Question about essential oils.

[Bxbomber]

Yea, so long story short, I've recently (18mos ago) convinced my girlfriend to give up mass produced deodorants: basically because they do, in fact, cause breast cancer. At any rate, her favorite brand of organic body spray has now gone out of business, so we are trying to mix our own.

We've had pretty good success so far with aroma and so forth, but the main problem we've had in trying to replicate the spray she used to like is that we just can't get the same 'longevity' of aroma as the commercial product.

I think it might come down to the fact that the essential oils we are using really aren't all that essential. (Though I admit I could be wrong). So basically I'd like some advice on what you guys consider the best/most potent brand, and so forth.

Any advice would be most welcome. Thanks.

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[flower]

Most oils bought in north america are "cut " with carrier oils.

Buying directly from India.. or other places is best.

Sometimes in large cities if you go to the ethinic stores you can find better quality

I never buy oils at the drug store etc

Hope that helps.

[Bxbomber]

Actually that does make a lot of sense Celine. I do know a few indian stores, so I'll try there.

Thanks for your help.

[Janos]

Regarding Deodorants:

Rock crystal.

http://www.calbenpuresoap.com/le-cry...-deodorant.php

It?s AWESOME, and lasts for YEARS.

Re: Essential oils.

Aura Cacia. I?ve used them for years, and they have some nifty organic stuff.

http://www.auracacia.com/

You can order the essential oil you like and then dilute it with a base oil. Just be careful what you mix. And don?t ever put the neat oil on your skin, unless it?s something mild like ylang ylang, tea tree oil, etc.

If ye are trying to replicate a certain scent, or want to know if certain things mix well together, let me know, and I'll help you.

[silverlightning]

I have bought oils from India and I will not do it again, at least not with out some sort of reference. With essential oils from common herbs like chamomile, yarrow, nettle, lemon verbena , sage, rosemary and helichrysum (not so common though) I get better quality from European sources. In US and Canada you might find local producers though. What I have received from India have been mislabled bottles and the chamomile had turn greyish green (should be blue) which indicates bad production or storage (no azulene left). I regard steam distilled highest, and CO2 extracts are very interesting too. Some are absolutes, solvent extracted and often sold only as "essential oils" or "pure essential oils", it should be clearly written on the bottle. The best rose oils are from Bulgaria, there are some production in Romania and Turkey too. The Morroccan rose oil is mostly absolute, but there might be the exceptional steam distilled production. Much the same in India, most rose oil is solvent extracted, though again there might be exceptions. I like to buy oils from someone who knows the difference between good and not so good qualities, and who prefers steam distilled. It should say clearly if the oils are diluted or not, you should be able to trust the label on the bottle, for the most expensive oils there's often a 5% dilution available to make it more affordable.

A classic light fresh deodorant; a few drops of white sage and lemon verbena in water on a small spray bottle, works for all genders.

[flower]

Yes i could see how that might be an issue... my friend buys them directly in india when she goes

the prices are soooooooo low

[Nazirite]

Actually that does make a lot of sense Celine. I do know a few indian stores, so I'll try there.

Thanks for your help.

You have to be very careful what oils you buy, who makes them and what strength or purity they are.

Some oils are dangerously toxic if applied to the skin undiluted in a carrier oil. (Geranium comes to mind but might be wrong)

Tisserand used to be the definitive name for oils and quality. I don't know if it is still the case - but the whole area can be a minefield if you don't do your research.

Carrier oils are key in a lot of instances and some are better than others and whether they are from an organic source or not. Grapeseed oil seems to be the preferred medium if you are going to use it for deoderant replacement.


Just be careful, do your research and verify your source for both oils and carrier oils.

You can be ripped off financially but also in the quality and safety of what you are putting on your body.

[silverlightning]

I know you can use a drop of pure tee trea or lavender essential oil on the skin, very locally, but generally they are all used diluted, anything from 0.5-5 %. Geranium is regarded as pretty safe, commonly used in skin care and ointments (pelargonium really), but you might find the odd extract of cranesbill (winter hardy geranium), both are non toxic. Some are photosensitizing, like many citrus oils, not ideal for use during direct sun exposure. Many of them are known to cause irritants in some, but used carefully they are safe. There are lots of really poisonous plant extracts, but they are not recommeded for use on skin. Not all sage is recommended for use on skin, but it is very antiseptic and the oil sold as "white sage" is considered safe.

[Nazirite]

I know you can use a drop of pure tee trea or lavender essential oil on the skin, very locally, but generally they are all used diluted, anything from 0.5-5 %. Geranium is regarded as pretty safe, commonly used in skin care and ointments (pelargonium really), but you might find the odd extract of cranesbill (winter hardy geranium), both are non toxic. Some are photosensitizing, like many citrus oils, not ideal for use during direct sun exposure. Many of them are known to cause irritants in some, but used carefully they are safe. There are lots of really poisonous plant extracts, but they are not recommeded for use on skin. Not all sage is recommended for use on skin, but it is very antiseptic and the oil sold as "white sage" is considered safe.

I think that people are sometimes confused, or unaware, as to the possible toxicity of essential oils because they think that, because they are non prescription, they must be inherently safe to use in any quantity. Which isn't always the case.

A couple of drops of an essential oil in a bowl of water for a foot bath is not the same as applying undiluted essential oil on their feet to achieve the same effect.

