by Ed Slingerland | Sep 1, 2023 | Blog, Blog, Did You Know?, Newsletter, Nieuwsbrief, Wist je dat?
Sommige oliën vlekken kunnen geven?
Geen Olie-vlekken, want hoewel wij het allemaal Essentiële of Etherische “olie” noemen, is het officieel helemaal geen olie.
Maar er zijn wel zeker een paar oliën die kunnen vlekken.
Deze oliën laten een vlek achter door de natuurlijk voorkomende kleurstof van de oorspronkelijke plantaardige stoffen.
Wees dus voorzichtig met het gebruik van deze essentiële oliën rond je favoriete witte T-shirt/blouse of oma’s erfstuk linnengoed.
Oliën die vlekken maken door een natuurlijke donkere kleur:
- Blue Tansy
- Jasmine
- German Chamomille
Oliën die vlekken maken door een natuurlijke gele kleur:
- Patchouli
- Vetiver
- Myrrh
- Tangerine
*De gelige kleur vervaagt, maar je moet nog steeds vermijden om ze rond je witte kleding te gebruiken.
Als je een van deze oliën rechtstreeks op witte stof aanbrengt, zal er een vlek achterblijven – wat niet erg is als je een nieuw tie-dye project uitprobeert.
Als je niet van plan bent om je T-shirt te verven, doe dan het volgende niet met deze oliën:
- Rechtstreeks op de huid aanbrengen en dan kleding aantrekken voordat de olie is geabsorbeerd
- Toevoegen aan je wasgoed
- Morsen op kleding of andere stoffen
Hier zijn een paar tips waarop je donkerder gekleurde oliën kunt gebruiken:
- Voeg een druppel Blue Tansy toe aan je moisturizer om de kleur te verdunnen en vlekken te verminderen
- Verstuif Jasmine om je huis te vullen met een rijke, zwoele geur
- Combineer German Chamomille met onze V-6 Plantaardige Olie Complex om je massage te verbeteren
- Maak een set DIY badkrijtjes die je ook als zeep kunt gebruiken.
by Ed Slingerland | Jun 1, 2023 | Blog, frequently asked question, Newsletter
Can essential oils go bad?
If you have a collection of essential oils, you’ve probably wondered, “Can essential oils go bad? Do essential oils go bad?” The answer is: not really! Essential oils don’t go bad the same way as food or other items, but they undergo an oxidation process that begins as soon as the bottle is opened and the oil is exposed to oxygen in the air. Light and heat also enhance oxidation.
It is important to understand what oxidation is…
When an oil comes in contact with oxygen, ultraviolet light and heat, its composition begins to change. The oxygen bonds between molecules are converted to carbon bonds. Over time, the essential oil begins to lose its potency and effectiveness as its chemical composition is broken down by oxidation. This is why most essential oils are sold in amber bottles; the dark glass provides better protection from ultraviolet light. Although essential oils do not “go bad” like food, they change over time. Because of these changes, we cannot fully determine the exact composition of essential oils after oxidation and recommend using oils aromatically only after the recommended shelf life has expired. The good news is that there are a few simple things you can do to slow the rate of oxidation and extend the life of your oil.
How do I extend the shelf life of essential oils?
Extending the shelf life of your oils is pretty easy! Just follow these tips:
- Keep them sealed
- Store them in dark amber bottles
- Keep them out of direct light and heat.
- Essential oils on a shelf
What is the shelf life of common essential oils?
Many essential oils have a shelf life of about 2-5 years if stored in sealed, dark glass bottles kept out of direct light and heat. Some oils such as Patchouli, Sandalwood and Vetiver can last 6-8 years. Here are some timelines for popular essential oils: 1-2 years: Lemon, Lime and Tangerine 2-3 years: Bergamot, Black Pepper, Copaiba, Cypress, Frankincense, Helichrysum, Lemongrass, Melissa, Rosemary, Spearmint and Tea Tree. 3-4 years: Cardemon, Cinnamon Bark, Sage, Eucalyptus globulus, Lavender, Myrrh, Thyme and Vanilla oleoresin. 4-5 years: Blue Tansi, Cedarwood, Peppermint, Wintergreen and Ylang Ylang. Although they don’t expire, essential oils can eventually oxidize to the point where you may need to replace them. Here are a few ideas for what to do with essential oils when they reach that point:
- Diffusion: As long as you still enjoy the scent of the oil, diffusion is perfectly safe.
- Washing: Keep fibers smelling their freshest by using a drop or two in your laundry. Be sure not to apply the oil directly to the fabric!
- Cleaning: Use them in everything from refrigerator freshener and window spray to potpourri, cleaning fizzies, and more!
- Repurpose: Empty essential oil bottles can be used in dozens of creative ways, from craft supplies to DIYs.
Now that you know all there is to know about essential oil oxidation and how to minimize its effects on your essential oils, we hope you feel more confident in your ability to build and maintain a collection of essential oils as you use them in every aspect of your life.
by Ed Slingerland | Jun 1, 2023 | Blog, Did You Know?, Newsletter
An essential oil can cause photosensitivity?
While known for their bright, summery scents, citrus oils are among the most common essential oils that cause photosensitivity. That’s because compounds found in citrus oils—known as furanocoumarins—greatly increase UV sensitivity. And while most photosensitive oils are citrus, other oils can contain compounds or mixes of compounds that have the same effect as furanocoumarins, meaning they’re not sun-safe either. Always check the label before application to determine the oil’s photosensitivity.
How can I know if an oil causes photosensitivity?
All of Young Living’s essential oils that cause photosensitivity are labeled. Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, Orange, Bergamot, Tangerine, Peace & Calming®, Stress Away™, Citrus Fresh™, Gentle Baby™, and Joy™ are some of Young Living’s popular oils that cause photosensitivity, but other oils can come with these risks as well. Always check the label to see what cautions are associated with the oil you’re using.
How does Young Living decide a blend is photosensitive?
Gaging by the amount of photosensitive oil in the blend, Young Living can safely determine whether a blend is safe in the sun.
