Q0. What's a 'FAQ' for heaven's sake ?
A. A 'Frequently Asked Question'. If you have used the Internet for more than five minutes, then you will know what a FAQ is.
Q1. What is 'aromatherapy' all about then ?
A. Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of aromatic substances. To put it another way, we are using fragrant oils to make us feel a whole lot better. Click here for more information.
Q2. What is an 'essential oil' ? Is that like a good quality, cold-pressed, extra virgin olive oil in the kitchen ?
A. Errr... not really. Essential oils are pure, concentrated plant extracts obtained specifically for their fragrance and therapeutic value. Click here for more information. But if you are desperate for a massage and there is nothing else around, olive oil will do just fine. The Romans seemed to manage - have a go at scraping an oily back to get the dirt out.
Q3. Where can I buy essential oils ?
A. Well in the UK almost anywhere. It can be quite hard 'not' to buy them on a weekend away. Here's a typical list of outlets...
Why not try out some Internet links ? Click here for my links page. Don't ask me to recommend a supplier. I'm neutral - I see myself as the Switzerland of the Aromatherapy World.
Q4. How do I know I've bought a good quality essential oil ?
A. Is it thick, cloudy and with a smell like rancid fat ? Does it have no smell but pours like water ? Answer 'yes' to either of the first two questions and it looks like you have a duffo. Seriously, you need to go for a reputable supplier. Oils should be in dark blue or brown bottles - often 10ml by volume. They should have a label stating 'essential oil' rather than 'fragrance oil', 'perfume oil', 'room scent', 'massage oil' etc. Ideally they should show the latin name of the oil and the country of origin to avoid any ambiguity or mis-selling of the product. Nobody seems to put a date of manufacture or 'Use by' date on the bottle so buyer beware. They should be pure and unblended because blending is half the fun and you can vary the strength accordingly. Try a few different suppliers - if you are not happy with any of the oils then turn your nose up at them.
Q5. How do I use my essential oils ?
A. There are lots of different ways...
If you are new to the game then I suggest you try filling the room with a wondrous scent by purchasing a ceramic oil burner. Place a night light ( safety candle ) beneath a ceramic dish containing a little water and 2 or 3 drops of essential oil. A large room may require more oil. I have tried 10 to 15 drops but my eyes go red and start to water. Best not to leave the candle unattended etc.
Once you have the bug, you really must try mixing up a massage oil. It's a bit hard to massage yourself so you need to find a friend. Keep to recommended dilution strengths.
I don't recommend you take any oils internally as there is potential risk. I do get e-mails off people who say it is perfectly harmless but the medical evidence is against them. Too much essential oil can result in liver damage amongst other things.
Only a few oils should be used neat on the skin. Lavender is fine and tea tree oil is good for spots etc. Peppermint oil is sometimes used for colds and headaches. People's skin can vary a lot - some end up with red and blotchy skin after rubbing with essential oils, others do not notice any ill effects. Always try a small test patch before going mad with the stuff.
Please observe all contra-indications before use.
Q6. Can I make my own essential oils ? I grow smelly plants in the garden.
A. Well I don't want to be a party pooper, but making your own essential oils is not a trivial exercise. Most essential oils are obtained by a process called 'steam distillation' which means you need to boil up vast quantities of the plant material and condense out the aromatic vapours which emerge. Boiling requires a large copper or stainless steel kettle and a decent fire. Condensing requires access to lots of cold water and plenty of metal or glass tubing. It's not the sort of thing you do in the kitchen. However, if you are really determined and want to purchase the necessary equipment then don't let me put you off. Check out my links page for equipment suppliers.
Some oils are easier to make. Cold expression is often used to extract citrus oils. Basically, you squeeze the skin or peel until the oil bursts out.
Solvent extraction is best left to the experts.
If you want, have a crack at making rose oil. Find a large glass bell jar and stuff it full of fresh rose petals. Fill with water, seal and leave in a cool place for a few weeks, The rose oil should float to the top. As rose oil is incredibly expensive, this could be just the money-spinning venture you are looking for. At worst, you will have some nice rose-water to splash on your skin in the long, hot, summer months.
Q7. How can I learn more about aromatherapy ?
A. Read all my pages for a start. Then have a look at other Internet sites on aromatherapy. Then buy a good book on it. If you still want to know more, then get yourself on an aromatherapy course - especially one with a strong practical element which teaches massage therapy. Practice makes perfect, as they say.