Of course, as you state, essential oils are incredibly useful as anti-bacterials as long as they are used in the right amount.

I used to use sage as a fumigant. A metal or clay pot full of sage leaves with glowing charcoal embers will cleanse the whole house of odour or bacteria for a long time. But I wouldn't put it on my skin, as an essential oil, in its un-diluted form.......unless I wanted a psychedlic trip or liver failure.

[Dex]

I used to use sage as a fumigant. A metal or clay pot full of sage leaves with glowing charcoal embers will cleanse the whole house of odour or bacteria for a long time.

Interesting that some belief systems also consider burning sage as a way to clear evil spirits. Maybe there is some microscopic connection between fungi, parasites, etc and our psychological and physical well-being...

[Nazirite]

Interesting that some belief systems also consider burning sage as a way to clear evil spirits. Maybe there is some microscopic connection between fungi, parasites, etc and our psychological and physical well-being...

Good point Dex.

I think a lot of practical knowledge has been spookified by the priestly types over the centuries and a more hidden, occult or esoteric, meaning has been attached to common every day science just to maintain a power relationship over the un-initiated.

So yes, the use of sage does have a very practical purpose, in many ways - but it suited the priest class to attach another meaning to its application.

A bit like IT Geeks who don't want to let you into the secret of "switch it off and switch it on again" ways of problem solving........"IT is Voodoo"......."stay away"

[Dex]

a lot of practical knowledge has been spookified by the priestly types over the centuries and a more hidden, occult or esoteric, meaning has been attached to common every day science just to maintain a power relationship over the un-initiated.

I agree, and I think that is one reason religion has framed science as its enemy (in many cases). The cat parasite thread (http://nexus.2012info.ca/forum/showt...king-You-Crazy) really got me thinking about the microscopic-level battle for survival and how we (ourselves being organisms) may get caught up in it. How many "supernatural" phenomena are indeed natural? I suspect we will learn more and more about this and it is exciting.

Apologies to OP for going off-topic!

[silverlightning]

... the main problem we've had in trying to replicate the spray she used to like is that we just can't get the same 'longevity' of aroma as the commercial product.
Thanks.

Longevity might come from the type of oils used; some essential oils last longer than others, top notes evaporate faster than base notes (the heavier, thicker smells). When essential oils are fixed in carrier oils the scent last longer than if diluted in water. Some essential oils last longer than others, it depends on what you are looking for too. Have you managed to track down the oils used in the favorite brand? Essential oils should last long though. F.ex. what is classified as perfume is known to be the longest lasting fragrances, it is purified and less "oily" than essential oils, eu de toilette is very similar but doesn't last that long. Lemon Verbena EO seems to last longer than citrus fruit lemon EO, both very similar fragrances.

Factors to consider; quality of oils, origin (plant extracted from) of oils, and what the oils are fixed in (water, oil, glycerine, hydrosol etc.) I'm just thinking out loud, hope you get any ideas on how to go about it.

[Nazirite]

Apologies to OP for going off-topic!

Yep, me too - sorry it has drifted....how the hell did that happen?

[Dex]

Yep, me too - sorry it has drifted....how the hell did that happen?

It was my bad, actually.

[Nazirite]

Longevity might come from the type of oils used; some essential oils last longer than others, top notes evaporate faster than base notes (the heavier, thicker smells). When essential oils are fixed in carrier oils the scent last longer than if diluted in water. Some essential oils last longer than others, it depends on what you are looking for too. Have you managed to track down the oils used in the favorite brand? Essential oils should last long though. F.ex. what is classified as perfume is known to be the longest lasting fragrances, it is purified and less "oily" than essential oils, eu de toilette is very similar but doesn't last that long. Lemon Verbena EO seems to last longer than citrus fruit lemon EO, both very similar fragrances.

Factors to consider; quality of oils, origin (plant extracted from) of oils, and what the oils are fixed in (water, oil, glycerine, hydrosol etc.) I'm just thinking out lound, hope you get any ideas on how to go about it.

Cheers - an expert - thanks for sharing.

[ZookieMonster]

Might be a stupid question ... but what about baking soda?

Mind you, I'm not asking you to stick a box under each armpit before you fit the outerwear ... but rub it on like talcum powder ... that sorta thing. Never tried it myself, but the thought occurred to me because Mom always puts a box of baking soda in the refrigerator to absorb the food odors.

[Nazirite]

Same thing here Zook - We put baking soda in the fridge to soak up the odours - surely it has other applications - if we care to investigate.

[silverlightning]

I googled and apparently lots of people make their own deodorant based on baking soda, several recipes out there and here's one.

[Nazirite]

Did you forget the linky?

[silverlightning]

No, it works here? ...but here is for copy and paste:

http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2...deodorant.html

Edit: apparently forum hotlinks and shortens address on auto, hmm

howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2010/04/how-to-make-your-own-deodorant.html Just add http://

[flower]

Just click the highlighted word "here"

Did you forget the linky?

[Nazirite]

Just click the highlighted word "here"

Sorry silverlighning - cloth eye syndrome strikes again.

[silverlightning]

LOL, yes, these day a bandana across forehead is more common, might be for the very same reason. Though I have to admit some of the skins on Nexus doesn't work for my laptop, some things get bleached out and almost disappear.

[Nazirite]

Hi SL - I feel a little Norsk in your language- am I correct?