Steam distillation is the most popular method of extracting essential oils from plant. By suspending plants over boiling water, essential oils are pulled out of the plant with heat and steam, rising into a set of tubes where the steam is collected and deposited into a reservoir. Once the steam turns back into a liquid, the water and oil separate, making it easy to collect the oil and recycle the water to be utilized again in the steaming process, or kept for its aromatic properties. The water that is used in the distillation process generally has some new properties that are valued amongst aromatherapists. The fragrant compounds that remain in the water cause them to give off an aromatic scent. This aromatic water is frequently used in cosmetics and for skin moisturizing purposes.

The fastest and easiest method of producing these types of essential oils is to put them in a press in a process called expression, similar to the manufacturing of olive oil. In the case of plants, utilizing a press is somewhat difficult, but for citrus peels and other types of oily products, the press is fairly successful and effective at squeezing out all of the oils. Naturally, without the necessity for water and solvents, this is the least expensive method of producing the essential oils.

Enfleurage is an ancient method that is very rarely used in the modern day outside of France. The process is very long and involved and has become quite expensive over the years. Utilizing animal fat or lard, plant blossoms were set up on warm fat that would absorb the essence from the flowers and become incorporated into the fat. Once the fat has absorbed plenty of aromatic scent, the fat is separated from the essential oils with solvent. This process is generally considered too difficult and costly to be utilized in the modern-day, despite its centuries old traditional use.

The least popular method of extracting essential oils is to use solvents. This is unpopular due to the fact that there is a chance that traces of solvent may remain even though they are supposedly completely removed from the essential oils. Basically, the aromatic product is dissolved in the solvent and then the solvent is boiled away, sometimes assisted by a centrifuge or a vacuum to separate the solvent from the essential oils. This process is very expensive and is reserved for very specific types of essential oils that cannot be distilled.

Essential oils are important for a sense of relaxation. By using the purest products, such as organic soaps, the necessary vitamins and minerals can be consumed. As the tissues around the eye are very delicate, night creams are highly recommended to achieve flawless skin.

Choosing the Essential Oils

There are a few primary essential oils used in skin care which offer their regenerative properties; these oils can be used in low concentrations, and are generally well-tolerated — certainly more so than many synthetic ingredients. The most important of these may be Helichrysum italicum, also known as Everlasting oil. This wonderful oil is distilled from the daisy-like flowers of the herb. It has a lovely earthy aroma and, despite it’s apparent expense, works in very low concentrations (only a few drops per tablespoon of your total blend). Helichrysum is strongly anti-inflammatory and contains powerful regenerative molecules unique to this oil only.

Helichrysum: The Most Powerful Healer

Helichrysum can be used in a simple carrier oil by itself, though it is considered synergistic with Rosehip seed oil and sometimes with Lavender essential oil. This easy-to-make combination has been noted by professional aromatherapists to “heal wounds with minimal or no scarring” though the nutritive triple unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin A compounds of Rosehip seed, combined with the anti-inflammate and regenerative properties of the Helichrysum. Helichrysum can be a little bit pricey, but it’s wonderful effects have been noted at very low concentrations of the total blend – a little will go a long way. Helichrysum contains natural anti-inflammatory, stress-relieving and regenerative natural constituents that make it an amazing healer all its own.

Wound Healing Properties of Lavender

As noted above, Lavender oil is often used for skin healing. In a 50/50 blend with Tea Tree oil, it is commonly used on small cuts and scrapes to sooth and prevent infection. Lavender has anti-inflammatory properties along with tissue regenerating effects, albeit a bit more mild than Helichrysum. It does, however, have the important added benefit of a well-liked aroma that can ease anxiety for many people.

Sage: Regeneration for Old Wounds and Scars

Next up is the essential oil distilled from the leaves of common Sage, or Salvia officinalis. Sage is used in low concentrations in very specific conditions – where the scars are old and require a little extra phytochemical power to heal. Sage oil can bring circulation to the area, and can assist the scarred area of the skin to regenerate, particularly in concert with other oils. Sage can be used in stretch mark formulas, but should only be employed post-partum because of the high thujone content of the oil.

