Essential oils – S

$14.10$104.00

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:

Sage/Salvia officinalis – Sage is the common garden herb with a fresh, antiseptic, herbaceous aroma that you will recognise. Sage oil has a wide variety of phytochemicals the main ones being Camphor, a-Thujone, 1,8-Cineole & a-Pinene. It has similar properties to Rosemary given that it contains 1,8-Cineole which has been associated with memory and attention increases and it is also antiseptic due to the Camphor & a-Pinene. Use Sage carefully around children and avoid if you are pregnant and breastfeeding or if you are epileptic as it contains 3% Thujone which can be toxic in high doses. However Sage has a lovely aroma and adds a nice herb note to any blend and is great for the elderly as its antioxidant properties help the brain. Country of origin: Greece.

Sandalwood organic/Santalum spicatum – Sandalwood essential oil is one of the most sought after oils. This is Australian grown organic Sandalwood and is a different variety than Indian Sandalwood. Sandalwood has to be warmed to be appreciated, rub a small amount on the skin and let it meld with your skin and you will get the full benefit of the aroma for hours. Sandalwood is a favourite for perfumery and skin products for its aromatic woody scent coming from the Z-a-Santalol. Its anti-inflammatory properties help with skin imperfections & age related spots. Sandalwood blends amazingly with Rose or any floral oil as well as herbs. Sandalwood is expensive but worth it to have in the essential oil cabinet. Country of origin: Australia.

Sandalwood Indian/Santalum album – Indian Sandalwood is the Sandalwood of East India. This special wood is harvsted for its aromatic oil for use in perfumery. This oil has a deeper longer lasting scent than Sandalwood spicatum but mostly similar properties. It is thought to be an aphrodisiac. Sandalwoods are expensive so we recommend using Sandalwood spicatum unless using for perfume. This is cultivated in Australia as Indian Sandalwood is overharvested in the wild.

Scotch Pine/Pinus sylvestris – Scotch Pine is a classic Pine variety, clean & fresh with a hint of Christmas. Pine is made up from mainly alpha & beta-Pinene. It also has some Limonene and this combination makes Pine a lovely scent with a balsamic aroma that is lovely to blend with herbs and other citrus. Pine is antiseptic so this makes it useful to diffuse in winter to help kill airborne germs. Country of origin: Bulgaria.

Spearmint/Mentha spicata – Spearmint is a sweet mint, its oil is used in toothpastes, chewing gums and in the food industry. Some prefer this to Peppermint, its uses are very similar as a pick me up or to add to a diffuser to brighten up someones day. It is also great for nasal catarrh and for winter blends to help ward off colds & coughs. Country of origin: India.

Spruce Black/Picea mariana – Black Spruce is another variety of Pine, its main phytocemical is Bornyl acetate along with Pinene. Use in the same way as Scotch Pine. Country of origin: Canada.

Star Anise/Illicium verum – Star Anise is so named because of its starry shaped seed pods and its Aniseed like aroma. This is a favourite spice in Moroccan cooking for its lovely, sweet Aniseed flavours. Its main constituent is Anethole followed by smaller amounts of Foeniculum. It blends well wtih Fennel and other herbs and can be used to add a special Liquorice note to a blend or for coughs & colds. Country of origin: China.

{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.