Essential oils – M

$12.90$34.90

Essential oils are the volatile oils from the distillation of aromatic plants. Essential oils may contain as many as 10 plants per bottle!

We stock the following oils:

Magnolia/Magnolia alba – Magnolia flowers are a delicate perfume. Its essence is hard to capture and its absolute is expensive so we stock a 25% Magnolia dilution in Jojoba oil. Use Magnoila for uplifting the spirits and a lifting a lingering bad mood. In perfumery it mixes well with other florals & base notes. Magnolia can also be used in skin creams as it has an anit-inflammatory action. Country of origin: China.

Mandarin/Citrus reticulata – Mandarin peel is a lovely soft sweet citrus, a favourite for many. It is great for children and has a relaxing quality to it. Use it in blends for a sweeter citrus fragrance. Country of origin: USA.

Mandarin green/Citrus deliciosa tenore – Mandarin green is the unripe peel from a slightly diffferent species. It has a similar profile to Mandarin with a lovely tangy aspect. Use in the same way as red Mandarin above.  Country of origin: Italy.

Manuka/Leptospermum scoparium – Manuka is New Zealands famous tea tree oil. It has a distinct smell, from the Leptospermone, similar to Australian tea tree oil and its cousin Kanuka. Manuka is also antiseptic but it has a vast array of phytochemicals including Trans-calamenene, d-Cadinene, Cadina-1-4-diene, Falvesone, a-Copaene & Selinene. Manuka is great for the frst aid kit for applying to cuts, scrapes and wounds but is also lovely to burn both for its antimicrobial properties, including antiviral and for its lesser known relaxant action. Country of origin: Aotearoa.

Marjoram sweet/Origanum majorana – Marjoram is the kitchen herb used for its sweet herbacous taste. If Oregano is too intense then try Marjoram for a herby scent for your blends. Interestingly Marjoram is more of a relaxant than antiseptic, unlike its cousin Oregano oil. Its main constituent is Terpinen-4-ol. Country of origin: Egypt.

May chang/Litsea cubeba – May chang is a citrus oil with a fresh lemon fragrance that comes from the fruit. Use as you would any citrus oil for burning, cleaning or for an uplifting smell. Country of origin: China.

Melissa/Lemon blam/Melissa officinalis – Lemon balm has a unique antiviral action towards the herpes virus 1 & 2, oral and genital herpes see here. Its major constituents are Geranial, Neral, Caryophyllene <trans>, Germacrene D, Citronellal, Geranyl acetate & Limonene so it has a lemony smell. Because it is an oil it is able to penetrate the skin so is best used as soon as the first sensations are felt. Melissa comes as a 5% dilution in Jojoba oil for practical application although it can be further diluted. Country of origin: Bulgaria.

Muhuhu/Brachylaena hutchinsii – Muhuhu wood is a new oil which you may not have heard of. The Muhuhu tree contains the oil in the branches. It is a wood, with a unique smell, quite earthy and somewhat rubbery & smokey. Like most base notes it is good for anxiety and nervous tension. It contains Leptospermone also found in our home grown Manuka as well as some very unique constituents such as cis-Calamenene & trans-Murrola-3,5-diene. Diffuse for best effect. Country of origin: Kenya.

Myrrh/Commiphora myrrha – Myrrh resin is as famous as the bible. Due to Myrrh’s known antiseptic actions, it is a very valuable oil. The resin is steam distilled to release the aromatic terpenes. Myrrh is used in cosmetics for its antiseptic properties but also for its topical anti-inflammatory actions. Diffused it is claimed to be good for meditation but also to diffuse the antiseptic oil into the air. Country of origin: Ethiopia.

{Please come in store to smell testers}

Refills: We refill most essential oil bottles {except for the sticky ones} so please think of the planet’s resources and save your bottles. We dont mind which brand of oil the bottle is we will refill it with the same oil for a much cheaper price. See here for the oils we have in stock for refilling or call us to request your favourite oil.

If you would like larger amounts we can order in especially for you in 25ml, 50ml, 100ml or 200ml – please enquire by email or phone.

Zurma essential oils are the highest quality, pure & natural essential oils. Each batch has a full certificate of analysis, so you can be assured that Zurma oils are not adulterated in any way.  Zurma is our favourite brand of essential oils & is a local business within Christchurch so has a low carbon footprint.

Please see below for safety considerations & more information on how to use oils. Enjoy!

Additional information

Safety

Keep out of reach of children.
Never use essential oils near the eyes or internally (orally).
Only use on skin diluted in a carrier oil or cream.
Never use essential oils undiluted on the skin.
When diffusing or burning keep the room well ventilated.
Care must be taken with esential oils around pregnant women, babies and children and in people with liver or kidney disorders.
Rotate oils so that you do not become sensitised to any particular oil.
Some oils can cause allergy or irritation when used on the skin.
Discontinue use if you have a reaction.
Always consult with a qualified aromatherapsit or a reputable book for full safety profiles such as: Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014).

How to use essential oils:

Topically: Fragrance your own cream or massage oil. Essential oils can be applied onto the skin diluted in a nut or seed carrier oil. General guidelines for the safe dilution of essential oils recommended by the Tisserand Institute per 100ml is 14 drops (0.5%), 30 drops (1%), 60 drops (2%), or 90 drops (3%). Please note some oils are irritants and should not be used on the skin.

Diffuse: Steam diffuser’s release the oil without heating it which means that the oil lasts longer in the air. Use between 6-10 drops. Small amounts of the oils that disperse into the air absorb through the lungs into the bloodstream as has recently been shown in research. Please take care if you have a blood disorder.

Burn: Essential oils can be burnt over a tea light candle or in a burner which heats the oil and evaporates the oils into the room at a faster rate. Use 2-6 drops of oil in a burner and follow the same safety guidelines as diffusion.

Bath or Shower: Essential oils can be inhaled in the shower to help clear the sinus. Essential oils can be dispersed in the bath in either a liquid soap, shampoo, bath salt or carrier oil. Only place your oils in the bath once you are in the water to avoid the genital region coming into contact with the oils. Please do not use when kids are in the bath or if you have a skin condition. Some oils are irritant and should not be used in the bath.

Perfume: Making perfumes with essential oils is rewarding and fun. As you learn to blend you will find endless combinations that inspire you. Use a base of vodka or floral waters {hydrosols} in a spray bottle, or use Jojoba or Fractionated coconut oil as a base to make your own natural perfume. Find a beginners perfumery book to guide you.

Cleaning: Essential oils are fantastic for removing grease and killing microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and virus. Using essential oils in your home-made cleaning products is a great way to make use of oils.

There are many other uses, so get a book on the use of essential oils to learn more. We also run workshops on how to safely use oils in the home so sign up to our newsletter to get monthly updates or check out our EDUCATION section for upcoming workshops.

Disclaimer: Please note essential oils are strong pharmacologic agents and should be used with care. If you have a medical condition, or are pregnant or brestfeeding, please consult with an aromatherapist before using oils in the home. The information on this website is intended for aromatherapy purposes only and is not considered to be complete. It is up to the user to source information on the correct use of essential oils. Essential oils should not be used to treat any health condition. Please read the ‘Additional Information’ section before purchasing.