Essential Oils

Question 1

Who is the person responsible for introducing E.O. Into the cosmetics field?

Answer 1

Madame Margarite Maury

Question 2

Who researched the healing properties of E.O. in the medical field?

Answer 2

Maurice Gattefosse

Question 3

Describe the normalizing action of E.O.

Answer 3

• whatever the problem, they tend to bring the body back to normal
• they help strengthen the systems working holistically regulating body functions

Question 4

What are the two routes E.O. Get into the bloodstream?

Answer 4

Through the skin and lungs

Question 5

What are two ways E.O. Work with the endocrine system?

Answer 5

• First they may stimulate certain glands, thus stimulating and normalizing hormonal secretions
• Secondly, they are loaded with plant hormones or phyto-hormones, which have an effect on the skin

Question 6

Explain how and why E.O. Pass into the general circulation & travel around the body:

Answer 6

Essential Oils have a molecular structure. Just below the skin, the particles of essential oil pass into the fluid, & bathes every cell of the body, than they pass through ultra thin walls of the lymph ducks & capillaries. Another reason is they dissolve easily in fatty substances. The E.O. can dissolve easily in the sebum produced by the skin.

Question 7

All E.O. Are able to stimulate generation of new cells, the word for this property is:

Answer 7

Cytophylactic

Question 8

State 5 ways of extracting essences:

Sorry, my, dad, eats, everything

Answer 8

• distilled oils (heating the plant material
• expression or cold-press method (extracted by pressure)
• enfleurage method (absorbed into fat)
• maceration (plunged into hot fat, same as enfleurage)
• solvent extraction method (slowly heated, similar to two above)

Question 9

If using a 20ml of carrier oil for a body treatment, how many drops of E.O. is used?

Answer 9

12 drops for 20ml

3 drops of E.O. to every 5ml

Question 10

What must you tell your clients after an aromatherapy treatment?

Answer 10

• drink plenty of water (6-8 cups)
• avoid any alcohol for 24/h
• avoid any forms of heat (saunas, whirlpools) for atleast 6/h
• avoid UV exposure (many E.O. are photosensitive)

Question 11

Give 4 examples of ways in which the purity and quality of an E.O. may be affected:

Answer 11

• the amount of raw material required (high cost)
• methods of cultivating
• harvest time
• if pesticides, herbicides, fungicides are used

Question 12

List 5 factors to remember when storing E.O:

Answer 12

• store away from strong sunlight & all sources of heat
• avoid transferring to polythene containers due to their volatile nature
• store at room temperature
• never put them in the refrigerator
• store in dark glass bottles

Question 13

Define the meaning of the word Aromatherapy?

Answer 13

The art and science of using essential plant oils in treatments.

Question 14

What is the difference of properties of herbs & properties of essences?

Answer 14

Essence in general have a much more pronounced effect on the mind and emotions than herbal medicine. However essences are 75-100 times more concentrated than herbs.

Ex; one drop of Roman Chamomile is equal to 35 cups of chamomile tea

Question 15

Explain The difference between Otto oils and absolute oils:

Answer 15

Similar in scent but Otto oils are more therapeutic

Absolute oils involve a solvent extraction method, while Otto oils involve a enfleurage method

Question 16

What are the 3 factors that affect the physical value of an aromatherapy treatment?

Answer 16

1. The purity & quality of the essential oil used
2. The type of base/ carrier oil used
3. The formulation-percentage of dilution used

Question 17

List 10 properties E.O. have in common:

Answer 17

• antibacterial
• antiviral
• anti fungal
• antiseptic
• increase circulation
• detoxifying
• euphoric
• rejuvenating
• reduce stress
• oxygenate
• hydrate
• plant hormone

Question 18

What are the only 2 oils that can be used safely on the skin?

Answer 18

Shouldn’t be used undiluted

Oils that are not pure, natural and derived from a known sole botanical source should not be used.

Question 19

Why should E.O. not be taken orally, or added to your water?

Answer 19

Oil will not mix with water. As you are swallowing your water the E.O. molecules will attach to your mucosa in your mouth, oesophagus and stomach. Some of the effects of swallowing E.O. are stomach irritation, ulceration in the mouth, oesophageal tract/stomach lining, allergic reactions, and teeth enamel may be worn away.

Question 20

3 properties of basil:

Answer 20

Good for anxiety, depression & headaches.

Question 21

3 properties of grapefruit:

Answer 21

Good for tiredness, acne, overweight

Question 22

3 properties of lavender:

Answer 22

Good for anxiety, depression and insomnia.

Question 23

3 properties of Mandarin:

Answer 23

Good for depression, menopause, and PMS.

Question 24

3 properties of tea tree:

Answer 24

Good for anxiety, nervousness, acne

Question 25

Labelling of essential oils:

Answer 25

1. Organically grown (grown in pesticide free soil)
2. Wild grown (grown in natural habitat)
3. 100% pure (not recycled, bleached or coloured)
4. 100% natural (no synthetic substances)

Question 26

5 ways to utilize E.O.

Answer 26

Inhalation
Bath
Massage
Compresses 
Oral 
Masks or moisturizers