How to “Age” an Essential Oil (and why you would want to!)

We look forward to your questions each Monday night at 8:00 CDT during Mondays with Marge on our Facebook page. 

Tiffany posed a question we often encounter, which is not surprising as online there is very little information or misinformation about the topic of “aging essential oils.”

Tiffany:  I'd like to know more about intentionally aging EOs. We know that some essential oils, like citruses, degrade over time while other EOs improve with age.  So let's say someone wanted to intentionally age a suitable essential oil. Which oils would you recommend? Any precautions (or other recommendations) we should be aware of?

Marge: Great question, Tiffany... and we have had to do that to some oils that had the "still note" when received. We knew that in 3 months it would be fine, but we were out of stock and people wanted the oil NOW!

Marge: First of all, how do you "age" an oil or how do you protect it from aging? Oxygen prematurely ages an oil. To preserve essential oils, we float our "OxygenBarrier," (a blend of nitrogen and other inert gasses, heavier than air) on top of our bulk oils to prevent the EO from coming into contact with oxygen in the air. That extends their shelf life.

Believe it or not, as Tiffany suggests, there truly are times you would want to intentionally age an essential oil.  Case in point, a “too green or too fresh” batch, newly distilled. (think Spearmint, Peppermint, for example)

I am told that you can buy "bubblers" that will bubble air (or oxygen) through an oil, thus exposing it to oxidation. We don't have one. The trick I am about to describe was taught to me perhaps 12 or more years ago from Deb Shuman of Mint Meadow Country Oils, the first to introduce me to Midwestern Mint. (She has since sold her farm and retired, and I miss her!) She told me that her lovely Peppermint was "too fresh" and not ready to sell. The solution? Pour some, perhaps 8 ounces (?) into a glass beaker. Pour THAT into an empty beaker. (mental image—two kitchen glasses, one half full of water, pour the water back and forth between them, with some vigor.) (Just saw Beverly's blending video. We need to do a video of Jim and I "prematurely aging" an essential oil.)

Pouring the essential oil back and forth from one beaker to another exposes it to a LOT of air, that is, to a lot of oxygen, resulting in oxidization. We do that several times. Let the beaker sit covered loosely with a paper towel. Repeat, until the oil you are “aging" has lost the still note.

I would not recommend doing this to Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Agarwood…or any of the base notes that do improve with age. Let them age in peace!

But if you feel an oil needs a little tweaking, this is a step you can take to naturally let the still note "air off,” the new essential oil.  And, please note: We only do this to a few ounces of the oil within large shipment—perhaps 5 to 20 kilos. We want the balance of the oil to last as long as possible, of course. We just "age" what we need to make available for retail immediately due to demand.

(Just a thought, rather than pouring from one beaker to another—is there any reason you could not put  8 oz in a 16 or 32 oz bottle, and either lay it on its side (to expose more to the air) or gently shake or rock? That would also expose it to air. It wouldn’t make sense for Nature’s Gift since we don't reuse our bulk bottles, but at home, this could be a solution.

Marge: We always encourage follow-up questions and Lily submitted a good one along the same lines.

Lily:  Can I please jump in and ask something I'm also curious about? Hope it's ok.
What is the perfect temperature to store the aging oils? Is keeping them in the fridge for a few years a good idea? The temperature in my house is not stable and I'm afraid it will reflect negatively on the oils.

Marge: We recommend "cool room temperature," Lily. We try to keep our workroom/storage room at 68 degrees F... (give or take a few on either side depending on the Season!)

I don't like the idea of refrigerating the "long-lived oils"... but it might be better than storing in a room with wide ranges of temperature. Not sure if that answers your question?

Lily:  Yes, that's exactly what I was wondering. I asked many questions today and you've been extremely helpful, Marge. I really appreciate your time and knowledge!

Tiffany:  Wow, Marge! Thank you so much for that wealth of info. I'm going to re-read and digest some more. I appreciate all the details you shared!

Leg Cramps?

Tiffany asked, "Every so often, I get a horrible leg or foot cramp in the middle of the night, yuck I hate them they're so painful! I've blended Coriander CO2, Gymnocephalum Heli and Lavandin Super diluted in a carrier oil that seems to be working well but I am wondering if you have a favorite fix for this problem? Thank you!"

Marge: "Yes!   and it's two fold, one is aromatherapy, the other is not.

First,  I had mentioned being awakened with leg cramps almost every night, and Dannie Lane, of AromaTherapeutics  Medicinal Aromatherapy and Massage, in Georgia,  suggested that I take Magnesium Oxide tablets at bedtime.  I do this... 500 mg per night. (The first time I tried them I got.. was it Magnesium Citrate? I don't recommend that, does bad things for your digestion!.)  At any rate, I take those nightly.  (Some people recommend epsom salt baths, but those just dry my skin too much, leave it parched so, no. Not for me.)  

The Aromatherapy Solution that works for me is our That's Better blend.   A base of Arnica infused oil, with Helichrysum and Kunzea added. I don't apply this routinely but if I am awakened by a cramp. Seems to release the cramp immediately. Later I thought, hmmm...  Sweet Marjoram is an anti-spasmodic, I bet that would help.  And it would. Except that I then discovered that Sweet Marjoram is one of the oils that I can't use topically.   BUT, I also learned that Sweet Marjoram CO2 in my aromastone seems to prevent leg cramps on evenings that I *should* have them...too much exercise, too many trips over the stairs, etc.

