Introduction
Welcome to the first essential SOiL blog post.
We are so excited to bring you the most amazing brand from the heart of Zululand South Africa.
Our SOiL brand mission has always been simple - to be an eco-ethical company which offers consumers high quality certified organic aromatherapy - and skin care products that are locally manufactured from high quality organic ingredients, sourced from Africa as far as possible. SOiL products are free from: parabens, synthetic fragrance, artificial colourant, mineral oil and silicones, and they are not tested on animals.
• SOiL believes in organic • SOiL promotes natural and abstains from harmful • SOiL supports local • SOiL cares about the quality and purity of its products • SOiL products are never tested on animals •
The passion that we have for making 100% natural organic essential oils is at the heart of everything we do, bringing only the best quality ECOCERT certified products to you.
SOiL aromatherapy products are certified organic by ECOCERT France. When you see the ECOCERT organic certification logo it’s a guarantee of the hard work and dedication that goes into the integrity of SOiL products. Our products are developed to help you without harming the environment.
Whether you are new to SOiL essential oils or simply discovering the benefits that essential oils can have on your day to day life. We hope in these blogs, to share with you as much useful bite size information as possible to put you on an exciting path to building your essential SOiL collection of oils.
The therapeutic benefits and the blends that you can create and personalise is all in your hands. As we are all unique and individual we all have different tastes, smells and preferences. It’s the same with essential oils.
Your nose will tell you what you need just by the smell. For example; if you have three essential oil blends; let’s take our remedy rollers and you were to smell all three one after the other -
Relax - To calm the nervous system, promote tranquillity and help relieve tension headaches.
With Clary Sage, warming Marjoram, Lavender & Chamomile.
The oil blend that smells the strongest or the most noticeable to you at that time is what your body is requiring as a boost. So, if you are feeling fatigued it may be the revive. Or if you are over tired it may be the relax. Our tip is to always smell a couple of oils before using one.
A smell can evoke a memory much stronger than simply looking at a picture, a smell can transport you back to a time that you may not have been thinking of. Trust your nose and trust SOiL essential oils.
Aromatic plants have been used for thousands of years as incense, perfumes and cosmetics and for their medicinal and culinary applications. In ancient civilisations dating back 2000BC lists of substances including Cinnamon, Ginger, Myrrh, Coriander and Sandalwood have been identified. Some cultures seen the handling of aromatic plants and herbs as a sacred task.
Maybe that’s one of the reasons essential oils have always been regarded as precious. It’s also to do with the quantity of the raw material that has to go into to each individual tiny amber bottle. The aromatic content in the flowers of rose is so very delicate and small that it takes approx one ton of petals to produce 300g of rose oil.
It isn’t clear why some plants contain essential oils and some don’t. It is clear that the plant uses the scent to attract or repel certain insects and animals. Some studies have suggested that the natural plant oils protect the plant from disease and that’s why it’s called the life-blood of the plant. Highly concentrated essential nature.
Aromatic oils can be found in various parts of the plant including the seeds, roots, bark and leaves, flowers, balsam and resin. For example - the bitter orange tree yields Orange oil from the fruit peel, Petitgrain from the leaves and twigs and Neroli oil from the orange blossoms. All with unique properties and benefits in aromatherapy.
The art of extraction and use have been developed over the course of time, but the origins reach back to the very heart of the earliest civilisations.
SOiL essential oils more than ever have a place in the home, they are simple and easy to use, with added health benefits for all the family.
Where to start?
An oil for every occasion. Maybe one to uplift you, one to calm and one to balance or restore you?
Blending oils is simple, a drop of one mixed with a drop or two of another - the simple rule to follow is this. Try and blend oils that have similar properties with each other rather than oils that have contrasting effects.
Here is a few that we would recommend;
Rosemary - Comes from a shrubby evergreen bush with needle shaped leaves and tiny pale blue flowers. Used widely in soaps detergents cosmetics and household sprays. It has a strong fresh herbaceous scent with woody undertones. A perfect pick me up oil to clear the air and the mind in the home. We call it the stress reducer and memory improver. Blends well with Lavender, Citronella, Pine, Thyme, Peppermint, Cedarwood, Petitgrain, Cinnamon and other spicy oils.
Rose Geranium - A perennial hairy shrub with serrated pointed leaves and small pink flowers. The whole plant is aromatic. It has a rosy-sweet minty refreshing and uplifting scent helps with bruises, broken capillaries to aid circulation and problems relating to PMS. We call it the perfect pick me up. Blends well with Lavender, Patchouli, Clove, Rose, Orange blossom, Sandalwood, Juniper, Bergamot and other citrus oils.
Lavender - Comes from an evergreen woody shrub with beautiful violet blue flowers. Generally regarded as the most versatile essence on the market. With comforting and calming properties.
Every home should have a little bottle of Lavender - the oil can treat burns to bites. Whilst aids a restful sleep. Less is best with this oil, a little goes a long way, when using to aid sleep too much can actually stimulate. Blends well with most oils especially citrus and florals also Cedarwood, Clove, Clary sage, Pine, Geranium and Vetiver.
If you are new to essential oils, one of the easiest and most effective ways to use them is vaporisation. Try this with the SOiL oil burner, simply add a couple of drops of your favourite SOiL essential oil with a couple of teaspoons of water, the heat from the burning candle - we recommend using a soy candle - underneath will release the 100% natural and organic aroma into the air. You can choose to set the mood, depending on the oils used.
Back soon with more SOiL essentials x
Please note that All SOiL essential oils are intended for external use only. Unless otherwise advised by a medical practitioner. Do not use undiluted on skin. Do not apply to broken or irritated skin. If sensitivity occurs discontinue use. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking any medications or under medical supervision seek professional advice before use. Please keep out of reach of children.
SOiL advocates the responsible use of essential oils. We grow and source the finest quality essential oils from around the world to supply you with pure, potent plant extracts for aromatic and therapeutic applications. Essential oils are many times stronger than the plants they are derived from and are far more concentrated than the herbal tincture extracted from the same plant.
Accordingly, we recommend that you avoid oral use/ingesting pure essential oils without seeking professional advice beforehand. The issue is not the quality of the essential oils you take orally – there is no such thing as a ‘therapeutic grade’ of essential oil nor is one brand of essential oils safe to ingest over another brand. The issue is safety and even though essential oils are 100% natural, plant-derived extracts, they are botanical medicines which have the potential to cause harmful side effects when taken orally. Essential oils should only be prescribed for oral use in a clinical setting, by a suitably qualified practitioner.
There are many methods of obtaining the aromatic and therapeutic benefits of essential oils, namely; inhalation, massage, skincare preparations, bath and compress. If you require individual advice on oral use/ingestion or in relation to a specific medical condition, we recommend you consult a qualified practitioner, as described above.