stir until the carrier oil and the essential oils are completely mixed.
  4. If you notice any separation, periodically swill around liquid.
  5. You can add 1 to 2 table spoons of everclear or vodka to increase diffusion.
  6. Flip reeds every few days to refresh scent.

Cautions:

Keep away from children, pets & OPEN FLAMES. When the scent drops, clean out and start again. Reeds can be used for around 6 months. Ensure surfaces are protected.

Usage Option B:
  1. Pour 50ml of Everclear grain alcohol into your container.
  2. Add in a minimum total of 30 drops of your choice of essential oils (Check scent strength and increase as needed at this stage).
  3. Stir until the alcohol and the essential oils are completely mixed.
  4. Add in 50ml of hot water (around 40°C).
  5. If you notice any separation, periodically swirl around liquid.
  6. Flip reeds every few days to refresh scent.

Cautions:

Keep away from children, pets & OPEN FLAMES. When the scent drops, clean out and start again. Reeds can be used for around 6 months. Ensure surfaces are protected.  Mixing additional essential oils after the water has been added can lead to separation. Ensure surfaces are protected.