How to use essential oils:
| Diffusion | Massage | Bath | Inhalation |
|---|---|---|---|
| This is the easiest way to experience the benefits of aromatherapy with the Silver Surfer® Herbal Vaporizer-Electric Candle. There are many different styles of diffusers that work in unique ways. For example, oils may be diluted in water or unscented wax and diffused by electric heat like the SSV or the heat from a candle. They may also be diffused through a stream of air with a glass nebulizer or a small absorbent pad. | Add up to 6 drops of you preferred essential oil or blend oil into 1 ounce of you favorite massage oil or lotion. Massage all over body using long, gentle strokes. | Add up to 6 drops of your preferred essential oil or oil blend into a hot bath. Relax and enjoy! For a more moisturizing and emollient bath; add 1 teaspoon of your pre-blended massage oil to your bath water. For the greatest benefit, always get into your bath before adding the oils. | To enjoy the healing and stimulating benefits of aromatherapy, simply add a few drops of essential oil to a bowl of hot water and inhale the vapor. Another method is to place a few drops of essential oil on a tissue, hold it slightly under your nose and breath in gently. We do not recommend using essential oils in the wand of the SSV. Essential oils are very concentrated and the extreme heat from the SSV will cause you to inhale to much oil vapor. We only recommend using herbs that are safe for smoking and nontoxic in your wand. |
How are essential oils extracted?
| Steam Distillation | Solvent Extraction | Expression |
|---|---|---|
| Steam distillation is the most common process for obtaining essential oils from plants. When plants are exposed to heat in the form of steam, their oil containing glands rupture. The oil released evaporates with the steam and is then recondensed. As essential oils are not generally soluble, they tend to float on the surface of the water where they can easily be collected. In some cases, the distillate is also used and sold as a flower water. | Solvent extraction is a method of obtaining essential oils by submerging the flowers of a plant in a solvent. After agitation, the solvent is gathered under pressure to produce a solid substance called a concrete. Alcohol is added to dissolve the concrete, then the alcohol and suspended wax are removed. The remaining product is very fragrant and is known as an absolute. | Expression requires squeezing or "expressing" essential oils from the fruit. Mainly citrus oils are obtained in the manner, since steam distillation alters their composition. |
| Oil | Note | Scent | Method of extraction/ plant part | Cautions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | top | sweet, spicy, fresh | steam distillation of the leaves and flowering top | P |
| Bergamot | top | spicy, fresh, citrus | expression of the outer rind of the fruit | S |
| Cedarwood | base | woody, smoky | steam distillation of the wood of the tree | P |
| Chamomile | middle | sweet, herbal, fruity | steam distillation of the flower heads | EP |
| Citronella | top | citrus, lightly sweet | steam distillation of the dried grass | |
| Clary Sage | top/middle | sweet, herbaceous | steam distillation of the leaves and flowering tops | P |
| Clove Bud | base | sweet, spicy | steam distillation from the stalks and stems | M |
| Eucalyptus | top/middle | camphorous | steam distillation of the leaves and twigs | HBP |
| Fennel | middle | floral, earthy | steam distillation of the seeds | P |
| Frankincense | base/middle | sweet, warm | steam distillation of gum resin from bark of tree | |
| Geranium | middle | floral, heavy, sweet | steam distillation of stalks, leaves, flowering tops | P |
| Ginger | top | woody, warm, spicy | steam distillation of the dried and ground roots | SS |
| Grapefruit | top | sweet, sharp, citrus | expression of the peel of the fruit | S |
| Jasmine abs. 5% | base | floral, warm, exotic | solvent extraction of the flowers | |
| Juniper Berry | middle | clear, slightly woody | steam distillation of the berries | P |
| Lavender | middle | floral, herbaceous | steam distillation of the flowering tops | EP |
| Lemon | top | citrus, fresh, sharp | expression of the outer rind of the fruit | S |
| Lemongrass | top | strong, sweet | steam distillation of the grass | SS |
| Myrrh | base | warm, spicy | steam distillation of the gum resin from bark of tree | P |
| neroli 5% | top | rich, floral | steam distillation of the flowers | |
| Orange | top | sweet and citrus | expression of the rind of the fruit | S |
| Palma Rosa | top | sweet, floral | steam distillation of the grass and leaves | |
| Patchouli | base | sweet, woody, earthy | steam distillation of the leaves | |
| Peppermint | top | sharp, menthol | steam distillation of the leaves and flowering tops | |
| Pine Needle | middle | woody, fresh | steam distillation of the needles | |
| Rose abs 5% | base/middle | warm, rich, floral | solvents extraction of the flowers | |
| Rosemary | middle | herbaceous, woody | steam distillation of the flowering tops | P |
| Sandalwood | base | sweet, woody, warm | steam distillation of the wood of the tree | |
| Spearmint | top | sweet, minty | steam distillation of the leaves and flowering tops | |
| Tangerine | top | sweet, light citrus | expression of the peel of the fruit | S |
| Tea Tree | top | fresh, clean | steam distillation of the leaves | |
| Ylang Ylang | base/middle | sweet, floral, exotic | steam distillation of the flowers |
| Cautions: | P: do not use during pregnancy |
EP: do not use during early pregnancy |
S: do not apply to skin before exposure to strong sunlight |
HBP: do not use if you have high blood pressure |
SS: could irritate skin |
M: use with caution for massage |
Blending Information
Top, middle, and base notes are terms that perfumers use to describe scents and are based on the evaporation rate of essential oils.