Q8. Are there any courses on aromatherapy in my area ?
A. I simply haven't a clue. I don't know where you live, and even if I did, I still wouldn't have a clue. How about looking up 'aromatherapy' in your local telephone directory. What is your nearest college of further education ? Many of them run courses in massage and aromatherapy and you will get a nice certificate at the end to put on your wall.
Q9. What careers are there in aromatherapy ?
A. Well amongst the more respectable ones, you could get a job as an aromatherapist in the beauty or alternative therapy fields. You could set up your own business working at home, or you could be employed by a hospital, fitness centre, health club etc. You may wish to specialise in the treatment of sports injuries or perhaps you would enjoy treating the elderly or sick. I wouldn't be surprised if somewhere there was an aromatherapy centre for pets.
Whatever you do, you will need some qualifications to progress in this field which means some basic knowledge of anatomy and medicine. Also, you will require insurance to treat members of the public. Not that you could possibly do any wrong or make somebody's condition a lot worse.
So if you have any specific questions, don't ask me - get in touch with your local college. I dabble - I don't practice.
Q10. I take essential oils internally every day and they never did me any harm . Why worry people with all that contra-indication rubbish ?
A. Well good luck to you. I know some people do take oils internally and they are prescribed in countries such as France. However, there is enough scientific evidence to suggest that overdosing on essential oils can result in serious and irreversible damage to internal organs such as the liver. There have been cases of death due to over consumption of essential oils. Also, a number of lesser known essential oils are highly toxic and should be avoided both internally and externally.
There are some people who fall into 'high risk' groups when considering treatment with essential oils. Read my safety pages carefully.
Q11. Can essential oils treat serious illness ?
A. There is some anecdotal evidence to suggest that essential oils can help serious illness. If you have a serious illness, and have tried conventional treatments with no success, then what is there to lose ? However, ALWAYS seek medical advice from a doctor first. Aromatherapy is no substitute for modern medicine, no matter how much you would like to believe in the healing powers of flowers and plants. In the past, aromatherapy was used because the scientific understanding and vast array of man-made drugs were just not available. The treatments proved moderately effective in treating everyday ailments and infections, but there is no evidence that they prolonged life expectancy to any great degree. It is only now with our understanding of DNA and the human genome that we can make huge breakthroughs in the treatment life-threatening disease. Use aromatherapy but understand its limitations.
Q11. What evidence is there that aromatherapy does any good at all ?
A. As most doctors would say - circumstantial, anecdotal, historical but not scientific. In fact, research has been done into the effectiveness of some essential oils - especially the popular ones such as lavender, tea tree and peppermint. The aniti-bacterial properties, and to some extent anti-viral properties, of these oils are now well regarded. Have you noticed how the essential oils are finding there way into a wide range of cosmetic and cleaning products ? How may times have you seen 'lemon' or 'pine' fresh cleaners ? Or tea tree shower gel and shampoo ? Or rosemary bath oil ? Is this just cashing in on a trendy phenomenon ( no doubt ) or is there some real scientific evidence behind it ? Even if you dismiss aromatherapy out of hand, have some respect for times past when essential oils brought healing, freshness and luxury to a squalid world. We all appreciate gold, but remember it was on an equal with frankincense and myrrh ! Buy a bottle of each and find out why this could possibly be.
Q12. Is aromatherapy at odds with modern science and medicine ?
A. Certainly not. The place of modern science and medicine is to analyse and explain the properties of essential oils - not to be in conflict with it. Essential oils are not 'black magic', the mystical elixir of witches and demons. Check out the chemistry page for an insight into what we know. Although it is said that some plant oils contain hundreds of molecular compounds, the entirety of which can never be made synthetically, this doesn't mean they never will or never can be. Nature is well ahead of us but not out of reach. One day we may be able to faithfully reproduce all essential oils but for now content yourself with the fact that it is a lot easier to get the natural oils straight from the flower, plant or tree.
Q13. I'm doing a school project on aromatherapy. Can you send me some material ?
A. Absolutely not. The idea of a school project or homework is that YOU do it, not me. When I was at school, I didn't ask you to write my essays for me, did I ? Now I don't mind you using any text or pictures on my site for inclusion in your project, but you should really quote your sources if you are to sleep soundly at night. If you get a good grade then drop me a note so that I can be pleased with you.
Q14. Can I give your site a link ?
