Almost everyday now there seems to be another recall of a product from China.  I've received emails from some of you wondering if oils made in China are safe to use.

The short answer is our oils from China are safe.  Now for the long answer:

I had the great good fortune to be able to visit China in the 1990's.  We traveled north from Hong Kong (then still under British control) into Shenzhen and up further into Guangdong Province.  Along the way, I saw the paradox that is China:  modern cities sprouting up next to ancient villages with only a central well, no electricity and sewage running through the streets.  Factories spewing black smoke immediately beside rice paddies.  It was obvious to all that China is going through a major transition - in some places from medieval technologies to the information age in the span of a generation!  It was also obvious that neither the environment nor public health were priorities at this point.  Even though this was over 10 years ago, given the recent news, I cannot imagine that things have improved significantly, if at all.

The images of rice paddies being worked the way they have been for millenia next to factories were hard to forget - perhaps I was sensitive because they reminded me of my childhood in Pittsburgh with its steel mills in the 1950s - 60s.  So when I began to work with essential oils years ago and noticed that some of them came from China, I was reasonably skeptical.  I asked lots of quesitions about purity and safety.

Essential oils are unique among agricultural products in that they are produced through steam distillation - a process we often forget is itself a purification process.  While the plants and dirt put into the still may be loaded with pollutants and heavy metals, only the essential oils are light enough to be carried over by the steam.  Heavy metals, like the lead that has been found in all the recalled toys, are exactly that:  heavy - too heavy to carry over by steam during distillation.

In addition, when our oils arrive in the US, they undergo a gas chromotography test.  This test will show if there are unknown or unwanted chemical substances in the oil (e.g., the tainted dog food earlier this summer).

And so, I want to assure you that oils purchased from OmnEssence Aromatherapy originating in China are safe.  Ulimately though, it is your choice whether to use oils from China or not.   The good news is that if you choose to avoid Chinese oils, there are lots of other oils from which to choose!  If you need help, just email or call us!

Thuja Occidentalis, also known as Eastern White Cedar, played an important role in the European discovery of North America.  During the long, hard winters in North America, French explorers often suffered from scurvy (lack of vitamin C).  The Native Americans finally took pity on them and shared their secret:  an infusion of Easter White Cedar and cranberries!  French explorer, Jacques Cartier was so thrilled with the results that he brought back a sapling to Versailles in 1534 as a gift to the King!  Cartier named it the 'tree of life'!

Today, we know that thuja is an extremely powerful essential oil that should be used with care and caution.  It is high in thujone, a ketone which is a proven neuro-toxin.  Therefore, thuja should never be taken internally and used only when absolutely necessary and for short periods of time.

Thuja is often used for genital warts (blend 2 drops apple cider vinegar to 1 drop thuja and swab over the wart), for cystitis, prostatitis and STDs.  Others recommend thuja for seborrhea, roseacea, chronic tendonitis, obesity and cellulitis.

In Chinese Medicine, thuja is considered very MOVING, good for cold-damp-bi-obstruction with a Liver or Kidney affinity.

Homeopaths recommend the use of thuja following vaccinations to clear their effects.

More NEW Oils!

We've added additional new oils:

Cinnamon Leaf (cinnamomum zeylandicum) - Cinnamon oil comes from the bark of the tree or the leaves.  The leaf oil has the recognizable cinnamon-y scent.  It differs from the bark oil in that is is more of a circulatory stimulant than the bark.  Makes a wonderful linament for aching muscles and joints.  In TCM, the leaf oil is considered a yang stimulant.  Priced at $7 for 5ml, $12.60 for 10ml  and $29.40 for 30ml.

Clementine (citrus clementine)- from the peel of those wonderful clementines I love to eat during the winter.  The oil smells just like opening a clementine on a cold winter's day!  Clementine oil is a citrus oil and carries many of the same qualities as other citruses.  It is refreshing, rather than calming.  Clementines promote companionship and group activies.  Clementines help to focus our attention on the present.  Priced at $7 for 5ml, $12.60 for 10ml and $29.40 for 30ml.

Eucalyptus camaldulensis - another variety of eucalyptus oil.  This oils is VERY cooling (almost cold) and very strong.  Good for chronic or stubborn infections, such as viral sinus infections or fungus infections that just haven't responded to other oils.  Priced at $7 for 5ml, $12.60 for 10ml and $29.40 for 30ml.

Eucalyptus macarthurii - yet another eucalyptus oil, but this one is VERY mild (but potent) with a soft, almost sweet scent.  Perfect for children or the elderly and for those of us who are exhausted from smelling too much eucalyptus.  Priced at $7 for 5ml, $12.60 for 10ml and $29.40 for 30ml.

Check back for more new oils next month!

When we blend essential oils, we take into consideration a number of factors:  the therapeutic properties of the oils, the scent of each oil and the note of each oil, for example.  We can also consider the 'temperature' of each oil, too.  By temperature, I mean whether the oil is cooling or warming in nature.  Sometimes this aspect of the oil is part of its therapeutic properties;  if I'm working with an inflamed rash, for example, I often specifically choose cooling oils.

This time of year, with the 'dog days of August' bearing down on us, I like to make a blend that will cool and refresh my body, mind and spirit.  Thankfully, we have a number of oils from which to select:

The lavenders - including lavandin, true lavender and spike lavender - are reknown for their cooling properties.  They are also calming and good insect repellants!

The mints - peppermint and spearmint - are wonderful cooling and refreshing oils.  If you are really dragging on a particularly hot and sticky day, consider blending a mint into a 'pick-me-up' blend.  Chocolate peppermint is particularly intriguing for summertime blends.

The citrus oils - almost any citrus oil EXCEPT grapefruit is considered cooling in nature.  Adding a bit of lime into a blend can make it feel like you're in Key West on vacation!  Please be careful with applying citrus oils this time of year since they  are typically photosensitizing!

You've probably thought about the above oils when picking cooling oils, but here are some you may not have thought about:

Clary Sage and Sage - both are considered cooling oils.  Clary sage is calming (almost sedating) while also uplifting your spirits.  Sage, in addition to cooling us down, also is good for breaking up fat deposits!

Neroli and Petitgrain are also cooling while helping to clear our mind and calm us down.  You can use them as separate essential oils OR look at the new co-distillation of neroli and petitgrain!

Atlas Cedar, Aniseed, Galbanum, Myrrh, Spikenard, Jasmine, Ylang Ylang, Palmarosa and Hyssop decumbens are also considered cooling oils.

Looking for something stronger?  Well, Lovage, Bitter Orange and Citronella are considered COLD essential oils.

Good luck and don't let the 'dog days' get you down!