| Top Notes | Middle Notes | Base Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Top notes tend to be associated with the thinner, more lightly colored oils that have fast evaporation rates and thus the shortest lasting aromas. When you smell a particular fragrance, it is normally these fresh, sharp top notes that you notice first. Therapeutically, they refresh, stimulate or uplift the mind. Blends may contain as much as 20 percent top notes oils. | Generally middle notes make up the main body of a blend. They round it out, creating soothing and more subtle tones which, in turn, help enhance and harmonize the top and base notes. Generally lasting for several hours, they may make up as much as 70 to 90 percent of a blend. Therapeutically, middle note oils tend to have a balancing and healing properties. | The base notes are thick, dark and viscous with the slowest evaporation rates and the longest lasting aromas. They tend to be tenacious and impart deep, warm and sensual quality to a blend. Often working as fixatives, they help to slow the evaporation of top notes. Many of their aromas are very strong and at times may be overbearing. However, if used sparingly, at a rate of 5 to 10 percent, they can add great depth and intensity to a blend. Therapeutically, base note oils tend to be relaxing, soothing, or sensual. |
| Oil | Emotional Benefits | Physical Benefits | Blends well with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | uplifting, energizing, helps concentration | muscle stimulating, relieves daily tension | bergamot, frankincense, juniper berry, lemon, other citrus oils |
| Bergamot | refreshing, uplifting | skin care, skin detox | cedarwood, chamomile, clove bud, juniper berry, lavender, neroli |
| Cedarwood | calming, grounding | scalp care, skin detox, skin care for oily skin | bergamot, geranium, patchouli, rose, rosemary, sandalwood, ylang ylang |
| Chamomile | relaxing, soothing, eases tension | soothes irritated skin, supports digestion | bergamot, clary sage, geranium, lavender, sandalwood, ylang, ylang |
| Citronella | clearing, uplifting | repels insects and bugs | bergamot, eucalyptus, geranium, lavender, neroli, peppermint, ylang ylang |
| Clary Sage | relaxing, soothing, warming | relieves sore muscles, pms | geranium, lavender, lemon, rose, rosemary, sandalwood, ylang ylang |
| Clove Bud | uplifting, stimulating, sensual | warming | bergamot, cedarwood, jasmine, lavender, orange, peppermint, rosemary, ylang ylang |
| Eucalyptus | clears the head, emotionally cooling | inhalant, soothes throat/lungs irritation | frankincense, juniper berry, lavender, lemon, peppermint, rosemary, tea tree |
| Fennel | cleansing, clearing, revitalizing | body/skin cleanser tonic | basil, geranium, lemon, lavender, rose, rosemary, sandalwood |
| Frankincense | comforting, calming, soothing | skin tonic, astringent | basil, lavender, lemon, myrrh, neroli, orange, patchouli, pine, rose, sandalwood |
| Geranium | helps relive anxiety, balances the mind | skin care, pms, menopausal symptoms | basil, chamomile, juniper berry, lavender, palma rosa, rosemary, sandalwood |
| Ginger | warming, supports mental function | supports healthy circulation and digestion | cedarwood, citrus oils, eucalyptus, juniper berry, lemongrass, rosemary, sandalwood |
| Grapefruit | reviving, refreshing, uplifting, balancing | cleansing, detoxifying, soothing | basil, cypress, lavender, palma rosa, rose, ylang ylang, other citrus oils |
| Jasmine abs. 5% | balancing, soothing, sensual | supports cardiovascular/urinary function | chamomile, citrus oils, geranium, neroli, rose, sandalwood, ylang ylang |