A. No problem - stick me in there. I assume your site is of the highest moral rectitude and a fitting service to the rest of mankind, like mine.
Q15. Can you give my site a link ?
A. If you are vaguely connected to aromatherapy or alternative medicine then I guess you qualify. There is no registration form or signing-up fee but I do take the trouble to see if the link you sent me actually exists. It may not 6 months from now but I'm not too bothered about that.
I put all my links on this page and nobody gets special treatment. Drop me a note if you want to have a thread for Web Crawlers to trundle down.
Q16. Do you know of any good books on aromatherapy ?
A. I sure do. Visit my bibliography page. If you know of any good books then send me the details please.
Q17. Everything is in English and I'm Portuguese. What are you going to do about it ?
A. Well errr... not a lot. I would love to translate my pages into all the languages of the wired-up world but I really don't have the time. And I only speak/write English which is a real downer. Perhaps if you are multi-lingual you could translate the odd page for me ? Now I'm not saying that this is right and English must be the dominant language, but that's how it has turned out. I admire anybody outside the UK who can converse in English - even the Americans.
Q18. Where should I store my essential oils ?
A. In bottles or they will leak. Ha, ha. But seriously folks, they should be in glass bottles, in the shade, away from heat. and away from young children. A bit like a cross between a fine wine and a bottle of pills. Do this and they will last longer, and so will your family.
Store them well and they will smell.
Q19. How did you do the graphics on your Web Site ?
A. Aren't you interested in aromatherapy ? Well, if you must know, I use 3D drawing packages such as Micrografx Simply 3D v3 and Ulead Cool 3D v2. Complete no-brainers to use.
Q20. Can I use essential oils undiluted ?
A. Not a good idea unless you have a bottle of lavender in your hand. Check out dilution strengths. You need to buy some carrier oil before you get to massage your first victim.
Essential oils are very potent so entry into the bloodstream should be reduced by taking appropriate measures. Potency is dependent on strength, volume and time between applications or exposure.
As a general guide, the most potent use of oil is through digestion, then through the skin ( massage ), then through the lungs ( inhalation ).
Q21. Can I make scented candles ?
A. Why not ? I've had a go myself - just add some drops of your favourite essential oils to the molten wax whilst in the rabbit mould. I must say that as the oil gets to burn rather than evaporate, I prefer the 'clean' scent of a vapouriser to that of a scented candle. Anyway, have a go at it and if you are pleased with the results then send me your winning formula. The world isn't exactly short of scented candles but a home-made one is extra special.
Q22. I have some material on aromatherapy which I can give you. Do you want it ?
A. Of course I do ! Do you think I enjoy typing away into the small hours when the sun is shining and the birds are singing ? Obviously, no copyrighted material but if you think it has a place on the world stage then sling it across. I will credit you with the work.
Q23. How often do you update the site ?
A. OK, so you've noticed. I do try and keep my site up to date but with one thing and another ( life ), it's hard. I guess I tinker every couple of weeks and actually put out some new material every couple of months. If you want to play 'spot the difference' then I suggest you visit me every 3 months. If it hasn't changed for 12 months then I guess I'm dead. Sorry for the inconvenience etc.
Q24. Where do you live ?
A. A village ( doesn't look much like one - forget thatched cottages and think urban sprawl ) called Davenport on the outskirts of Stockport near Manchester in the North West of England. That's England in the United Kingdom or British Isles, not New England.
Q25. Are you married ?
A. Yes. Why ?
Q26. Would you consider taking some advertising ?
A. Errr..........No.
Q27. Can I take over your site and make you a 'dot com' millionaire ?
A. Errr..........No. But then again, millionaire ? No, I have my principals at stake. I'm not selling out to a big corporation. Well, not immediately. Maybe if you send me a cheque I could consider it in more detail. Shopping carts could add a certain something I guess.
Q28. Would you be interested in importing our oils into the UK ?
A. Thanks for considering me but you really have the wrong guy. I stay clear of the commercial stuff and stay on the punter side of the fence.
Q29. How do you know all the stuff you publish is 'correct' ? I disagree with some of it.
A. How do I know the grass is green ? If you say it's yellow then sure, you turned out to be right. That's why I have no lawn. My material is in the 'widely accepted' category and comes from books, courses, television, radio, the Internet and talking to people. Not everyone will agree with it all. I really don't mind. Click here for the anti-aromatherapy page. If you think I have something wrong then don't sit there steaming but put keyboard to screen and let me know. My ego is so small it would fit in a 10ml bottle.
