just purchased unrefined shea butter from a distributor and need to know how to get it from the block into a useable form mixed with essential oils.
Hi, there. Shea butter is a very delicate butter that will "grow" crystals if it is heated to too high a temp. That means it should never be heated in a microwave. Although the "crystals" are just stearic acid from the Shea Butter, they do make the texture of the butter … just plain gross. 
Since Shea Butter is naturally a relatively soft butter, the best way to soften it to a blending consistency is to place the desired amount of Shea Butter in a zippy bag and then place the bag in a bowl of hot water. Check it every 30 sec – 1 minute, and massage it around in the bag each time you check on it. When it feels soft enough to be blendable, cut a hole in the bottom corner of the bag and squeeze the contents into a sterilized jar or container. (You can also leave it in the bag if that’s more convenient.) Keep the Shea Butter in a cool location and protect it from light so that the Essential Oils aren’t compromised. That’s all there is to it!!
Shea Butter’s awesome. Enjoy it to the fullest! You can make whipped shea butter by softening it (use a bowl placed in shallow hot water to soften it), adding a liquid oil such as extra virgin olive oil (very healing), jojoba, or corn oil, and then whip the butter with a hand mixer. Slowly blend in essential oils or herbal extracts while you whip. Continue whipping until it forms a fluffy, soft butter that can be easily spread on the body. It’s delightful and feels so luxurious!
Have fun with it!
http://www.HealWithOil.com
http://www.RATW.org
The Oils of Ancient Scripture have been a bit of a mystery for many of us. We’re drawn to their rich spiritual meanings, which is woven throughout the Bible and the fabric of Biblical days gone by. Research and technology now reveals their health benefits and how we can use them to walk in divine health. Aromatic Plants, Herbs and oils have been used for incense, perfume, culinary and medicinal purposes for thousands of years by many cultures. The Bible mentions over 33 species of fragrant plants with over 1,035 references to essential oils and/or plants in the Old and New Testaments. During Biblical Times, Essential oils were inhaled, applied to the body, and taken internally in which the benefits extended to every aspect of their being physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally.
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I am looking for a site that sells pure essential oils that are extracted properly…like the part of the plant and steam distillation, for example.
Here’s a few I use. I still haven’t found a company where I feel that all of their products are of the highest quality but there’s a select few who I trust for most of my stuff
http://www.simplers.com/
a great source for all around stuff.
http://www.auracacia.com/auracacia/art.html
Is a larger company but they have the facilities to do oil testing to make sure what they are getting is the real stuff. They also have a field staff that visits the growers around the world to guarantee the quality.
http://www.floracopeia.com/
This site is great for resin based oils and old world oils like Frankincense, Myrrh and attar’s. David Crow, the owner, personally visits the countries and also helps establish growing and distilling communities so these out of the way places have a source of income.
http://www.veriditasbotanicals.com/oils_lav.html
If I was buying in bulk this site would be the only one I’d use. This woman is an exceptional source. Otherwise I don’t believe she sells in small quantities
www.mountainroseherbs.com
I get some bulk herbs here and they have a good selection of oils but this is not my first choice. I usually buy Lavender and Tee Tree from them as they are abundant and easy to harvest and distill.
i used to buy from Young Living, but I don’t care for the pyramid distribution concept. To buy you need to sign on as a distributor and who ever sponsors you gets a cut of the profits. I’ve also heard too many stories about how some oils are below quality. But that’s my view.
If you are interested in buying true sandalwood, It is being grown and distilled in Australia. Most sandalwoods out there are fake unless you can get a guarantee from them that it is true sandalwood. From my understanding India has been over harvested and has had nothing exported in years.
When buying Lavender, look for Lavendula angustifolia as this is the true most therapeutic version of lavender. Lavendin and Spike lavender are less therapeutic
Hope this helps
Kenneth Gardner explains how you can use your therapeutic grade Young Living Purification essential oil blend, which is one of the 9 “Everyday Oils”.