So.. if you are just starting out looking for remedies, I would FIRST start with the Arnica Infusion, as

Sweet Marjoram CO2

my carrier oil, and add some Sweet Marjoram CO2 or essential oil..  OR get our That's Better and add some Sweet Marjoram to that.  Diffusing a bit of the Sweet Marjoram wouldn't hurt either.

Hope this helps!

(and I would not have thought of either the Coriander CO2 or the Heli Gymno for this.. I tend to use that heli for respiratory problems.   And I had FORGOTTEN that Coriander is an anti-spasmodic.. would be a good one to try, or to use to 'swap out" the Sweet Marjoram, or vice versa.  (Y'all know I don't like to use the same EO for weeks in a row.)

Another suggestion shared by my Yoga instructor. I tried this last evening (or, rather, very early this morning!) and it worked for me.  When the cramp strikes, pinch the cartilage between your nostrils between your thumb and index finger, HARD.  I was skeptical.  The Charlie Horse went away very quickly.  WOW.  Faster than applying That's Better.  

Hope some of these help.  (And I'm going to take home a sample of Coriander CO2 and try diffusing it this evening, as an alternative to my Sweet Marjoram.)

MWM: To Dilute or Not to Dilute, that is the question! (Or, What is a Diluent?)

Tons of questions for Mondays with Marge last night on a variety of topics including:  how Marge got her start in aromatherapy; if she has personally mentored anyone in the oils; impact of heat on the oils, and even a question about Nature’s Gift bottle labels! 

Cynthia asked: Hi Marge! I have seen so many recipes where people suggest blending EOs with just witch hazel or alcohol to apply to skin for bug repellant and/or perfuming uses. I was under the impression that a carrier oil had to be used with all EOs when using on skin, but I wanted an answer from an "expert". Please advise! :)

Marge:  Cynthia, an Essential Oil has to be diluted to apply to the skin, but there are a wide range of possible diluents. For example, we offer our Skeeter Beater in an oil base, and in aloe gel (because in this heat, an oil based product is just not comfortable!) Witch hazel will NOT dissolve/emulsify the oils, so you will need something to first disperse them. Either a high proof alcohol, polysorbate, or Solubol™ may be used to first dissolve the essential oils, and then you may add water, witch hazel, or another hydrosol.

Most natural perfumes are dissolved in grape or grain alcohol, although there are oil-based and solid (mostly oil plus beeswax) versions as well.

You can dilute an essential oil or blend in a cream or lotion, for skincare purposes (or as an insect repellant, as well, come to think of it.)

Does this help? Lots of ways to dilute an essential oil, besides a carrier oil. But for most uses, a carrier oil is simplest and most appropriate.

Christi adds: Diluent (Di-loo-uhnt) is not a word our brains want to relay to our mouths when we speak.  It just sounds wrong.  We want to say, “dilutant.” (think debutante)  However, diluent by definition is “that which dilutes.” Dilutant is a “diluting agent,” and per Merriam Webster, “making thinner or less concentrated by adding to the mixture.”  I personally like the simplicity of dilute or dilution.  (but now we are “mincing” words!) 

Deep on the website we havea dilution chart, which comes in handy while blending. 

Curious about other diluents or carrier oils?  See ourCarrier Oil category for a variety of options. [Please note, some of the products listed in that category are not true diluents...the various salts, for example.  They often have essential oils added to them, but they will not truly dissolve/disperse the EOs.]

Mondays with Marge is back on Monday, August 1^st, 8:00 p.m. CDT.  Join us on Facebook for a diverse discussion about various aromatherapy topics. 

Leaving on a Jet Plane - JET LAG

On last Monday's Monday's with Marge Sophia Rose asked about Jet Lag and air travel:

 

 Hello Marge, What do you recommend for air travel and jet lag from Nature's Gift Aromatherapy treasures?

 

Nature's Gift Aromatherapy Okay... there are  two effects of jet lag. Because your body's clock is out of sync with your surroundings, you want to sleep when you need to be up and going, and are wide awake at bed time. So we look at the two situations differently.

For stimulation, for staying awake until it is time to sleep... my first choice is Pink Grapefruit oil, the most energizing oil I know of. Other choices might be Rosemary Cineole, or our Focus blend, for mental focus. 

And for sedation... to help you sleep when your body says "it's morning!" you might look at your favorite lavender, at spikenard or valerian if you are drawn to them, or to our SleepEase or Relax synergies. 

My experience, if at all possible, try to allow your body time to ease into the new time zone. perhaps compromise with it a bit. Go to bed right after dinner the first evening or two, etc.

 
ALSO.. I would want to carry a FluFoil inhaler, and a one oz bottle of KleenHandz Gel in my purse,

Make a variety of color coded inhalers 

for fairly obvious reasons. Some folks suggest carrying a one oz spritzer of Neroli or another hydrosol for hydrating your skin, etc. but that can impinge on the freedom of others NOT to breath your lovely hydrosol. So I'm less sure of that. (unless you have true panic attacks when flying.. then you NEED neroli hydrosol.. and Reunite' . but thats a different issue.)

 

At the airport and inflight the issues tend to be protecting yourself from germ-laden surroundings (and dry airline air!) and keeping hydrated.  During extra long flights we recommend wearing compression hose, and, if at all possible, getting up and moving around in the aisle. (Love aisle seats. if you have a window seat and move around a lot you will not endear yourself to your seatmates.   If your tranocean flight will have you arriving in the evening, STAY AWAKE on your flight. Pack a thriller to keep you turning pages.   If you are arriving in the morning, do everything possible to sleep through your flght. (See the sedatives, above.)  Inhalers or rollerballs will work....If you have chosen Valerian or Spikenard, perhaps an inhaler would be more neighbor-friendly.