Q30. Why are more women interested in aromatherapy than men ?
A. Seems to be the case doesn't it ? Check out my mini-survey. Are women more interested in beauty, health, alternative medicine, natural and organic food, the environment, perfume, cosmetics...? Well I guess so. Do women get more stressed than men ? No comment. It's a delicate subject but men and women's brains are different. I'm not saying either sex is better, just different. We have different brain chemistry and women like aromatherapy. Why ? It goes back a long way - we are talking evolution over tens of thousands of years. If you are interested in gender differences ( and let's face it, who isn't ? ), then I suggest you read the classic ''Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus' by John Gray, or 'Why Men Don't Listen & Women Can't Read Maps' by Allan & Barbara Pease..
Q31. How long do essential oils last ?
A. As long as you keep them. Ha, ha. It would be nice if they lasted forever, but mother nature didn't make 'volatile' chemicals for nothing. They degrade over time, losing their scent, perhaps becoming cloudy and thicker, and even going a bit 'rancid'. Essential oils should smell divine, not like a bucket of pig fat. The hotter it is and the more sunlight about ( UV rays ), the quicker they go off. Base notes last longer than top notes. Click here for a discussion of notes. I think the answer to the question is anything from a few months to a few years. I'm sure we would all like fresh, new bottles of oils every couple of months but few of us can afford it in the 'amateur' league. The professionals pride themselves on regular deliveries of fresh oil.
Q32. How many oils do you have ?
A. That's a very personal question. Anyway, at the last count about 110 bottles, but that includes some mixed oils, a few perfume oils and plenty of the same essential oils by different suppliers.
Q33. Do you have a real job ?
A. Yes thanks. I'm a software engineer which comes in handy with all this Internet stuff.
Q34. Why do you write with a funny accent, spell words incorrectly ( e.g. colour ) and write the date with the day before the month ?
A. I'm from England. If you are from the U.S.A. then try to find an atlas. We also drive on the left side of the road to allow our sword arm to be useful. A sword is like a close-range gun with a silencer and no bullets.
Q35. Why does the U.S.A. dominate the 'Home Sweet Home' page ?
A. I guess it is because the Internet is more widespread and has been going longer in the U.S.A. than in Great Britain. I think we are catching up though.
Q36. What professional bodies are there for aromatherapy ?
A. I'm an amateur, so how should I know ? But I have come across the following...
ISPA - International Society of Professional Aromatherapists
IFA - International Federation of Aromatherapists
FHT - Federation of Holistic Therapists
If you are a professional and belong to a different body then please let me know. As these bodies are 'international' then the country you live in may well have a head office - take a look in the phone book to find out. They are certainly worth contacting if you are thinking of pursuing a career in aromatherapy and will be able to suggest courses and certification processes.
Q37. Can I make shampoo, conditioners, shower gels, body lotions etc. with my essential oils ?
A. Certainly. To avoid boiling up animal fat which is a nasty process at the best of times, the best idea is to buy a neutral, odourless base cream / gel / lotion and add a few drops of essential oil. It now looks like the big cosmetic companies have muscled in on the action as there is no shortage of essential oil derivatives in England. But if you make them yourself, you can create all weird combinations that nobody in their right mind would sell. The most popular oils for cleansers seem to be rosemary, juniper, tea tree, lime, grapefruit, lemongrass, orange, cinnamon, peppermint and ylang ylang. Careful with the cinnamon - it's a bit toxic in high concentration ! And if you want waking up in the morning, there's nothing like a spot of peppermint and tea tree shower gel. It makes your bits tingle all over.
Q38. I want to go on holiday ( vacation ) to the land of essential oils. Where's that then ?
A. Ah, the mystical land of vanilla pods, peppercorns, frangipani trees, jasmine flowers and clove buds. I think the consensus of opinion is that smelly plants do best in hot climes, so you need to go somewhere tropical. Plenty of sun, plenty of rain. The Mediterranean and Middle East countries contribute their fair share of oils, but you really need to go to the Far East to approach paradise. I've been to the Spice Gardens of Sri Lanka and they must surely be amongst the best in the world. Perhaps India and Indonesia are contenders. England is quite good on lavender by the way.
Q39. Ha, ha. I found a speeling mistake on your site. What are you going to do about it ?