http://www.KennethGardner.com
I’m Kenneth Gardner, and I’ve been using the Young Living products, and I love what they do for me. Believe it or not, I’m almost 50 years old. What I love about the Young Living essential oils is the physical and emotional benefits that I get from them. Today I’d like to tell you about the blend of essential oils called Purification. Purification is a blend of citronella, lemongrass, lavandin, rosemary, melaleuca, and myrtle. As you can tell from the name, Purification essential oil blend is used to purify, cleanse, disinfect, and deodorize the air, principally. You can neutralize mold, mildew, cigarette smoke, and just about any other odors you can think of. Purification is not just a cover-up. It actually will help neutralize odors and do some purifying, unlike with chemical products. You really don’t want to be spraying chemical products in the air in your house or using those plug-in products, those scented candles, and so forth, because really you’re just poisoning yourself with chemicals whereas you’re actually going to get health benefits from Purification essential oil blend. As with most of the essential oils, you can diffuse Purification in the Young Living diffuser to purify the air. You can spray it from a spray bottle by taking a glass spray bottle with some water in it, putting some drops of Purification in it, and spraying it into the air. You can apply Purification to a cotton ball and put it on the air vents, which is really helpful if you’re traveling and you’re in a hotel room. I have heard it can totally transform the room, like when you enter the room and you know there’s something wrong with the air and the environment. You can put this on the vents in the hotel room. You can also directly inhale Purification when you’re traveling, like if you’re in that stale airplane air or wherever you are and want to purify yourself. You would put some drops of Purification in the palm of your hand and rub your hands together and inhale deeply while cupping your hands over your nose and mouth. You would inhale deeply eight or ten times, and you can even inhale directly from the bottle. You can also use your Purification to disinfect and cleanse cuts, scrapes, and bites from different insects like wasps, spiders, hornets, and any insect bites. Purification helps to neutralize venom from poisonous snakes or spiders, so it would be good to have this on hand in your first aid kit so that you can apply it to bites like that. I’m not saying you shouldn’t still see immediate medical attention, but this could do you wonders. Other places you could apply Purification essential oil blend is on sores, bruises, blisters, and skin blemishes. Purification can also be used as an insect repellent, so you could apply it directly, spray it on, or spray it into the air. You could also use Purification when you feel a sore throat starting by applying it directly to the outside of your throat. You could apply it straight. Some people who have more sensitive skin may need to dilute it using the Young Living V-6 enhanced vegetable oil complex. You could put some V-6 oil in your hand and then some drops of Purification, mixing it in your hand, and applying it wherever needed. You can even take that diluted Purification and, to ward off the flu, apply it inside your nasal cavity with a cotton swab. People have used it for dandruff, so if you have a dandruff issue, you can try it for that, Finally, you can combat odors in shoes by taking cotton balls, applying several drops of Purification essential oil blend to the cotton balls, and putting them inside the shoes. Those are ways you could use your Purification essential oil blend by Young Living. I’m Kenneth Gardner, and for more information, please visit KennethGardner.com.
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Would like to burn different essential oils but I heard some can cause allergic reactions. Is this true? Are there some that irritate more than others? Wondering because I’m sometimes sensitive to different perfumes or strongly scented candles.
Yes. Some essential oils can cause allergic reactions especially when pregnant or those who suffer from hay fever. Avoid rubbing essential ois on infants under the age of 11-12, also if you suffer from high blood pressure. Unfortunately essential oils can be contradictory
I know that essential oils are extracted from microscopic ‘sacs’ in different parts of plants, but which parts produce the most essential oils, and why? Please answer! I need this for school!
It depends on the plant whether you extract from leaves, petals or other parts. Oil can be extracted from any part of the plant including roots, seeds and rinds. With rosemary the leaf is extracted but with jasmine or roses it is the petals and with cardamon it is the seeds.
Basically if they are culinary plants extract from the same parts you use in cooking. For instance with dill you can extract both the seeds and the foliage just as you can use either in flavoring food. Bergamot extract the flowering tops and leaves.
This site gives specifics for a wide range of botanicals.
http://www.godblessyou.co.in/ess_oils1.html
Andrea Butje of Aromahead Institute and Aromatics International discusses the new Sunny Citrus collection of pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils from www.AromaticsInternational.com
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I know that essential oils vary in quality levels. Can anyone attest to a brand that is the highest quality. I am looking specifically for grapefruit oil.
It’s not the brand. There are lots of factors.
1. Are the oils produced where the herbs grow or are the herbs dried and shipped to the place the the essential oils are distilled. If this happens a lot of the oils are alreay gone before they essential oils are distilled. the essential oils are volatile meaning they evaporate as the plants are dried.
2. the temperature the oils are distilled at. At the proper temperatire; you get a very nice aroma. at the wrong temperature; the oil smells like turpentine
3. were the plants sprayed with insecticides, this will affect the quality of the oils
etc.
A lot of people think Young Living Oils are fabulous; but if the herbs are grown somewhere else and shipped; the quality would not be as good as they should be.
I will only give you a little advice.
1. ask if the essential oils are pure. Some companies make fragrance oils by putting some essential oil in a carrier oil such as grapeseed, jojoba, etc.
2. open the tester vial. if you like the aroma; get a bottle. If you do not like the aroma; try others.
http://www.HealWithOil.com
http://www.RATW.org
The Oils of Ancient Scripture have been a bit of a mystery for many of us. We’re drawn to their rich spiritual meanings, which is woven throughout the Bible and the fabric of Biblical days gone by. Research and technology now reveals their health benefits and how we can use them to walk in divine health.
Duration : 0:10:1
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How can you get essential oils if you don’t like oily foods, but need them because your skin is drying out, and lotion isn’t doing anything for you?
fish oil capsules
flax seed oil capsules
nuts (walnuts, almonds, cashews)
eat some fish (especially salmon)
all natural peanut butter
also, make sure you are hydrated (atleast 3 liters of pure water per day)