Rosemary Stimulates Healing

Rosemary will be the final essential oil we’ll mention here for scar treatment. For the skin, Rosemary of the Verbenone chemotype has many important properties – it contains regenerative ketone molecules, and stimulates cellular metabolism. This oil helps new skin form, bringing nutrients into the cells and supports the removing toxins and wastes.

Carotenoid Containing Essential Oils Speed Healing

Certain essential oils can offer important nutrient that may speed the healing process. Most importantly, they offer carotenoids and carotenes — molecules closely related to vitamin A. This vitamin and its precursors are considered very important to normal skin development and wound healing. Carotenoids are also potent antioxidants, which can oxidative compounds at the healing site. Two essential oils can be chosen from: Sea Buckthorn and Carrot Root (sometimes found as ‘Helio-Carrot’). These are both Carbon Dioxide extracts with deep red and orange colors, displaying their high carotenoid content.

Antiseptics For Clean Healing

For wounds that are currently healing, a small amount of an antimicrobial oil can help the process. It can prevent redness and irritation that is the result of your body dealing with bacteria at the sight of the injury. One-to-Five percent Tea Tree essential oil can be added to any recipe (this is 8 to 40 drops per ounce of the total formula). The use of the Tea Tree can be discontinued once the wound has sealed completely.

The Carrier Oils: Diluting and Delivering the Essential Oils

All these oils but Lavender should be diluted in a carrier before use (Lavender CAN be used directly on the skin, but will be used in diluted form in the following blends). Many studies have shown the great efficacy of essential oils at low concentrations – so in Aromatherapy, ‘less is more’ is a general rule. Two highly regarded carrier or ‘base’ oils used for skin treatment are Rosehip seed, cold-pressed from a plant native to the mountain regions of South America, and Hazelnut oil, which is suitable for all skin types. These oils will help the essential oils absorb into the skin, and can provide their own nutritive properties. Rosehip seed contains a wealth of fatty acids, plus a compound similar in action to the pharmaceutical preparation ‘Retin A’. without the drying side effects. Hazelnut oil has mild astringent properties, and will not leave the skin feeling greasy. It is appropriate even for acne prone skin (where Rosehip seed is not!). Other useful healing carrier oils are Tamanu Nut — recently making waves as an excellent carrier for healing nearly all types of skin conditions — and Evening Primrose, which offers nutritive and anti-inflammatory fatty acids.

Easy Mixin’: Simple Recipes for Common Conditions

For effective wound healing of recent cuts and scrapes (and has been used successfully on surgical incisions), to 1 ounce Tamanu Nut oil (also called Callophyllum) and 1 ounce Rosehip seed oil add 1 milliliter of Helichrysum essential oil, 1 milliliter of Lavender essential oil and either 1 milliliter of Sea Buckthorn or 3 milliliters of Carrot Root CO2 extracts – apply twice a day for 7 to 10 days. For older scars from wounds or acne, including keloid scars, replace the Lavender in the previous recipe with Rosemary essential oil or Sage essential oil (not to be used during pregnancy). Where acne can reoccur, do NOT use Rosehip seed — instead use Evening Primrose or Hemp Seed oils. Apply regularly for 3 to 6 months. For the healing of stretch marks, post partum, use 1 ounce Rosehip seed and 1 ounce Tamanu or Evening Primrose oil with 1 milliliter Sage essential oil and 2 milliliters with Rosemary Verbenone essential oil; again apply regularly until the marks are no longer visible.

So there is a few effective combinations of natural botanical ingredients that can support certain skin care conditions. Many, many more skin care formulas are available when blending essential oils – with many oils able to aid with very particular situations. If needed, a little research should go a long way in helping you find what you need. And as always with aromatherapy oils, go slowly, pay attention to your body’s reactions and remember that increasing concentrations of the essential oils will not make a more effective blend. Be safe and enjoy.

The author has made available reports on specific anti-microbials such as tea tree and other therapeutic essential oil.