A. Errr... nothing unless you tell me about it. As I software engineer I know by bitter experience that the last person who should check your software is yourself. You are 'blind' to your own mistakes, almost by definition, because if you knew they were mistakes you wouldn't have done them in the first place. So I can read a page over and over again without seeing a typo in the big title at the top. So any proof reading is highly appreciated.
Q40. Your site is too slow to use. The graphics take ages to download and are not worth the wait. What are you going to do about it ?
A. Mmmmh.... you are the sort of person who goes on holiday and not only hates every minute of it but conveys this opinion to everybody within a 5 mile radius. I do use plenty of graphics to lighten up the dull text and if you are on a 'slow' modem then it will take a bit of time to download. Most browsers 'cache' the graphics on your hard disk so if you visit again in a week or so it should be a lot quicker. You can of course turn the graphics off but you will then think I'm a very dull person. Certain aspects of my Web Pages are beyond my control - if there is a problem on the Web Server or the transatlantic links ( for instance ) are busy, then you may not get to visit my site at all. You may find certain times of day ( middle of the night ) are better than others. Although I have had problems in the past, I'm now quite happy with my current service provider. I check all my internal site links but if any don't work then please let me know immediately.
Q41. Can you do a 'mini' version of this site for my Palm Pilot or WAP mobile phone ?
A. No.
Q42. Do you have a sense of humour ?
A. I like to think so.
Q43. I've seen food recipes which use essential oils. Any good ?
A. Well you try them first and let me know. Not that I'm scared or anything. In fact, if you are interested in food recipes then Valerie Ann Worwood's book is a cracking read. All the essential oils that reach my stomach come from fresh or dried herbs. And ginger, And fruit. And spices. I suppose I stick to the conventionals when it comes to cooking. I quite like Earl Grey tea as well.
Q44. Can I put essential oils in the bath ?
A. Of course, that is one of the great experiences of life. A hot, steamy bath in subdued lighting, perhaps a small candle and some background music. A glass of wine in the hand. And the lovely, exotic fragrance of an essential oil. This relaxation method is not quite as effective in a shower. I suggest 6 to 10 drops in the average bath but I guess if you live in California then the average bath takes 8 people and you will need to increase the dose accordingly. Only add the oils AFTER the bath is run or all the lovely aroma will vanish. My favourites are frankincense, sandalwood, ylang ylang and lavender.
Q45. I'm going on holiday ( vacation ). What oils should I take with me ?
A. Some people take an essential oil First Aid kit with them, which immediately marks them out as alternative-therapy weirdo-hippies to their fellow travelers. So I take aspirin and sticky plasters as well so as to appear normal.
I would suggest you only bother with a few - tea tree or lavender for small cuts and abrasions. Lemongrass and sandalwood for 'freshening' up - make a splash bottle to pass around the mini-bus. If you are going to be attacked by mosquitoes the size of bats then you best muster all the protection you can get. Check out the best recipe.
Q46. Is your site hit counter accurate ?
A. I believe so. It is updated automatically.
Q47. Do you know of any treatments for baldness ?
A. I wish I did, being follicly-challenged. But then again, most men are. Good oils are supposedly thyme, rosemary, lavender, cypress and roman chamomile. A few drops of each can be added to a neutral shampoo and massaged into the hair. These oils are supposed to stimulate the scalp into hair growth. If you find a winning formula then let me know as soon as possible - before I go out and buy a tin of scalp polish.
Q48. Isn't acupuncture a much better idea ?
A. If you prefer having needles pushed through your skin into the nerves to a nice relaxing back massage with fragrant oils then good luck to you. But is one better than the other ? Both acupuncture and aromatherapy have a certain respectability now. One of the major reasons for alternative therapy is back pain. My recommendation is that if you suffer from this chronic condition try both and pick the one which works best. Both offer short-term alleviation of pain but longer term it's not quite so good. You need regular treatment to get the most out of it.
Q49. I've heard lavender is good for burns. Is this true ?
A. Historically this certainly seems to be the case and there have been a few papers published on it. In 1928, René-Maurice Gattefossé discovered the potency of lavender by accident. Obviously, I don't recommend this treatment for serious burns - gallons of cold water and a sterile loose bandage before the visit to casualty seems to be the best plan.
Q50. Do essential oils make the world a better place ?
A. Of course they do. They bring love and happiness to all.