| Juniper Berry | calming | detoxifying, diuretic, skin care | bergamot, frankincense, geranium, lavender, pine, rose, rosemary, sandalwood |
| Lavender | relaxing, balancing, healing | skin care, restorative, supports restful sleep | most oils including citrus oils, clary sage, geranium, frankincense, juniper |
| Lemon | refreshing, uplifting, stimulating | cleansing, supports cardiovascular health | most oils including chamomile, citrus oils, lavender, neroli, sandalwood, ylang ylang |
| Lemongrass | stimulating, reviving, energizing | supports muscle health | basil, cedarwood, geranium, jasmine, lavender, rosemary, sandalwood, tea tree |
| Myrrh | grounding, cooling, strengthening | skin care, supports respiratory health | cedarwood, frankincense, geranium, lavender, orange, patchouli, rose, sandalwood |
| Neroli 5% | uplifting, soothing, peaceful | supports restful sleep | bergamot, chamomile, citrus oils, jasmine, lavender, sandalwood, ylang ylang |
| Orange | reviving, soothing, relaxing | uplifting, skin tonic, speeds out toxins | frankincense, lavender, rose, rosemary, ylang ylang, other citrus oils |
| Palma Rosa | clarifying, calming, uplifting, relieves stress | purifying, detoxifying, moisturizes skin | geranium, jasmine, lavender, rose, sandalwood, ylang ylang, most citrus oils |
| Patchouli | balancing, grounding, sensual | oily hair and skin, soothes irritated skin | bergamot, clary sage, lavender, lemon,neroli, sandalwood, ylang ylang |
| Peppermint | reviving, supports emotional well-being | cooling, supports digestive system | cedarwood, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, pine needles, rosemary |
| Pine Needle | clearing, refreshing | diuretic, purifying, soothes muscles | cedarwood, eucalyptus, frankincense, geranium, lavender, lemon, rosemary |
| Rose abs 5% | comforting, supports relaxation | skin care all types | bergamot, chamomile, clary sage, geranium, jasmine, lavender, neroli, sandalwood |
| Rosemary | energizing, stimulating | supports healthy memory, astringent | cedarwood, citrus oils, geranium, ginger, juniper berry, pine needle |
| Sandalwood | calming, balancing, sensual | softens dehydrated skin, purifying, balancing | basil, frankincense, geranium, jasmine, lemon, neroli, rose, ylang ylang |
| Spearmint | stimulating, supports emotional well-being | supports digestion, relives daily tension | basil, eucalyptus, grapefruit, rosemary |
| Tangerine | soothing, uplifting | skin tonic, speeds out toxins | basil, chamomile, clary sage, frankincense, lavender, rose, other citrus oils |
| Tea Tree | refreshing, revitalizing | cleansing, purifying, dry scalp | clove, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, rosemary |
| Ylang Ylang | euphoric, sensual,calming | skin, hormone balance | cedarwood citrus oils, clary sage, geranium, jasmine, lavender, rose, sandalwood |
Blend your own essential oils:
| Calming | Immune Support | Lovers' Blend | Relaxing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 drops neroli 10 drops lavender 5 drops geranium 10 drops lemon |
6 drops lavender 6 drops gergamot 4 drops teat tree 4 drops eucalyptus |
10 drops rose 2 drops ylang ylang 8 drops lemon 10 drops palma rosa |
8 drops geranium |
| Sleep Well | Stimulating | Vitalizing |
|---|---|---|
| 8 drops sandalwood 8 drops juniper berry 8 drops ylang ylang |
5 drops rosemary 3 drops basil 2 drops peppermint 5 drops lemon |
8 drops bergamot 8 drops grapefruit 4 drops orange 3 drops frankincense |